Budget passed after stand-off
STOCKPORT councillors have passed a budget – including a 2.75 per cent council tax increase – after failing to do so the first time around in more than 25 years.
There was stand-off last week as the town hall’s political groups fought over proposals to balance the books, a major upset not seen since 1988.
The authority, currently in no overall control but led by Labour, has to cut £7m next year. That figure will rise to £45m by 2022.
Last week, Lib Dem leader Mark Hunter tabled a list of rival cost-cutting proposals, but his amendment to the ruling-group’s budget plans was voted down.
Labour’s budget was then defeated by 32 to 28 after the Lib Dems and Tories rejected it. It meant councillors had to meet again on Tuesday night to attempt to push a budget through.
This time around, Labour re-tabled their original plans, while the Lib Dems submitted a new amendment.
Council leader Alex Ganotis called for party co-operation, adding: “We initially proposed to increase council tax by 2.99pc, but reduced that to 2.75pc as soon as it was financially possible.
“Our proposals have been under intense scrutiny because we want to protect frontline services, not just for this year, but for the next three years.”
Labour’s budget proposals were presented to councillors unchanged.
They included cutting £1.1m from children and education services.
Tens of thousands of pounds will be cut from transport services by consolidating the work of agencies who provide school and other services.
The town hall’s element of council tax bills will rise by 2.75pc, raising £1.8m, and free town centre shuttle buses will be axed.
Overheads for new taxi drivers and animal welfare operators will soar under a move to increase licence fees.
Free bus passes for children who travel to faith schools will be scrapped.
Lib Dem leader Coun Hunter tabled another amendment, re-written in the wake of last week’s meeting.
He ditched proposals to axe meals for cabinet members before meetings to save £11,000.
Coun Hunter’s earlier calls for the cabinet to be reduced from seven members to five, plus the leader, to save £33,000, were also scrapped.