Notts: Conservatives would freeze Council Tax in their alternative budget

In addition to the Council Tax freeze, the Conservatives say they would also save all the day centres – including Grove Street and Lawn View in Retford – youth centres and children’s centre being targeted for closure by the ruling Labour group.

Conservative finance spokesman Coun Reg Adair said the Conservatives would also reject Labour’s plan to increase Blue Badge charges from £2 to £10, instead proposing a Blue Badge charge of £5, reject Labour plans to cut £3 million of funding for communities, invest an £800,000 in local bus services and honour the Conservatives’ election manifesto pledge to provide a new hall for primary schools that require one.

“We will fund our pledges by accepting the Government’s Council Tax Freeze Grant, outsourcing some of the council’s internal business support functions, highways services and country parks, continuing our programme of management and administration savings, reducing the council’s reliance on agency staff and continuing our plan to save streetlight energy in the small hours,” said Coun Adair.

“Our budget keeps council tax frozen for a fifth year and ensures council services are sustainable for years to come.”

“Labour’s budget is an unsustainable short-term fix, increasing council tax again and cutting frontline services.”

“Labour are avoiding the big decisions required to change the way the council works, which means they will have to cut more services and jobs in the future.”