Alternative budget

Posted By: Greg Couzens
Date Posted: 07/01/2011

The Independent Alliance will not be proposing an alternative budget.

Phase 1 were my proposals and were fully supported by cabinet and all three parties, they were less contentious and in the interest of implementing and delivering in a short timescale a speedier outcome could be achieved.

Phase 2 were recommendations for further consultation and were supported by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

The comprehensive spending review announced on 13th December was significantly worse than expected, resulting in £63.6 million of savings now required.
Rochdale MBC is legally obliged to set a balanced budget by 11th March 2011.
The timescale for the Labour party to make significant changes to the original proposals is not available, (3 months consultation and 3 months implementation)
I have every faith in Colin, Farooq and the Labour party that they have the ability to perform the unenviable but necessary task of phase 2 and we will support all sensible propositions.

An alternative Budget by the Liberal Democrats, presumably when in opposition you can criticise and win over public opinion, but the reality is that you will have to replace it with another proposal that is equally unpalatable.

The magnitude of the task ahead will require strong leadership, transparency and support of all parties, now is not the time for juvenile politics.