Conservatives fail to attend Budget Scrutiny Meeting

Councillor Michael Headley commented, 

'The situation here is plain and simple for everyone to see – the Conservatives have a duty to residents and they are failing. 

Residents should be under no illusion that the council is in a financial crisis. And the Mayor is just asleep at the wheel when he should be addressing the financial problems of his own making. 

At this time of highest risk, the Conservatives cancel their own Executive meeting and then want to delay vital scrutiny of the Council’s failing budget. They might be willing to abdicate their own responsibility, but other members of Budget Scrutiny Committee have a vital job to do at this time. We aren’t going to be stopped from doing it by the Conservatives’ antics. 

There is a £10m hole in the budget. That wouldn’t have been public knowledge if it hadn’t been for the work of Budget Scrutiny. If you were cynical, you might think that would be another reason why it would have suited them to delay the meeting. 

 Feeble attempts to justify their non – attendance won’t wash with residents. The dates of the meetings are set by the council as a whole. This date was set in January with no one objecting. Are they seriously suggesting the date should be moved at the last minute to suit the Conservative Party social calendar? 

This episode has made their priorities clear to see to all residents.