Senior Conservative Councillors have outlined their alternative budget for Coventry at a meeting of the City Council and have vowed to freeze Council Tax.
The budget includes funding for a policy to be introduced to deal with Houses of Multiple Occupation, which are causing a great deal of concern to many local communities, particularly in Wainbody Ward and Earlsdon Ward.
Also high on the agenda for Conservatives in Coventry is providing additional funding for the introduction of Residents’ Parking Schemes where they are wanted by local residents, following campaigns for schemes in Earlsdon, Cheylesmore and Westwood.
As part of the alternative budget, Conservatives have also announced funding for the introduction of 20mph zones in the city, and a widening of the policy to include more communities.
Commenting on the budget, the Conservative Spokesman for Finance and former Lord Mayor, Cllr Tim Sawdon, said: “The Labour-controlled Council is ignoring the offer from Government to freeze Council Tax to the tune of £1.2m and instead it is raising Council Tax by nearly 2%. This comes at a time when household budgets are under pressure and we consider it quite wrong for the Council to impose this increase and turn down the increased financial support from Central Government.
“Nationally, Labour talk about the ‘cost of living crisis’ whilst locally, the same Labour Party is increasing people’s monthly outgoings by insisting on raising a tax it simply doesn’t need to raise. It is party politics at its very worst.”
Adding, the Conservative Leader in Coventry, Cllr John Blundell said: “I am pleased that we have been able to produce an alternative budget which ensures that we put aside money to ensure much needed policies on HIMOs, Residents’ Parking Schemes and 20mph zones are bought forward, and, at the same time, we are not increasing the burden on those householders that pay Council Tax.
The Conservative Spokesman for Housing, and Westwood Ward Councillor, Cllr. David Skinner said: “I am particularly pleased to see that we will be bringing forward a policy concerning HIMOs. The proliferation of this type of development is blighting what used to be residential streets turning them into roads that are now almost exclusively house students with all the issues that brings, including a loss of community spirit.”
Adding, Earlsdon Ward Councillor, Cllr Michael Hammon said: Residents’ Parking Schemes are very important, particularly to those people who do not have off road parking. I know from my work in Earlsdon that local residents are very keen to see a scheme implemented and I am therefore very pleased to see that we have recognised that in our budget.”
Finally, the Conservative Deputy Leader, and Earlsdon Ward Councillor, Allan Andrews, said: “I know from years of campaigning for safer roads that there is a great deal of public support for 20mph in residential areas, where they are appropriate. Keeping people safe is of prime importance in this city, and whilst we recognise there is a budget for this work we have added to that to ensure that this work can be carried out quicker and covering a wider area of the city.
“Politics is about choice – and we have shown the people of Coventry that you can have policies that help local communities, whilst not increasing Council Tax and helping people with the cost of living, particularly those on fixed incomes like pensioners, and hardworking people who pay their Council Tax.”