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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Cuts Too Far: Conservative-run council hoards millions whilst cutting services for young and old
November 8, 2011 4:55 PM
• [Nov 01]: IN contrast to the government's large budget deficit, Richmond Council has a significant budget surplus, yet the local Conservatives are still cutting services needlessly, driven by ideology rather than necessity.
Despite ending the year with a budget surplus of £4.5 million and holding usable reserves of over £65 million, Conservative-run Richmond Council is still planning to slash spending on local services by an arbitrary 25 %, needlessly removing vital services from vulnerable residents.
Conservative councillors repeatedly claim cuts are necessary because of government funding reductions, but official figures reveal that central government cuts hardly had any impact in Richmond, as the council is largely self sufficient from Council Tax income. Funding cuts only reduced the council's spending power by 0.6 %. Services for vulnerable people, such as Tangley Hall and Twickenham day centres have been closed despite strong opposition. Social care services have been removed and Heathfield library has been closed. Cuts have also been made in crucial preventative services for vulnerable young people and to support services for local schools.
Councillor Stephen Knight, Leader of Richmond Council Liberal Democrats, said: "The Tories have made brutal and shortsighted cuts to preventative services and support for vulnerable people. With the budget ending the year in surplus by almost £4.5 million, they could easily have avoided such damaging cuts."
Liberal Democrat finance spokesperson Sir David Williams said: "Richmond Council is in business to provide services, not hoard the public's money. Putting money into already large reserves is no help to the vulnerable people the unnecessary cuts have disadvantaged over the last year."
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