THE setting of a council s budget for the forthcoming financial year has raised the question – why were certain efficiency savings not made decades ago? Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) last week announced it is to freeze its council tax precept for 2010/1

THE setting of a council's budget for the forthcoming financial year has raised the question - why were certain efficiency savings not made decades ago?

Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) last week announced it is to freeze its council tax precept for 2010/11.

It has promised no cuts to frontline services and no increase to members' allowances, but 20 posts at the council will be axed in a bid to balance the books.

Since 2007/08 SBC has delivered over �5.9 million of efficiency savings.

At a full council meeting on Thursday last week, Lib Dem councillor Robin Parker said: "It's not a surprise at all that in an election year we go for a zero per cent increase in council tax."

He added: "What answer do we have for council tax payers who say we have made all these savings now, why weren't all these savings made decades ago?"

Labour councillor Sharon Taylor, leader of SBC, retorted: "You were on the council and I wasn't, so I have no idea."

Conservative councillor Graham Clark, leader of the opposition, said of the 2010/11 budget: "I support the zero per cent increase."

He also said he is pleased a small surplus has been built into the budget. "A small surplus is a good thing and should be the target of the council each year," he suggested.