Gloucestershire County Council Budget

EDM number 529 in 1996-97, proposed by Nigel Jones on 12/02/1997.

That this House congratulates councillors on Gloucestershire County Council for setting a budget for 1997-98 on 12th February 1997; notes that this budget, proposed by the Liberal Democrats, was within the capping limit, yet still managed to put more into school budgets than the Government's Common Funding Formula whilst preserving a prudent level of balances; further notes that even Conservative councillors admitted that although the Government has increased Gloucestershire's Standard Spending Assessment, 'the Government has not provided any extra money' for education in the county; is appalled at Conservative councillors' proposals to raid balances and reserves by ú8 million, leaving them at an unworkable level; is deeply dismayed that the Labour group leader described his own budget proposals as 'unsafe', 'taking a risk' and 'dangerous'; and is thankful that the Liberal Democrat Group, led by Councillor John Sewell, have had the courage to set a prudent and workable budget, instead of playing politics with vital local services.

This motion has been signed by a total of 4 MPs.