Leader of the Council puts budget in chaos!

Date published: 13/01/2006

At a meeting of Rochdale Township (Wednesday, 11 January) the Labour Leader of Rochdale Council, Allen Brett, threw the whole budget process into chaos by admitting large parts of the proposed cuts were not feasible.  He also revealed that despite his Labour Group working with the Conservatives for many months on the budget, large sections of his group were against many of the proposals.  Councillor Brett described the potential £2 million cuts in Adult Services as "unrealistic".
 
Councillor Elwyn Watkins said, "I was astonished to see the Leader of the Council desperately trying to distance himself from his own budget.  He has simply not done his homework on probably the most vital part of his job.  It should be remembered that Adult Care Services affect some of the most vulnerable people in Rochdale, especially the elderly and the disabled.  I am glad that Councillor Brett has said that a £2 million pound cut is not feasible, but I wonder which service he will target next.  I should imagine that the Conservative Finance Boss, Robert Clegg, will be shocked at Councillor Brett's comments."
 
Councillor Alan Taylor said, "We have waited for months to be given details of the proposed cuts in some of our most vital services.  We still do not have sufficient detail to assess the proposals and it appears and neither has the Leader of the Council.  It seems like the Conservatives and Labour Party are not working together and this will have serious implications for residents of the Borough!"
 
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Council to be specific on what they plan to cut.  Councillor Watkins said, "The Liberal Democrats will not be voting on any issue where it is not thought out properly and the Council hide behind behind a smokescreen of reviews!"

In response Labour's Councillor Alan Mccarthy said: "I suggest Lib Dem opposition spokesperson for Finance, Councillor Watkins, starts to read reports/documents that he is expected and paid to as an elected Councillor, and openly admitted to failing to do so at Monday`s Council meeting, of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

"Then maybe, just maybe his figures would add up.

"To clarify : savings from adult care is £1 million not £2 million as Councillor Watkins states."