Liberal Democrats have slammed the Labour budget presented to Haringey Council on 5th February 2007, and have presented their own alternative proposals. The party also challenged Labour to provide evidence of how their own savings would be achieved.

Lib Dems proposals include cutting back on extravagant Labour propaganda and publications, energy saving across the council of 4%, and cutting council travel expenses. Savings identified by the Lib Dems would be used to reverse Labour’s rubbish collection cuts and the planned closure of the Keston Road Centre, an increase the budget for graffiti clear-up, funding a commercial waste reduction programme, investing in an additional youth worker for each Area Assembly and planting more trees in the borough.

Matt Davies (Lib Dem Finance spokesperson) comments:

“Our proposals show that there is much more that the council can do to meet the key concerns of local residents. And what a pity so much money is wasted by Haringey Council on disasters like the $15 million overspend on Tech Refresh.”

Robert Gorrie, Deputy Finance Spokesperson, adds:

“The 1,318 pages of the budget are uninspiring, lack real content and only highlights that Labour are not in control of their finances. Haringey Council has no concept of providing output targets to show what impact their budget will have on indicators their performance is measured. One can only assume that they have no idea what effect their budget will have.”