‘Pothole Pete’ pulls budget rabbits from the hat as Tories accuse Labour of stashing cash for “Brexit riots”

Tuesday’s meeting of Labour’s ruling cabinet formally approved a plan to spend £50,000 before April on filling in the potholes on MK’s rain soaked and snowy roads.

They are also going to give councillors an extra £1,000 each to spend on worthy causes in their wards, including community groups that are struggling during the pandemic.

There are 57 councillors, although one seat is currently vacant.

The whole budget, which proposes a 2.5 per cent council tax rise, will need to be ratified at a meeting of the full council later this month before the bills can be posted out.

Cllr Marland (Wolverton), who has previously been dubbed Pothole Pete by parts of the media for his emphasis on the issue, faced fierce criticism from a Tory opponent for “stuffing” the council’s £30 million general reserves “above prudent levels”.

Cllr Allan Rankine (Cons, Bletchley Park), who is an ardent Brexiteer, also criticised the council for holding a £4 million war chest in case there are contract and budget issues with Brexit.

Cllr Rankine said labour had produced a “business as usual budget” while people are losing their jobs.

The council has received “huge amounts of Government support which has boosted reserves,” he said.

Cllr Rankine added: “Incredibly, you’ve identified Brexit as the biggest budget risk. £4 million is stuffed in the general reserve to protect us from Brexit Armageddon

“Are you saying there might be Brexit riots? It’s just rubbish.”

Cllr Marland hit back at the Tories, saying that Milton Keynes is better off without the Conservatives, whose Government, he said had mishandled covid-19, costing over 100,000 lives and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

He blasted: “Had we spent the reserves as the Conservatives wished us to do in the previous four years, we wouldn’t have them to spend this evening to balance our budget.

“The economy is struggling because of ineffectual and poor help and support from the Government.”

Cllr Marland also said the local Tories were “irresponsible, illogical and plain stupid” to campaign for free parking in MK before Christmas when covid rates were rising and it was likely that the country was going back into lockdown.

Cllr Marland added he was “proud” of the Labour-run council’s record and focus on tackling child poverty, providing affordable housing, and reducing health inequalities.

The Lib Dems, who have a partnership arrangement with the Labour group on the hung council, had several of their budget amendments accepted last year.

Cllr Robin Bradburn (Lib Dem, Bradwell) kept his party powder dry, preferring to focus on what he believes is the robustness of the scrutiny process.

He also added his praise for council officers who have worked under “challenging” circumstances to keep services running and produce a balanced budget for the next financial year.