USE 'WINDFALL' MONEY FOR THE VULNERABLE, LIB DEMS URGE CONSERVATIVE MAYOR

2.43.12pm GMT Wed 28th Feb 2007

The Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council has tabled amendments to the Conservative Mayor's budget, which will be discussed at the Full Council Meeting on Thursday, 1st March. The amendments urge the Mayor to spend £187,000 on services for the vulnerable in our community. The money would come from a 'windfall' that the Council has received from the Government and in interest from money held in reserves. As a result these amendments will not result in an extra penny going on council tax.

The amendments that the Liberal Democrat Group is putting forward are:

• £15,000 for Children's Services to be used for early intervention;

• £90,000 to the Adult Care Trust to help fund the increasing demands from the ageing population in Torbay;

• £30,000 to go towards the vital work of the Ward Partnerships. This money will be divided up into £24,000 for the Ward Partnerships to give out as grants to grass roots community groups and £6,000 towards a part time support.

• £17,000 to enforcement against littering and fly tipping;

• £5,000 to be divided equally between Brixham and Torquay museums;

• £30,000 to the Council's Audit and Efficiency Department to counter fraud.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council, Cllr Gordon Jennings said: "While the budget for this year was being put together, Officers of the Council reported that there was £315,000 of 'extra' money made up of money that had been returned from the Government and interest from money that the Council has in reserves. The Conservative Mayor has proposed spending £115,000 of that money on services, and keeping the remaining £200,000 as 'contingency' money. The Liberal Democrat Group feel that, as the contingency fund was under spent this year, and the Conservative administration has already put £265,000 into the contingency fund for next year, then the remaining £200,000 'windfall' money should be used to fund services which help the most vulnerable people in our community.

"Also, the money that we are suggesting is put into the Adults and Children's services is 'invest to save money' - designed to stop those services having to overspend."

The amendments that the Group are putting forward will require the support of two thirds of the Council at the meeting on Thursday. It is understood that the 'Torbay Group' are supporting the Liberal Democrat amendments.