VIDEO: Brighton and Hove City Council budget announcement (From The Argus)
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VIDEO: Brighton and Hove City Council budget announcement
10:40am Thursday 1st December 2011 in News
Brighton and Hove City Council's budget proposals for next year are announced today (Thursday, December 1).
Follow the proposals with The Argus's live stream video and Tweets from reporter Tim Ridgway using the hashtag #bhbudget.
Latest update:
Labour reaction
Labour councillor for finance, Les Hamilton, said: "“The Greens’ budget reflects more broken promises on top level council pay and a failure to make the organisational changes needed to make the council more efficient.
“Instead they want residents to pay for their failures with a 10.5% council tax increase over three years while refusing the government money on offer to freeze the level of tax to help hard-pressed families and are squeezing £1.3m more from residents and local businesses in parking fee increases.
“We will be scrutinising every aspect of the Greens’ Tory style cuts budget and making alternative proposals to deliver a better outcome for the people of the city.”
Tim Ridgway reports as part of plans to save £35 million over two years the Greens confirm 120 jobs are at risk.
Housing
Bill Randall said the Greens proposed to revive plans to provide housing in Circus Street, after he was asked about the need for more homes in the city.
When asked how the Greens were involving opposition parties when formulating the budget, Jason Kitcat says they have involved all groups "from the start".
Public debate
When asked about the likelihood of changes to the budget, Jason Kitcat states it is likely to change before a final decision is made, but the authority would like to hear from as many people as possible.
"We are providing as much information as possible and we will be taking the budget to residents."
Jason Kitcat says because of uncertainty the administration is opting for a two-year plan for sustainable long-term reorganisation.
Essential services
Bill Randall explains the council proposes bringing different services together to address complex issues such as child poverty. He hopes the Greens can "do a good job for the city".
When asked about service charges councillor Jason Kitcat said there will be some changes but the council wants to protect vital services for vulnerable people. He particularly cited youth services, the community and voluntary sector.
Council leader Bill Randall says the authority has introduced a living wage and the executive took a voluntary pay cut, in response to a question about pay.
Proposed increases
Councillor Jason Kitcat says the increase the Green propose is less than any under recent Labour administration, and less than or equal to any under the Tories.
The authority plans to make £32million in efficiency savings without impacting on staff wages. Most of the reductions will be made through 'natural wastage' and managing vacant posts.
Transparency
Councillor Jason Kitcat states the Green administration believes in openness and transparency. He states the previous Conservative administration planned a 2.5% increase over three years, whereas the Green propose 3.5%.
Council leader Bill Randall announces the authority's plan for "a fair budget for tough times".
Brighton and Hove City Council budget 2012/13
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Comments(27)
brunswick2019
says...
11:47am Thu 1 Dec 11
s&k wrote:None other than Cllr. Jason Kitcat has verified this...
Pork William wrote:Here we go... can anyone actually corroborate if Caroline Lucas has 5 homes?
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
Diaper Sector
says...
11:49am Thu 1 Dec 11
Pork William wrote:Will the Greens leave money aside to build Caroline Lucas's proposed UFO research centre in Brighton?
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
jimbobmaginty
says...
12:18pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Artificial
says...
12:26pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Pork William
says...
12:32pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Artificial wrote:1) Cllr. Jason Kitcat has confirmed that Lucas and her husband Richard Savage own five properties, two of which are located in Brussels. 2) Independent witnesses have on multiple time on Argus forums (and other areas) confirmed that they were literally feet away from Caroline Lucas when on the night the Greens were elected, she expressed her wish to make Brighton the premier centre for UFO research
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
brunswick2019
says...
12:38pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Is this the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Caroline Lucas and her husband to own five properties?
Surely it couldn't be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed 'Brussels' Lucas's husband Richard Savage to become a millionaire via his business dealings?
No, this couldn't possibly be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Lucas to send her tow children to one of the most expensive and exclusive private schools in Brussels...
brunswick2019
says...
12:42pm Thu 1 Dec 11
brunswick2019 wrote:Sorry for the typo fail; that should be two children, not tow children...
A few weeks ago 'Brussels' Lucas was at the Occupy Brighton camp, and gave a speech in which she said that capitalism was (quote) "a failed monetary system" (unquote).
Is this the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Caroline Lucas and her husband to own five properties?
Surely it couldn't be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed 'Brussels' Lucas's husband Richard Savage to become a millionaire via his business dealings?
