Summer Playschemes Saved

11.53.25am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th Jul 2006

Lib Dems defend summer playschemes

Highly valued summer playschemes in Bedford have been saved after action from the

Liberal Democrats. The Borough Council had proposed to slash the number of schemes for 5-13 year olds.But the budget was increased by £20,000 after Lib Dems

had raised the issue at a Council meeting on 14 June and then called in the

decision itself. Now a similar number of schemes as last year can continue.

Cllr Dave Hodgson said "These summer play and activity schemes are popular

with children and parents alike over the long summer holidays. They give

kids something constructive to do. This year the Council had originally

decided to do only do 3 schemes in Bedford and Kempston and 5 in villages.

This was down from 10 urban and 20 rural locations a few years ago. The

savings they were to make were small compared with the sums the Council can

always find for its grand projects, like refurbishing town hall offices."

The Liberal Democrats had already highlighted the inadequate funding in the

budget debate in February, but their amendment to increase funding at that

stage was opposed by Labour and Tory councillors.