Conservatives issue second statement – Wrexham Labour ‘trying to mislead the public’ over Budget comments

A 4th statement has been issued regarding last nights Full Council meeting, with the Conservatives noting that Labour supported ‘the vast majority of the proposed budget’.

Earlier this morning the Conservatives issued a statement slamming Plaid Cymru over the budget meeting last night, later Plaid fired back calling the attack ‘desperate’.  (You can read our meeting report here)

Labour also issued a statement earlier today over the budget meeting, saying Conservatives failed to support their alternative version ‘as it was not to their personal benefit’.

Tonight Cllr Paul Rogers, the Deputy Leader Conservative Group, issued a statement on behalf of his group in response: “This is a desperate attempt by the Labour group to deflect from their disastrous alternative budget proposal.”

“The Conservative Group could not support Labour’s alternative budget due to the clear professional advice given by senior Council officers that their budget put the Council at risk”

“Not only financial risks but significant risks of choosing to remove approximately £800K from Children’s Services budget and fund this from reserves”

“These were difficult decisions and there are still challenges ahead however we believe what was agreed is a safe and sustainable budget for the Council which prioritises the vulnerable through increases in funding for Adult and Children’s Services along with additional funding for schools.”

“The reality is the Labour group agreed with the vast majority of the proposed budget. It is very disappointing therefore that once again the opposition are trying to mislead the public to deflect attention from their alternative proposals by suggesting Councillors awarded themselves a pay rise as part of the budget. This was not the case.”

On twitter the Wrexham Conservative account has gone a step further calling for Cllr Dana Davies, the Labour group leader, to ‘consider her position’ as well as referring to references of pay rises as a ‘complete lie’, a ‘fabrication’ and demanding a retraction.

Still cannot believe that @wrexham Labour wanted to take nearly a million pounds from Children’s services. Caught out, embarrassed and now lying. As an aside Cllr Davies needs to consider her position. https://t.co/7ZRBtGsRQ6

— WrexhamConservatives (@ConservativeWxm) February 22, 2018

Top pic: St Giles. Rev Dr Bray offered prayers before the Full Council meeting, asking God to help all the Councillors work together for the benefit of Wrexham’s community.