Lib Dem Powys Councillors Issue Innovative Resident-Led Budget Proposals (Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats)

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Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats <info@brecon-radnor-libdems.org.uk>

Lib Dem Powys Councillors Issue Innovative Resident-Led Budget Proposals

January 13, 2009 3:09 PM

Powys Lib. Dem. councillors today issued what their Group Leader described as 'an inspiring, innovative, community-focused budget for 2009/10 that will save Powys residents £3.25 million per year, will sustain Council services and will deliver a Council Tax rate increase of just 2.75 % or lower'.

Commenting and expanding on the plans, Cllr. Leslie Davies, Welsh Lib. Dem. Group Leader said:

" I am delighted to be working with such a talented Council Group and with Powys's Liberal Democrat AMs and MPs, who truly care about their communities and the people of Powys. In this time of economic uncertainty and worry it is imperative that we do not borrow money unwisely, or dream unrealistically, but adapt at this difficult time for the UK and Powys economy. Our proposals are about common sense and smart local government and reflect throughout the concerns of all our residents about their personal finances and the services they receive. It is innovative in that we propose cash support from the Council for those worst affected by the credit crunch and a sum of money to assist those who need financial advice. They entail no job redundancies from the Council, but job replacements will be policed rigorously. I emphasise that we do not envisage having to make people redundant. I would hope that Councillors from other groups will join us in this budget proposal to assist everyone within our beautiful county of Powys. "

The innovative Welsh Lib. Dem. proposals are as follows:-

A 1.5% cut in staffing, through the non-replacement of staff that retire, careful management of staff vacancies and no planned redundancies, saving £3 million over 18 months

A moratorium on filling non-essential staff posts for 3 months across the authority, saving £750,000

A re-adjustment of the previous inflation uplift figure from 2.7% to 2.5% to reflect the current economic climate, releasing a minimum of £400,000

A moratorium on upgrades of the Council's IT equipment, releasing a further £200k

The Welsh Lib. Dem. proposals specify no cuts in services and concentrate on sustaining essential services.

" The Credit crunch has affected all of our communities", said Cllr. Liam Fitzpatrick, part of the Group's economics team, "and we must do our best to protect and assist those who have been worst affected and are in danger of having their houses repossessed. That is why we are proposing that out of the £4.35 million savings identified we would wish to implement:-

A fund of £1 million to assist local residents in mortgage difficulties to complement announced WAG schemes

£200,000 from the Invest to Save budget to address the street light switch-off fiasco, by investing in LED technology, which would use 84% less energy

£57,000 re-instated to the street cleansing and public toilets budgets

£28,000 extra for the council's leisure centres, £40,000 for open spaces maintenance and a £60,000 fund to assist the Wyeside Arts Centre in Builth Wells

Cllr. Leslie Davies thanked Powys MPs Lembit Opik and Roger Williams and new Welsh Lib. Dem. Leader Kirsty Williams AM and Mick Bates AM for their continuous involvement and assistance in the Council's budget process.

He said:-

" I believe that our sensible approach guided by our residents opinions and concerns is the best choice for Powys and I would hope that the other political parties will appreciate the hard work, integrity and professionalism which has gone into this work.

I am very disappointed at the 4% Council Tax increase proposal from the larger Powys Independent Group, which would still see a cut in services for streetlights, street cleaning and public toilets .The Conservative Group has come up with no firm proposals. We are of course ready and willing to discuss the matter further with all groups in the next few weeks. "

End/Diwedd