Decision made on calls for health visitors, bus subsidy and Citizens Advice investment
Suffolk County Council offices, Endeavour House. Picture: ARCHANT - Credit: ARCHANT
Calls for a Suffolk authority to increase funding in Citizens Advice and reverse cuts to health visitors and bus subsidies have failed to secure agreement.
Conservative leader at Suffolk County Council Matthew Hicks said the budget was right forn the people of Suffolk. Picture: GREGG BROWN
Suffolk County Council's full council meeting on Thursday discussed the planned budget for 2020/21, which proposed an increase in council tax by nearly 4% or around £40 - 1.99% basic rate increase and 2% for the adult social care element.
Both the Labour and Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent groups proposed amendments, with both demanding a reversal of cuts to health visitors last year where 41 roles were axed.
READ MORE: Cuts to Citizens Advice funding in SuffolkBoth also requested a commitment to restore funding of Citizens Advice bureaux to levels of £368,000 prior to April 2019, instead of the £120,000 a year planned.
Other calls included a "common sense" approach to the controversial school transport policy, a reversal of cuts to bus subsidies and an end to "quick-fix" pothole repairs in favour of an £860,000 highways fund.
Green councillor Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw said her group's amendments were "rational and reasonable". Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: Archant
But those amendments were rejected by the Conservative administration, with deputy leader Mary Evans describing the Lib Dem, Green and Independent proposals as a "back of a fag packet wish list".
Conservative council leader Matthew Hicks said: "We recognise the unrelenting demand and complexity of support required for vulnerable children and adults in Suffolk. As such, it is only right we increase spending in these key service areas.
You may also want to watch:
"We will continue to look after the most vulnerable in our community, despite the cost pressures we continue to face, and continue to hold a prudent level of reserves.
"We want to do what's best for our residents."
Labour's Sandra Gage wanted better funding for Citizens Advice - Credit: Archant
READ MORE: County council makes cuts to bus subsidiesGreen councillor Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw said her group's amendments were "rational and reasonable".
Labour councillor Sandra Gage, who was a member of the cross-council CAB task force that recommended the county council reinstate full levels of £368,000 annual grants, said: "In 18/19 Suffolk CAB's advised on around 87,000 problems. CAB's work is increasing by 7% annually.
Most Read
- 1 Tributes to much-loved Laura, 28, after Covid death
- 2 Controversial plans that would double village in size set for approval
- 3 Timeline: When can you expect to receive the Covid vaccine?
- 4 Electricity restored to almost 500 homes following power cut
- 5 Infection rates drop in Suffolk as UK records deadliest day of pandemic
- 6 Hadleigh rated as one of the worst areas for coronavirus deaths in England
- 7 Two more League One clubs make approaches for Ipswich Town defender Donacien
- 8 Touching tributes paid to 'great teacher and lovely man'
- 9 Covid vaccines cancelled at four Suffolk centres today – this is why
- 10 Church saved from collapse 'tragedy' after major cracks in walls appear
"Core issues raised include debit management, health, housing, relationships, legal, consumer scams, social care, travel and transport.
"Suffolk's district councils together grant the CABs over half a million to support this work. SCC last year offered just £184,000 and proposes to reduce it further to £120,000. That's just daft and financially irresponsible."
The budget was approved by 46 votes to 12.
