Making a difference to the people of Medway

Conservative councillors announce a budget for all

Press release posted on Friday, 26 February 2010

“A budget that will benefit everyone in Medway” was how last night’s budget announcement (Thursday 25th February 2010) was described, with residents set to gain from the lowest council tax increase in Medway Council’s history.

With a 2.455% increase, Medway Council will continue to have the lowest council tax around, £125 less than the average across Kent.

Unfortunately for all those who are set to gain from the new budget, opposition councillors refused to support a single policy.

None of the Labour, Liberal or Independent members supported these wide-ranging proposals, which will, in particular, greatly assist young people, the elderly and disabled.

Thanks to the Conservatives, young people throughout Medway will benefit from new and improved youth facilities, the continuation of the popular Undersiege event and a new Festival of Sport.

The yellow bus scheme will also be expanded to assist children living on the Peninsula to travel to school.

Even though Labour and Liberal councillors had asked the administration to look at making companion bus passes for the disabled free, they refused to support this measure, along with funding for disabled parking bays and new disabled play facilities.

Deputy Leader Alan Jarrett described the budget as “a sustainable budget in a challenging economic climate, but which builds on the excellent policies that the Conservatives have introduced in Medway.”

He said that it would “help households hurt by Gordon Brown’s failed economic polices by keeping council tax low, but also provide better service delivery and new and exciting events for all residents.”

ENDS