Lib-Dem Response to Wokingham District Council Budget - Voluntary Sector

12.00.00am GMT Fri 24th Feb 2006

At last night's Wokingham District Council budget meeting, Wokingham Liberal Democrats expressed their concern about the Tory administration's lack of appreciation of the contribution that the voluntary sector makes to our community.

Prue Bray (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition) said, "As usual, the Tory budget piles on the agony for our most vulnerable residents. Although Frank Browne (Tory Leader of Wokingham District Council) plans to make a saving of £40,000 on Meals on Wheels this year, he is increasing the cost of a meal from £2.10 to £2.30, an increase of 10% - way above inflation. On the one hand, Frank is getting the meals cheaper, and on the other he is charging the District's elderly residents more.

"Of course we always have to watch Frank when it comes to the Concessionary Fares Scheme - the Tories cannot be trusted with it. Sure enough, this year Frank is trying to make money out of it by reducing the number of people on low incomes claiming additional travel tokens. He hopes to save £30,000 a year from this. As if that wasn't enough, he also plans to charge our elderly and disabled residents more for discounted rail passes, raising a further £16,000."

Prue Bray said that these moves added insult to injury as Frank Browne had not yet honoured promises that he made last year to the voluntary sector. She said, "Coling Lawley (Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition) managed to extract a promise from Frank Browne last year to give more money to voluntary transport providers. This followed Frank's attempt to axe the free travel tokens from the concessionary fares scheme for elderly and disabled people. A year later, after numerous prompts by Coling, we were told that this promised money had been given to seven voluntary organisations. We have now learnt that they are still waiting for it.

"This shabby treatment is all the more disgraceful when you think of the generous Government settlement Wokingham District has received this year."