Leader defends budget axing 600 Hull City Council jobs
CITY council leader Steve Brady has defended a controversial budget axing up to 600 jobs, cutting services and increasing council tax bills in Hull.
Three backbench Labour councillors voted against their own ruling group's proposals at Thursday's annual budget-setting meeting of the authority.
-
Funding crisis: Hull City Council Leader Steve Brady.
But Councillor Brady said senior Labour politicians at the Guildhall had done all they could to cushion the impact of unprecedented reductions in Whitehall funding.
"The budget is about trying to maintain services and jobs," he said.
CAR KEYS AND REMOTES "FREE REMOTE KEY FOB BATTERY" 01482 423414 ...
Peace Of Mind Security Hull Ltd/Hull Car Keys
View details
FOR ALL YOUR CAR KEY NEEDS CALL US NOW ON
01482 423414
SNAPPED KEYS, LOST KEYS, KEYS LOCKED IN VEHICLES,
EXTRA KEYS
WE ALSO REPAIR 90% OF ALL REMOTES AND KEYS, NO FIX NO CHARGE.
Terms: Terms: FREE REMOTE KEY FOB BATTERY ONE PER CUSTOMER
Contact: 01482 423414
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
"We held 27 separate meetings with officers over it, going through the details line by line.
"We have done everything we possibly can to minimise these cuts."
Cllr Brady contrasted Labour's stance with that of the previous Liberal Democrat administration two years ago, which moved a budget axing 1,000 jobs.
"The previous leader of the council actually said he looked forward to and welcomed the cuts," said Cllr Brady.
"At the time, there were proposals to close every day centre in the city, do away with the Connexions careers service and butcher the music service for young people and the museums were only going to open on certain days of the week.
"We managed to put a stop to all that and, under this budget, all the day centres will stay open, the music service is being supported and the museums, which are really our jewels in the crown, are all still open and thriving."
Cllr Brady insisted other positive features of the budget were being overlooked, including continued subsidy funding to free universal bus travel for pensioners and the disabled and an agreement with primary schools to peg the price of a lunchtime meal to £1.
"This contrasts with £1.90 a meal being charged at some schools in the East Riding," he said.
"Our budget means for just £5 a week, every primary pupil who is not eligible for free meals can get a nourishing hot meal every day."
The Labour leader also confirmed he was still personally reviewing all vacancies at the council to see if filling them was absolutely necessary.
The backbench rebels – Gary Wareing, Gill Kennett and Dean Kirk – expect to be thrown out of the Labour group for defying orders to vote against the budget.
But Conservative group leader Councillor John Fareham said their defiance had a hollow ring to it.
He said: "I respect their principles and also their courage in facing the inevitable wrath of the rather control-freak Stalinist Labour group, where outdated orthodoxy is prized above original thought, but true rebellion would have been to have tabled their own alternative budget and shown us how they would deal with economic reality."
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Councillor Mike Ross said: "This backbench rebellion shows there are clear divisions in the Labour group, which will only get worse as the reality of the cuts sink in."
18 Comments
View all
by busylady
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:18AM
“To smartguy1, Officers are employed to cover lack of business management skills amongst Councillors. I agree that they are overpaid - throughout the nation.
Peteranlaby - The Bus Pass does not arrive through the post - you have to go to your local Council Office and apply for it. You don't even get a letter telling you you've become eligible, so if you don't get one, it doesn't even cost the Council a 1p. As others have said, even if you do get one, it only costs if you use it.”
by spragger
Sunday, March 03 2013, 1:27PM
“Cut ALL salaries by 15%
- Put all staff on a money purchase pension
- No union reps paid for by taxpayer
- Sack chief exec., he was the cause of all this, by growing an unaffordable organisation.
- No overtime
- No temporary staff, or consultants
- Cut up purchasing cards
- Cut Councillors expenses & allowances
- No jobs with european, diversity, compliance, political, or climate change in the title.
They do nothing for the taxpayers paying for them
This is without losing a frontline job, or service
Now, why will Labour not do this?”
by David_Nivea
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:37PM
“Again, why does anyone get free school meals?
Can't afford kids? Don't have 'em.”
by Regalex Fresh Foods Ltd
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:22PM
“Strange, I thought that Hull City Council were charged with providing service at best cost levels not providing employment and protecting jobs which is all they seem to be concerned about. I feel sorry for some of those who will lose their jobs but..... Now lets look at the real job of saving ALL of the people of Hull from increasing costs and appalling service levels from a council that seems to have lost its way.”
by dlscaiwgh
Saturday, March 02 2013, 11:47PM
“PeterAnlaby I apologise if I am wrong but I believe that it was the Government who gave Pensioners the bus pass and not the Councils although the Councils pay towards them. I wonder why you continue to use your bus pass if you feel so strongly about it and not get a return ticket. Apoligies if I have offended you in any way.”
by spragger
Saturday, March 02 2013, 9:02PM
“The staff are now paying for poor management & splurging taxpayers money when they thought they could get away with it.
- Which included inflation busting CT rise after each other.
They built large organisations which maent the Chief Execs could pay themselves mouth watering sums of taxpayers money
- So now, no sympathy for the leaders when they have to deal with their own stupidity & incompetence.
As usual the staff have to suffer and eventually the few taxpayers.
Why not sack the Chief Exec and save £200k pa, year on year?”
by ghostwriter69
Saturday, March 02 2013, 7:19PM
“Jendurham
excellent point.”
by Jendurham
Saturday, March 02 2013, 4:13PM
“Re the comment by Peteranlaby about concessionary buspasses, he does not need to use his pass when he goes on a bus. The council only pays when he uses his pass, so if he pays himself, that will solve his problem.
Not sure how many jobs he will save.”
by David_Nivea
Saturday, March 02 2013, 3:09PM
“Why does anyone get free school meals?
Anyway, I suppose that these cuts will go some way to guaranteeing the gold-plated pensions of some public sector persons.
Around 25% of council tax goes towards pensions.
"The backbench rebels – Gary Wareing, Gill Kennett and Dean Kirk – expect to be thrown out of the Labour group for defying orders to vote against the budget."
Not very democratic Comrades! What about tolerating different views?”
by kempton
Saturday, March 02 2013, 1:20PM
“by allwaysred1Saturday, March 02 2013, 11:34AM
"drspock, 44mil...spent on the kc...didnt u complaining then.."
You obviously aren't aware of what council money can, and more importantly, can't be spent on.
And, if the red in your name refers to KR and you aren't one of those pathetic people who support Liverpool or Man U then KR were offered the chance to use the KC but declined it.
BTW, if your username is supposed to convey that you will be a red forever it should be always. All ways means you are red in every conceivable way.”