Giving Every Child A Chance
Lib Dems propose to invest £3.8 million to help secure the best possible start in life for Warwickshire's children.
Warwickshire County Council is due to meet on Thursday 5th February to decide its budget and set the level of council tax for 2015/2016. No one political party has control in the County.
The centrepiece of the Liberal Democrats budget proposals is a major investment of £3.8 million over three years in a new 0-5 year olds health and well-being fund under the direction of the Warwickshire Health & Well-Being Board. This is to address clear evidence from national data that the county is performing well below regional and national averages in terms of key "school readiness" indicators for all children, and particularly for those from deprived backgrounds. By getting the right Early Years support in place, we can give every child the chance of the best possible start in life, unlocking opportunities and helping to reduce crime and improve mental health for all.
Other headlines in the Lib Dem budget proposals are:-
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Significant new funding, worth £2.65 million over three years, for road safety improvements in the vicinities of schools, including a moratorium on the removal of any further school crossing patrol supervisors, and schemes such as advisory part-time 20 mph speed limits.
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New investment of £4.0 million to accelerate the programme of street light replacement with energy efficient LED lighting, offering the opportunity to reduce energy costs and maximise the flexibility on the part-night lighting policy in keeping with community needs.
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Sustaining, developing and helping the Voluntary and Community Sector to adapt to changing ways of working.
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Giving greater access to our customers by using the latest technology.
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Growing the Warwickshire tourist offer, and developing the skills base in this vital sector of the local economy.
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Lib Dem Group Leader, said: "We have produced a budget that builds on our priorities and seeks to invest for the future. Our proposals are realistic and fit within a tight financial framework. We hope that the other political groups will sit down and discuss the proposals we have put forward."