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Lib Dem County Group Unveils Budget Proposals
February 1, 2008 7:15 PM
Warwickshire County Council Liberal Democrat Leader - cllr. Jerry Roodhouse
Warwickshire County Council Liberal Democrats have unveiled their amendments to the Conservative budget proposals ready for debate next week.
These are based around their priorities of achieving independence, well-being and choice for
Warwickshire's older and vulnerable residents; improving access to public transport across the County; better supporting and empowering young people to achieve and become active members of their local community; and creating safer and greener communities.
Like Super Tuesday in America, the 5th February will be our Super Tuesday for establishing next year's investments and setting the Council Tax.
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the County Council, stated:
"Our priorities for investing in services which matter to the people of Warwickshire have been consistent over the last 3 years, unlike both Labour and the Conservatives who keep changing their agenda year on year.
In this year's budget, Liberal Democrats are seeking to address the causes of crime by proposing to invest £700,000 in services which support young people and their families when times get tough, at home or school, to help prevent problems from spiralling out of control and from more serious intervention being required. Tackling these issues at an early stage will help improve educational attainment and family life, reduce truancy levels and school exclusions, and prevent young people from getting involved anti-social or criminal behaviour.
We are also supporting the 14-19 agenda by proposing an investment of £47,000 in Warwickshire's Education Business Partnership, which provides a variety of innovative activities to help prepare young people for their adult working life.
Whilst making efforts to tackle the causes of crime, we believe that more action needs to be taken now, on addressing problems anti-social behaviour and yob culture. In 2006/07, there were 29,322 incidents of ASB recorded in Warwickshire. This is equates to 1 incident every 18 minutes or 80 per day. We are seeking to invest £250,000 in 10 additional Police Community Support Officers to specifically tackle these issues in both local neighbourhoods and in schools.
The threat of climate change is not going away and as Liberal Democrats we want to see real action being taken to put our own behaviour on a sustainable footing. We are proposing to invest £90,000 in renewable energy projects, which in the long-term will deliver measurable CO2 reductions and a reduction in the County Council's energy bill.
Depression and mental health illnesses are on the increase. In Warwickshire, it is estimated that about 139,500 people aged 15-74 have a common mental health problem, and this is expected to increase to 153,100 in 2029. We believe that investment is needed in more innovative and creative ways to support sufferers, and therefore propose to allocate a further £50,000 to expand the Arts for Health programme, which will deliver arts projects targeted specifically at those with mental health problems to help improve their independence, well-being and choice.
Access to transport is a common concern for many of Warwickshire's residents, particularly those living in rural areas and those who find it difficult to get out and about. We are proposing to expand the popular Flexibus Service by investing in 5 new buses for use across Warwickshire. Our proposal will increase the number of Flexibuses from 11 to 16, helping more people across the County to remain independent.
To fund these initiatives we will increase the County Council's proportion of the council tax by 3.90%, which equates to an additional 78 pence per week on a band D property. This will help us to achieve our vision of nipping anti-social behaviour in the bud and building a better future for Warwickshire's residents.
No one political party has control in Warwickshire so an agreement has to be reached between at least two political groups. I wait to see what both the Labour and Conservative groups come forward with, but our priorities will form the basis of any negotiations."
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