The Rishton Councillors have dismissed Conservative amendments to the Hyndburn Labour budget as 'uncosted fantasy' following just half a page of suggestions to the 176 page agenda on 22nd February.
Cllr Jeff Scales said, "How do we pay for your suggestions? Business rates have not been given back to Hyndburn Borough Council as promised by the Tory government and looking at the severity of the cuts it is a testament to the Labour administration that the Council is in such a good financial shape."
He said, "Not one member in this chamber would argue that floral displays don't enhance our borough but to reinstate them would cost over £130,000 in the first year alone. The proposals listed are all unworkable and the Town Centre Plan isn't detailed in any way so no one can see how you have arrived at that figure."
He added, " It's all good and well to keep comparing us with other boroughs but two-thirds of our properties are Band A and we don't get the Council Tax revenue that places such as Chorley and Ribble Valley generate. We're looking at £4m of cuts over the next two years and you come with an uncosted fantasy election wishlist paid for from reserves. None of this is feasible or sustainable and would make very poor business sense to adopt."
Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, went through the proposals line by line and explained why none of them were financially viable.
Cllr Parkinson said, "Whilst I welcome the Conservatives bringing something to the table, this is not actually an alternative budget proposal. Most of these suggestions involve taking on more staff and the costs would offset any savings."
The Labour budget was passed with unanimous cross-party support.
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