Six to Fix - Economy: take action to support residents and local businesses during the credit crunch

5.14.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th May 2009

The urgent need for action to support residents and local businesses during the credit crunch is one of Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats' 'Six to Fix' priority areas

The Liberal Democrats' Manifesto for Bedford Borough has identified 'Six to Fix' for Bedford Borough. One of the Six to Fix priority areas is the economy, where the council must take action to support residents and local businesses during the credit crunch.

Instead of viewing the current recession purely as a national and international problem, we believe the council has an obligation and a real opportunity to make a difference locally at this difficult time.

We will pursue local priorities such as making sure that individuals and families have decent homes to live in and that the vulnerable receive the essential support to which they are entitled. We are ready to take practical and innovative action to support local residents and the Borough's businesses.

Amongst the actions needed from the Council, it must:

• Set up a new Benefits Maximisation Service, with specialist advisers in place to help

Borough residents receive the benefits to which they are entitled, and draw national

funding into Bedford Borough.

• Set up a new employment scheme to provide advice to local residents who have lost

their jobs and to help people into work.

• Seek opportunities for the council to support local businesses, for example by sourcing

goods and services from local firms where possible and by paying suppliers within a

shorter time period.

• Refurbish local shopping parades to make them more attractive, vibrant places to

shop.

• Protect local shopping and community facilities and post offices.

• Conduct a small business rate relief take-up campaign, to help local small businesses

ensure that they are getting the business rate relief to which they are entitled.

• Provide more affordable housing. In particular increase the supply of affordable

rented housing must be increased.