The Labour leadership of Greenwich Council has been urged to listen to the voice of residents, as they vote on the Council’s Budget for the year ahead. The Conservative Opposition Group at the Town Hall is putting forward alternative budget proposals to invest in measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and financial hardship – putting more money into the services residents have said should be a higher priority.
Local residents who took part in the Council’s own budget consultation called for action on anti-social behaviour and cleaner streets, as well as for help with bills and other costs as cost-of-living pressures continue. Taking this feedback into account, Conservative councillors will put their alternative Budget proposals to a vote at the Town Hall this Wednesday (26 February), focusing on:
- Tackling anti-social behaviour: by funding additional Community Safety Enforcement Officers to tackle anti-social behaviour in our High Streets, Town Centres and other high foot-fall areas
- Reducing fly-tipping: by funding the purchase and deployment of additional mobile CCTV cameras to be prioritised on fly-tipping hotspots across the borough, as well as helping tackle other forms of anti-social behaviour
- Supporting residents hit by Labour’s cuts: by providing additional financial hardship support to residents on the lowest incomes who are about to be hit the hardest by Labour’s decision to cut the Council Tax Support scheme
This new investment in local priorities, amounting to £2.3 million over the next four years, would be fully funded by reversing Labour’s controversial expansion of the Council’s communications team, cutting the cost of local politics, and other efficiencies.
Councillor Matt Hartley, Leader of the Conservative Opposition on the Council, said:
“Politics is about listening to people and their priorities – but it’s clear that the Labour councillors who run our borough haven’t actually done that when coming up with their latest Budget for Greenwich Council.
“Residents have told the Council they want to see action on anti-social behaviour, cleaner streets and help with bills and other costs. Local people have been clear about their priorities, and they deserve to be listened to, not ignored.
“That’s why we are proposing a £2.3 million package of investment in additional Community Safety Enforcement Officers, new mobile CCTV cameras to tackle fly-tipping hotspots, and more support for people who need it most. It’s time for Labour councillors to put residents' priorities over their own and vote for this plan.”
As part of their alternative budget proposals, Conservative Councillors will also be putting forward a proposal to require a review of the Council’s controversial leaseholder charging system, which has recently saddled leaseholders in Middle Park with huge bills for expensive capital works.
Councillor Charlie Davis, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Opposition, who has spoken up for leaseholders affected by the charges, said:
“The scandal of Greenwich Council’s leaseholder charging system cannot be allowed to continue. The situation in Middle Park has understandably caused outrage, and we need urgent action to ensure the Council is getting proper value for money before passing on costs to tenants and leaseholders. There also needs to be much greater transparency and proper consultation with residents. I urge Labour Councillors to back this review.”
Conservative councillors’ call for a Review of leaseholder charges will be put to a separate vote as an amendment to the budget for the Council’s Housing Revenue Account at the same meeting as the main budget debate.
Read the Conservative Opposition Group's Budget proposals here.
