Despite
having to find £22 million of cuts to services this year, Labour in Gateshead
have poured £45,000 into a plush revamp of the offices for the Labour Leader of
the Council and the all-Labour Cabinet.
And
Liberal Democrats, who discovered the spending following a Freedom of
Information request, are demanding to know why Labour have put their own
comfort ahead of vital services to residents.
The total
amount spent by the Labour Council on office improvements for the Labour
leader, cabinet and Labour group secretary is £45,264.89.
“I think
this is a staggering waste of money at a time of severe cutbacks to services on
which many people in Gateshead rely,” said Cllr Jonathan Wallace, Leader of the
Opposition in Gateshead.
“Labour
have clearly demonstrated where their priorities lie. Their own leadership now has
a comfortable office paid for by taxpayers from where they can decide how to
slash services to pay for their own plush comfort.
“At a
time when cuts have to be made to balance the books, Liberal Democrat
Councillors in Gateshead are committed to helping identify, wherever possible,
ways of finding savings without harming front line services.”
The same
Freedom of Information request also revealed that the Council plans to spend
nothing on the Opposition Office which has not been redecorated since 1986 when
the Civic Centre was built.
“Cash is
in short supply,” said Jonathan. “There are more important things on which to
spend than an office revamp. So I’m happy that the wallpaper and furniture
(other than one seat) in the Opposition Office hasn’t changed in 29 years!”
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