Lib Dems ask “Where is Surrey’s Budget for 2012/13?”

Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council are asking "Where is Conservative-run Surrey County Council's Budget?"

Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Cllr Hazel Watson says: "With only three weeks to go until Surrey County Council's 2012/13 Budget setting meeting on 7 February, the Conservative administration has not yet even published a draft budget for consultation.

"Enquiries by the Liberal Democrats of other county councils across the country have revealed draft budgets being published in December 2011, allowing an open public debate about proposals. By contrast, Surrey residents and businesses are kept in the dark; there is no openness or transparency about Conservative-run Surrey's Council Tax and spending plans.

"If Kent, which is bigger than Surrey, managed to publish a detailed draft budget for consultation in December 2011, why couldn't Surrey?

"When is the Conservative administration at County Hall going to get its act together? The late publication of the budget means that there will be little opportunity for councillors and residents to scrutinise it. We need to be reassured that Surrey residents will be getting good value for money, that the budget is realistic, that it will protect services and not waste money.

"Every year it is the same. Every year I ask why the plans of the Conservative controlled Council are not made public earlier. It is not as if it is a surprise that they have to take budget decisions at the same time every year. Surrey County Council 's Conservative administration needs to look at how and why other county councils manage to be much earlier and more open with publishing their budget proposals, rather than the last minute muddle they come up with every year."

NOTE:

Kent County Council's draft budget can be accessed by clicking here.