Lib-Dems: spend now to save later

SPENDING more on youth services and gully cleaning — and cutting the number of councillors — are among the proposals in the alternative budget being put forward by Oldham Council’s opposition Lib-Dem group.

Lib-Dem leader Councillor Howard Sykes said his party hopes to challenge and offer options to cut unnecessary spending at the council’s budget meeting tomorrow.

His party is calling for the two “spend to save” measures, but recognises this as a “very challenging time to present a budget”.

Councillor Sykes, who represents Shaw, wants to reinstate gully clearing to the level of the previous Liberal Democrat administration, spending £165,000 in the process.

He said: “Such an investment means clogged gullies don’t have to be dug out at huge expense, there is less risk of homes flooding, less water and ice on the roads and long teerm, less damage to the roads.”

The group also wants £272,000 to be made available in 2016-17 for investment in youth services by the district partnerships, and proposes a reduction in councillors from 60 to 40. A reduction to two councillors for each ward save £212,000 a year.