AN attempt to radically slash a town's budget to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Queen in May was rejected by Stockton Borough Council last night (Wednesday, February 24).

Leading Thornaby Independent councillor, Sylvia Walmsley, tried to make an minor amendment to the authority's overall budget which would mean that just £5,000 would be spent on the celebrations instead of £30,000.

Cllr Walmsley said that £25,000 would pay a worker's salary, for example a street cleaner or teaching assistant, for a year and that would be better than spending the money on "the most privileged person in our land."

She proposed her budget amendment at Stockton Borough Council's special Full Council meeting which, as expected approved an increase of council tax of 1.9 per cent and a further 'social care levy' of 2 per cent, amounting to £1.32 a month extra for Band A property householders.

Proposing her amendment, Cllr Walmsley said: "I will support the overall budget. We're dealing with £73 million in cuts. It's phenomenal, unheard of.

"The only amendment I wish to make is to reduce money for the Queen's birthday, one of the richest people in the country, from £30,000 to £5,000. I know this is a stupid £25,000 from such a big budget of all those millions of pounds, but actually it represents a salary for a worker. We could get our streets swept, employ a teaching assistant or a dinner lady.

"I'm sure the Queen in Buckingham Palace won't mind or be watching. I know that (Labour) members have been whipped to oppose this. I've had councillors coming to me saying a matter such as this should be a free vote."

The proposal was countered by cabinet member, Cllr Norma Wilburn, Labour, who said: "This is really about celebrating Stockton. It's not about the Queen as much as celebrating all of our volunteers at special events.

"Of course the Queen won't be coming or watching but the people who do come, those volunteers, should be celebrated.

"The Queen's birthday is symbolic, a way to celebrate our volunteers."

Cllr Sonia Bailey, Labour, said she had been wavering on the issue but Cllr Wilburn's point about celebrating the borough's volunteers had persuaded her to vote against the amendment.

Cllr Bill Woodhead, Conservative, said the money should be spent simply in honour of the Queen. He said: "We've got a head of state a lot of people in other countries envy. Five thousands pounds wouldn't even buy flags for the kids to wave."

The amendment was eventually defeated by 40 votes to seven, meaning the council will spend £30,000 on the Queen's birthday celebrations.