Lib Dems Probe Budget Plans as Windsor's Conservatives try to Conceal Cuts

8.46.55pm GMT Sun 15th Nov 2009

As council debt spirals out of control by £6million a year the Liberal Democrats have called the Conservatives' Council Budget plans to account, after the Tories tried to conceal the details of their budget from councillors.

Having voted themselves a massive 91% pay rise as their top priority and run up record debts, the Lib Dems are worried that the Conservatives now plan massive cuts in Council Services in order to balance the books.

Staff members and unions at the borough are currently being consulted about redundancies.

Speaking to the Royal Borough Observer, Lib Dem Leader at the Council, Cllr Simon Werner said, Lib Dem leader, Cllr Simon Werner, said he has major concerns about the Royal Borough losing out services such as creches, childcare and leisure activities.

He continued: "What are they hiding? We are making a plea for more information. The Tories plan major changes in council spending.

"Where there are continuing improved efficiencies, started by the Lib Dems, we welcome the savings. If however all they are doing is a cut, then that is another matter.

"Our borough should be encouraging people to become fitter not placing financial barriers in the way of residents. If these so-called savings are really counter-productive cuts we will oppose them. The Lib Dems will be vigorous in getting more detail to the public."

Windsor's Lib Dem spokesman, Julian Tisi, added, "This Conservative secrecy is a worrying tendency of the current administration of the council, which we are also seeing replicated in their plans to take land out of the Green Belt. Claims that they are doing this to help reduce Council Tax simply don't add up as they are borrowing £6million a year and raising Stealth Taxes like car parking, leisure charges and homecare charges for some elderly people by as much as 200% to make up the money."