Hertfordshire County Council has just started its budget consultation
process with residents for next years spending priorities. As part of
this consultation residents are being asked if they want spending to
stay the same or decrease. Residents cannot say ‘spend more’.

Chris White, Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader, said: ‘This
consultation is flawed. We all know times are tough but there are some
budgets that can be slashed, for example the self publicity budget,
for the sake of improved services. Everyone knows Hertfordshire’s
roads and pavements are a mess but residents can’t say in this survey
they want more spent on them.’

The Tory-run council also suggests as part of its survey that the
council may start charging for some services, which will disadvantage
low and middle income earners whilst the well off and those on
benefits will see no real change.

Chris added: ‘I would suggest that residents who wish their voice to
be heard on all the possible options visit our survey
http://herts.libdems.org/surveys/1/ which allows all views to be
expressed.’