For the fourth year in a row, York Liberal Democrats did a deal with the Conservatives to pass the council’s annual budget.

This budget leads to £21 million of cuts, 170 job losses, 57 services cut and 11 services scrapped altogether while still increasing the council’s debt by £400,000.

Consequences include cuts to short breaks for disabled children, youth services and huge increases in adult social care costs.

If Labour had won the General Election there would still be decreases in public spending, but not at this ideologically-driven speed and depth.

Labour’s alternative budget could have reversed much of these cuts, increased funding for road resurfacing and flood defences and saved almost £1m of services from cuts while still decreasing the council’s debt by £1.5m.

Labour’s plan was confirmed by finance officers to be both legal and balanced and can be found at yorklabouralternative.info

The plan was the best proposed for the residents of York.

Instead of prioritising the residents of York, Liberal Democrats decided to prioritise loyalty to the Conservative-led Government and approve almost £1m more unnecessary cuts.

If Labour wins control of the council in May, we will enact our budget and reverse almost £1m of their cuts.

Coun James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council’s Labour opposition group.