26 April (Part 1) - More on that Motion. For and against
The
Tour de Force which was
Richard Diment’s critique of the last two years of Government
was seconded by Councillor Howard Jackson. He did not attempt to
compete and instead said he would concentrate on just a couple of issues. The Local
Government Pension Scheme and how the Government has taken away choice on how it
can be invested. Bexley’s fund is 119% funded and that has taken years of effort
by Officers and the Pension Committee.
We made the choices and the Government wants to take the decisions away from us
and tell us where to put our money. “We won’t have control any more and it is ludicrous.”
“This Labour Government simply cannot help themselves. Every time they are in
charge they take choice away from people, from citizens, from Councils. Bodies
that exist to try to make the best of what they have. That is what this
Government is consistently doing. I am really unhappy with how our residents will suffer from it.”
“The second issue is the Winter Fuel Allowance which hit our residents so
quickly and directly. We organised charity [the Bexley Box scheme] with no help
from the other side. We asked them specifically but they could not bring
themselves to help their own residents when they needed it.”
“The third issue is the police station, closing the front desk. Not the first
time Sadiq Khan has lowered policing resources in Bexley, we all remember the
Tri-Borough scheme to send resources across London. They are in Greenwich. How does that help Bexley?
Casting aside his promise to speak on only two subjects, Councillor Jackson
moved to a fourth. The Fair Funding Review. We hoped that we would be treated
fairly and we were not. Our residents will suffer from it. Less money per
resident, for services and our community. That is what our Government and our
Labour Mayor is continuing to do. God knows what next year will bring. I really
hope that our community understands that the only way to slow down these effects
is to elect a Conservative Council.
What would Labour Leader, Stefano Borella, have say in defence of a catalogue of unpalatable facts?
His first words were “What a load of rubbish I have just heard. Absolute
rubbish. I have to say what a dreadful and politically biased Motion this is,
very disrespectful of all those people who voted Labour at the last General
Election to kick out your failing Government that had five Prime Ministers in
eight years and seven Chancellors in eight years. They voted for change and this
Labour Government is starting that change, or have Members opposite forgotten
Liz Truss and her lettuce? Do Bexley residents want this again, another
party with a number of rejects from the Conservative Party? Is that Reform?”.
“Someone many years ago, very famous, said No, No, No. In Bexley the Council
will see record investment of up to £11·3 million and none of them has welcomed
that. That will contribute to their Capital Investment Programme over the next
four years. Probably roads and pavements after years of cuts by the Tory
Government, inconsistent budgeting that I have seen through my 16 years and £20 million Pride in Place money for Slade Green after the previous Government
took the pride out of Slade Green. Ignoring all those residents years ago when
they moved the community centre into its present hidden location. No resident wanted it in that location.”
“In addition, this month, people acrss the country will benefit from a raft of
Labour’s measures to relieve cost of living pressures. We are going to see the
[employer funded] National Living Wage rise. [At this point Stefano spoke so
quickly that a couple of claimed improvements could not be deciphered.] We are
freezing rail fares and freezing fuel duty until September. In addition I
am proud the Government ended the pernicious two child benefit cap which will
lift 5,000 [sic. Seems low] people out of poverty. They introduced a Renters’ Rights Act which
will give Bexley’s 50,000 private renters added protection. All this Council has
done is to make it easier for rogue landlords to get away with it by reducing
the selective licencing area to its present size.”
“After 14 years of no action by the last Government, the Fair Funding was
nothing. 14 years no action done by that Government. This Government is starting
to change that. There is a three year funding settlement and there was an
uplift; the papers of this Council show there was an uplift this year [but a reduction in
the next two] and there was a reduction in use of the reserves. The Household
Support Fund [indecipherable]. The Labour Government has provided more money for
Family Hubs, rebuilding the legacy of the last Labour Government on Sure Start,
expanding Free School Meals, reducing NHS waiting times. The only regret Bexley
residents have is not kicking your Government out earlier after the damage your
austerity cuts aided by the Liberal Democrat Government, let’s not forget them.”
“The nonsense I have heard about Community Safety. This is the party that has
cut cameras. They talk lies about Bexley Police station is going to shut which
is nonsense and they didn’t support the twelve police officers who have been
moved from schools to Neighbourhood Policing and they removed CCTV cameras from
car parks and who closed Sidcup police station? Who closed Belvedere Police
station? If we go back into the annals of history, who closed Erith police
station? They did. Have they not forgotten all that nonsense? We have heard a
lot of fiction here this evening. I think it is very disrespectful to this
nation, when I saw it I just thought it was disgraceful and I hope there is
going to be no publicity in this election period. I hope we are not going to
hear lots of nonsense after this Council meeting today.
“In 20 years in Bexley, all we have seen is mananged decline. Bexley residents
do not believe that nonsense about [indecipherable but probably 7th best roads].
When you speak to residents on the door they laugh. They laugh because they know
it is nonsense. Sorry Madam Mayor, but I will not be voting for this dreadful
Motion which is very disrespectful to the people of this borough who don’t want
that party opposite.
Note: Although the recording is clear, Councillor Borella
spoke too quickly at times and his words became garbled, but overall the
foregoing is, as usual, close to verbatim with very few omissions. The Council
webcast did not offer the courtesy of showing Stefano’s face while speaking. The camera
remained focused on the Conservative speakers throughout his ten minutes speach.