Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

'Openness and honesty is what we need' say Lib Dems

February 19, 2010 12:00 PM

Wokingham Liberal Democrats are demanding that Conservative-run Wokingham Borough Council has a more open and honest budget setting process in place before next year, which provides more detail of what they plan to spend money upon.

Cllr Kay Gilder, Liberal Democrat Councillor for South Lake said: 'Last year's budget papers included the term "rationalisation of pavilions". This turned out to mean leaving sports clubs who were playing on the council's pitches with nowhere to change and nowhere to go to the toilet. Another was "savings on maintenance" which turned out to mean removing all the dog poo bins.

'Nobody could possibly have guessed what was going to happen to those two services by reading the budget. There was no detail and no explanation, so how could anyone have understood what the figures really meant and how the cuts in spending would affect the services?

'This year's budget is equally mysterious. How can we have a sensible discussion about council services and the way money is spent if the necessary information is hidden away with no proper detail and no explanation of what the figures mean in practice for council services?

'We need a little less concentration on transformation and a little more concentration on transparency.'

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your email address, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your email address, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    wokinghamlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2010/120850/openness-and-honesty-is-what-we-need-say-lib-dems
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    wokinghamlibdems.org.uk/a05cL

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image
  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your email address, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image
  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you choose to join our email list, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us. You do not need to join our email list to complete this form.


    • Generate different image