Reading List

Reading Chronicle wades into the political arena by publishing a leader article commenting on the budget debate.

They say the different political attitudes are getting in the way of helping the region out of the recession, describing politicians who

"squabble and snipe like argumentative children, rather than climb down from their pet hobby horses and talk to each other like grown-ups for the good of the people they purport to represent."

Oranjepan says:
Clearly the editorial staff at the Chronicle don't watch PMQs!

While some may take a dislike to the personal styles of disagreement and think these means of expression are not the most productive, let nobody be fooled that there are serious issues at stake to be fought over and that these disagreements are not easily overcome.

So the estimable publication should themselves be warned that it is even more detrimental to the general well-being to sit on the sidelines bemoaning the actions of others without making any direct contributions to the debate, as this only adds to the apathy and disillusion that holds us all back.

Better a reliable result than a quick fix.

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More on Reading's Budget 2010/11

Reading Borough Council passed the vote on the annual budget and Band D residents will see an average 2.2% rise in Council Tax this year (compare to other councils in Berkshire).

But the evening almost descended into chaos as the vote proceeded without Conservatives present. In the event the vote passed supported by 19 Labour councillors and opposed by the 8 LibDem Councillors.

The budget meeting went on for 6 hours as it was delayed by 5 successive amendments, each of which had to be debated in full.

Council Leader Cllr Jo Lovelock stated, "This budget achieves the right balance in uncertain times."

But the debate has spilled out onto the blogosphere as disagreements over the correct balance continue.

Cllr John Ennis was triumphant. He describes how the tactical manoeuver to call the vote whilst back-room discussions among opponents were ongoing saw Labour's proposals passed without amendment. He says tories attempted to 'hoodwink' the council by proposing a 0% rise involving no cuts to services without providing any details of how they would achieve this.

Conservative Cllr Richard Willis was bitter at the 'dirty tricks' played by the ruling party, but as LibDem leader Cllr Kirsten Bayes explained "The mayor was in the room and the meeting was quorate. You have to respect the democratic and legal procedures of the council."

As a council ruled with 'No Overall Control', Reading is in the slightly unusual position of having a Labour administration with a Conservative Mayor, and it was the veteran Cllr Fred Pugh who called the vote.

Cllr Willis goes to lengths to detail why his group were 'incensed' by Labour's conduct, which saw the vote 'bounced' in this way.

The Conservatives had circulated stories of a Lib-Lab pact beforehand and had their bluff called when the LibDems spoke against the proposed 2.2% rise and said they were willing to work together with the Tories to come up with solid solutions.

In an illuminating post Cllr Gareth Epps describes how LibDems had specific proposals which could have reached the £1.5m savings required to create a 0% rise, and states a deal could have been reached.

Conservatives were locked in discussions on their response to the LibDem offer of cooperation when the vote was called.

According to Cllr Ennis, the

"whole episode totally exposes the Tories as a sham. They can only gain support by trying to make the next election a referendum on our administration. They are bankrupt of ideas, offer no alternative or change and they are not fit to run Reading."

Cllr Willis struck back, saying Labour's tactics "smacks of the desperation with which they have continued to cling onto power in Reading" while arguing that the "Lib Dems also proved once again to be all over the place."

Meanwhile LibDems have seemingly refused to be bullied by the larger two parties.

Cllr Bayes said it was unfortunate that the outcome was reached in this way and expressed disappointment at the Conservative disorganisation and Labour's financial management, stating that she did "genuinely think the rise did not have to be as big this year," adding,

"I am glad we were able to stand up for our residents in what are very difficult times, and we will keep working to make the Council as efficient and effective as possible."

And Cllr Daisy Benson gives a detailed account of how the LibDems are being attacked for being prepared to listen without prejudice to alternative proposals from any source. She explains how she believes residents aren't interested in gestures, but in action.

Meanwhile Cllr Glenn Goodall posts an aggregated collection of his tweets from the floor of the chamber... it's live reporting and it really gives a sense of being there.

Oranjepan says:
setting a budget in election year inevitably mixes party politics with civic responsibility - so from the state of this debate it's clear this year's election will be highly contested.

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Update: Cllr Emma Warman returns to the blogosphere for the first time since October to express her astonishment that the LibDems weren't prepared to support the Labour party as they had 12 months ago.

She notes with frustration that LibDem leader Cllr Bayes offered to help defeat the Labour proposals by imposing a series of conditions and concludes this shows their opposition to her party's ideologically-based agenda of cuts.

Cllr Warren Swaine replies swiftly. He seems to think it is impossible to reach an agreement when there is nothing to agree to.

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More on Reading's Budget for 2010/11

The proposed changes in Council Tax is regularly the biggest debating issue of the year on the local scene - and it looks like 2010 will be no different!

The jockeying for position has already begun as each party sets out their stall ahead of the general election to offer indications about how they propose to balance economic and social pressures at hand.

