Milton Keynes Council budget finally passes

http://douglasmccall.mycouncillor.org.uk/files/2012/05/douglas-mccall-07.jpg Cllr Douglas McCall, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Milton Keynes Council, helped negotiated £2.5M back into the budget for front line services.

I said last week that "The Liberal Democrats would have constructed a completely different budget - one that protected the vulnerable".

The Labour Administration took four months to construct their failed budget. I and other leading opposition councillors took only one day to help put back £2.5M into front line services. Just think what we would have achieved if we had had more time.

This is not a perfect budget, but it is far better than it was. I am pleased that Lib Dem concerns have been listened to and that £750,000 has been put back into buses so that the less well off, the young and the old who rely on buses can get around. Those on low incomes who can't afford a car will NOT now be forced out of work because there is no transport to get them there. I am pleased that the Labour Cabinet member has confirmed that no routes will now be cut.

Labour's plans to literally throw people out on the streets by cutting the funding to homeless hostels will not now go ahead with £600,000 back in the budget for homeless hostels.

There is also additional funding in the base budget for the CAB, MKSET - Parenting Advice, Luncheon Clubs, Floating Support and wider use for organisations such as the Scouts.

I also said last week that the double whammy of increased parking charges and reduced employee discount at the same time was unfair. So, we are pleased that nearly half a million pounds of funding has been found to retain the employee discount. The Administration has also committed to increasing the number of parking spaces available.

Having gained £2.5M of improvements the Liberal Democrat Group abstained and allowed the revised budget to go through.