Roadmender: Tories block scrutiny of grant cut

12.49.13pm GMT Fri 25th Nov 2005

Richard Church - "We will not give up on Roadmender"

Tory councillors have blocked an attempt to have the decision to cut funding to Roadmender scrutinised by a panel of back bench councillors. 'This is bad news for Roadmender, but it is also bad news for the independence of the scrutiny process on the County Council' said Lib Dem group leader Richard Church. 'We have made a clear case that the decision to cut the grant was rushed, based on flawed information and insufficient consultation. The council's monitoring officer said the case for the call in for further scrutiny is legitimate, but the Tories have used their blocking majority against it. We have a profoundly arrogant administration on the County Council, impervious to evidence which does not accord with its blinkered view. We will be asking for a debate on the matter at the next full County Council meeting in December.'

Liberal Democrat councillors have better news for Roadmender on the Borough Council. 'We are presenting a motion to the Council meeting on Monday at 6.30pm to confirm the Borough's continued support for Roadmender. We are confident that we can win a majority on the Borough Council for that commitment, and give some hope to Roadmender in their search for ways of plugging the gap caused by the County Council's cut. We are determined to show that at least one public body in Northampton values the service that Roadmender provides to young people and to disabled people, and is prepared to offer support to the management of Roadmender as they deal with the very difficult position they have been put in.'

'We will not give up on Roadmender' concluded Richard 'We continue to press its case on both councils in order to secure a sound future for the benefit of young people.'