Bracknell

Some Bracknell Forest services will be slashed next year while ratepayers see their council tax bills increase by five per cent.

But the ruling Tories still say Bracknell Forest residents pay among the lowest council tax in the country and get value for money.

During a heated debate at last Wednesday's full council meeting, opposition Labour councillors condemned cuts affecting some of Bracknell borough's most vulnerable people.

Labour group leader Bracknell Cllr Anne Shillcock recognised it would be a tough financial year but said she could not support some service cuts, particularly to the voluntary sector.

She said: "This cannot be a sensible decision - we talk a lot about working with our voluntary sector partners and most of us are aware of the dedication and hard work that goes on to provide a huge range of services to our most vulnerable residents."

Cllr Shillcock also criticised the decision to cut one member of staff from the education welfare team, as this could mean pupils having to wait for a much valued service.

But in a move which silenced Tory councillors, her colleague Cllr John Piasecki quoted from a recent speech by leader David Cameron saying: 'To build a strong society we show that the right test for our policies is how they help the most disadvantaged in society, not the rich.'

Cllr Piasecki said this showed the Tory leader wanted his party to change and that money should be redirected to the areas where it was needed the most.

He also criticised the council for bringing spending on its smart card to £4.5m. He said it was unpopular with libraries and schools where it is used the most.

But Cllr Bettison replied by saying he "did not give a damn what David Cameron thinks" and that the Labour Government wanted all councils to have smart cards.

After the meeting Bracknell Cllr Bettison said it was crucial to remember council tax only funded one third of the authority's budget, with the rest coming from central government.

He said: "We have tried very hard to reduce the spending in ways that don't impact on our front-line services and have been consulting residents so that they could let us know what is important to them.

"Whatever may be thrown at us, Bracknell Forest Borough Council is committed to giving the very best value services that can be obtained within our limited means."

ic Berkshire Bracknell