Statement from Leicestershire Liberal Democrat Group ahead of Special Council Meeting
Ahead of the emergency meeting of the County Council tomorrow, the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Leicestershire County Council has been taking a detailed look at the reams of expense claims made by Tory Leader David Parsons which were released under a FOI a few weeks ago.
It continues to be the case, that with such a large majority, the decision on whether to take any action will be for the Tories to decide. The question remains whether they wish to condone his actions or support the opposition motion to remove him. The reality of Mr Parsons expenses will not go away and putting their heads in the sand will resolve nothing more than to prove how ineffective they are as a group.
Mr Parsons expenses show an extravagant style of leadership conducted at the tax payers' expense. Members of the Liberal Democrat group believe that this decadent living would seem out of place at any time but particularly so during an era of austerity with large scale budget cuts and reductions in staff.
We expect the Tories to justify these costs particularly those relating to his travel by Chauffeur driven car, which the leader believes he is entitled to by virtue of being in a 'privileged' position. The total cost of his chauffeur driven excess was £210,576 over six years, by comparison the average cost of a house in Leicestershire was £146,055 (Feb 2012).
Mr Parsons has recently accused Liberal Democrats of "talking down Leicestershire", presumably in an effort to deflect attention from his own problems. This bizarre response is risible when his actions and arrogance have done so much to damage the reputation of the County Council.
Liberal Democrats have done nothing more than develop positive solutions to Leicestershire's problems, we proposed a Jobs plan for the County's unemployed youth which Tories voted down. We have also argued to protect key frontline services such as PCSO's by using some of the Tories £90m of reserves.
Far from talking Leicestershire down the Liberal Democrats will continue to propose innovative and progressive ideas to protect services to make Leicestershire a fantastic place to live.
- Examples of some of Mr Parsons claims include:
- Attending a Conservative party fundraiser at the Cecil club using the chauffeur driven car
- The 35 visits to Oadby & Wigston
- His use of the Car during his bid for the LGA chairmanship