Lib Dems propose 'Square Deal' budget (Southampton Liberal Democrats)

Southampton Liberal Democrats <info@southampton-libdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems propose 'Square Deal' budget

February 3, 2008 2:00 PM

Southampton City Council Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Adrian Vinson, says: "The Liberal Democrats offer a Square Deal Budget. No gimmicks. No election stunts. No cons. Just a straight, value-for- money, package protecting core services which benefit everyone, young as well as older, but especially the least-well-off and most vulnerable."

Our 3.2% Council Tax increase - just 60p a week for the average household and well below the rise in pensions - continues the Liberal Democrats' trend of bringing down the increase year by year. A major campaign will ensure that all those eligible can claim rebates from the Government, at no cost to other Council Tax payers.

Yet again a tough grant settlement for Southampton from the Labour Government inevitably means some painful savings. However through strict efficiency measures - instead of 'dodgy discounts' which largely benefit the better-off at the expense of many who are less well-off - we have been able to avoid or sharply reduce cuts in vital services proposed by the Conservatives, including:

road and pavement repairs
dealing with bad behaviour in our schools
play and family services
neighbourhood wardens & neighbourhoods partnerships
bus services & free local travel for pensioners and disabled people
housing quality
library hours, sports pitches, arts and heritage
environment policy
community languages.

We have listened to those we represent and found space for initiatives which reflect the issues people tell us they care about most:

giving practical aid to pensioners including 'handyman' help & free museum

entry

defending the quality of our neighbourhoods with better planning enforcement &

conservation

tackling anti-social behaviour with more City Patrol officers and maintaining the

successful '101' helpline despite withdrawal of Government funds

extending our pioneering Junior Warden scheme
tackling climate change through a review of Carbon Emissions.

A moderate Council Tax. Help for the least-well-off. Basic services maintained. Priority services boosted. With the Liberal Democrat budget 'what you see is what you get'."