No, this couldn't possibly be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Lucas to send her tow children to one of the most expensive and exclusive private schools in Brussels...
Diaper Sector
says...
12:50pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Pork William
says...
12:53pm Thu 1 Dec 11
papa_melons
says...
12:56pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Pork William wrote:didn't Hitler also whisper to Hermann Goering that he was going to conquer the world ?
Artificial wrote:1) Cllr. Jason Kitcat has confirmed that Lucas and her husband Richard Savage own five properties, two of which are located in Brussels. 2) Independent witnesses have on multiple time on Argus forums (and other areas) confirmed that they were literally feet away from Caroline Lucas when on the night the Greens were elected, she expressed her wish to make Brighton the premier centre for UFO research
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
papa_melons
says...
12:59pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Pork William
says...
1:02pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Diaper Sector wrote:WHAT? Half of Brighton looks like a Third-World slum and we have rubbish collection twice a week!
If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next election
If council tax is going up, why are the Greens reducing rubbish collection to once a month?
jimbobmaginty
says...
1:28pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Pork William wrote:That’s always been the plan no? Take more from us and provide less of a service?
Diaper Sector wrote: If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next electionWHAT? Half of Brighton looks like a Third-World slum and we have rubbish collection twice a week! If council tax is going up, why are the Greens reducing rubbish collection to once a month?
They are all dodgy!!
If you pay a company for a service and they don’t provide the advertised service you can complain and get some form of compensation right? Whether it be a month’s free service or even money off your next bill. Yet when I tried this with the council they have their own special laws in place to stop you claiming. Funny that!!
If this happens ill start dumping my rubbish outside the council offices!
Diaper Sector
says...
1:31pm Thu 1 Dec 11
jimbobmaginty wrote:I'll be joining you!
Pork William wrote:That’s always been the plan no? Take more from us and provide less of a service?
Diaper Sector wrote: If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next electionWHAT? Half of Brighton looks like a Third-World slum and we have rubbish collection twice a week! If council tax is going up, why are the Greens reducing rubbish collection to once a month?
They are all dodgy!!
If you pay a company for a service and they don’t provide the advertised service you can complain and get some form of compensation right? Whether it be a month’s free service or even money off your next bill. Yet when I tried this with the council they have their own special laws in place to stop you claiming. Funny that!!
If this happens ill start dumping my rubbish outside the council offices!
Sarah Booker
says...
2:04pm Thu 1 Dec 11
papa_melons wrote:No comments of yours were removed from this thread.
I think I now hold the record for fastest comment removal, which is odd, as it was relevant.......
localboy78
says...
4:02pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Bring back Hove Borough Council!
Andre Spooner
says...
4:04pm Thu 1 Dec 11
I understand that these are tough economic times, but for Brighton to ignore its rich alien heritage at such a crucial point would be to take actions similar to the Smoking Man in notable TV series, Quantum Leap. I believe I speak for both myself and my Mighty Horse when I assert here - I WANT TO BELIEVE. Can someone please reassure me that amidst this perfect fiscal storm, the Truth really is Out There?
Mo.StGrumble
says...
4:55pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Diaper Sector
says...
5:07pm Thu 1 Dec 11
AmboGuy
says...
5:39pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Mr. Milde
says...
7:58pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Servalan
says...
8:53pm Thu 1 Dec 11
s&k wrote:Yes because B&HCC pay Caroline Lucas' travel expenses, don't they? lol
Pork William wrote:Here we go... can anyone actually corroborate if Caroline Lucas has 5 homes?
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
How much do the Labour Party pay you to work as a "junior researcher", Pork William? I hope you get the minimum wage...
Servalan
says...
8:54pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Artificial wrote:They work for the Labour or Tory parties, silly. It's part of their 'political strategy' on a 'key marginal' to get the Argus to publish their cut-and-paste drivel.
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
brunswick2019
says...
10:06pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Servalan wrote:It's also creepy Green party members and supporters who post pro-Green comments using different account names, such as 'The Baron Of Beef' and 'Sir Loin Of Pork'.
Artificial wrote:They work for the Labour or Tory parties, silly. It's part of their 'political strategy' on a 'key marginal' to get the Argus to publish their cut-and-paste drivel.
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
Joshiman
says...
11:35am Fri 2 Dec 11
What is the matter with the weak Tories and labourites.Have you really lost your bottle ?
Bucket feet Duffy
says...
1:15am Thu 8 Dec 11
s&k says...
11:46am Thu 1 Dec 11