As many already know, Wiltshire Council currently has a minority LibDem administration. They have the largest number of councillors but insufficient to command a majority. Therefore, there have been some interesting debates and votes over policy resulting in some very long Full Council days. February is budget and council tax setting time and this year, for the first time in Wiltshire a full alternative budget has been proposed which differs from the administration’s budget.
There have already been amendments to the administration’s budget after an outcry about the removal of the community transport grant which helps to support LINK and the community transport minibuses (like Kennet Community Transport). Thankfully, this threat has now been withdrawn but other concerns remain with the proposed budget. Therefore, alternatives are being put forward by the Conservatives.
The alternative budget proposes:
- Boosting highways maintenance by £6.2 million a year (above the Department for Transport grant), funded through revenue rather than borrowing. (The LibDem idea is to borrow £5 million a year over three years, but would take 60 years and cost £58 million to clear the debt!)
- Introduce a Lane Rental charging scheme to raise further revenue for highways maintenance (additional £2-4 million estimated) and ensure quicker completion of utility company roadworks. That’s essential for Marlborough and something I have been campaigning for!!!
- Scrap the LibDem proposals to increase Sunday parking charges and reverse the extension of charged hours from 7am to 7pm to protect our High street trade.
- Protect funding for Link and Community Transport schemes.
- Keep Purton and Lower Compton Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) open for at least three years, while alternatives are assessed.
- Abolish the proposed HRC slot-booking system.
- Ensure all legal options are fully explored before any major expenditure at St Stephen’s Car Park. (A crazy proposal to gift a Trowbridge car park plus £2.5 million to a commercial developer without testing the legal position first.)
These are all things that residents, quite rightly, have told me they want.
The Full Council will meet to debate and vote on the LibDems proposed budget. If it is not supported our alternative will be debated. We have two days set aside for this work on the 24th and 25th February. I will be listening carefully to the debate and will vote for the benefit of my residents in Marlborough West.
Yours
Jane Davies
Wiltshire Councillor for Marlborough West
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