Labour consider Conservative party's alternative savings plan (From Echo)

Labour consider Conservative party's alternative savings plan

THURROCK’S Labour party considered the opposition’s £220,000 of alternative budget savings at its cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The Torys called for councillors’ allowances to be slashed by five per cent saving £15,000, the reduction of cabinet members from ten down to eight saving £10,000, and for councillors to no longer get free broadband or car mileage for travel in the borough which together, would save another £6,000.

Deputy leader of Thurrock Council, Val Morris-Cook, explained that the both the car mileage issue and cutting councillors’ allowances by five per cent would have to go to the full council in September.

But she said it was in the cabinet’s remit to agree the savings for councillors’ broadband payments and the sending out of meeting agendas.

The Conservatives also wanted to see a saving of £1,000 by reducing the use of the use of the mayor's car and chauffeur.

Councillor Morris-Cook announced that while Labour agreed it was a good saving, the mayor's secretary had actually identified that savings of £3,000 could be made in this area, and these would be implemented.

She added: "The mayor's secretary must be congratulated for tripling that saving."

Labour turned down Tory proposals to save money by turning off traffic lights overnight, as officers had explained that the cost of temporary lights signs, necessary safety studies and changes to computer systems would actually increase in-year costs.

However, the party did agree that one currently vacant post in the corporate diversity team would be deleted — half the opposition plan.

Cllr Morris-Cook said that Tory proposals to share a small saving in library opening hours across the borough could not be implemented this year.

Speaking about Tory proposals to save £35,000 by restructuring the funding of Engage, CVS, and Trust, Cllr Morris-Cook confirmed a report on the funding of voluntary organisations would be coming to a later cabinet and changers to the cabinet structure would be reviewed.

Labour also revealed that they only had a part-time political assistant, and urged the Conservatives to follow their example.

A £4,000 saving by not carrying out any work on the Place Survey this year was agreed.

Cllr Morris-Cook also supported Tory calls for the Thameside Theatre to break even on operating costs, saving £3,000.

She said members should lead by example by “paying for tickets to support local groups” at the theatre.

She also spoke about the importance of the parties working together now.

She said: “ When we come to next year when £16 million savings will have to be made, this will be a whole different kettle of fish, its really going to need every single one of us working together.”