Green party councillors have promised to "hold Conservatives to account" after Warwickshire County Council approved council tax hikes yesterday.

WCC approved a 3.75 per cent increase in council tax and £65m of budget cuts over the next five years.

Opposition budgets were all defeated as the Tory's proposal was approved by 37 votes to 12.

And leader of the council's Green group Cllr Jonathan Chilvers said he had supported the tax rise "with a heavy heart".

"Central government have tied one hand behind councils' backs and we have to continue providing good services to older people, children and to prepare for the future," he said.

"The Green Party will continue to hold the Conservatives to account on spending our money responsibly."

The Green budget, which was voted down, included a transport transformation plan and fund.

"On transport the Conservatives are full of nice words about more walking and cycling, but where they are putting the pounds show a different story, tearing up Warwickshire's countryside building more roads," Cllr Chilvers added.

"The Green Party budget set out a plan for achievable transport transformation, prioritising investing in safe and easy walking and cycling for short journeys so when we do need to use our cars we're not stuck in traffic.

"We'd also put in money for 20mph speed limits where people in villages and towns want them."

Green party councillors, like their Labour counterparts, said they wanted to invest more in people and young children.

Cllr Chilvers said: "The Conservatives chose to put more money into more buildings.

"We proposed more funding investing in people, particularly for young children and families and for addiction recovery.

"Addictions destroy family relationships, hurt children and cost the taxpayer millions. Helping just one person recover can save hundreds of thousands in costs to hospitals, the police and to retailers from reduced theft."

But all three alternative budgets failed to win approval.

The approved budget did include a friendly amendment from the Liberal Democrats to increase councillor grants by £2,000 to £8,000 each year.

(Image by Elliot Brown via Flickr)

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