Tories Stifle Open Debate as Communities Lose Funding

4.31.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Jul 2009

The Liberal Democrats have stopped a secretive move by the new Conservative Administration on Somerset County Council in its tracks by 'calling it in' for public scrutiny. The move aimed to cut over a quarter of a million pounds spent on Somerset community projects through the Local Initiatives Budget (LIB).

Liberal Democrat group leader Jill Shortland said:

"This funding proved vital to local communities throughout Somerset and many important projects would not have happened without it. This so-called 'decision' was slipped through in the small print of a council paper with no explanations or reasons given and no consultation. The Tories clearly don't want local communities to know what they stand to lose, despite their promises of openness.

The Liberal Democrats will not delay the money available through Community Budgets but we want a full discussion about the LIB at the next Scrutiny meeting on 14th July. The Tories must face up to the consequences of their actions."

If communities want to keep this funding they need to come to the Scrutiny meeting on Tuesday 14th July and say so.

ENDS