LABOUR councillors outflanked their rivals to push through
their Town Hall spending plans in a budget vote last night (Wednesday),
ignoring calls for a total freeze on council tax.
Members approved a 1.92 per cent tax rise in a budget that included
spending on the Prince of Wales Baths in Kentish Town, legal
work to secure more Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and street
cleaning.
Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors said there was
no need for any rise at all at last nights full council
meeting.
Both parties voted against Labours budget and insisted
that savings could be made by tightening up on bureaucracy and
by reducing the councils press and communications department.
They also argued that Assistant Chief Executive Philip Colligans
post was unnecessary spending and called for cuts in the production
of Camden Living, the councils magazine.
The Conservatives said a 1.19 per cent reduction in council
tax was possible and could be followed up with freezes in the
two following years. Group leader Councillor Piers Wauchope
said it would still be possible to spend on crucial services.
He said: We would be spending on extra CCTV and dog patrols.
I am surprised that the Labour councillors would not support
such spending.
The Lib Dems said they would not need to raise tax but would
reverse cuts made to public toilets and increase library hours.
They proposed cutting down on legal work around Asbos but spending
on child protection.
But both opposition parties saw their alternative budgets thrown
out as they were outnumbered by Labour members in a final vote.
Cllr Stewart said that attempts to cut the communications department
were misguided.
She said: People seem to think communications just sit
behind typewriters sending out press releases. It is much more
than that. I think it is quite right that we should tell people
about the services we offer.
Cllr Stewart, delivering her first budget since replacing long-serving
treasurer John Mills, added: I am pleased that we are
again setting a very low council tax rise for Camden residents.