Stop The Political Spin On Council Finances (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

Stop The Political Spin On Council Finances

December 9, 2007 10:12 PM

Liberal Democrat councillors on Uttlesford District Council will be calling on the ruling Tory council group to stop the political spin over the council's finances at Tuesday's (10th December) council meeting, and to work together positively to address the serious financial position of the council.

Cllr Geoffrey Sell, Lib Dem spokesperson for finance and administration, said: "It is essential that information from paid officers of the council presents an accurate picture, in order that the correct decisions can be taken. In February this year, the Chief Financial Officer reported that, in the light of the information provided during the budget process, it was his opinion that there was sufficient capacity in the proposed overall budget to cope with the financial risks the Council faced in 2007/08 and he believed that the remaining reserves are both necessary and at adequate levels. It's Conservative Cllr Robert Chambers' responsibility to get a better grip on financial management and to drop the obsession with news management. People inside and outside the council have had enough of the party political spin. They are looking for non-partisan financial leadership from the chairman of the finance and administration committee."

Cllr Alan Dean, Lib Dem chair of scrutiny, added: "I am shocked at being told that the figures have worsened dramatically over the last seven months. What is clear is that the Lib Dems were given incorrect financial advice before the May elections and the Conservatives have continued to receive erroneous data since then. No party can act without accurate information. The Tories' promise of no compulsory redundancies now looks at risk. It's time they stopped their political posturing and had the courage to work with other parties to sort out the mess."

Cllr Peter Wilcock, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "I will be calling for an open and honest dialogue with all parties to resolve the problems. It is no good the Tories blaming the Liberal Democrats for this mess, and then not engaging with all groups to help solve the problem. We need a collective approach to deal with the problem now. I feel particular for the members of staff who give their very best to the people of Uttlesford, and then are faced with compulsory redundancies. We want a transparent investigation into what went wrong with Uttlesford's financial management this year. In particular, the public deserves to have an honest assessment by independent auditors rather than the misleading spin from Conservative councillors. The Liberal Democrats would always own up if they made mistakes or ignored the advice of professional officers. Cllr Jim Ketteridge and his Conservative administration must now convince all of us that they are capable of running this council with integrity.