Labour councillor Diarmaid Ward criticised “disappointing” budget amendments put forward by the Independent and Green group ahead of last Thursday’s council meeting.
The council voted against all amendments suggested by the Independent and Green group at the council’s budget meeting last Thursday, branding them as “back of the envelope hodgepodge.”
During the council’s 2025/26 budget meeting on 27 February, Councillor Diarmaid Ward complained about the lack of warning given. “12 amendments have been tabled this evening… With seven days’ notice there really isn’t anything we can do with these,” he said.
The seven Independent and Green councillors, representing a small opposition in the majority Labour council, had submitted suggestions such as hiring more Special Education Needs (SEN) workers and changing parking permit charges.
The Leader of the Green group, Councillor Benali Hamdache, said the amendments were submitted as part of their routine council work. “Every year we, as the opposition, suggest ideas that might save the council money,” he said. “This is part of the democratic process.”
During the council meeting, Councillor Ward also claimed he could not respond to the amendments because the Independent councillors missed previous budget meetings.
Adding that he had asked for amendments from the Independent councillors at the previous meeting, Councillor Ward said on Thursday: “You didn’t give me any amendments. We saw them [the amendments] seven days ago.”
Regarding their calls for more support workers to improve school attendance, Councillor Ward said the council had already approved six new mentorship positions for this purpose in July.
“I’m not surprised you missed this, there were no Independent councillors at that meeting,” he said.
Councillor Hamdache defended the group’s attendance and proposals: “We have been asking questions about parking premiums for a number of years,” he said.
“There were some really good ideas in the budget amendments,” he added. “Regardless of political pantomime displays at council meetings, I hope these get taken into account.”
The budget was approved at the meeting, with none of the proposed amendments passed.
Clare Walsh is the beat reporter for St Mary's and St James'. She is passionate about keeping locals up to date on important stories. She is a freelance journalist, and has written for publications including Varsity and Cambridge Creatives.