SCC votes for Conservative budget proposals (5th February)

Conservative budget proposals which will see increased investments in Adult Social Care, Highways Improvements, the Youth Service and Libraries, amongst other areas, were today approved by SCC with a number of Members speaking in favour of the proposals.

During a debate lasting over 2 hours, proposals tabled by Nick Skellett, Leader of SCC, were praised for their 'clarity', as Members also voted for a 4.8% increase in the Council Tax.

Commenting on the Council Tax increase, Mr. Skellett stated: ''This is more than I would like - 0% would have been better but in the present circumstances impossible if we want to retain good services''. He also highlighted the ongoing problems with government funding, pointing out that whereas each person in Surrey receives £205 p/a from the government towards local government services, the average for England is £595 p/a and those living in Manchester get £856 (more than 400% more).

Mr. Skellett was particularly scathing about the system of local government funding: ''We have to seriously ask ourselves if we can afford to continue to invest in our schools and roads if the Government persists with this ridiculous system of funding. The Government has to seriously ask itself if it can afford to see reduced spending on infrastructure in a county that makes such a huge contribution to the country's economy. The £5,000 net contribution that Surrey makes to the national purse for every man, woman and child could be in jeopardy''.

Despite the shortfall in funding, Mr. Skellett was able to propose an increase of £16.3m in Adult Social Care in order to help more social care clients to live at home, a proposal warmly welcomed by Sally Marks, Executive Member for Adults & Community Care: ''We currently look after around 18,000 vulnerable adults, and this number is growing every year, not least because of increasing life expectancy. It is incredibly important that we continue to invest in our Social Care service, and we shall continue to do this despite the failure of central government to provide adequate levels of funding for Surrey''.

It was also announced that £25m would be borrowed to be invested in highways maintenance and improvement, an extra £500k would be added to the Youth Services budget and £250k in Libraries.

Furthermore, it was stated that whilst Mr. Skellett had asked for £18m of efficiency savings, staff had identified possible savings adding up to more than £30m, and whilst some of these would not be easy, he was happy to report that these savings would not have an adverse impact on front-line services.

Speaking during the debate Lavinia Sealy welcomed the new funding for flood prevention, whilst also criticising the iniquitous system of local government funding.

David Munro, Executive Member for Transport, agreed with Mrs. Sealy's comments on flooding, and added that there would be more money available for highways resurfacing.

Denise Turner-Stewart called the budget 'well-constructed', and said that it would help SCC meet its responsibilities to the public.

Mr. Skellett thanked Members for their comments, and the proposals were voted through with a considerable majority.