Council defends plans to slash £13million (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Borough Council blames 'clueless' central Government for latest wave of cuts

11:48pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

A budget slashing more than £13million from services in Enfield was passed tonight, despite strong opposition from Conservativess.

The latest wave of cuts, which will come into force from April, will see almost £5million taken from Enfield Borough Council’s health, housing and adult social care budget, and almost £400,000 from schools and children’s services.

The authority blames cuts of £80million in four years on austerity measures imposed by central Government.

During a full council meeting in Enfield Civic Centre, council leader Doug Taylor praised the Labour administration for its success in dealing with unprecedented Government cuts.

He said the council is “positive and confident” in its ambitions and will “achieve the success that we have had in the past three years”.

He blamed the "clueless" Government for forcing the council to make cuts, but claimed he is confident the authority will continue to provide excellent services.

However, Conservative councillors refused to back the Labour-led administration and unanimously abstained from voting.

Conservative leader Councillor Michael Lavender criticised the Labour group for coming up with no medium term plan, and claimed the cuts will hit hardest in 2014, after the next election.

He claimed there is "no provision" for the future and criticised Labour politicians for relying on “assumptions” when coming up with figures.