With no effective opposition, Lib Dem-controlled Richmond Council has lost control of spending.
The Council comprises 49 Lib Dems and 5 Greens elected under a Lib Dem-Green pact. With no scrutiny of their actions, the Lib Dems have raised Council Tax by the maximum amount every year and are now plundering reserves to support more spending.
We Can’t Afford Four More Years of Lib Dems
- Staff headcount is up 22% in six years.
- Staff costs are up 100% in six years.
The number of staff with salaries over £50,000 has doubled in six years.
- Total councillor allowances are up more than 60% in two years.
- Vanity projects are planned, including paving George Street in Richmond.
- And every year, they still demand more money.
Council Tax is up 40% under the Lib Dems.
- Parking and traffic-related charges are up 61% in two years.
Control Costs
When Conservatives ran the Council, we froze Council Tax for six years. We made cost savings and prioritised key services. We left Council finances in good shape, with costs and staffing levels under control.
After eight years of Lib Dem control, even basic services such as road and pavement repairs are suffering. Disregarding cost of living pressures on local residents, Lib Dems have imposed maximum Council Tax increases every year.
Money has been wasted on outside consultants, environmental busybodies fining people for pouring coffee down a drain and cost overruns. Lib Dem plans now rely on expensive extra borrowing, raiding reserves, higher charges and further Council Tax increases.
Every Conservative elected to the Council would be a voice for financial discipline, for controlling costs rather than punishing residents. Even if Conservatives do not control the Council after the election, the Lib Dems would be held accountable, which the Greens have totally failed to do.
This May, use your three votes to vote Conservative, keep Council Tax down, control costs and hold the Lib Dems to account.
