Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition at County Hall has today highlighted some of the hard facts around the street lights switch off in Northamptonshire.
Cllr Chris Stanbra said “It is clear that the Conservatives at County Hall are trying to justify their decision to switch off streetlights across the County with some misleading statements. As the big switch off hits Northampton, people are entitled to know the facts.”
“This is the real story. The Conservatives made their £2m street lights budget cut proposals in two stages of £1million. Details of the first £1million cut were published on 14th December 2010 and involved switching streetlights off in non urban areas. This proposal was subject to the full period of scrutiny by county councillors.”
“However, contrary to some statements the Conservatives have made, details of the second £1m cut were only published on 26th January 2011, the very day that the budget scrutiny process was due to end. This is the cut which has caused the big switch off in urban and residential areas. There was no “four weeks in-depth scrutiny” of this second proposal.”
“There was and is no need to switch off lights in urban areas. The Conservatives could have found alternative ways to save the £1m that has lead to the big switch off in the streets where people live. They chose not to do so. Indeed, they had the perfect opportunity when the Liberal Democrats produced their budget amendment, but every Conservative Councillor present voted to stick with the big switch off.”
“The Liberal Democrats believe that it’s not too late. Things can still change. I urge the Conservatives at county hall to think again and act now!”
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