York Liberal Democrats

CLLR ANDREW WALLER SPEECH TO BUDGET COUNCIL 26TH FEB 2009

I am sure that Council members will wish to join me in thanking our officers for their hard work and diligence in preparing the budget which is in front of us tonight. Ian Floyd joined us just as the budget process was starting, and together with Steve Morton, Louise Brandford-White, Janet Lornie and their teams a huge amount of details have been finalised.

Since this time last year a huge cataclysm has befallen international banking systems, and there are worrying times ahead of us now that the nation is officially in recession.

So what should a council do in this situation ?

It is at this time that the city needs the council to take the lead, to use its resources to promote those activities that maintain employment in the city, to build up the human capital to put the city in the strongest position possible when he recovery comes, and to provide help for those people who are most vulnerable.

That is what we have set in place with the One city work which was commissioned by the Executive in July.

· The Enterprise Fund

· Investment in the Credit Union

· York on a budget booklet

· Kingsway Project

· Enterprise Training in schools

· Helping York companies do business with the council

· Smart Meters in the Libraries to help people cut their fuel bills

· Engaging with business through the Business Forum and Economic Partnership

York has traditionally maximised its opportunities to achieve its own economic success zone.

During the last year we saw the opening of the expansion of York St John University at De Grey Court, a bold building on Union Terrace, with a new neighbour across the car park in the shape of the new Arclight Centre.

The York High School building has been a transformation of the previous buildings on the site, and an application of the Yorkon construction (from locally based Shepherds).

The new Manor School building will receive pupils after Easter.

This administration has created a climate of Climate Change response in development.

Planning permission has been gained for the new University expansion - with a renewable power plant.

There could have been no better indication that York is "Open for Business" following the successful application by HSBC for their data centre. I am sure that in the months to come this will be a case study for how large, and potentially difficult application can see a positive result by working with the planning system, consultation, public engagement and significant work in the environmental impact of the application. Dozens of people were involved, and I was glad to play my part in persuading HSBC to chose York above other cities who have financial incentives to bring such developments to their doorstep.

Thanks to members of this administration York has been successfully battling for Regional Resources for Transport, Housing, Flood Defence, and Education.

York North West has been recommended as a trailblazer for Urban Eco Settlement money to establish an sustainable community on brownfield land.

Access York will see improvements to York's Park and Ride which is flourishing.

All of which have been a result of putting the interests of this city first, and by the effective performance of officers of this council. Officers which you will attempt to dispose of at your peril if you back some of the suggestions on the table tonight. So just be careful.

There have been 136 affordable homes completed this year we are on track for 150 by the end of the year, and next month the first sod will be dug for the replacement to the Discus Bungalows, 196 new homes at a time when construction work is very much needed.

The Centre for Cities 2009 Outlook report for York said "York is a successful city which has successfully recovered from the decline in traditional manufacturing.

York is also amongst the lowest disparity between those of highest and low incomes. Our investment in education is illustrated by the fact that in terms that we are between Oxford and Cambridge in terms of the low numbers of people without qualifications.

Investment in people is taking an additional step through the proposals for York Central Library to become an "Explore" in the same way that Acomb and New Earswick Libraries have seen a dramatic culture change. The York Library project will be a collaborative venture and further boost the education training and skills.

In our schools there is continued high performance 68.5% achieved five or more A* to C grades, 1% better than 2007. The average in Yorkshire and the Humber is 62.1% and nationally 65.3%

The percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades, including English and Maths, is 54%.

Percentage of pupils achieving of 2 or more A* - C grades in Science GCSEs or equivalent is 56.5% compared with 42.9% in Yorkshire and the Humber and 46.2% in England

Safe City continues to produce results.

Between 2005-2008, crime reduced by 38% against a three year target of 24.1%. This was largely due to the adoption of an intelligence led business model across all of the multi-agency tactical task groups combined with a stronger working relationship between the police and the council.

Following any period of substantial reduction, it is the norm for crime levels to plateau or to begin to rise. This situation is likely to be exacerbated by the economic downturn and the effect of recession on particular crime types eg. acquisitive crime. This was recognised by the SYP tactical task groups last year and measures were put in place to increase tactical activity with an aim to keep sustain performance and hopefully generate further reductions.

Current performance data is showing a 3% reduction in crime against the target for this year and a 4% reduction in this current period (quarter 4) compared to this time last year. This is extremely positive within the current economic climate. The SYP will continue to focus multi-agency activity into addressing York's biggest crime problems, placing particular focus on the crime types which are known to be influenced by the state of the economy.

Now over the last two years the council, well in particular the highly successful York Treasury team have made money for the council tax payers by judicious investment of funds in advantageous periods of interest rates - and very wisely choosing not to invest in Iceland. Last year this made £2.4 million, and this year £1.2 million, it is not expected to make any appreciable figure this next year. This is one off money which we will ensure is put to work for the local economy.

The key question was why would the council have to increase the council tax by more than the rate of inflation. After all, the government grant was going up by over £1 million.

Well the fact was that almost as fast as we were gaining funds, central government was clawing it back. The change in operation of Concessionary fares means that we lose out an additional £0.5 million. I defy the party opposite to explain how it is not the case that York is now loosing out £1million between the grant we get for concessionary fares, and the true cost of running the scheme. But according to the Government across the nation it is all fully funded - so York residents are funding another council area !

Where is the missing £665,122 - yesterday Ministers claimed that councils were getting 4.2% extra in grant - well Government grant went up by just 2.63% so where is the rest ? Why is York a less deserving case ? Or is the Labour group going to dodge that question.

Over the summer when fuel prices rocketed the Local Government Association representing councils of all political persuasions urged the government to drop the increase in Landfill tax to relieve the pressure on council budgets. This year we anticipate an additional £923,000 in costs for energy and street lighting provision.

Now we do have some carefully crafted and costed proposals for investment in streetlighting to reduce energy costs for them an bollards through energy efficient equipment and storage of solar power.

But the £400,000 additional landfill tax will hang around our budget like a mill stone - and why does the Government want to make it harder for high performing councils to achieve better performance.

Survey of residents - public consultation

There were 8000 responses to the household survey for the budget consultation. Residents showed that they placed a priority on the repair and maintenance of the city's roads and footpaths, support for the elderly and looked after children. This has been reflected in this budget.

This has been reflected in the budget.

I commend this budget to you as a clear way to strengthen the York economy and to help those people who will need it in the year ahead.