Amendments to SMDC budget not carried

Staffordshire Moorlands District council have voted to not increase their share of council tax for the coming year.

Opposition parties proposed amendments to the budget that were subsequently not approved.

Labour District councillor, Jill Salt said:

"Last night at SMDC the Labour Group supported a 0% rise in Council Tax, both in response to the cost of living crisis, and because over the past four years of failed delivery, a reserve of £4 million has built up, money that should have been spent on regeneration and services that have failed to be delivered.

Labour put forward three amendments to support and kickstart our economy, kick start climate change actions, and create an apprenticeship training programme in collaboration with local Schools, Colleges and Universities to help solve SMDC’s recruitment crisis that is affecting service delivery, and bring forward the development of new business units - something that is sadly missing in the Moorlands and is affecting job opportunities and economic development in our Town.

Despite overwhelming support from the Independent Members, the Conservatives voted against these progressive, economical sound regeneration proposals"