EXETER'S DEFICIT TO BE MET FROM RATES
Page 47

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE Exeter City Council has approved a finance committee resolution that a £12,950 deficit on the city's transport undertaking should be met from the general rate fund.
But Mr. R. C. Paddon, speaking at the Council meeting last week, said it was disturbing that the deficit should have to be met from the rates. -We should have a good look at the undertaking to see if it is in the interests of the city to continue it."
Aid. P. Hilton said that £11,000 had been added to the undertaking's expenses by wage increases and there was also the "iniquitous and disgusting" fuel tax, which was costing £29,000 a year.
Obviously something had to be done, he added. A few years ago the undertaking's reserve stood at £44,000. But this was being raided to keep fares down and was now almost non-existent.
A suggestion was made by Mr. F. H. Guscott that the Council and the Devon General Omnibus Co. Ltd., who run joint services, should seek advice because of the heavy losses.