Cllr John Blundell, Deputy Leader of Coventry Conservatives, has put forward his alternative plans for the City Council budget for 2012/13.
The highlight of the Conservative Group’s Alternative Budget is a new £2,000,000 Apprenticeship Initiative that could see up to 740 Coventry Kids off the dole and back into work. Other plans include pledges to keep open 6 Children’s Centres threatened with closure as well as pay up to an additional £250 to Council Staff earning under £21,000 per year. The Conservatives also propose funding for Residents’ Parking Schemes and small community initiatives that could help local communities.
The Conservative Group will be supporting proposals to freeze Coventry’s Council Tax for a second year. This is being funded by a specific Government Grant equivalent to an increase of 2.5% on Council Tax.
Commenting on his plans Cllr John Blundell said: ‘This is a budget for children, families and young people. The measures that we have outlined in our alternative ensure that the good work of Children’s Centres will continue in all communities across Coventry; many low paid council staff will receive a much needed additional £250 next year and we are also taking positive steps with our Apprenticeship Initiative to reduce unemployment amongst young people in Coventry.’
He added: “We will not make unfunded pledges and therefore we are also clear about where savings would have to be made to pay for some of our pledges. These include scrapping delivery of Citivision, removing a Director’s post and being clear that an elected mayor should be cost neutral.”