Greens allege of 'backroom dealing' in Plymouth

They think Tories and Labour stitched up budget

Tories and Labour in Plymouth have been accused of “backroom dealing” over the city’s budget for next year.

Green Party councillors say both the Conservative administration and Plymouth Labour engineered a move to silence debate at the meeting on Monday [27 February] by opting to vote on an amendment before councillors had the opportunity to table motions and scrutinise decision-making.

Labour’s amendment included moves to force second home owners to pay 200 per cent council tax on their properties from April 2024, measures to address street safety and build new public loos in St Budeaux. 

Green Party councillor for St Budeaux, George Wheeler, said: “This ‘backroom dealing’ is damaging to democracy. By cutting short the debate, Labour and the Conservatives denied Plymouth residents the chance of representation through their elected Councillors.”

The Greens insist their priority was to secure funding for public services and tackle the climate and ecological emergency. They say they have tried to work cross-party to achieve this but feel the two biggest parties have damaged attempts to co-operate. 

Substantial cuts in funding from central government have caused financial challenges for the city council and the Greens are urging the leadership to lobby ministers nationally. 

Green Party councillor for Plympton Chaddlewood, Lauren McLay, said “We all acknowledge the need to balance the books. However, in the midst of a crippling cost of living crisis, which is hitting our most vulnerable residents the hardest, this budget falls dramatically short of providing the level of support and services that all of our residents deserve.”

The concerns come as Independent Alliance leader and councillor for Compton, Nick Kelly, also issued a formal complaint about Monday’s meeting. 

In it, Cllr Kelly explains how Tory councillor for St Budeaux, Pat Patel, intervened to force an early vote on Labour’s amendment which denied other councillors the opportunity to speak. 

Plymouth’s Conservative budget including proposed council tax levels was passed along with Labour’s amendments.