LAST November, Labour politicians were assuring us "50p a week at the most" would enable Redditch Council to maintain free bus passes for everyone over 60 (Advertiser, November 26, 2003).

This implied that, at budget setting time, the Labour group would call for a 15 per cent hike in council tax to finance their pledge of free bus travel.

It was the dog that didn't bark.

In addition, the budget deficit of £1.2 million which Labour councillors have built up has to be tackled as soon as June's election is over.

That £1.2 million means 24 per cent on Redditch council tax.

So Labour councillors seem committed to raising our council tax by 39 per cent to preserve the status quo.

Opportunities exist to streamline services, or outsource them.

NEW College put forward a sound plan to take over the courses offered at the Redi centre. But Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors refused point blank even to consider outsourcing.

Change is hard. Unpopular. It costs votes. But sometimes it has to be made.

Labour councillors actually endorsed my argument at last week's meeting that council tax should be frozen for next year.

This means they have no budget to keep concessionary travel free. And so they have accepted our argument - that community transport must expand to fill the gaps in commercial services, that Dial-a Ride must be expanded and its fares slashed and that taxpayers in general have a right to see us manage our spending properly before we ask them for more money, which many residents can't afford.

After 20 Labour years when the motto was 'give them the money' - whatever the cause and whatever the consequences - a new realism is dawning; but only if Conservative thinking has votes behind it.

GAVIN SMITHERS

Conservative Group Leader

Redditch Council