After a short Council meeting (I say short, these usually go on past 11pm) it has been agreed by Labour, Lib Dems and Greens to move the civic offices to Plaza West - the lowest cost option compared to staying where we are, or moving to RG2 (formerly Yell).
The Conservatives had an odd evening. They tabled an amendment complaining that the Labour Group had made their decision public. They claimed it made tonights meeting pointless as there would be no meaningful debate and opportunity to change peoples' minds. They then went on to say, had we not made our decision public, they would have supported us by choosing Plaza West. If they were supporting Plaza West, as we were, where would the debate be and whose minds were they changing?
They went on to abstain from one of the biggest, most far-reaching decisions the Council has made recently. A decision on where we will provide services for the public, offices and a nursery for staff and democratic space for the Council for the next 25 years plus. It's hardly representing the people who voted for them. Toys from prams?
Welcome to my blog. I am using it to keep you updated on my work as a councillor for Battle ward, Chair of the Art and Heritage forum and an activist for Unite the Union. I cover the issues affecting Battle ward and Reading residents. There may also be the occasional random post about things I am interested in.
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Showing posts with label Greens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greens. Show all posts
21 Feb 2012
Our budget has been passed
Well, back from the Council meeting where the budget was passed with full support from all parties, apart from the Greens.
The Greens put forward a motion to increase the Council Tax by 3.5%, following what the Green council in Brighton have done. Strangely, they didn't say what this rise would pay for. This amendment to the budget was rejected.
Times are hard. Many people have already lost their working tax credits, with more to follow. Food prices are going up, energy prices are on the rise, petrol is getting more expensive again. If you get a payrise, it is likely to be below inflation making it, effectively, a paycut. Many people aren't getting a payrise at all and, with unemployment rising, people are facing the possibility of not having a job at all.
With costs rising faster than pay people are struggling. I know people who are having to decide between heating and food so, when offered the choice of no Council Tax rise, or a rise of 3.5%, I know what most people would go for and it's not with the Greens.
The Greens put forward a motion to increase the Council Tax by 3.5%, following what the Green council in Brighton have done. Strangely, they didn't say what this rise would pay for. This amendment to the budget was rejected.
Times are hard. Many people have already lost their working tax credits, with more to follow. Food prices are going up, energy prices are on the rise, petrol is getting more expensive again. If you get a payrise, it is likely to be below inflation making it, effectively, a paycut. Many people aren't getting a payrise at all and, with unemployment rising, people are facing the possibility of not having a job at all.
With costs rising faster than pay people are struggling. I know people who are having to decide between heating and food so, when offered the choice of no Council Tax rise, or a rise of 3.5%, I know what most people would go for and it's not with the Greens.
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