The Conservative Group on Brighton and Hove City Council have put forward an amendment to Labour’s planned budget which would see the reversal of cuts to services to some of the most vulnerable in the City.

If passed the amendment would:

• reverse a £23,000 cut in the home to school transport budget, at a time when schools are being closed and more children potentially needing the service
• reverse the planned £30,000 cut in school grounds maintenance, which would add pressure to schools budgets
• reverse a £10,000 cut in bowls maintenance, which would force bowls clubs to take on the maintenance or close leaving older people facing loneliness and fewer opportunities to exercise
• reduce the planned £120,000 cut to Violence Against Women and Girls services by £41,000 to protect the most vital of services

The Conservative group have proposed to fund the £104,000 reversal in cuts by removing the Council’s Anti-Racism Strategy, currently costing the Council £104,000 a year.

Conservative Group Leader and Finance Spokesperson, Cllr Alistair McNair said “The vast majority of residents in Brighton and Hove will not even know that the council has an Anti-Racism Strategy, let alone that those seconded to it are paid £104,000 a year for their advice.

“At a time when the council is proposing a budget that cuts services used by some of the most vulnerable in our communities such as the elderly, children, and women & girls facing violence, we do not feel that £104,000 can be justified to be spent on advice for the Council. This is not a statutory service, and it does not provide good value for taxpayers.”

Cllr Anne Meadows, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group said “This Labour Council is closing two schools leaving children with longer journeys to school, and then making a £23,000 cut in home to school transport. The service will surely see more pressure and need more money. The schools that Labour aren’t closing will also be left to foot the bills for grounds maintenance.

“I am a member of a bowls club and know the huge benefits they bring to our city’s older community. They help tackle loneliness and give the opportunity for exercise. If bowling clubs are forced to take on these costs, many won’t be able to and will have to close.

“Services to support Women and Girls facing violence should be protected. Yes some of the proposed saving is unused interpretation, but not all of it. We want to protect those commissioned services at the frontline protecting the vulnerable.”