Trafford Liberal Democrats Budget Response 2020,

Trafford borrows us all into a hole

The budget discussed and voted on last week is one that we could have easily supported. However the Council's move to take our local borrowing up to half a billion pounds is something we can not support.

We supported an amendment to the budget calling for electric car charging points, aiding the move towards a carbon neutral economy and combating the climate emergency, our green credentials are not in question unlike some of our opposition.

Abstaining on the budget we send a message that spending on worthwhile services such as Children's Services and extra CCTV to combat fly-tipping is welcomed, but should not be at the long term expense of letting our council go bankrupt when investments dry up and become a drain on our resources.

The lack of openness and transparency of the Investment Board, is of grave concern to us as Liberal Democrats, and should be a concern to everyone who does not wish to pass on the burden of debt to the next generations.