FREE access to sports centres for soldiers and the re-opening of a village library form part of the Conservative proposal for Kirklees Council’s budget.
The opposition Tories yesterday unveiled their plan for 2010/11 which includes a council tax rise of 1%.
The ruling Labour Cabinet will propose a 2% increase at next week’s annual budget meeting.
Conservative leader Clr Jim Dodds said that his party’s plan would allow extra spending through greater efficiencies.
He said: “I am confident that our budget proposals will achieve the required savings through efficiencies and will not degrade any frontline service. A 1% increase shows a substantial difference between ourselves and the Lib/Lab alliance.”
Clr Dodds has pledged an extra £6m to the roads budget, as well as free access to council sports centres for members of the military. The Conservatives would also reopen New Mill Library, which was controversially closed last year.
Clr Dodds said: “We have also committed extra funds for seasonal maintenance including additional gritting around elderly people’s areas, gully cleaning and provision of sandbags in areas susceptible to flooding.”
The budget and council tax rate will be set at a meeting on February 24.
