Lib Dems back alternative zero percent budget & propose £1m Climate Change Fund

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Mar 2008

The Lib Dem group tonight backed an alternative green and socially responsible budget based on a 0% council tax increase- this was inline with the Lib Dem 2006 manifesto

The Lib Dem Group tonight renewed their calls for much more urgency from the Tory-led administration in tackling climate change and advanced detailed proposals for the creation of a £1m Climate Change/ Energy Efficiency investment fund in the borough. With these proposals and other key items incorporated, the Lib Dem group supported Labour in an alternative 0% tax increase budget. Group Leader Cllr Andrew Dakers described the alternative budget as "green and socially responsible".

Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said to full borough council:

"Given the huge budget pressures in local government we are supporting about £7million of savings which we commend the administration for bringing forward and the delivery of a 0% council tax increase - an aspiration our group has always supported.

"The alternative budget we are supporting allocates £1million of balances to an Environment Fund on the basis outlined in a detailed, costed Climate Change Fund paper I circulated to all group leaders a week or two ago. This is essential investment in the future of our planet, a subject we have discussed on several occasions in this chamber and the Lib Dem group have long advocated.

"Almost two years on from our full debate on establishing Hounslow as a beacon council for sustainable development (and Baron Stern of Brentford's report to government) it is a disgrace that it could be three years into this administration that an Energy Manager is in place with the resources to do Hounslow's bit to tackle climate change.

"Education is where the administration's budget perhaps goes most wrong. Cllr Lynch didn't seem to know what courses he was cutting when we last met. Well I now have the list and it makes grim reading. Cuts to 90 courses cut across the performing arts (mostly music), arts, crafts and culture. They also impact exercise and fitness, cookery classes, ICT, water skills and languages.

"Recognising the increased stress on Council staff of changes in the current Performance Improvement Programme we are again endorsing the reinstatement of funding for staff counselling services.

"School crossings and road safety training are essential to protect young people of the borough. Removal of funding and cost shunting onto schools are, we believe, ill advised in these areas.

"Cut backs in the opening hours of SpaceWay, I reiterate, is the wrong signal to be sending out to our community at a time when it is essential that we help increase everyone's recycling."

Related Links:

Lib Dem alternative council budget/ tax speech - Cllr Dakers - 4 March 2008

Hounslow Climate Change Fund paper