On the budget process

“My key concern is the total lack of openness and transparency in the budget process, contradicting the public commitment to openness and transparency made by the Leader of SCC.  With no notice, or discussion we were asked to vote on effectively an unseen budget requiring significant additional cuts to vital services following the announcement the budget increase was to be cut from 15% to 4.99%, thereby avoiding a potentially politically damaging referendum.

As councillors congratulated the Leader on his successful “negotiations”, myself and others formally asked for detail on the “deal” that had been clearly struck done behind the scenes.  We were met with repeated denial of any deal by the SCC leadership.  The highly embarrassing text, email and recorded phone conversation leaks that have followed have revealed just how much was being covered up.

This manipulation of the council budgetary decision process for political ends does concern me greatly.  Along with other Independent councillors, I consider it vital to have full financial information before voting through a budget that will have profound implications for many residents.   As it stands a budget was agreed without full information or any discussion, one that the county’s own Chief Financial Officer deems unsustainable and unadvisable.  The budget is apparently reliant on a back room deal with central government- the detail of which our Leader refuses to share- a situation I consider totally unacceptable.”

~ Cllr Nikki Barton ~