Taking the County Council to task over cuts

As the budget that funds care services for the elderly, disabled and socially excluded was being slashed by the County Council, despite them placing more and more funds into reserves, Liberal Democrat  Borough Group Leader, Cllr Gavin James attended a meeting with County Council officials over cuts to the supporting people budget. As a result of the meeting the County Council agreed to carry out a review and delayed many of the changes for 12 months.

It should be easier to have your say

Also this year, local Liberal Democrats sought to persuade councillors to change the rules to make it easier for residents to get their concerns debated at the Borough Council. Rules meant that only petitions signed by more than 4000 residents would be debated in the Council chamber. Liberal Democrat Councillor Stuart Parker said “Getting 2.5% of the population to sign a petition would take a lot of time and effort given the size of the borough. In most cases a petition will only be relevant to those in a certain geographical area or using a particular service. Council debates should be led by the residents, these rules exclude residents.”

Flood Resilience Pumped up!

… as Liberal Democrats secured extra money for the troubled Timberlake Road underpass from Mortimer Lane to Church Square in the town centre.

Campaigning on green energy…

…and some evidence that the local Conservatives are finally listening to the Liberal Democrats. For many year local Councillors have been promoting green energy as a great to bring in much needed revenue for the Council to fund front line services. Of Course it is not just about protecting the environment. The nation is dependent on oil supplies from some of the most troubled parts of the world and the more energy we generate at home the more stability we bring to prices and supply. Liberal Democrat campaigners have been among those putting forward proposals for many years. Now the Council has announced they are looking at how they can invest in solar energy. Early signs suggest that the Council could earn 9% return, far more than the 2% the councils financial investments deliver. Of course Tory talk doesn’t mean action, but with enough hardworking Lib Dems in the Council we can be more confident that Basingstoke and Deane Council will be forced to deliver a greener and stronger local economy and fairer society.

Relief as Tesco drop plans for superstore in Winchester Road

Many residents were concerned that the traffic would back up to the junction with Penrith Road.

Borough continues to fail on recycling

Latest figures confirmed that Basingstoke and Deane was still missing its own modest targets on recycling. The Council had hoped for a boost following the introduction of glass recycling, but this too had fallen during the year.

Ethical investment

Basingstoke and Deane Council invests £145million in a number of ways to raise money that will fund important services. Liberal Democrats persuaded the Council to adopt an ethical policy which reduces the risk that any of that money is invested in companies or nations that abuse human rights, take advantage of the vulnerable or destroy the planet.

Our promise to you

Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose Tory proposals to turn resident parking permits into a money raising town centre tax. We will argue for action on climate change so our area is preserved for future generations. We will keep pressure on the Council to address the acute housing shortage so everyone can afford the home they need. We will keep you up to date with local Focus newsletters.

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