Powys AMs back Lib Dem budget proposals (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

Cymraeg
English

Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Powys AMs back Lib Dem budget proposals

January 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Powys AM's Kirsty Williams and Mick Bates have added their support to Lib Dem council group's budget proposals for Powys. Liberal Democrat 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'.

Kirsty Williams; AM for Brecon & Radnorshire said:

"It is a testament to the hard work and talent of our Lib Dem council group that they have managed to produce such a sound and innovative budget under such a difficult settlement from the Plaid-Labour Assembly Government.

"The proposals make use of all finances available in the most efficient and effective way possible. The group has worked hard to ensure that residents do not lose essential frontline services. I am delighted the plan has sought to protect access to leisure centres across the county and Wyeside Arts Centre in Builth Wells.

"The group is adamant that the difficult financial situation must not result in job losses and I welcome the emphasis on job replacement."

Mick Bates; AM for Montgomeryshire said:

"Powys Lib Dem councillors clearly understand that people across the county are struggling financially and this is reflected in today's budget proposal, which will lead to no cuts in local services and suggests a council tax increase of just 2.75% or lower. This compares favourably to the 4% increase proposed by the Powys Independent Group, while the Conservatives are still dithering with no firm proposals.

"The £4.35million savings the Lib Dems have identified would be used to assist those facing repossession in this difficult economic time, as well as providing an innovative solution to the street lighting dilemma by investing in new energy efficient street lighting and support for many other local services."

Notes:

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

Of the £4.35 million savings identified the Liberal Democrats 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

Ends/Diwedd