Councillors break ranks over budget vote

Four Conservative Powys County Councillors from the ruling Conservative/Independent coalition have written to the Council’s Solicitor to express their concern at an email sent to all councillors ahead of the budget vote on Thursday.

The quartet claim that the email contained an interpretation of legislation that could be regarded as coercing councillors to support the proposed 9.5% Council Tax increase.

Cllrs Mark Barnes, Claire Mills, Iain McIntosh and Jonathan Wilkinson have jointly prepared a response that has also been shared with all Powys councillors pointing out that there is an equally strong interpretation which hands back freedom of choice when considering the budget.

Cllr Barnes said: “We are alarmed that the email includes elements picked out of legislation that is out of context when read in isolation.

“Councillors must feel able to make the right decision for their constituencies and not feel pressurised into voting for a huge Council Tax rise.”

The group of four claim that the budget does not benefit anyone and that considerations of savings and inefficiencies have not been thorough enough.

Cllr McIntosh said: “All four of us regret having to take this action and we understand all the challenges that PCC faces but there is a sense that we are being pressured into voting in a manner that we don’t believe to be right for Powys residents.”

The four councillors also feel that ‘scare tactics’ have been applied with regards to what might happen if the budget is not passed.

Cllr Mills said: “Needless to say, all four of us are voting against the 9.5% tax rise and are saddened by the uncomfortable environment that currently exists within the Council.”

Cllr Wilkinson added: “All Councillors should be assured that they can make the right decision for their residents without fear of consequences.”

The four have also supplied their interpretation of legislation to all councillors to help them understand that they still retain a democratic right to vote as they choose to best represent their residents.

This latest intervention follows news that an alternative budget presented by the opposition Liberal Democrat and Green Group will not be considered.

Their leader, Cllr James Gibson-Watt, said that he has been informed that his proposals do not meet the legal requirements.

“This is very disappointing to believe our proposals did not pass the test in part because we were unable to obtain all the information we needed before the deadline for their submission.

“We could not provide enough detail of where the money would be spent. It’s a shame, because this is a debate that the county council needs to have.”

A petition has also been gathering momentum to oppose the huge rise.