Peter Britcliffe and the Tories can't seem to differentiate between District and County Councils

The Hyndburn Borough Council annual budget meeting took place on Thursday 25th February and the Labour budget was passed. The budget meeting is a chance for opposition Councillors to put forward alternative proposals and query spending by the Borough Council but none were submitted by the Conservatives.

Cllr Miles Parkinson announced a 0% council tax rise for the fifth year running but all the Conservative members abstained from the vote.

St Oswalds resident Glen Harrison was watching from the public gallery and commented, "I don't see the point of Councillors abstaining. They're there to represent the public, how can they do that by not registering their views?"
Several questions were asked during the debate relating to bus services, road surfacing and increases in the police and fire authority precepts but these were quickly shot down.

Cllr Ken Moss said, "Why are these issues being raised here? It seems that Cllr Britcliffe and his fellow Conservatives don't know the difference between District and County Councils. The only thing he has raised all night concerning HBC is a fear of rats."

Cllr Gareth Molineux said, "If County Councillor Britcliffe reported back to his own Councillors when he'd been to County Hall then perhaps these questions wouldn't be being asked."

Council Leader Miles Parkinson summed up and said, "Peter, you have had the chance to put forward your own budget but haven't done so. You've criticised County Council and the blue light services simply as a way to attack Labour. That isn't helping to protect the public. Even after another 14% cut by the government, we have set a 0% tax increase in Hyndburn and brought in a balanced budget without resorting to borrowing. What have you done?"

A full agenda and papers for the meeting can be found here.