Here are nine views on the Green Party's proposed budget for the city

I HAVE had a look at the budget proposals made by the Green Party of Brighton and Hove City Council (The Argus, December 2), and understand difficult decisions must be made.

However, two of the worst cuts affect older people. These are a £50,000 cut to Meals On Wheels and a £163,000 cut to public toilets in the city, which are few enough as it is. Children, the disabled, tourists and the elderly need toilets that are readily available.

We were promised that vulnerable people would be protected – the elderly in our community are among the most vulnerable.

It may be argued that savage cuts must be made, but I believe we should be looking at cutting back on car usage by council officers and councillors.

And what about the parking around Brighton Town Hall?

Francis Tonks, vice chair of the Older People’s Council, Wykeham Terrace, Brighton

WHEN speaking about the council’s budget plans, leader Bill Randall was quoted as saying this was the start of a three-month consultation process, and they did not expect the plans to change (December 2).

If they “do not expect the plans to change”, what on earth is the point of having a consultation process?

They will consult but they won’t listen? They will consult but they will do what they want anyway?

Coun Randall described it as “a fair budget in tough times” – perhaps that should have been a fair budget and it’s just tough if you don’t like it?

Thank goodness I saw sense and moved from Brighton to Lancing.

Eric Waters, Ingleside Crescent, Lancing

I RECENTLY attended a cabinet meeting at which the majority Green members voted to lend the sum of £350,000 to Blatchington Mill School, repayable over at least 15 years, in order to build two artificial hockey pitches, which are not essential.

Now I read that the Greens’ budget proposals include cutting a £150,000 grant to the council’s youth employability service, a reduction in street cleaning and graffiti removal service, and closure of public toilets along with a potential council tax increase of 3.5%.

I feel hockey is a minority sport and the city could do without them.

Does anyone know what planet the Greens are on?

Lynda Smart, Holmes Avenue, Hove

I SAW one of the leaflets produced by the Greens, defending their budget and council tax rises of 3.5%.

This comes on top of parking charge increases exceeding 100% at a time of hardship.

The Greens’ promises to “resist all cuts” before the election last May have been exposed by one former Green candidate as “hot air”.

They may not mention any cuts, and claim they are forced to make “savings”, but they refuse millions of pounds in Government money for a new school and millions more to freeze council tax.

I’m no fan of this Conservative-led Government and their massive cuts, but where money is on offer we should take it.

The Greens are promoting organic farming at a cost of thousands of pounds, while at the same time closing children’s centres and public toilets.

They are pressing ahead with costly carbon-reduction schemes while reducing funding for bus routes, social care and refuse collection.

Worst of all, the Greens have U-turned on their pledge to scrap the four council “super directors”, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds.

They should put their worthy, but expensive, eco-schemes on hold, keep their promises and put people, jobs and public services first.

Pete Gillman, Hythe Road, Brighton

THE financial posturing of the Greens and central Government gambles with valued services such as the Music and Arts Service. The council is proposing to cut this grant from £250,000 to nothing over two years. The central government grant for music services could also be reduced by up to 30% over two years.

These cuts could have a direct impact on the quality of music and arts education for more than 2,500 children every week and jeopardise the jobs of music teachers.

When I voted Green, I did so because I believed the Greens were the safest bet for protecting valuable services.

Music education is mistakenly seen as a luxury or elitist but, thanks to existing funding arrangements, the Music and Arts Service has worked hard to counter this.

Currently more than 500 families on lower incomes are able to access up to 80% subsidies on instrumental lessons and ensemble workshops. To these children, the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and perform is immensely valuable; socially, emotionally and intellectually.

On November 30, during the strike action, MP Caroline Lucas made an impressive speech against cuts. But actions speak louder than words and these proposed cuts could impact on teachers’ jobs and put risk opportunities for children and young people.

Recently, thousands of schoolchildren from across the city came together in the Brighton Centre to sing and perform; an awe-inspiring experience for all. One certain way to marginalise music and arts education is to cut this sort of subsidy and make it wholly the preserve of the better off.

Dr Keith Turvey, Tivoli Crescent, Brighton

IT IS outrageous to put council tax up by 3.5%, and for the Greens to glibly state the public will understand.

As a pensioner, all I understand is that inflation is running at 5% while the basic state pension gets a miserly rise each year and the interest on any savings in minimal.

The Greens need to think about us pensioners – we need a break Mr Kitcat.

G Pumfrey, Green Ridge, Brighton

I HAVE some suggestions for the Green Party’s budget.

All councillors should take a pay cut, frozen for two years.

They should have no free parking or bus passes, and pay their own way the same as us.

They should also pay for trips and hotel stays elsewhere.

Welcome to the real world.

P Twiselton, The Drive, Hove

THE Greens’ budget proposal is not a budget for the city, but a “have a go” at the Government.

Tourism and parking will be hardest hit – without these this city will not survive.

A reduction in library opening hours won’t help either – what will Councillor Hawtree, who asks for more books and library hours, make of this?

Cutting the number of public toilets is also a bad idea.

I see the council tax collection rate has decreased and that more than £1.1 million has not been collected. This, plus the money from the Government, would give the Greens their 3.5% increase.

It must be disconcerting for the residents of Brighton and Hove, knowing they are being used as a political football.

Jan Young, Palmeira Avenue, Hove

THE Argus’s poll on the council’s proposed council tax rise is a spurious exercise.

How can anyone really answer such a question without knowing which of the many important services our council delivers would be cut by not implementing the increase?

The council has to deliver services which benefit us all and making a budget is not easy.

We elect councillors and it is their responsibility to exercise their considered judgement in the matter. Let them get on with it and let’s make our judgement when we know the nature of any decisions, and how the budget has been administered.

M Barry, Bristol Gate, Brighton