Reading Liberal Democrats

Commenting on the relocation of the Civic Offices, Cllr Daisy Benson, Group Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Reading Borough Council said:

‘Our top priority remains protecting vital Council services to vulnerable people in Reading.

“However, regarding the Civic Offices doing nothing’ is not an option either for taxpayers or staff.”

“Remaining in the current Civic Offices was the most costly of all the options proposed and based on the information Reading Borough Council officers have provided Plaza West represents the best value for money option and therefore the one we support.”

“But the Council must not sign a blank cheque: with public finances under huge pressure at the moment in Reading the Council needs to keep a tight rein on costs for the Civic relocation project to ensure that an extra burden is not placed on local taxpayers.’

“The Labour administration must bring forward regular progress reports on the civic offices relocation including costs associated with the project to Cabinet meetings to ensure costs are kept under control and to improve transparency and accountability: after all this is public money being spent.”

Meri O'Connell (in red), Daisy Benson (to the right) and Duncan Hames MP (to the right) with Lib Dem Campaigners in Tilehurst

Following a visit from a Catherine Bearder MEP last week, Duncan Hames – Member of Parliament for Chippenham – paid a flying visit to Tilehurst this Tuesday to show his support for local Liberal Democrat candidate Meri O’Connell.

Whilst helping Meri on the doorsteps of Tilehurst Duncan said “It’s clear Meri is working hard. She lives here and people already know Meri and her team in Tilehurst. We have a shared experience in that she’s a school governor, as was I for my Local Authority. I can see she will be a strong voice standing up for her community.”

Meri added “Even though my focus is on local politics it was great that Duncan offered his support in Tilehurst. Duncan gave up his business when he was elected as an MP and his campaign, like mine, wasn’t funded either by unions or big business. It’s that kind of ‘no strings attached’ commitment to democracy that I want to offer to Tilehurst.”