Labour budget - Social & Community Services

Speech by Cllr Gail Bones delivered to County Council on Tue 10th Feb 2009

The Labour Social & Community Services budget is built upon a set of aspirations it would be impossible frankly to quibble with. Indeed all this extra money and investment is marvellous; however these monies are predicated upon re-instituting charges for Park & Ride. As we all know, you cannot spend this money, which will go into the Parking Account, on anything but highways related items.

Am I incredulous at such a lack of basic knowledge amongst a group of long serving councillors? Or am I incredulous at the cynicism of the local Labour party blithely ignoring the rules of their own government in a bid to convince Oxfordshire residents that they can provide this moonshine so that they can accrue some votes?

What callous hypocrisy playing upon the needs of the most vulnerable in our county when they know that as the 3rd party they won't get anywhere NEAR ever having to keep these so-called commitments.

Even if they did their record in Oxford City shows they promise it all and fail to deliver: playgrounds, Peers swimming pool - to mention just two. Shall I even begin to examine their record on the national stage? No, let's spare their blushes for once.

The Lib Dems have produced a careful DO-ABLE budget for the vulnerable of the county. At least we know we can look after people, and pay for it - not construct fantasies to win votes.