THE financial situation in the current year (2007/08) remains extremely challenging at UDC. Prior to taking control in May, the Tory opposition was conscious that financial control was weak and the council was overspending and oversized. A combination o

THE financial situation in the current year (2007/08) remains extremely challenging at UDC.

Prior to taking control in May, the Tory opposition was conscious that financial control was weak and the council was overspending and oversized.

A combination of inadequate control and an under resourced finance team led to a number of mistakes in budget setting for 2007/08. Given the financial situation, the LibDem decision to only raise council tax by two per cent was a disgrace, a cynical election ploy and an act of gross irresponsibility.

Since May the Tories have been working hard with staff to bottom out the inaccuracies, make savings and re-establish budgetary control. We have continued to unearth inaccuracies in the 2007/08 budget, set in February.

The current projected deficit is £1,845,000 - as a consequence of this the council has no option but to reduce its staffing budget by £1million.

Cllr Jim Ketteridge

Cllr Robert Chambers

Cllr Jackie Cheetham

Cllr Howard Rolfe