After the event with local Councillors and MP

Sir Graham Watson MEP was the VIP guest speaker at a supper near Burnham hosted by local Liberal Democrats and attended by Tessa Munt MP.

Over 40 members and supporters from the Wells Constituency Liberal Democrats attended the event on Saturday evening to hear Sir Graham speak about the critical issues facing Europe from the past, present and future.

Tessa said ‘’It was wonderful for people to have the opportunity to speak to Graham about matters that are so dominant in the news at the moment and to get Graham’s viewpoint in these interesting times.’’

The event organiser, Cllr Joe Leech, said “It has been a fantastic evening, with good food, good company and an excellent speaker. Graham’s speech delivered a lot of food for thought about Europe, including the things which the media don’t always choose to tell us, and we’re very grateful for his attendance.  I look forward to the next event!”

Notes:

In the photo are from left to right; Councillor Kate Lawson, David Hughes – Chairman of Western Region Liberal Democrats, Councillor Joe Leach – Leader, Sedgemoor Liberal Democrats, Sir Graham Watson MEP, Tessa Munt MP, Councillor Phil Harvey – Chairman of Burnham & District Liberal Democrats, and Rosemary Hasler – Chairman of Wells Constituency Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Leach at Highbridge Waste Recycling Centre

Sedgemoor Liberal Democrats have questioned the Portfolio holder for the Environment, Councillor Richard Burden, over news that 50 fines of £50 each had been issued for illegal fly-tipping, at a time when the numbers of incidents have doubled since last year. Sedgemoor LibDem Leader and Councillor for Highbridge & Burnham Marine ward, Joe Leach, said; “I welcome the news that fines have been issued over this awful activity – however I have some concerns as to whether these fines go far enough”. He asked, “Can the portfolio holder confirm whether the fines cover the individual cost of the fly-tipping incident, because it isn’t simply a fine to punish people for their offence, but to ensure that costs of their actions are met”

He finished, “It is unacceptable that taxpayers pay for other people’s actions”.

The Portfolio holder was unaware of the figures, but pledged ‘he would respond as soon as he can’.

It follows the County Council’s decision earlier this year to reduce the hours at Recycling Centres and impose new charges for certain types of waste, including at Highbridge centre. Many people have felt aggrived to paying the additional cost and have sought to illegally dump their waste.

Councillor Leach commented, “I totally understand people’s frustrations at having to pay extra costs to recycle, but the answer is not to illegally dispose of it, as this will cost more in the long run. Please instead write to your county councillor, expressing your anger.”

At today’s Scrutiny Meeting an alternative budget was presented by Ross Henley (Shadow Cabinet Member for Resources) and Sam Crabb (Leader of the County Liberal Democrat Group).

Ross said, We have identified massive waste of resources by the Conservative Administration and propose cutting that waste of money to reinvest in front-line key services. These are back office costs which the Tories have not tackled, by saving money we can propose to reverse some of the dreadful cuts from the Tory Cabinet.”

Sam added, “It was agreed that officers will work up our proposals, so that all members have the right information at Full Council on 15th February. It is essential for the people of Somerset and especially our most vulnerable residents that some of the cuts are stopped. We must support young people, bus services, our libraries and recycling centres.”

For further information contact Sam Crabb – 07785 744771

Notes for Editors

Full Council meets on Wednesday 15th 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. It sounds as though they are budgeting for 0% for the next three years.

The Budget papers are complex and very long, with many appendices, to ensure that Equalities Impact Statements are considered and can be found here:-

http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/council/meetings/reports.asp?item=871

The proposed changes to the budget are as follows:-

Proposal to Scrutiny Meeting 6th February 2012
The Liberal Democrat Group proposed the following savings, which have not been identified by the Cabinet:-

To cut the budget of Communications throughout SCC by £250k. This from an existing identified budget of £474k,

Plus other expenditure that is being identified.

To cut “Your Somerset” Newspaper by putting it on line. Hence no printing or distribution costs. £050k This from the current budget of £80k.

To cut the spending on consultants, currently £1.61m (year 10/11 – 2540 days – with an average spend of £929 per day). Savings anticipated – £900k

To cut temporary & agency posts – spending of £1.342m with external agencies plus £1.75 m. With Somerset Staffing = £3.092 million.

(year 10/11). Must keep flexibility for Social Worker cover. £1500k

To slim down senior management by following the Wiltshire model. £200k

Reduce business miles claimed by officers, Currently a budgeted spend of £5m million. £1500k

TOTAL £4,400k

REVERSES TO SAVINGS PROPOSALS

We would like to suggest to Scrutiny, Cabinet and Full Council that the following changes to Savings that appear in the Cabinet Papers for 2nd February 2012, be reverses or changed.

To add back the following Revenue sums for the following service areas:-

Youth Service £1 million This includes the £250k recommended by Scrutiny committee at the last meeting and enables the Youth Service to deliver full training and support.

Bus Services subsidy £750k This reverses half of the cut, that was brought forward from Year 3. It is suggested that Scrutiny look at the Taunton Park & Ride subsidy of £500k and that during the coming year new innovative ways of delivering Rural Transport solutions are explored and put into place.

Libraries £200k This added to the pressure in the Cabinet Papers adds back the £100k needed to bring the budget back up to the level pre February 2011. The extra £100k is being invested into making our Libraries Community Hubs.

Household recycling £291k The cost of reinstating the old opening hours at the household waste recycling centres. This would need to be achieved by bringing in new people if necessary.

Book Fund £200k An additional investment to help top up Mobile Libraries, replacing books disposed of by the Administration, the current budget is now £204k, this would bring it up to £404k.

Young carers £75k This restores the cut by the Cabinet. It is important that these young carers get as much support as possible. It is unlikely that they have been consulted over this, and it avoids the County Council the cost of a judicial review.

Weed killing £200k This revenue investment starts again the programme that is so necessary in our rural areas.

Gully clearing £200k once a year clearing. This investment makes Gully clearing an annual event and avoids the pressure on Parish Councils of this cost.

TOTAL £2,916k

New Investments

New Homes Bonus – extra grant received

Year 1 -£553k

Year 2 – £712k = £1.2m

We suggest that this should be invested once again into County Zero Carbon schemes, to further the County Council’s ambition in the 20/20 Motion, reaffirmed by Council in May 2011. This to cover Revenue costs of salaries and on costs of the Team that has sadly been disbanded, and investment into schemes on an annual basis.