Cllr Lesley Scott-Boutell's statement on why she cannot vote for the unamended CBC budget: "I was content with elements of the budget, but in good conscience, knowing that some residents will have to make a terrible choice...1/3

...between heating or eating, and an overall cost of living crisis, I can't vote to make my vulnerable residents feel even less supported in this time of urgent need. ....2/3

I cannot with a clear conscience support the unamended budget"3/3 Lesley Scott-Boutell

Cllr Mike Hogg speaking on why supporting the LD amendment is personal for him. Movingly he talks about all the families he is already supporting and how it's unbelievable that so many families are left struggling in 2022.

Now Steph Nissen is speaking eloquently on the cost of living crisis and why she is supporting the amendment. She talks about fuel poverty which is only going to get worse.

Cllr Martin Goss 🔶Martin Goss🔶 speaking now on how the budget isn't good enough to vote for. "Every penny matters to residents". "As I write out foodbank vouchers I see the stress on people's faces."

Cllr David King David King🔶 speaking on how all the taxes mentioned by the Tories are set by central government. "In times of trouble it's the most vulnerable who suffer the most".

Well the budget passed 26 to 24. We couldn't vote for a budget that does nothing to help struggling residents and we're frankly disappointed that our perfectly reasonable amendment was voted down. It's high time for change. Grab that opportunity in May!

Please remember this when voting in May. Remember that they partied while people's loved ones died. Remember when being asked to "judge locally, not nationally" that not one local Tory called this behaviour out. Remember they're all Johnson's Tories. x.com/SkyNews/status…

.Lesley Scott-Boutell and I were out today with the Community Police Team supporting the new Stroll with a Patrol initiative, joined by CBC Neighbourhood Warden Will, too. Some of the topics discussed were parking, graffiti, fly tipping, speeding.... A really proactive meet up!

Lovely day to be out campaigning in #Stanway, #Colchester with the excellent @libdems candidate ⁦Cllr. Tracy Arnold 🔸⁩ & colleagues! Vote Tracy Arnold on 5th May!

It was fantastic to hear from so many happy residents today, who really appreciate the work Lesley Scott-Boutell and I have done to get the potholes repaired in Lucy Close.

Lib Dems have taken the seat of the Conservative council leader in Colchester

Great to have seen Stanway Lakelands Centre with Lesley Scott-Boutell Julie Young and colleagues last week. At an advanced stage. Looks great design and will have a great setting. Long needed. But this Council project is now well on the way and will be fabulous.

For Lesley Scott-Boutell it was an emotional night 🗳️ gazette-news.co.uk/news/23502197.…

Volunteers are working hard this morning hanging up clothes for the frock swap this morning ♻️ ColchesterArtsCentre

🔶Martin Goss🔶 Visiting the new Stanway Community centre today meeting Community legend Peter Dutch and also bumped into Deputy Mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell