Budget gauntlet thrown down

Swansea Council’s Leader was under pressure today to agree to a debate on the Council’s budget crisis.

Labour Leader, Cllr David Phillips has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding a full public debate on the crisis.

Cllr Phillips said, “Chris Holley’s live now, pay later philosophy is no substitute for proper financial management. I have been warning for years that his irresponsible policies meant ruin in the future. But it wasn’t just me, his own officers have been telling him the same thing. I take no pleasure in being right.”

Cllr Phillips suggested that the public meeting would be of great interest. “He said, “This Council mouths empty platitudes about increasing local democracy – let’s put our money where our mouth is and hold a proper public meeting, moderated by some prominent local person, the Editor of the Evening Post say, where the three Party Group Leaders can debate the issue.

He said, “Now is the time for the Leader of the Council to face his critics and explain how he has squandered the strong financial situation he inherited, to tell housing tenants, teachers, children and Council staff, where all the money has gone. And explain, if he can, why he cannot give any future assurance on jobs, housing repairs, education, care for children or respite care for the elderly.”