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26
Jan
Lib Dems say impact of community budget cuts would be a ‘scandal’
Liberal Democrat councillors have hit out at the Conservative-run council's plans to halve locality budgets.
The Stray Ferret last week reported on the move, which would see all 90 North Yorkshire councillors’ locality budgets halved if it goes ahead.
North Yorkshire Council currently awards all elected councillors £10,000 a year to spend of specific activities that promote the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of the communities they represent.
Councillors usually allocate their locality budgets on several projects within their divisions rather than spend it all on one activity.
As part of the council's proposed budget, the authority could reduce each councillor’s sum to £5,000 in a move that could save £450,000 a year.
But Lib Dems councillors have hit back at the proposed locality budget cuts.
Cllr Andrew Timothy, a Lib Dem who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone, said today:
As one of North Yorkshire’s newest councillors, the locality budget has been the single best way I can help my community, whether it is funding crucial community projects or helping people experiencing homelessness.
It has become my first port of call to really help where it is needed.
Examples of what locality budgets paid for last year include a printer for Grewelthorpe Parish Council; a security camera for Ripon Spa Bowling Club; nets for Bilton Cricket Club; a defibrilator in Bewerley; refurbishing shower facilities for Harrogate Homeless Project; paying for a big screen that showed the Glastonbury Festival at Knaresborough’s Party in the Castle and vehicle-activated speeding signs throughout the district.
Cllr Steve Mason, a Lib Dem who represents Amotherby and Ampleforth, added:
The locality budget delivers genuine actions into the heart of the community.
These small grants empower wider action at so many levels including food aid, nature restoration, rural public transport and sometimes simply keeping people warm. Many of those to have benefited will be heartbroken to hear about these cruel plans because if we lose these grants so much community action will be lost.
The wider negative impact across North Yorkshire will be a scandal.
Cllr Bryn Griffiths, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, also said the Lib Dems believe locality budgets are “invaluable” to communities.
“Without them, many groups would not be able to finance much needed projects that help support and improve the lives of our residents", he added.
Lib Dem councillors said they will ask the North Yorkshire Council to scrap the reduction plans at next month's full council meeting until an independent cost-benefit report has been produced and put to councillors in the autumn.
The council’s executive has also proposed a 4.99% increase in council tax — the maximum amount permitted without a referendum.
It means the average Band D property is likely to see its bill increase by £92.18 from April to £1,939 — plus whatever it is charged for police and fire services and by its local parish council.
Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for resources, said he sees "no alternative" to the proposed increase.
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