Cllr Brian Clements Budget Statement

12.00.00am GMT Fri 22nd Feb 2008

I couldn't possibly vote for a budget put forward by a complacent Conservative administration that has lost its way. They dither about everything and rely on spin to complain about tax rises under a previous administration when the truth is that they are increasing Council Tax by the maximum that the Government's capping rules will allow year after year after year.

BUT I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE PORTFOLIO HOLDERS TO ANSWER

Cllr Leverett spoke of the cost, to the Council, of supporting older people. I am concerned about the cost, to older people, of supporting the Council.

Can Cllr. Atkinson tell me:

Has she considered the combined impact of her proposed increased charges on elderly residents, particularly those in the Council's sheltered accommodation who are facing above inflation increases in:

-Council Tax 4.9% this year

-Council Rent Does she even know how much their rents have increased under her party's administration? (Rent and Council Tax for some will now account for 84% of their basic state pension)

-Gas prices

-Electricity prices

-and now even basic food where many basics have gone up by 11% or more in three months.

According to trade magazine The Grocer, Tesco has hiked the price of lettuce by 10.9%, smoked bacon by 13% and milk by 11% in just the past three months. The FT said: "Analysts believe that the latest round of price rises could signal the end of a period of aggressive competition among supermarkets as retailers act to restore profit margins and respond to rising costs."

I ask Cllr. Woodcock

What plans does he have to improve the provision of youth services and facilities for young people in Poole? And how many decades would it take him to do anything.

Cllr LEVERETT

How is he progressing with his 'millennium promise' that Conservatives would cut the number of PR staff to one?