Lib Dems Say Their Alternative Budget Could Save £1.2million
Claim this can be done by reducing agency staff and cutting printing costs
Councillor Gary Busuttil presents his party’s plans to an Ealing Council meeting
March 7, 2024
The Liberal Democrat opposition on Ealing Council has put forward an alternative budget that it says could generate over £1million which could be used to help vulnerable residents, bring forward green polices and restore ward forums.
Like the Labour administration they would raise the tax level by the maximum allowed, 4.99%, but they claim that there are significant savings to be made mainly by employing more permanent staff to reduce the number of agency staff being used. This would generate the bulk of over £1million in savings but they also believe £250,000 could be cut from the budget by better management of printing costs.
They would raise a further £94,000 by charging households with three or more cars a flat rate of £200 for parking permits.
The Lib Dems say they have worked with officers in the council’s finance department in drawing up their budget.
They would propose using some of the savings to support and assist struggling families across Ealing through the Welfare Assistance Fund at a cost of £500,000.
Lib Dems say they would have introduced a “Go Green” scheme for local businesses to help drive green business behaviours and value for money to address sustainability.
Other changes which the main opposition have proposed include the revitalisation of the local ward forums which have remained dormant for the three years. This approach would sit alongside a newly created role of Neighbourhood Officer to enable a coordinated local approach with residents to improve the environment and safety of the borough’s towns.
The Lib Dems says that Labour is benefiting from an unexpected windfall due to the interest it is receiving from substantial sums borrowed from Public Works Lending Board (PWLB) at preferential government rates. This money had been earmarked for projects to build affordable housing which are not currently proceeding.
Cllr Gary Busuttil, Opposition Spokesperson on Finance and Resources, said, “The Liberal Democrats want to see Ealing Labour focus on being less wasteful and more inventive rather than lurching from one crisis to the next and relying on a windfall of £5m to help bail them out of the resulting mess at year end. Lib Dems are listening to residents to fund a scheme to make our streets cleaner and safer. We will also be helping thousands of vulnerable residents as the Ealing Labour party increase our Council taxes again.”
We have asked Ealing Council for comment.
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