The Green Group would like to thank the Section 151 Officer and his team for the work put into this report.
B&NES has core policies centred on prevention, delivering for local residents, preparing for the future, tackling the climate and ecological emergency, and giving people a bigger say. These strategies should guide all our actions.
The Liberal Democrat group has been making political decisions about where money should be spent or cut.
Meanwhile, residents of B&NES are dealing with more unemployment, more households waiting for social housing, and around 4,000 people fell into absolute poverty last year. Recent data shows a 40% rise in households in temporary accommodation.
This is a budget of cuts, referred to as ‘savings’. The Tory govt has let down all councils financially and created budgets slashed to the bone. B&NES has had few options but to take measures that will push more individuals into dire situations, possibly causing more long term financial problems. A fair and equitable solution for all residents through progressive taxation is not offered by the right wing, who see taxes and state involvement as interfering. I am still waiting to see fairness and opportunity created by the free market.
Blaming the Tories for this B&NES budget alone distracts from the choices made. The lack of collaboration by this administration has been evident in various Scrutiny meetings.
The third sector, which carries out many essential duties through Council contracts, is facing funding cuts due to this budget. Additionally, these charities and community groups were not adequately warned by B&NES about significant cuts to core services.
Despite claims by Cabinet Members that they discussed the cuts with the third sector, the response from the third sector was clear: this did not happen. They were given only 8 days’ notice, with the “consultation” occurring over the Christmas period. This approach doesn’t give communities a greater say, prioritize prevention, or improve people’s lives.
The unanimous vote by scrutiny on January 15th to delay proposed budget cuts to not-for-profit sector services until the consequences are better understood highlights the growing concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the budget-setting process.
Cuts of £802K are now set to take place over 2 years instead of 1. The Green Group urges better dialogue between B&NES and external agencies by this Lib Dem-run Council to prevent catastrophe for many residents, whose lives are already on the brink.
The Budget gives great emphasis to the £1.7 billion handed to WECA since 2017 and its positive impact for B&NES. This is somewhat surprising given the very public spats between the B&NES Leadership team and the Metro Mayor.
This budget overlooks the annual Transport Levy paid by B&NES to WECA for subsidised buses, which remains unchanged at £5.195 million from last year’s £5.195 million. . There’s a lack of awareness by the council that inflation has increased travel and staffing expenses.
In the past, the Liberal Democrats didn’t accurately predict inflation. With inflation currently at 2%, shouldn’t this budget plan for changes accordingly?
As a result, this budget falls short of ensuring subsidised buses on crucial routes, which is essential for those with limited transport access. It’s clearly another budget cut. Despite the Liberal Democrats’ advocacy for buses, there are none at any NES bus stops.
The Lib Dems have prioritised pursuing government funding based on the criteria outlined by the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement. While we’ve seen roadblocks implemented, there’s still no Circulation Plan for Bath or North East Somerset, which could quickly transform neighbourhoods into more liveable spaces for many. It’s crucial to ensure that people feel safe walking, cycling, or using wheeling to get to school, shops, or visit friends. These habits are essential at a time when reducing car travel is crucial for addressing the Climate Emergency and public health. This is about lives, not just votes.
The Leader is the sole shareholder at B&NES for Aequus, a company wholly owned by the Council, yet it is still not clear why it has cost Aequus £3.02 million to buy 22 family homes but will cost £3.2 million to build 5 two bedroom and 3 one bedroom council flats on a level site on Lower Bristol Road? This is public money and many are unsure how well it is being spent, especially when temporary housing is now costing the council over a million a year.
This budget states that B&NEs will build 4359 affordable homes, but these are not affordable to most, what is needed is a budget to deliver social housing to ensure fairness across our communities. And remember it was under the LibDem/Tory coalition that “affordable rents” became the new normal.
This budget claims that B&NEs will construct 4359 affordable homes, but they aren’t affordable for most people. What’s really needed is a budget to provide social housing, ensuring fairness across our communities. It’s important to remember that it was under the LibDem/Tory coalition that “affordable rents” were introduced removing the emphasis on social housing.
Further 5.8.2 in this report lists the proposed disposal of 7 council owned properties including Lewis House, and 12 James Street. This asset sale appears unplanned and done to pay for capital spending approved previously, that can’t be paid for now with the budget shortfall. If so, should the capital programme (full and provisionally approved) items not be reviewed and the less urgent and effective ones delayed. For example £5m on Commercial Estate Refurbishment? The Lib Dem’s have decided to sell off the family silver, with little or no explanation to residents who own these public properties.
Money raised from the Clean Air Zone is barely documented with only a blank row showing no revenue expenditure on page 2 of Annex 1. This is not transparent politics.
The Green Party is unsure that the political strategy to focus on prevention, deliver for local residents, prepare for the future, tackle the climate and ecological emergency and give people a bigger say has been properly calculated in this budget.
Cllr Joanna Wright is ward member for Lambridge and is the Green Group Leader at Bath and North East Somerset Council. Published on behalf of Joanna Wright and Bath and NE Somerset Green Party by Michael Coffey, c/o Ravenscroft, Sydney Road, Bath BA2 6NT 