The Progressive Group [1] on Exeter City Council have put forward amendments to this year’s council budget that would generate the income needed to protect vital front line services [2]. Their proposals ensure existing public toilets, leisure services and city centre street cleaning services are maintained.
The Group have identified opportunities to generate income and have found the funds to support a grant of £50,000.00 to support the Citizens Advice Service while it develops alternative income sources. The proposals would also support development of a Biodiversity Strategy for the city so payments from developers’ contributions can be used to improve the city’s natural environment.
The budget amendments also commit to introduce a new doorstep glass collection and recycling service. Other new items include employing a scrutiny officer to hold the Executive to account and help secure value for money for the Council.
The Group say income streams to pay for the proposals include increasing income from the Corn Exchange, adjustments to car parking charges, a reduction in the Council’s general reserves and a redirection of unused funds to enable funding of frontline services.
Progressive Group Co-Leader, Green Party Councillor Diana Moore said:
“Progressive Group councillors are committed to ensuring good governance, and that the Council spends its money wisely, meets communities’ needs and protects our environment. We’ve worked hard to put together an alternative budget to help deliver this.
“Labour should be ashamed of their proposed cuts [3]. By ‘adjustments’ they mean cutting the services our communities rely on but they are too afraid to explain themselves. Our common sense proposals will protect some of the vital public services that many people rely on – and rightly expect – such as public toilets, clean streets and doorstep recycling services.”
Progressive Group Co-Leader, Liberal Democrat Councillor Michael Mitchell said
“We have found funds to support the Citizens Advice service, after Labour’s cuts left them, and many in our communities in the lurch over the last year. Not only do our amendments look to generate income in order to protect front line services. Through a combination of income generation and careful management, they also provide £2.3m savings required to ensure a balanced budget for the Council this year. The proposed Labour budget indicates an administration that has run out of steam and ideas for our City.”
Notes
- The Progressive Group is made up of seven Green Party councillors and four Liberal Democrat councillors. They form the official opposition on Exeter City Council and hold the Labour-run Council to account.
- Progressive Group budget proposals with costings: https://committees.exeter.gov.uk/documents/s98159/1.%20Progressive%20Group%20Alternative%20Alternative%20budget%20final%20v2.pdf
- Labour’s proposed budget amendment https://committees.exeter.gov.uk/documents/s98129/Proposed%20Reductions%20for%20publication.pdf
- Council Committee papers: Agenda for Council on Tuesday 25th February 2025, 6.00 pm – Exeter City Council