Mid Suffolk District Council Liberal Democrats put forward alternative budget proposals

11.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 14th Mar 2006

Despite a favourable financial settlement from the Government and a 3.5% Council Tax, Conservative-led Mid Suffolk District Council is again offering its residents little in the way of improved services, say Liberal Democrat Councillors.

The Lib Dem Group supported by Labour Councillors has put forward its own fully costed proposals for a growth budget for 2006/07 that more appropriately address the Council's corporate objectives and priorities." Our focus would be on the environment, crime and disorder reduction, young people and the regeneration of Stowmarket and this approach is approved by the Council's Scrutiny Committee." said Liberal Democrat Group Leader Penny Otton.

Liberal Democrats have argued that the introduction of a kerbside collection of compostable waste should be advanced by one year to 2007/08. "Mid Suffolk is the only Council in the county that is not offfering this service in one way or other." In the meantime there would be provision for a high profile promotional campaign to encourage recycling and composting schemes. We would also provide better street cleaning in the District both in our villages and on the A14. The residents of Mid Suffolk deserve a cleaner and greener environment in which to live," said Councillor Otton.

Last years Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) directed the Mid Suffolk District Council to embed crime reduction measures in all its activities. "This must happen and soon," said Councillor Martin Redbond. "In a recent budget consultation survey conducted by the Council, residents felt that crime and disorder reduction was the issue that required the most improvement. With an anticipated decrease in the grant paid to the Western Crime and Disorder Partnership, Liberal Democrats would make provision to ensure that the Council's Community Safety Officer is able to provide the necessary resources to tackle the crime hotspots that have been identified in the District whilst reassuring residents that they are living in one of the safest areas in the country".

"We have also argued for some years now that the Council must engage more effectively with our young people through the provision of more imaginative and creative 'young people friendly services.' With the Government placing a greater emphasis on youth, the Liberal Democrat Group would fund a 'Young Peoples Champion' to promote increased participation in local democracy and to ensure that young people speak out about the things that matter to them," added Councillor Redbond.

Liberal Democrats are also anxious to increase the Council's Discretionary Housing Grants Fund by 40% to £350,000. The fund, which has been eroded in recent years, provides grants to improve private sector housing. "We want to see more private homes achieving the decent homes standard so that there is adequate safe, warm and adapted accommodation for the most vulnerable of our residents," said Councillor Patricia Godden.

According to Councillor Otton, the Liberal Democrats are also supporting the regeneration of Stowmarket. She said: "Despite the short sighted approach of the Conservative-controlled Town Council we would fund a Town Centre Regeneration Officer and a review of the car park charges to establish their impact on retail businesses in the Town."

She concluded: "We believe that our budget approach is fair to all of our residents. It is responding to local needs and is financially responsible. The proposals have been fully costed and would result in a 2.9% Council Tax rise."