Money, Money, Money

Budgeting for the following financial year is undoubtedly an important year. I assume most households run some sort of budget, trying to live within their means. I've recently been invited to attend the Rochford District Council 'budget away day'. As a new councillor I was invited to the same 'away day' last year. After attending I wondered if it held much value for us as councillors and indeed whether it was entirely necessary to hold such a day. On weighing up the pro's and con's this year I've decided to decline the invitation. I feel in times of austerity, with threatened closures of public toilets, cuts to children's playgrounds and the huge costs involved in dealing with homelessness, the money could be well spent elsewhere. Now is not the time to be frivolous with the publics money. In my reasoning for not attending I have citied the former to the council and I have also stated that the council has adequate facilities to hold this 'away day' on its own premises that is already being paid for. I'm pleased to report, I am not alone in my thinking and other members of the Lib Dems have declined the invitation as well. Let's hope the council see that their number is up on this one!