YOUR money for YOUR services - Lib Dem success

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Jul 2002

Following a petition raised earlier this year by members of the Lib Dem group, last nights Corporate and Resources Policy Review and Development Committee meeting saw funding released from a number of Council reserves. In total over £500,000 was freed up from reserves targeted by the Lib Dems. The Lib Dem proposals now seek to use this funding for an increase in frontline services.

However Labour and Conservative members failed to agree to the release of a further £500,000 from Lib Dem targeted reserves.

Speaking after the meeting Lib Dem group leader Michael Headley said:

"I am pleased that at last the Tories have listened to our persistent calls for funds to be released from reserves without further delay. However, I'm disappointed that they did not accept all our proposals. We want these funds releasing so that there can be much needed improvements in frontline services. I'm not sure what the Tories strategy is. They actually chose to cut budgets for CCTV, litter reduction, winter gritting and tackling dog fouling. These are the very services that need investing in."

He added:

"Sadly, Labour continue to work in another division. Their two Mayoral hopefuls sat at the meeting asking for their ideas to be looked at in the autumn. The best they can offer is more delay and dithering. This is the last thing the Borough needs more of."

The Lib Dem group has for sometime been calling for funds to be released to increase spending on front line services, and last nights releases saw the culmination of these proposals. Despite these releases the group are continuing to call for Council budgets to be reviewed in order to find further savings.