Barnet Borough Liberal Democrats

Lib Dems will restore services and reduce the Council Tax increase

Barnet Liberal Democrats will reduce the Council tax increase and protect Council services

Barnet Liberal Democrats will put forward proposals tonight (3 March) to restore the most severe cuts in the Council's budget and also provide for extra money for new and better services, whilst at the same time reducing the rise in Council tax. The proposals put forward by the Conservatives would mean an inflation busting increase in Council tax coupled with savage cuts to services and increases in charges.

The Liberal Democrats' proposals have been possible by coming down hard on the current excesses but also by transferring money from balances. But most of all by using a "hidden" pot of money totalling almost one and a half million pounds.

Cllr Jack Cohen Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group explains that

"We have discovered that the Conservative budget includes an arbitrary increase of 2.5% for inflation. The real increases should be 2% but instead of passing this on to Council Tax payers the Tories are "squirreling" this money (£1.4 million ) away in a contingency fund. We believe the money should be used now for the benefit of the Council tax payers"

Key proposals from the Lib Dem alternative budget include

• savings of £40,000 by slashing the number of cabinet Members to four
• freezing members' allowances and cutting some special responsibility allowances. This will save the tax payer a further £40,000
• reducing the budget for travel expenses, council publications and PR saving another £150,000
• deleting a chief officer post which will result in savings of over £200,000
• restoring the Welfare Rights Service
• reversing the cuts to the warden Service for Sheltered Housing
• throwing out the plan to increase the cost of child graves
• freezing increases to car parking permits
• reinstating the social services funding for the Horse Activities Project for people with learning disabilities
• cancelling the cuts to the freedom of information officer post and reversing the cut to the anti fraud section
• providing more money for better children's playground equipment
• reintroducing the neighbourhood warden service.

Cllr Cohen said "Our budget shows what can be done. The Tories have messed up big time. Not only have they risked everything by their investment in Icelandic Banks but they have failed to get a grip on the Council's finances throughout the whole of their term of office. We cannot stand by and watch the less well off suffer whilst at the same time the Council continues to spend money on unnecessary, wasteful and quite frankly indefensible items. We want to put a stop to international "junkets". We don't believe that in this administration we need ten Cabinet members; four can do the job just as effectively. We cannot agree to a cut in the Welfare Rights Service. In the current economic climate more people not less will be relying on this service. The cuts to the Warden Service for sheltered housing are indefensible - that is why we are restoring it. The plan to increase cemetery charges is obscene: we plan to freeze the increase even if it does mean Councillors go without an increase to their allowances. The Conservatives cannot be serious in their plans to cut the money to the Stables Project. Surely they are aware that this will mean the end of a successful project that caters for people with learning disabilities. We will restore the funding to this successful project. Finally, it is typical of this Council to cut the budget of the Freedom of Information Officer. We believe in open Government that is why we plan to reinstate this post"

The Liberal Democrats will also propose new and improved services

"Unlike the Tories the Liberal Democrats listen to residents. That is why we plan to reintroduce the neighbourhood warden scheme. Our streets have become dirtier, there is more litter, more graffiti and more broken pavements. The Warden scheme operated effectively in the past. Their presence would have an immediate impact. Parents are telling us that the equipment in children's play grounds is no longer up to standard. Many families now go to neighbouring parks. Our Budget proposal will a halt the decline and make our playgrounds more attractive."

Cllr Cohen added "The Tory Budget would mean one of the highest Council Tax rises in London. Neighbouring Camden and Brent, now both led by the Liberal Democrats, have lower Council Taxes. Our budget for Barnet will mean an increase of less than 2% which is line with many other London Councils. Unfortunately the Conservative's financial incompetence has left us little room for manoeuvre. However our carefully costed, realistic and fair alternative Budget will bring a ray of light to our long suffering residents."