Scott Collins

Liberal Democrats in Northampton have reacted strongly to news that Northamptonshire County Council faces a £100m shortfall over the next five years.

The news, announced ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting next week, puts hundreds of public sector workers’ jobs at risk.

Responding to the announcement, County Hall’s Opposition Leader, Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem, Delapre), said:

“As far back as 2005, the Liberal Democrats warned against keeping Council Tax artificially low while the going was good.

“By raising Council Tax just 2% their first term, the Tories would now been sitting on a £20m fighting fund to ease the pace of these cuts.

“It is sad fact that public sector workers in Northamptonshire will now be paying for the ‘lowest Council Tax in the country’ with their jobs.”

Liberal Democrat Scott Collins commented

“I am stunned that a Tory administration that spent the County elections telling voters that only they could be trusted with the counties tax payers money. Well following hard on the heels of the collapse of the schools sell off deal, Carriliongate, endless mishaps and debts set to reach £629m this administration has changed tack from financial mismanagement to a ’slash and burn’ farce.

The ramifications of which the public will be feeling for years to come.

George Osborne recently told delegates that he would learn lessons in good governance from Tory run Councils, Lets hope he isn’t including Northamptonshire County Council in his lesson!!

Whilst in his key note Conference speech Mr Osborne continually said “We are all in it together”, Well i’m not sure beleaguered Council Workers would agree with his sentiment”

“All of this is just more proof, should it be needed, that this current administration cannot be trusted with our money or our services.