Budget consultation - all doom and gloom?

1.26.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Oct 2009

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.'