Labour's budget forced through without debate

11.59.00am GMT Tue 17th Feb 2009

Oxford's "Bridge of Sighs"

In a turn of events which left opposition councillors, members of the public and the press gasping, the Labour group on Oxford City Council last night prevented any debate on their budget proposals in council, and then forced them through on the Lord Mayor's casting vote. The increase in council tax will be 4.5%, well above the increases in income which most Oxford residents are likely to get this year.

Said Lib Dem group leader Cllr David Rundle: "You have to wonder why Labour were so keen to avoid discussion of their proposals. In recent weeks we have seen them going back on their promises to keep the Peers Leisure Centre open, and on their undertaking to traders in the Covered Market to invest in repairs and improvements. They are saying they will keep the Museum of Oxford open, but have not budgeted enough money for this. What else are they trying to hide?"

Added Cllr Stephen Brown, Finance spokesman for the Lib Dems: "We proposed our own alternative budget, setting the Council Tax increase at 2%, which we felt was more reasonable in the present climate. But we still found ways to honour the council's promises on the Covered Market, and the Museum, and to help community centre users which are going to be squeezed with the new business rates, and the various other local groups who rely on grants from the area committees. Labour seems to have no understanding of what life will be like for people during this recession."

To see the report in the Oxford Mail, visit:

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/oxford/4131037.Council_tax_to_rise_by_4_5_per_cent/