FAT CATS AT COUNTY HALL (25/05/05)

More than two weeks after the elections, the Liberal Democrats have decided how many politicians they think they need to run the County Council.

Unfortunately, their plan has left people bewildered.

The Council has just finished a painful process of restructuring, from eight Departments down to four. Despite this, today the Leader of the Council confirmed that more politicians would be needed to take charge of those departments and enlarged the Cabinet.

Nine Cabinet posts, an increase of 50%, will squeeze their way into the four Departments. Along with the Leader, this makes a Cabinet of ten. The decision will cost more money as more Liberal Democrat politicians will be entitled to “Special Responsibility Allowances”. By contrast, the Conservatives have decided to reduce the number of their Group receiving these allowances by 25%.

The Liberal Democrats’ move has caused confusion, which is likely to escalate over the coming months, as Council workers struggle to cope with the demands of potentially conflicting priorities. For example, three politicians have been appointed to control the Children and Young People Directorate, and a further two to control the Adult and Community Services Directorate. It is not clear how they will handle a situation where those in charge disagree.

The sense of unease was compounded when it became apparent that the two politicians in charge of Adult and Community Services are newly elected Councillors with no prior experience at the Council.

Furthermore, despite the Labour Party only gaining 4 out of 58 seats on the Council, they have been given the Vice-Chairmanship of the Council, and Chair of the Scrutiny Committee – the main body that holds the Administration to account. The Conservatives argued on moral and practical grounds that this vital role should be given to them as they are by far the largest Opposition Group, with 24 seats, and represent far more people than Labour. Indeed, research shows that four out of the five District Councils in Somerset have the main Opposition party providing the Chair of Scrutiny (the exception being South Somerset) and that two of the three well-performing Liberal Democrat run councils in the country have the main Opposition in the Chair of such bodies.

Christopher Wolverson, Leader of the Conservative Group, commented that “It seems very odd that, when the Council has just completed the sensible process of reducing its departments to four, the Liberal Democrats see fit to increase the number of politicians in charge of those departments significantly above the previous level. Let alone the cost to us council tax payers, do our senior directors really need 2 or 3 members each to give direction and support? We need clear lines of responsibility. I shall be seeking justification of this 50% increase.”

He continued “I also find the Liberal Democrats’ decision to refuse us control of the body that is supposed to hold them to account deplorable. The people of Somerset have spoken and they wanted a Liberal Democrat County Council, I accept that, but 40% of those who voted chose the Conservatives. It is not right that the Administration should treat their wishes in this way. I am very disappointed that they have decided to start off a new term like this.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

For further information, please contact Christopher Wolverson, Leader of the Conservative Group: 01823 356784 or 01823 430628