RBWM grabs the headlines

Grabbing all the headlines has been the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, which has decided to buck the trend of perpetual rises to slash Council Tax rates by 4%.

The Conservative-dominated council has been held up as a model authority by party officials, which they suggest indicates exactly what they are possible of achieving when in power.

Leader of RBWM, Cllr David Burbage trumpets the move. He explains that the cut fulfils a 2007 manifesto pledge to deliver below-inflation rises every year - and that this was done by reducing expenditure by £6.2m without impacting frontline services.

He cites the example of car-maker Toyota's 'lean' business model as one which should be followed by councils, describing how his Conservative group are "rolling out Lean throught the council" - however this manages to overlook the recent scandal to hit the company which saw the recall of over 8 million vehicles after safety concerns were 'resisted' by the reliance on flawed reports which directors covered up by issuing 'misleading' statements.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda has since explained that "priorities became confused" at the company.

Unison's head of local government services group Heather Wakefield writes on this precise point in Public Finance magazine that the model of finding efficiency savings in 'back office administration

"is a crude mechanism that conveniently overlooks the fact that well functioning administration and technical support behind the screen are critical to effective and efficient front-line services,"

adding that "what this all means for Windsor & Maidenhead’s vulnerable elderly and children is clear to see."

Neville Hobson looks at the lasting implications and wonders whether their organisation can survive such a damaging blow to their public trust.

But the announcement that RBWM would be the second council in the country to make real-term cuts in council tax drew a range of excited responses from ideological 'cutters'.

The Daily Telegraph also noted that Prime Minister Gordon Brown had issued a directive that he would reduce the cap on rises from 5% to 3% due to the current economic circumstances.

The Tax-Payers Alliance described the development as all the more remarkable because it followed rises of 1.9% and 2.5% in the two preceding years.

Elsewhere in Berkshire

Meanwhile a similar refrain has coloured the issues throughout the county.

Commenters on Slough Forum were unimpressed by the lack of debate on the issue - with Slough likely to remain Labour-controlled for at least the short-term Catweazel suggests the only option is to move to Maidenhead!

Bracknell blogger Darren Bridgeman analyses the budget proposed by the ruling Conservative party in Bracknell Forest. Surprisingly Bracknell will have a near maximum 2.9% rise this year - the highest in the county.

Reading's Cllr Richard Willis was particularly impressed by the tough stance taken by his colleagues in Maidenhead saying it would cut the burden on the public. He argues that local services are 'inadequate' in a number of areas, and paid for by taxes which are the highest in the county (although this discounts any local factors within the borough).

Cllr Willis also offers the pledge from Reading Conservatives that Council Tax will be frozen if they gain control of the authority in May's local elections.

Reading's Labour party responded to this through Cllr John Ennis. He launches a volley against the Conservatives in Reading for failing to provide any concrete counter-proposals and he challenges them to be clear with the public about precisely what they would cut.

He highlights the case of Wokingham where the relatively low rise of 1.9% will be accompanied by 150 job cuts among council staff as the Conservative-dominated authority seeks to find savings of £9.5m after being severely hit during the Icelandic financial crisis.

Leader of Wokingham's opposition Liberal Democrat group, Cllr Prue Bray gives a particularly interesting insight.

She explains that Wokingham tories have passed an incomplete budget which will require a 'supplementary estimate' later this year, as she says, "the Tories have put together a budget which leaves out some of the things they know they are going to be spending money on."

She goes on to comment:

"The idea that you can actually PLAN to raid the reserves because you are deliberately setting an inadequate budget is, to say the least, unusual. What would you do if there was a real emergency?"

And in an odd reversal of affairs Woodley's ruling LibDem Town Council were attacked by Conservatives as 'out of touch' for setting a reduced rise of 1.45% - below the 1.9% set by Wokingham Borough (Woodley Town lies within Wokingham Borough).

Somewhat ironically a Conservative spokesperson described them as "inconsistent, unreliable and [showing] a complete lack of experience with financial matters."

But the final word goes to another Town Councillor, this time Wokingham's Robin Smith, who advocates for a complete reform of the taxation system, starting with an adaptation of the Council Tax.

He says, "everyone hates Council Tax no matter what you do."

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Update: Independent Cllr Tony Jones describes as 'bogus' Labour's claim that a 2.2% rise in Reading was kept "as low as possible, while protecting services."

LibDem Cllr Glenn Goodall takes aim at the Conservatives for moaning about cuts to sandwiches, while they 'put nothing on the table'.

In the event Conservatives in Reading were embarrassed when they missed the vote on the budget, allowing the Labour proposals to pass unamended.

The potential for another marathon 3-day session (as happened last year) was averted as the 18 Conservative councillors sat outside the chamber and Labour won the vote by 19 votes to 8.

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More on Reading Borough Council's Budget for 2010/11

The proposed Council budgets for Berkshires 6 unitary authorities have all been released, so it is worth bringing the headline facts together to offer a chance to compare and contrast them.

