Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • April 2002 3
The numbers stack up as council tax rises by 15.5% THE Need
After months of discussion, wringing of hands, fretting and general panic in arts and voluntary COMPLETE curtains
organisations, the threat of severe cutbacks in funding was lifted at the council's budget setting meeting CURTAIN or blinds
on 21 February when a 15.5% council tax rise was agreed (after the March Link went to press).
SERVICE made?
The minority Conservative Concern and the Women's Refuge. cial management and effective Design, making and complete
group, in charge of the council This budget also provides £2 mil- service delivery. Our budget pro- fitting service available
since last October, had proposed a lion extra for schools, additional posals committed the council to a Large range of material samples
9.5% tax rise, which would have funding that is desperately needed root-and-branch review of all its Free estimating and advice
still left the council £800,000 short. for children in Swindon. activities to ensure they are effec- Call Trace or Amanda on
y
Major reductions in arts and cul- "The difference between us was tive and efficient. The other politi-
01793 611051
tural spending were proposed, as 3%, equal to six pence a day. It cal parties also accepted this.
well as cuts in grants to voluntary means an extra £1.3 million for "This review will result in the
^" Home Sew Curtain
organisations and the closure of statutory services; we have council planning the funding and '1L
Supplies
several libaries. avoided cuts to grants, residential delivery of services over the me-
1 00's of fabrics in stock
Although not a statutary provi- homes for the disabled and trans- dium term. The strategy will form
from £2.50/metre
sion, arts and cultural activities port for children with special edu- a stable foundation on which serv-
Heading from 25p/metre
are important in defining the iden- cational needs. This budget is about ices can build and prosper. This is
Lining from £1.50/metre
tity of a town. Having listened to the social inclusion of everyone in in contrast to the hand-to-mouth
Cushion pads from £2 each
the widespread protest, the Con- our community." existence and annual round of
- _ All types of rails _ r3
servatives amended their budget Conservative leader of the coun- budgetary brinkmanship that serv-
to a 12.57, tax hike and fewer re- cil Mike Bawden, said, "the 15.5% ices endured under the Labour ad-
ductions in community services. increase in council tax will gener- ministration." Home visits arranged or
However Labour bit the bullet and ate significant additional money The scene is set for the local elec-
proposed a council tax rise of 15.5% for schools and other essential serv- tions on 2 May. Will voters give a
with no reductions in services. ices. I welcome this, but the com- clear mandate to one of the parties,
If all councillors had been munity should realise that simply or will they prefer to keep a finely
present, the 29 Labour members hiking up tax each year does not balanced situation with no party
could have been outvoted by the solve two fundamental problems in control?
22 Conservatives and 8 Liberal this council must address.
Democrats. "Firstly, since 1997 Swindon Bor-
At a packed meeting, with a few ough Council has received inad-
councillors missing because of ill- equate funding from the Labour
ness, holidays or work commit- government. The Conservative Free step by step guide to buying or
ments, Labour easily won the vote budget resolution committed the
with 27 in favour of the 15.5% rise, council to pressurise the govern- remortgaging your home. Tel: 0800 5960159
21 against and three abstentions. ment for more funds. The other
The increase brings Swindon political groups accepted this pro-
closer to the average for Wiltshire, posal.
but only marginally as the neigh- "Secondly, under many years of
bouring councils have also upped Labour control the council made
their taxes. We still pay the lowest ineffective and inefficient use of Stretch your child's imagination
council tax in the region. the money it did receive and al-
Labour group leader Sue Bates lowed the council's range of serv- in three directions at once
said, "we proposed a robust and ice provision to expand far beyond
fair budget that has meant an in- the resources available. The dread-
crease of 15.5%. It was not a deci- ful Ofsted inspection of our educa- Here's a way to spend weekends that
sion that was taken lightly; we are tion service illustrates the results will have 4 to 16 year olds buzzing.
very aware of the impact that it of a council living beyond its
may have on those with low or means. Estelle Morris, Secretary of
fixed incomes. However, we felt State for Education, said that un- Enrol them in your local SUMMER HOLIDAY
that this increase was necessary to der Labour the council was 'seri- Stagecoach theatre arts WORKSHOP
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would have meant cuts in crucial "The Conservatives have Monday 12th August to
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