LAST Thursday I attended my second Cheshire West and Chester full council meeting at Wyvern House, when the Conservative-controlled administration pushed through next year's budget.

This is usually done in February each year and with another quarter of economic activity to come, the decision seems very premature.

Due to the international recession, started by the collapse of an American bank in 2008, there will be a further central Government cut of £22 million in next year’s council budget.

I welcome the proposal to freeze next year’s average council tax band rate, and I see my role as an elected Labour councillor to act as a check and balance on what the council delivers.

I will scrutinise what they deliver in relation to children’s services, social care, mental health and disability provision and at the same time check on town centre development, sports facilities and housing and transport issues.

At Thursday’s meeting, I was criticised by two conservative councillors for my recent views on the gyratory system and the proposal to fill in a perfectly functioning town centre subway.

All I can say is, get used to it because I will continue to represent the views of those who contact me and I will continue to make comment if it is felt that the council is not doing its best for the people of Northwich.

On the subject of the gyratory system, the traffic appears to be flowing smoothly and Northwich is back open for business.

Sam Naylor Winnington and Castle