The taxpayers’ watchdog for Central Bedfordshire Council has slammed his Conservative colleagues for mis-spending public funds.
Luton & Dunstable Express has seen a secret document in which the council’s Audit Committee chairman, Councillor David Lawrence:
• Blasted fellow party members for raising council tax by nearly three per cent - among the highest in the country
• Criticised councillors for freezing their allowances - against the recommendation of an independent panel to reduce them by a total of £33,000
• Raised ‘concerns across the council agenda’
• Fired a warning to the council over its plans to restructure its senior management team In the leaked memo Cllr Lawrence said: ‘The failure to implement the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendations was amazing in the light of the big cuts in services and the large increase in council tax being proposed at the same meeting.'
He told LD Express: “With the state of the economy at the moment, business logic is vital.
“It’s my job to monitor such situations.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Peter Blaine said: “It’s an absolute mess. Taxpayers are paying one of the biggest council tax increases in the country and yet getting substantial reductions in services, and they are seeing their money spent on allowances for senior Tories that the independent panel has said are too high.”
Council deputy leader Richard Stay said: “The Conservative administration has listened to Cllr Lawrence’s concerns ad has explored the issues brought to the group.
“We’re very aware of the economic situation in Central Bedfordshire and one of our key priorities is attracting inward investment and job creation.”