Labour have now published the detail of their plans to change the Councils budget. They are different from those that they published before the Council elections.
They have jettisoned their promise to increase bus subsidies, do more for teenagers and expand the use of the Yearsley swimming pool.
They’ve introduced a new £38,000 proposal which would see – the equivalent of – 2 new full time Trades Union positions established.
To help pay for these changes they are halving their commitment to provide breaks for disabled children from £100k to £50K.
Controversial plans to reduce the size of recycling containers are included, as is a plan to stop increases in ResPark charges although these were actually implemented 3 months ago (Charges for small cars were frozen at £44 pa). It almost beggars belief that the Council might be considering refunds of £2 to the owners of standard vehicles or that they will reduce the charge to the owners of large high emission cars and vans who pay the top rate of £112pa.
Ironically the old Council managed their 2010/2011 budget so carefully that a £200,000 surplus was available at the end of the year to underpin public service standards in the current year.
The budget for the pretentious “fairness commission” has ballooned to over £5000. One of its first tasks might be to consider why these budget proposals, and the hugely important changes to the LDF plan, were only published on the Councils web site 4 days before this week’s Council meeting. (The previous Council published material for residents to read 8 days before a meeting).

Rubbish and recycling wagons near to you…
On Saturday 2nd July there will be collections of bulky items throughout the ward. The wagons will be following the route at the approximate times shown on the back page.
Please note the vans are unable to collect asbestos/refrigeration equipment/liquids (including paint, waste, oils etc.)
Starting at:
Ridgeway (8am, 9am & 10am) then calling at ;
Askham Lane, Front Street, Gladstone Street, Milner Street, Green Lane (to roundabout) (8.15am, 9.15am & 10.15am)
Kingsway West, Danesfort Avenue, Gale Lane, Cornlands Road, St Stephens Road, Gale Lane, (8.30am, 9.30am & 10.30am)
Foxwood Lane, Huntsman’s Walk, Tedder Road, Askham Lane (Approximately 8.40am, 9.40am & 10.40am),
Grange Lane and Chapelfields Road.
Put your items anywhere on the route where they can easily be seen but please do not put anything out after the last times shown.