Lib Dems voice concerns over ward budget plan costs

Cllr Gail Engert attended the recent Haringey Cabinet Member signing on ward budgets to express the Lib Dem concerns about the costs of the plans. Ward budgets will cost the taxpayer almost three times as much as Area Forums.

Cllr Gail Engert, Haringey Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, comments:

"The Lib Dems believe Area Forums should not have been abolished by Labour and that the ward budgets proposed by the Labour Cabinet will end up costing the taxpayer far more than Area Forums. Labour introduced a very similar system a few years ago called ‘Making the Difference’ which was scrapped after costs spiralled.

"Many local residents are dismayed at the loss of the Area Forums and the ward budgets are an expensive replacement. The Liberal Democrats will continue to press Labour to listen to residents and not to dismantle ways of consulting them."

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