Labour's Rubbish Cuts: Exeter Lib Dems Call for a Public Consultation

Labour's reckless approach to Exeter City Council finances is causing cuts to an already inadequate basic service. They have exposed the council to significant financial risk by spending tens of millions of public money on St Sidwell's Point and Exeter City Living.

Labour are now cutting the street cleansing budget by 15% (£237,000). This includes getting rid of five litter-picker posts, reducing agency cover, and removing a quarter of litter and dog poo bins across the city. Bin locations had already been cut to the bone. So this will make Exeter even dirtier.

Will Aczel, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Exeter, said:
"As an Exeter resident, I feel let down by Labour time and time again.

"Labour's warped funding priorities mean they are neglecting the basics. I'm still waiting for food waste collections people in neighbouring councils have had for over a decade. Labour have slashed community grants by over 80%, closed all bar one of our public toilets, and are now cutting the already struggling litter service.

"I pick up a piece of litter everyday on my dog walk in Exeter. It's never difficult to find some. Labour's response to rampant litter on our streets? Cut the street cleansing budget.

"The people of Exeter want a city we can be proud of. But all we're getting from Labour is taken for granted.

"As a Lib Dem, I want to empower people to fulfil their potential and hold the powerful to account. Lib Dems are increasingly holding the ruling Labour group to account on the local council: scrutinising their financial sense, transparency, and accountability protocols in the public interest.

"Lib Dems are grassroots and community-driven. We listen. We have to fight the Labour Council to get its head out of the sand and listen to the public. It's only right they hear the impacts of their cuts through a public consultation."

Lib Dem Cllr Adrian Fullam said:
"With examples like the Leisure Service now needing a £2 million per year subsidy, Labour have put Exeter in a financial hole. Tough decisions will have to be made to get our Council back to the core priorities people are asking for.

"Will's views are common across the St Thomas community I represent. People tell me they want a clean and tidy city. We are fed up with the failing, out-of-touch, and poor value for money Labour Council.

"I am pressing for the reductions to be reversed in the next budget with an action plan for improvements."

Lib Dem Cllr Michael Mitchell added:
"Labour's funding priorities are causing cuts that make it harder for people to do the right thing. This means Exeter's streets will sadly become even more littered.

"The Labour Council want a public consultation on uncontroversial proposals to give young care leavers a council tax discount. Yet they refuse a public consultation on cutting a service that affects everybody.

"The public need to be consulted over changes to their local area. People have a right to know about changes in advance and right to have their say. Are Labour too afraid of what the public might say?"