LABOUR AND TORY BUDGET CUT PROPOSALS THREATEN MOST VULNERABLE

LABOUR and the Tories on Bristol City Council have been accused of wanting to slash budgets designed to help some of the most disadvantaged families in the city.
Lib Dem council leader Barbara Janke says the opposition parties’ proposed amendments to the council’s budget – to be debated at full council tomorrow (Tues, Feb 23) – discriminate against those least able at the moment to benefit from the digital revolution.
A total of £500,000 extra is being included in the Lib Dems’ budget for digital innovation – much of it to put people online and give them access to broadband.
“Being able to work from home or just seek out cheaper deals on goods and services on the home computer is thought to be worth at least £300 a year to individuals,” said Councillor Janke.
“We want everyone to have a chance to share the benefits of broadband access which many already enjoy. But Labour and the Tories want us to cut this spending, hitting hardest the very people we should most be trying to help.”
The Lib Dems’ proposed revenue budget for £397.9 million over the coming year (2010-11) includes £8.5 million of efficiency savings and net growth of £12.6 million in spending on services.
A large part of the increase – around £4.6 million – is being put into health and adult care to meet growing demand.
“In very difficult times – with growing pressures on our services and, in future years, to cut back our spending – we have managed to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected and money will go where it is needed most,” said Councillor Janke.
The increase in council tax – which funds roughly half the council’s revenue budget – has been held at 2%.
A total of £3 million is expected to be gained this year from the ongoing programme to change the way the council works and this money will be ploughed back into frontline services.