More funding needed for adult social care and highways say Warwickshire Lib Dems

Warwickshire Liberal Democrats are proposing an amendment to the Tory budget at Shire Hall. They have reduced the unfair council tax that residents will have to pay. It still means that by 2027 that over £65 million pounds will come out of the organisation. The Government is failing to support local authorities and has only given 12 month settlement.

Warwickshire Liberal Democrats are investing more funds into Adult Social Care including the commissioning, Children & Families, customer support, specific projects include the following:

• Investing £3 million capital monies into improving the worsening state of pavements in Warwickshire - targeted at delivering improvements to pavements and footways in Warwickshire.
• Investing £0.400 million over the five years to deliver the Council's Outdoor Education Strategy (https://democracy.warwickshire.gov.uk) - the strategy is a key component of a "Child Friendly Warwickshire"; supporting young people in their development. We see this as part of the day to day business of the Council, especially after the administration closed Marle Hall.
• Increase investment over the next five years to £0.500m in support for those with Dementia and Alzheimer's and their carers - Lib Dems recognise that Dementia and Alzheimer's will be increasing as the demographics towards a larger older population. The investment will support the development and implementation of dementia-friendly communities alongside the developing 'Living well with Dementia' strategy providing carers support for adults and young carers.
• Invest £0.250 million a year in early intervention and prevention - supporting families and children especially in the early years. If levelling up is to work it need this investment back into early years.
• Invest £0.100 million to accelerate the work in communities around long covid - as identified by the Director of Public Health in the Annual report 2020/21.
• The creation of a Highways Action Fund - to support the implementation of 20mph speed limits.
• Increase Community Councillor grants from £6,000 to £8,000 in 2022/23 to help boost local communities after covid - with at least £2,000 being awarded towards supporting young people and youth activities.

Liberal Democrat Amendment link Revenue Lib Dem 8/02/22 Capital proposals Lib Dem 8/02/22

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Warwickshire County Council said:

"The Liberal Democrats are presenting a balanced budget that reduces the burden on the taxpayer, increasing costs to individuals as highlighted by the Resolution Foundation will see families hit with at least £1,200 hit. Council Tax is unfair and should be scrapped and local government given the investment needed not 12-month handouts from the Government, clearly inflation, national insurance hikes and increasing costs wipe out the extra resources that are needed.

"Liberal Democrats have put together a set of proposals that invests more into fixing our broken pavements and introduce a Highway action fund for 20mph speed limits, adult social care and children services including tackling long covid . We are calling on the Tory administration to join with us and ensure that we see a Fairer, more Caring and Greener Warwickshire"