CONSERVATIVES LOSE THEIR FIRST VOTE IN COUNTY HALL (Somerset Liberal Democrat Group)

Somerset Liberal Democrat Group <info@somersetlibdems.org.uk>

CONSERVATIVES LOSE THEIR FIRST VOTE IN COUNTY HALL

January 17, 2012 3:17 PM
By Sam Crabb

For the first time since taking control in 2009, the Conservatives today lost a vote in County Hall.

This was a vote to inform the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People to change direction with the County Youth Service. The Scrutiny Committee meeting voted 6:5 against the Tories recommendation.

After hearing impassioned pleas to save the County Youth Service from a number of young people from around Somerset, Councillors voted to retain a Youth Service and to request a £250,000 increased budget year on year. The outcome will be relayed to the Cabinet Member for him to consider at the budget meeting on 1^st February.

The proposal to retain the Youth Service received cross-party support. In 2007 Ofsted judged Somerset Youth Service as outstanding and it has led the way in Youth Provision in the UK. Sadly in February 2011 the Conservative Administration voted to cut funding by a massive 75% over three years. Like the Library cuts, this is "penny wise, but pound poor".

Cllr Cathy Bakewell said, "It is obvious that the Youth service is under-funded. They do a tremendous job across the County. An addition of £250,000 to the budget by the Tories makes a lot of sense."

Cllr Sam Crabb, Leader of the Somerset Liberal Democrat Group said, "I am appalled that the Conservative Cabinet are ignoring all the community safety issues and the paper itself highlights that this is a high risk strategy. I am looking forward to 2013 when the public can judge what they want. More cuts from the Tories, or common sense and a business like approach by the Liberal Democrats."

Cllr Ross Henley added "The Tories again whinged today about borrowings. When will they learn that under previous governments a County Council had to borrow money to be able to invest in roads and schools? The coalition government has given massive capital grants to this council to enable investment to go ahead, but taxpayers must still pay it back in the long run."

For further information contact Sam Crabb - 07785 744771

Notes for Editors

The next stage will be a Cabinet meeting on 1^st February to consider the budget. No budget papers have yet to be put into the public realm.

Scrutiny Committee meets again on 6^th February to examine the Budget.

Full Council meets on Wednesday 15^th February to decide the budget and fix Council Tax for the next year. It is believed the Tories will go for a 0% increase in Council Tax again this year.

Young people attended from Wiviliscombe, South Petherton, Martock and Bridgwater, we also heard representations from Councillors from Sedgemoor District Council, Taunton District Council and Martock Parish Council.