Tendring Council thrown into budget turmoil (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Tendring Council thrown into budget turmoil

11:37am Friday 19th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

PLANS for £3million of projects could be back on the agenda after Tendring Council’s administration lost a crucial budget vote.

The Conservative-led administration put forward plans for a zero per cent increase in the district council’s share of council tax as part of a budget which focused on saving money.

Council leader Neil Stock said the “prudent” budget was not “sexy or glamorous” but was needed to prepare the council for expected grant cuts from central government next year.

But the Tendring First-led opposition was successful in passing an amendment, following the absence of three Tory councillors, calling for £1.646million of uncommitted reserves to be spent, as well as borrowing £1.2million for the redevelopment of Frinton and Walton Swimming Pool and Harwich Sports Hall.

Mr Stock has not yet formally agreed the budget and a meeting could take place on Friday when he will decide whether to accept it or put forward another budget.

“It is dangerous and risky to be spending that much money at a time when we are facing a financial storm,” he said.

“If all of their proposed projects go ahead it will bankrupt this council.”

Peter Halliday, cabinet member for finance, suggested the Tory administration would not relinquish control of the authority, but would remain in power and work with the opposition’s budget.

Leading opposition councillor Pierre Oxley said: “A lot of our projects were in last year’s budget that the Conservative administration didn’t deliver.

“We would never put the council’s finances at risk of bankruptcy.”

Opposition leader David Lines put forward plans for a series of projects across the district and also called for an asset sales plan to be put together to fund £1million works to improve roads, lighting and pavements in Jaywick.

The opposition’s budget also called for a zero per cent increase in the authority’s precept, which means an average Band D household would pay a total of £1,462.85 in council tax in 2010/11.

• Print
• Email
• Share