Political opponents are heading for a showdown tonight over Medway Council’s budget proposals.

After months of number crunching - mostly in an effort to make up a £12m budget deficit - the final proposals for the 2015 budget are set to go before a meeting of Medway’s full council.

Labour announced earlier in the week they will be using the meeting to set out their own alternative financial vision - including the introduction of the living wage for council employees and the reinstatement of funding for this year’s Fuse Festival which campaigners are trying to save.

The Medway Trades Union Council plan to protest outside the St George’s Centre - the meeting venue - in reaction to 137 job losses included in the budget.

Cllr Vince Maple, Medway Labour leader said: “The council budget, which is being debated with a backdrop of a nearly 50% cut in government grant since 2010, will be the last major opportunity to show the difference a Medway Labour council would make before the residents of Medway decide on the future direction of the council at the ballot box.

Cllr Paul Godwin, Medway Labour employment spokesman, said the party had been calling since 2013 for Medway Council to introduce the living wage - which stands at £7.85 an hour.

“We think it is important the council shows leadership on this issue,” he said.

“Sadly the Tories have repeatedly been lacking that on this and many other issues.

“We know over 100 other councils of all political persuasions have introduced this and on Thursday night we will be hoping to add Medway to that list.”

Council finance chiefs have previously stated the majority of jobs cut in the budget are vacant positions, which have not been refilled.

They anticipate consultation will result in around eight actual redundancies.

The budget also includes proposals to end the pay freeze and introduce a one per cent pay rise.

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