tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post8235733750705902927..comments2024-03-28T09:45:17.708+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: Muhammed Butt promises to consult on Brent budgetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-11647258189111754822013-01-14T19:22:41.257+00:002013-01-14T19:22:41.257+00:00There are lots of ways the Council could take acti...There are lots of ways the Council could take actions against the cuts. <br /><br />Firstly, by protecting Brent's poorest communities from their impact. If you were at the Brent Connects debate you would have heard people call for the council not to carry out evictions from council housing, for them to help people restructure their housing rental debts in the same way the mortgage debts are restructured. There are many small examples like this that would mean the council are not doing the dirty work of the LibDem/Tory coalition.<br /><br />Secondly, they could look at more creative accounting methods. Local authorities are are permitted only a small amount of borrowing but there are always loopholes to exploit. They could sell commercial assets, cut councillor expenses or top exec salaries to raise funds which would protect services.<br /><br />Thirdly and most importantly, they could publish a "needs budget", i.e. a budget which sets out the funds required to provide the the level of services the borough needs. This would highlight the funding gap and would become an important campaigning tool. Consulting widely on a needs budget would have the effect of exposing the full effect of government cuts. <br /><br />Yes, if councillors ultimately set a "needs budget" it would lead them into conflict with central government which is why it is so important for them to consult and campaign and win support for these ideas among residents. <br /><br />Frankly, whether a councillor votes for cuts gladly (as the LibDems/Tories will do) or with a heavy heart (as Labour will do) the impact is the same. Ultimately I want councillors to protect residents against these cuts by fighting them by whatever means they have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-81976144595167698832013-01-13T21:45:38.604+00:002013-01-13T21:45:38.604+00:00Good comment - what do you mean by effective actio...Good comment - what do you mean by effective action against the cuts? Remember if balanced budget is not past Officers takeover and pass one regardlessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-64219155689077727782013-01-13T15:12:41.308+00:002013-01-13T15:12:41.308+00:00Q. When is a consultation not a consultation? A. W...Q. When is a consultation not a consultation? A. When it's a Brent one. Sadly Brent's recent history in listening to residents' views amounts to nothing more than window dressing. How many residents opposed the closure of our libraries? How many supported it? And what was the result?<br /><br />The leadership change at the council promised a new open style of communication. Sadly that's just what it is - style but little substance. Last year Muhammmed Butt promised serious consideration of a needs budget - where is it? He promised to be at the forefont of of any campaign of councillors fighting back against cuts - where is he? A couple of hand wringing letters to the Guardian does not make a campaign.<br /><br />The widely publicised and well attended Brent Connects debate on housing last week showed that there is real desire for the council to make an effective stand against cuts and that there would be a huge level of residents support if they were to take this approach.<br /><br />Genuine consultation is not about inviting people to get on a tokenistic 3 minute soapbox which is then ignored, it is a 2 way process, involving proper debate on our options and then responding to residents collective wishes.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com