"Tories delay crucial credit crisis aid" - Macro

3.00.45pm GMT Mon 15th Dec 2008

Vulnerable residents could be left out in the cold this winter after crucial measures to help were delayed by Tory Councillors. An urgent raft of measures designed to ease the pressure on West Berkshire people struggling financially were deferred at Thursday night's meeting of full Council.

Councillor Alan Macro, who wrote the motion, explained why the Tories' refusal to take a decision on the night could have a major impact on peoples' lives, "Some of these measures could have been agreed on at full Council on Thursday. By now we could be actively helping people on the ground. Simple things such as resolving to run a 'Good Neighbour' Campaign over the winter to make sure people have enough food and heat could have been decided on the spot and launched today. Understandably proposals such as looking into running a Council mortgage scheme need more work. But it is appalling that all of these measures have been deferred. Now they may not reach a committee for decision until well into the New Year."