Basingstoke Budget Plans Criticized by Councillors After Debate

The Basingstoke council met on February 27th. They discussed changes to their budget. The changes included raising sports facility costs. Some town parking could lose its free first hour. Also, parking charges at The Malls may increase.

These plans have been criticized by Conservative councillors. Zander West said Lib Dems and Conservatives only talk. He thinks the council is ambitious.

He urged them to act on community needs. This should show in their budget choices. West wants a cap on sports fees. He wants to stop EV charging fee hikes.

He also wants money for some pensioners. He stated councillors must support residents through actions. Abdel Ibrahim noted some good parts of the budget. He expressed worry about rising sports fees.

These increases contradict council goals, he added. They also don’t match what residents want. Residents aren’t happy with sports services.

It sits lower than South East and national averages, he mentioned. Labour wants a fund for low-income seniors. Ibrahim urges all councillors to back it.