New Rutland County Council leader says "balancing books" is top priority
Gale Waller has been speaking to Greatest Hits Radio
Last updated 24th May 2023
The new leader of Rutland County Council's telling us balancing the authorities' books is her top priority.
Gale Waller (Lib Dem and Green) replaced Lucy Stephenson (Tory) as leader this week.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Cllr Waller said: “It isn’t as easy as just figures on a piece of paper, because costs are going up, and they’re going up for us as much as they are for individuals.”
“So we’re constantly having to review our spending plans to be able to deliver services within the means that we’ve got.”
The new leader’s also agreed to look at longer-term solutions for local public transport and leisure facilities, with a new agreement for Catmose Sports Centre on the to-do list.
“Access to swimming is one thing, access to the cultural activities is another…there will have to be priorities at the end of the day and they’re not going to be my priorities, they’re going to be residents’ priorities”, she said.
Improving transport and local bus services is also on the agenda
Cllr Waller said: “It costs bus companies an amount of money to get the bus to Rutland in the first place to run the service, as don’t have any bus depots locally
“So we’ve got to look at doing something different ourselves, it’s not going to be a quick win on this one, but it is something we’re going on”
Responding to the leadership election result, former leader Cllr Lucy Stephenson said: “I don’t think there were any surprises…and I wish Cllr Waller and her Cabinet all the best in what will be a really challenging four years.”
The next full meeting of Rutland County Council is on 10 July 2023.