The Liberal Democrats tonight put forward an alternative budget for the people of Wycombe.
- a budget for serving the people of Wycombe.
- a budget recognising the value of Wycombe District staff.
- a budget that supports the voluntary sector.
- a budget that funds Holywell Mead Swimming Pool for 1 year.
- a budget that reduces the Council Tax increase from the Conservatives proposed 3.2% to 3%.
The Liberal Democrat alternative budget would reduce the council Tax increase from 3.2% to 3% AND provide funding for both the Holywell Mead Open Air Pool and the Environment Centre. Under the Lib Dem plan some of the funds that have been provided to the Council in the form of grants and sat in the councils bank account would have been used. This plan was checked with the Councils finance team and would have been permitted and would not risk the financial standing of the Council. So it was a surprise that Conservative members who stated in their last manifesto that they wanted to hold Council Tax increases down whilst protecting services would find any reason to oppose it. Conservative members squirmed and wriggled in their seats as it became clear that their leadership would not allow them to vote for a lower Council Tax and save community services.
Thank you to everyone who backed our alternative budget including Labour and Independent Councillors.
Over 2100 residents backed the petition to save the pool. Ian Morton & Wendy Guy deliver the Petition.
I can’t wait for the Tories to claim this summer that voting for them keeps Council Tax bills down! Certainly not in this District! It was extraordinary watching them at the Council meeting – faced with the chance to keep vital facilities open AND set a lower council tax by voting for the LibDem budget, they stubbornly and partisanly stuck to their own party’s budget proposals, whatever the cost to local people! Conservative councillors give a higher priority to the Conservative Party than they do to local voters’ wishes.