During the vote on Havering's latest budget, which included proposals from the Havering Resident's Association to close libraries, I challenged the HRA on their election promises to "Stop the destruction".
The Conservatives group voted for every amendment which provided funding for libraries. We even backed the Labour motion, which was to follow my suggestion of scrapping food bin liners (Press Release: Library Closure is a Betrayal of Residents).
In the end, with the combined efforts of Conservatives, Labour and Independents, the vote was a tie. Mayor Cllr Gerry O'Sullivan therefore cast the deciding vote and he voted for the HRA's library closure budget.
It was a deeply disappointing night for Havering, we showed that when united across parties we can protect public services from the HRA cuts.
We'll have them next time!
My speech below.
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