Lib Dems fund Children and Environment as Council Tax rises lower than inflation
Bury Liberal Democrats broke new ground last night, ensuring the largest investment in the Council’s budget from any third party in the history of the Council.
In a budget amendment proposed by Group Leader Cllr Tim Pickstone, the Lib Dems ensured that £350,000 would be invested in services for the most vulnerable in our society, and to protect the environment and keep our Borough clean, safe and green.
We earmarked a quarter of a million pounds to reverse dangerous Conservative cuts to Children’s Services which would have drastically cut back the numbers of youth workers, social workers and those supporting disabled children. In doing so, we protected the neediest by providing the services that they desperately need.
The Lib Dems achieved this whilst calling for no greater increase in Council Tax than that proposed by the Conservatives. The 3.4% increase agreed by Council last night is lower than the inflation rate, and yet still achieves Lib Dem values.
Last year the Lib Dems ensured that the budget contained provision for every house in the Borough to have a blue recycling bin. This year, the Lib Dem commitment to Bury’s environment was shown even more clearly, with an amendment ensuring greater street cleaning and enforcement powers.
We have ensured that Saturday street cleaning occurs in commercial centres in the Borough such as in Prestwich Village, helping to alleviate the scourge of litter.
We have ensured that support is given to all of our parks, building on the successes of St Mary’s Park and helping the Council to achieve its vision of having 12 “Green Flag” parks across the Borough.
And we have ensured that enforcement of dog waste, littering and fly-tipping is boosted so that our environment is protected.
A third of a million pounds worth of additional investment is something I am personally proud of. We stood up for our values and made good our promises last night, in a sustainable and sensible way. It wasn’t the budget that a Lib Dem Council would have passed, but it instilled the Lib Dem ideals of a fairer, greener Bury, and made sure that the Conservatives listened to the views of those who elected us to make Bury a better place.
Rick
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