Labour ‘can live with council budget’

The plan to end sick pay for the first three days of illness was put forward in a joint alternative budget by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups who together have the power to outvote the Labour minority administration.

It had been thought the move could lead to Labour giving up its role running the authority but the two opposition groups failed to unite behind the measure as the council considered the budget and it will not now go ahead,

Labour leader Tim Swift said: “We can certainly live with (the budget) although there are some things we will want to go through as we implement them and hold consultations and continue to debate.”

Conservative group leader Stephen Baines said Labour had “capitulated” on many of the issues raised by the Tories and Lib Dems including changes to car parking charges and more staff for the authority’s cleaning teams.