Reading Liberal Democrats

Lib Dems have welcomed the revised Budget agreed at a meeting of the Council on 2 March which contains a number of wins for local people including:

• Funding for the creation of a new ‘green hit squad’ targeting fly tipping hot spots across the borough
• Reduction in bulky waste charges to help Reading’s poorest residents
• Communications support for Reading’s network of Neighbourhood Police Action Groups (NAGs)
• The purchase of ‘speed guns’ to improve road safety

The Lib Dem plan which won Labour support also saw a minimum of £200,000 put back into the Council reserves.

Spending was made possible by savings in Labour’s budget identified by the Lib Dems, including:

• A freeze of councillors’ allowances
• Reducing the amount the Council spends on refreshments at Council meetings
• Reducing spending on non-essential items such as marketing and PR and consultants.

Labour politicians also agreed to the creation of a cross-party Budget Review Group, proposed by the Lib Dems. This Group will identify areas where savings can be made this year.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Gareth Epps commented:

“The budget agreed tonight containing a package of measures put forward by the Lib Dems which represents a better deal for Reading residents: cutting spending on spin and costly consultants, and focusing resources where they are needed most – helping to make the town cleaner, greener and safer.”

He added:

“What has been agreed tonight is a massive improvement on what had been proposed by Labour.

The cross-party Budget Review Group the Lib Dems put forward will be crucial to identify waste in the Council and ensure next year’s Budget is based on a firmer footing.”

Labour’s plan raided reserves and left nothing for a rainy day. As things stand the forecast for public sector funding looks ever bleaker.”

The approach taken by the Conservative Group was a disgrace – without a single positive idea. Had we followed their approach, the job of everyone working for the Council would have been put at risk. The Conservatives have proved themselves incapable of setting a budget.

It was left to the Lib Dems to stand up for the people of Reading – the only group to come forward with a plan for a lower Council Tax rate.”