After protests, petitions and public outcry a council has performed a U-turn on key areas of its budget proposals.

But despite insisting it is listening to the public Brighton and Hove City Council’s Green administration has refused to back down on its plans for a 3.5% rise in council tax.

Revised proposals announced yesterday (January 18) see the council scaling back a rise in parking permits and revising cuts to children’s centres, public toilets and the music and arts service amongst others.

But critics have insisted the Greens are only paying “lip service” to democracy and that a complete rethink of their budget proposals is needed.

Council leader Bill Randall said: "We kicked off the conversation, we listened and we have responded.

"Our thanks go to the residents who participated, making this the biggest budget conversation the city has seen.

“In response we are changing some of our proposals."

Doorstep opinion

Labour group leader Gill Mitchell said: “When you speak to people on the doorstep the message is clear. They think the council is still profligate and that savings can be made without drastic cuts to the services they care about and a rise in council tax."

Conservative leader Geoffrey Theobald said the Greens must listen to The Argus readers – 7,000 of whom have voted in our council tax poll.

He said: “The Argus survey has now had more than 7,000 responses and over two-thirds of residents are saying that they think the Greens should take the £3 million on offer from the Government and freeze council tax.

"Instead, they are ploughing ahead with their misguided and dogmatic plans to increase it by 3.5% for the next three years.”

Finance cabinet member Jason Kitcat said: “If people are asked to take into account the effect on services and on next year’s council tax of accepting the Government’s offer then they are likely to see the benefit of what we are proposing."

"If they are just asked whether they would like an increase or a freeze in council tax it comes down to personal choice.”

What has changed

  • Parking: Revised increase in charges for traders and business parking permits.

    Traders. Currently £350. Original proposal £750. New proposed level £600.

    Business. Currently £175. Original proposal £400. New proposed level £300.

    Tariff for the Eastern end of Madeira Drive to be put into low price zone all year.

  • Music and arts service: £160,000 being put back into the service to reduce original savings target.
  • Children’s Centres: Cuts in 2013/14 will be reduced from £642,000 to £500,000.
  • Public toilets: A number to remain open, including those in Saunders Park and Vale Park.
  • Highways: £30,000 to be returned to the budget to ensure road markings and signs are maintained.
  • City in Bloom: One-off funding of £25,000 to allow the group to continue for 2012/13.
  • Shopmobility: One-off funding of £29,000 to allow the service to continue for 2012/13.
  • Small grants fund: Reversal of £55,000 cut.
  • Youth Employability Service: Reversal of the £120,000 cut from 2013/14.

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