Councils and taxpayers short-changed by Government - Jenny Randerson

3.08.06pm GMT Tue 22nd Jan 2008

Labour and Plaid's gimmicks are leading to money being poured down the drain

Before the final debate on the Assembly budget today, Welsh Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jenny Randerson AM said: 'This is a poor deal for local government in Wales, and a poor deal for taxpayers.

"Local authorities will shoulder rising costs and receive less money from the Assembly budget. This can only mean council tax rises and threats to services. The Labour-Plaid Government has tinkered at the edges of their draft budget, but delivered no radical changes. Councils will be worse off, which means taxpayers will have to stump up more.

"The Chief Executive of Newport made it clear that his council's costs are rising by 3.5% annually, but the council only received 2% more. This is below the national average, below inflation and below the council's own costs. It can only lead to cuts in services and higher council tax.

"At the same time, the Labour-Plaid Government is spending money on pet projects such as the pilot scheme for laptops for children. I would prefer that councils could afford to invest more in better school buildings. Better learning environment makes a real difference to educational standards - surely that is the priority.

"The Labour-Plaid Government have ignored the real problems local councils face. Investment will lag behind England and that is unacceptable. Social services, waste management, schools, childcare and housing are all key services provided by local authorities and they will all lose out."

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