RAID our cash reserves and give our children the education they need now.

That was the late plea by Tory leaders who demanded that Bury's schools get an extra £2 million.

But their calls fell on deaf ears as Labour bosses said that any money would come from higher council taxes rather than reserves.

It now seems likely that an inflation-busting hike will be imposed by councillors at next Wednesday's (March 3) full council meeting.

A 4.8 per cent rise would meet the Government's guidelines and increase the council tax for a Band A house by £24 to £525.

But this would leave no money to improve services, whereas a rise of nine per cent would bring in an extra £1.3 million.

Improvements, therefore, can be funded either from reserves, increasing the council tax by more than the guidelines, or from cuts elsewhere in the budget.

Councillor David Higgin, Tory leader, asked Monday's resources committee to spend two-thirds of its £3.4 million reserves. This would be spent on four items: giving back to schools £2 million of the £3.2 million the council had taken off them two years ago to balance the budget, plus £100,000 to save Bury Arts and Crafts Centre.

Coun Higgin also wanted to spend £109,000 on boosting the borough's dog-fouling strategy, and £20,000 on cutting the cost of hiring football and sports pitches.

"I am suggesting putting money where it is required," he said. "You are suggesting leaving it in a bank earning pathetic interest. The children who are in school now will benefit - let's give the money back to them."

But his proposals were savaged by Labour councillors.

Deputy council leader John Byrne said it was irresponsible to "make people happy today and not give a damn about tomorrow", adding that the council could not leave itself a hostage to fortune.

And Coun David Ryder said funding to schools had to be restored over several years rather than as a one-off "nice gesture".

Liberal Democrat councillor Vic D'Albert sympathised with the Tories, but worried that the council would have too little in reserve to meet potential future problems.

He abstained while Labour voted out the Tory amendment.

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