Here are the changes to Band D rates by authority (and those from last year):

Bracknell Forest: +2.9% (+4.9%)
Reading: +2.2% (+3.99%)
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead: -4.0% (+2.9%)
Slough: +2.5% (+4.9%)
West Berkshire: +1.9% (+3.9%)
Wokingham: +1.9% (+4.68%)

Oranjepan asks:
Notably the proposed changes are much lower across the board than 12 months ago - is this influenced by the national economic outlook, or because we are in a general election year?

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NB. Council Tax pays for a broad and specialised range of services required to be provided by the local authority to the community. These services include:

Education and Learning - adult and community learning, early years and childcare, schools and non-advanced education.
Health and Social Care - children and young people's services, care services for the elderly and those with disability.
Community and Living - community events, libraries and arts and leisure facilities.
Transport and Streets - traffic calming, street naming and numbering, parking, road maintenance and cycle routes.

Some of the amount collected also pays for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police Authority and your town or parish council.

The rate of Council Tax anyone pays is based on several factors:

the property you live in (i.e. its banding based on the historic capital value of property at 1/4/91);
how many adults occupy the property; and
the amount of income that the local authority needs to deliver its services once account is taken of grants and other income.

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More on Reading Borough Council's Budget for 2010/11

Opposition groups are celebrating victory over Reading's dominant Labour group after a decision to impose big increases on car park charges was overturned without a fight.

The move came under heavy criticism from Conservative and LibDem groups who felt it was being pushed through without adequate consideration or consultation.

Labour deputy leader and transport spokesperson Cllr Tony Page apologised for abusing the political process by seeking to impose changes against normal protocols.

Conservative transport spokesperson Cllr Willis is somewhat triumphalist in his attempt to claim credit for the U-Turn, but notes how the rises in car park costs is a result of a recently-agreed 15-year deal between RBC and car park operator NCP which guaranteed council income rises in line with inflation (which is soaring according to John Redwood).

However LibDem transport spokesperson Cllr Duveen picks up that the plans have not been stopped in their tracks, only watered-down as they will be subjected to the correct processes of public consultation.

Both sides argue the case shows the Labour party to be in decline both locally as well as nationally, providing more reasouns to vote them 'out' of power - Cllr Willis says they are 'clapped out', while Cllr Duveen says Labour are 'out of touch'.

In a separate area Redland LibDems note another revenue raising initiative has hit the buffers as a plan to charge council tenants for communal lighting and cleaning services on top of current rent increases.

Cllr Benson responded to complaints that some of the borough's poorest and most vulnerable residents were only given a month over the holiday period to respond to detailed documents. It seems very few are happy about the quality of the current service and even fewer about the prospect of being targetted to plug the gap in the budget which has grown from ban management.

Oranjepan says:
With budget planning fully underway in preparation for the year ahead a major battle over the narrative of cuts and spending is already being fought. Labour has lost round one.

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Update: Adam Hewitt provides details of a range of funding cuts made by the borough to voluntary services.

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More on Reading Budget 2010/11

Opening shots have been fired on council's local budget plan for 2010 as the preliminary discussions reach their conclusion and the different sides begin to set out their stalls.

Howard Thomas of the Common Sense Party lights the fuse by recalling the heated marathon discussions which lead to LibDems eeking concessions out of the Labour proposals last year.

He expects similar dramatics this year and takes a vicious sideswipe at the Conservatives for their destructive attitude 12 months ago (when they argued for reductions in Council Tax without offering any ideas on how to pay for it), wondering whether they have come up with any yet.

Howard says "it is a frightening thought that the Tory ideas are in such short supply."

The majority of the £120m+ budget is set on a baseline with about 3/4 of the total funded by government grants, which are ringfenced to cover statutory requirements.

The rest comes from tax reciepts, other charges and fines levied. With Council Tax rises capped at at maximum 5% there is little room for political discretion over additional spending, but this becomes the battleground for intense debate as the primary means for parties to put in place the principles their votes have mandated.

Independent Cllr Tony Jones doesn't have to suffer huge amounts of internal wrangling so is quickest off the mark and presents his 4 proposals.

He opposes the massive investment to replace the Civic Centre, suggests selling off Reading Buses, wishes to end annual elections and thinks road infrastructure investment should be delayed.

Meanwhile the local establishment and council bureaucracy have their own interests to look after.

Borough Council Chief Executive Michael Coughlin reflects the official view supported by the dominant Reading Labour Party as they point to new research showing reasons for optimism about economic recovery, using this to condition the view that cuts may be less necessary this year than might be expected or may be demanded.

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Update: Cllr Benson uses her campaign diary to highlight the disparities between different neighbourhoods across the town, noting that younger people are being hit disproportionately hard by the national economic gloom.

She says the growing gap between rich and poor is not just a matter of statistics, but of unfairness made manifest by the current authorities in ways which blight whole families and communities.

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