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INSIDE TODAY’S [P/R]
Reporting local life since 1854
Friday, February 24, 2012
40p
Potters’ Euro dream dies in Valencia
Picture: Clare Jennings
Council leader promises budget will ‘stimulate growth’
GO-AHEAD FOR 3.49% TAX RISE
BY ALEX CAMPBELL
alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk
TAXPAYERS in Stoke-onTrent are in one of only 31 council areas in England to agree higher tax bills from April. City councillors last night approved a budget which increases council tax by 3.49 per cent but slashes £20 million from services. The council is the only unitary authority in the West Midlands and Staffordshire to refuse a Government cash offer to freeze tax, and in doing so joins 30 other councils out of 353 in England. Cuts will see 358 jobs made redundant and the axe will fall on everything from care homes to bus passes.
City councillors also rejected a lastminute motion tabled by Councillor Dave Conway, leader of the opposition City Independents, calling on council officers earning more than £50,000 to take a voluntary five per cent pay cut. The Labour-run authority is cutting £20 million, raising £3 million from the tax increase and borrowing £1 million from back-up reserves to deliver a balanced budget. Council leader Mohammed Pervez said the budget, which will see £4.6 million reinvested in Mandate for Change schemes to boost the local economy, is “bold, ambitious and innovative.” But his party faced a barrage of criticism from opposition councillors in a heated two-hour meeting. Non-aligned member Paul Breeze said: “It is very easy to be bold with other people’s money. “You accepted the tax
freeze offer last year, because you said it would be unreasonable to put a greater burden on residents in difficult times. “But it’s reasonable this year in even worse times, because it is not an election year.” Cheshire East Council yesterday agreed to freeze tax, while Staffordshire County Council and the region’s district councils have also accepted the Gover nment’s offer to block increases in favour of a grant worth 2.5 per cent of their council tax income. The budget was approved as The Local Government Association confirmed that council workers face a third consecutive pay freeze this year. Mr Conway, pictured, told the chamber: “It’s the same as last year – cut, cut, cut. “Now the pensioners can’t even get the security lights repaired outside their homes and the blind and elderly can’t use the bus until after 9.30am.” Conservative leader councillor Abi
Brown said the budget “attacks the vulnerable, needy and those who need us the most”, adding: “I support invest to save but it is costing taxpayers £5 million; how about some common sense savings instead?” Mr Pervez criticised the opposition for failing to submit an alternative budget, telling members: “I stand before you to present a budget that addresses not only deep cuts and cost pressures, but a budget that will invest in the Mandate for Change to protect the most vulnerable, stimulate economic growth and create much-needed jobs for our residents.” Residents in Band A properties will see their tax bill rise £26.60 to £788.97.
What do you think? Email us at letters@ thesentinel.co.uk Where the cuts fall: Pages 6&7 Comment: Page 10
STOKE City’s Europa League adventure has come to an end. The Potters crashed out 2-0 on aggregate, after a 1-0 defeat in last night’s match in Valencia. Stoke launched their first European campaign since the 1970s with an away win over Hajduk Split back on August 4, and came through a group containing the likes of Besiktas and Dynamo Kiev, winning seven of their 12 games. But boss Tony Pulis risked the wrath of the thousands of Stoke fans who had travelled out to Spain by leaving the likes of Peter Crouch, Jon Walters, Matthew Etherington and Ryan Shawcross at home yesterday. Nigel Matthews, aged 45, of Newcastle, was disappointed with the squad. He said: “I feel a bit let down after the time and expense that supporters have put into getting to Valencia.” Alex Brian, aged 24, of Meir Heath, said: “Having left those first team players at home, I think we have to beat Swansea on Sunday now or the manager might face a backlash.” But Derek Morrall, aged 79, from Bagnall, who was on the official cluborganised trip said: “I never expected the full team to play here. “The Premier League game against Swansea is more important than this one. “I have been going to Stoke for 63 years but this is my first time seeing them in Europe. “It’s wonderful just being able to watch Stoke in Valencia.”
INSIDE:
Spanish flight fiasco: Pages 22&23, plus match reaction: Pages 68-72
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