A proposal to take money from “local areas for local projects” across Bolton to create a pensioners’ support fund has sparked wide-ranging controversy. This comes after the government’s plans to cut winter fuel payments sparked a widespread backlash, including in Bolton where more than 50,000 people will be affected. But a motion set to go to the council this week to create a £200,000 fund for pensioners has also sparked controversy, given that the money will be drawn from local area working budget.
Bolton Conservatives leader Cllr Martyn Cox said: “Labour have been splurging cash ever since they were elected with above inflation pay rises and on their own pet projects and Bolton's pensioners are paying the price. “Money used in local areas for local projects should not be used to prop up a failed national policy and Bolton Conservatives will oppose this move.” The motion is expected to go to Bolton Council (Image: Newsquest) The motion, put by Labour’s Cllr Sean Fielding, proposes drawing £10,000 from each of the 20 area working budgets across the borough.
But opposition councillors say that as well as equating to just £5 for each pensioner, this will also reduce the money available for communities around the borough. Conservative deputy leader Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: “The suggestion that wards are sitting on huge sums of money is extremely disingenuous, I can only speak for Astley Bridge, but I am confident this would be the case in most wards. “.