It was all fully funded (From York Press)

It was all fully funded

9:53am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Letters By Reader's letter

I APOLOGISE to Dennis Barton (Letters, March 4) for not replying sooner, but as previously stated our budget amendment had not been fully signed off and I felt a third letter in one week from me might have tested the editor and readers’ patience.

At last Thursday’s full council, we gave an amendment to freeze council tax, refill salt bins, replace rubbish bins taken away, invest in the Guildhall and not increase parking charges.

We funded this by cutting salaries to Labour Cabinet members, money to Labour’s Trade Union friends and the £1 million fund of Labour’s leader. These are better choices and also by freezing council tax and getting the government grant we get more money to York and let York’s residents spend more of their money.

It was all fully approved by officers as balanced and sensible. It merely comes down to how you think money should be spent and we want it used to give basic public services and value for money, not for Labour’s political stunts.

As predictable as it was regrettable, the heavily whipped Labour Party rejected our amendment and the people of York are therefore set to pay more to get less.

Coun Chris Steward, Conservative, Rural West York.