Liberal Democrat Councillors on North Somerset Council have slammed the handling of the budget by the ruling Conservative group. Members of North Somerset Council approved the Council budget for 2009/10 at their meeting this week.

Lib Dem Leader Councillor Yamanaka said “The budget process this year has been one of the most obscure and secretive within the history of North Somerset Council. Scrutiny panels and opposition councillors did not have the information they needed for proper scrutiny. On one panel, councillors were not allowed to question or discuss the figures, at other panel meetings officers were not present to answer questions and some decisions had already been made by Executive members before the budget-setting Council meeting."

The Adult Social Services and Housing panel had to meet twice to discuss the budget as information was not provided for councillors.

Lib Dem Adult Social Services spokesman Cllr Andy Cole said “The ruling Conservative group failed to provide information at the first meeting and we had to meet a second time. In the end the Executive councillors decided the charge increases for Social Services Day Care, Home Care and Community Meals the week before the budget Council meeting. It goes to show that the ruling group were not prepared to debate the increased charges in full Council."

The budget approved at full Council includes a figure of £195,000 savings which is still unidentified within the Adult Social Services budget.

Cllr Deborah Yamanaka added “The unidentified Social Services savings approved by full Council is just one of the holes in the budget. The Conservatives tried to put up a smokescreen but we still do not know what cuts will be made in Social Services to achieve the bottom line."

published by: North Somerset Liberal Democrats, 12 Henley Lodge, Yatton, Bristol, BS49 4JQ

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