Wirral’s Labour group loses key vote on plans for budget

Dec 14 2011 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL'S minority Labour administration lost a key vote which will delay its plans for setting the budget for 2012.

At Monday’s full council meeting members discussed the corporate plan – which outlines the authority's priorities and, according to council leader Steve Foulkes, is key to setting its budget.

But Labour faced criticism over a lack of consultation, with Lib Dem leader Cllr Tom Harney accusing the party of introducing its changes to the plan “at the last minute”.

Conservative leader Cllr Jeff Green described Labour's corporate plan as “75 wishes and a complete lack of specific activities to be undertaken”.

Cllr Foulkes suggested putting the plan before a committee and then coming back to a special meeting of full council by January 9.

However this was defeated on a vote, leaving the plan not likely to be approved until February – just a week before the crucial budget cabinet meeting is scheduled.