Lib Dems Attack Council Reserves

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Jun 2002

Plans to see money held in council reserves released were squashed yesterday by members of the Conservative and Labour groups, who failed to support Lib Dem plans to release funding and failed to table any proposals themselves. However following the Lib Dem proposal all groups have now agreed to look in more detail at how the council can release any reserves.

At last nights Corporate and Resources Policy Review and Development Committee meeting members of the Liberal Democrat group tabled an initial proposal to release over £1,000,000 from the councils reserves to spend on frontline services.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Michael Headley said:

"It was disappointing to see that Lib Dem attempts to release funds have again been delayed. Our proposal was to release over a million pounds immediately whilst we continued to look for further funding to be released. This was just the first step. Despite all the talk from other parties they have yet to come up with any plans themselves. They continue to hold up our plans and in the meantime the funds just continue to sit in the bank. The council holds large amounts of money some of which we believe should be freed up to allow for funding for more priority services."

He added:

"However I am glad the other groups have seen some sense in the need to release funds and I hope that we can all work together to free up more money for essential services."