Councillor Pugh’s £4,470 handout from the ConDem coalition government will just about cover the bill handed to the council by the Royal Yacht Squadron when they were schmoozing prospective PFI bidders.
The derisory figure brings into question the Leader?s judgement in believing that central government would take his pleas for over £850,000 seriously.
Geoff Mason, Alliance spokesperson said “When you look at the recently released spending figures and compare them to the government’s gift to the Island it?s clear that the sum will just about cover the £4,000 bill incurred when the council were trying to attract PFI bidders to the Island. The balance of £470 would probably just about cover Mr Pugh and his delegation’s expenses for the begging trip to London!”
Councillor Pugh expressed his disappointment at the sum achieved and suggested that central government may have got their calculations wrong. The Alliance would suggest that perhaps now Mr Pugh understands what Mr Cameron means when he states that “we’re all in this together”.
At a time when cuts and savings are demanded of all of us by the ConDem coalition it is hoped that our local politicians would be able to make a strong argument for concessions for the Island in light of our already straitened social and industrial situation.
Unfortunately, Leader Pugh’s disappointment at £4,470 translates into another kick in the teeth for the Island.
supporters of the Alliance will be out in force to vociferously lobby Council Cabinet members on Tuesday 8 February, ahead of their budget setting meeting.
