Although only 24 Labour Councillors voted for the cuts budget proposed by their leadership it was enough to see the proposals passed at last nights Council meeting.

Library budget cut by £450,000. Future uncertain

Now residents face a lethal cocktail of higher Council Tax levels, higher charges and rapidly deteriorating street level public services.

One local Councillor deliberately snubbed the many local residents who have been campaigning against the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit across the area. The cost of introducing the new limit is put at £600,000. He claimed in the media that it would “reduce accidents”. In reality in places like Portsmouth the introduction of such a limit has coincided with an increase in accident levels.

Both Dringhouses Labour Councillors then voted to reduce expenditure on road safety improvements by £75,000!

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ann Reid said, “Labour’s cuts to the roads budget have hit home in recent months with officers admitting that due to the sheer volume of problems they are being forced into ‘quick fix’ and temporary solutions. It is only through prudent long-term investment that we can reverse this decline. Our £500,000 package would not only help residents, but also local businesses and economic development. While Labour throws £100,000 at an Arts Barge and gives a £1million unmonitored ‘slush fund’ to the Council Leader, the Liberal Democrats would invest in the roads and frontline services