Lib Dem Group Set Out Positive Approach on Council

2.45.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th May 2007

Following their successes in the recent elections, Lib Dem Borough Councillors have reaffirmed that their priorities in serving local residents over the year ahead are to:

*Deliver the frontline services people need

More resurfacing of footpaths and roads

Improved street cleaning

Rapid response to graffiti

Retain weekly bin collections

*Stamp down on crime

More uniformed patrols

Support Neighbourhood Watch

Rapid response Mobile CCTV for hotspots

Nip antisocial behaviour in the bud

*Fight to save Bedford Hospital from savage cuts

Labour have let us all down on the NHS

Fight any reduction in A&E

Saving local maternity services

*Deliver a green, zero carbon growth Borough

New Zero Carbon Growth Planning Policy

Improved Recycling scheme

Greening the Town Hall

*Regenerate the Borough, creating prosperity and local jobs

Regenerate town centre

new local jobs to match new homes

revitalise local communities

*Serve the Whole Borough

Equal treatment for residents of the Town Centre,Kempston, suburbs and our villages

Group Leader Michael Headley said "The Liberal Democrat group are committed to making a positive contribution to the running of the authority and working constructively on behalf of

those that have elected us and the residents of the Borough as a whole. We will continue to work with the Mayor and other parties in areas where we have common ground, such as in supporting the Borough unitary bid."

"We will be chairing key committees of the Council and will be working hard to make sure the Council runs in the best interests of local residents. We particularly welcome the cross party support for Cllr Anita Gerard who will be Deputy Speaker of the Council this year."

"We approached the Mayor last week and made it clear that we are willing to serve on the Executive. However, following this meeting we believe that the conditions Mayor Branston put on our participating on the cabinet would be too restrictive and prevent us representing local people."

"It is important that people know that when they elected us to represent them we would honour the

pledges we made and the views they expressed to us. We cannot let our hands be tied when we have to make important decisions like the level of council tax; the policies to protect our river environment; or the decision on the monstrosity of a building proposed for Riverside Square. We are here to be representatives of our local electors on the Council NOT to be representatives of the Council to them."