LIB DEMS WOULD MAINTAIN COUNCIL SERVICES WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE HIT BY THE RECESSION

5.54.58pm GMT Sat 28th Feb 2009

Liberal Democrats supporting local businesses

LIB DEMS WOULD MAINTAIN COUNCIL SERVICES WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE HIT BY THE RECESSION

The Liberal Democrats Borough Council Budget proposals for this year are based on the principles of -

• Keeping the increase in Council Tax to a minimum.

• Maintaining Services vital to the people of Rugby,

• Supporting struggling businesses and more skills training for those hit by unemployment

• More diversionary youth activities in the areas most affected by anti-social behaviour,

• Improved street cleanliness.

These are all in addition to our proposals tabled at the Council meeting on 11th February 2009 to bring more empty houses back into use the help some of the 1000 families on the Housing Waiting List.

Lib Dem Leader, Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, said,

"The Borough Council is setting its Council Tax level at a difficult time for many hard pressed families in Rugby."

• Unemployment in Rugby has increased far more quickly than expected and is at the highest level for many years.

• There were over 5,900 recorded incidents of anti social behaviour during 2007/08.

"In a recent WCC survey 53% of respondents said that what was most needed in Rugby was more activities for teenagers.

"We are proposing a Council Tax rise of less than 3% but can still find money for spending proposals which will begin to address some of these issues and will be paid for by Making savings elsewhere, including, freezing Councillors' Allowances and further cutting of administration costs."