14 January 2010
Lib Dems, Labour & Independents Oppose Conservative Pay Freeze Proposal
At a time when many Borough residents are hard up, Conservative proposals to freeze Councillors’ pay were surprisingly thrown out by the Lib Dem Mayor.
At a meeting of Full Council on 13 January 2010, Conservatives tabled proposals to freeze the Basic Allowance and all Special Responsibility Allowances for Councillors with effect from 1 April 2010.
However, the Lib Dem Mayor voted against these proposals, along with all Liberal Democrat & Labour Councillors and many Independents.
Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Carole Ellis, commented:
“I’m sure the decision of the Lib Dem Mayor and his Liberal Democrat, Labour & Independent allies to not
support our proposal to freeze Councillors’ pay will be a bitter pill for many residents to swallow.”
“At a time when many businesses are struggling to balance their books and many residents are facing financial
hardship, Conservatives simply thought it would be highly inappropriate for Councillors to accept any increase in
their pay packets from 1 April 2010. That’s all.”
“Yet, the Lib Democrats, Labour and Independents chose to ignore the clear confirmation in the report before
Council that the NJC Officer Pay Award for 2010/11 was yet to be confirmed and that Basic Allowances and all
Special Responsibility Allowances should be increased.”
“This just goes to show out of touch the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Independents have become with Borough
residents, and news that the Liberal Democrats are proposing to increase residents
council tax bills further by an inflation-
For more information contact Councillor Ellis on 01234 871483
Full Council agenda, item 15.1(2), paragraph 5.5 – says “when known”.
Full Council agenda, item 15.1(2), paragraph 5.2.
8 January 2010
Conservatives Slam Lib Dem Gritting Cuts
It has been confirmed today that Bedford Borough Council will only have three days worth of salt left by the weekend.
And it’s gets worse.
Councillors were informed late on Friday that reductions would have to be made to
the Council’s gritting response, with no B-
The Council used around 100 tonnes yesterday alone gritting A & B roads in the Borough, and news that only 300 tonnes will remain by Sunday will come as worrying news to residents.
Conservative Vice-
“I thought the Liberal Democrat Mayor promised improvements in services following Unitary Status, not cut backs.”
“It think it is unfortunate that we may see reductions to the Council’s gritting response by Monday with no B roads being
gritted anywhere in the Borough, as the Council’s salt supplies dwindle by Sunday.”
“The Liberal Democrats were only too keen to criticise the former County Council for a perceived lack of foresight last year,
yet it seems they have failed to learn from the past and failed to ensure the Council has had enough salt in its depot to
adequately grit our roads.”
“We were told this week that the Lib Dems placed an order for an extra 3,000 tonnes of salt, but why wasn’t this order
placed before Christmas?”
“There’s no point them pointing the finger of blame at the Government. The Lib Dems have had plenty of time to prepare for the
winter and should have had this salt on order long ago. Public safety and people’s lives are at risk here, and I will be calling for a full investigation into this debacle.”
8 January 2010
Conservatives Slam Council Footpath Gritting Response
Bedford Borough Conservatives are today calling on the Council to grit all key pedestrianised areas in the Borough immediately.
People were slipping on sheet ice outside Marks & Spencer’s and other areas yesterday because it took the Council until lunchtime to bring gritting teams to the area, halfway through the working day.
Conservative Vice-
“The Borough Council has the guardianship of our footpaths in Bedford. This is the second bout of very bad weather in the last fortnight, and we should be better prepared.”
“The Council should have people in place including, if necessary, volunteers to grit key footpaths earlier to enable people to get to local shops and shop within Bedford Town Centre.”
“We were told earlier today by the Liberal Democrats that 3,000 tonnes of salt is
on order, but this should be sitting in the depots now. They should not be hand-
“The Liberal Democrats have had months to prepare for this and were only too keen to scaremonger and criticise the County Council, which is now history, but now it appears they have not learned the lessons of the past.”
“How do the Liberal Democrats expect to attract shoppers to the town centre and keep people local shopping when it’s unsafe to walk around?”
