Councillor Warren Swaine first raised matters in September with David North, Communities and Government Director for Tesco about their Tesco Express store applications in Reading and more recently, after Liberal Democrat success in securing the dismissal of the Whitley Street appeal, with Michael Kissman, Head of Property Communications.

Liberal Democrats have a track record of community engagement over new Tesco stores. Cllr Swaine said: “We held a public meeting in 2008 about the Crown Street application to gauge residents’ views. As a result we raised their concerns over deliveries and noise.

“Unfortunately neither the council or Tesco acted on them, which all too predictably led to a noise abatement order and a new lay-by which is only now being constructed after three years of delivery vehicles blocking a bus lane. It would have been far better for long suffering residents if legitimate concerns raised by ward councillors at the time had been taken into account. This is why I decided to speak directly with senior people in Tesco.”

After Cllr. Swaine, who is also a member of the planning committee, raised concerns about their record of community engagement, Tesco acknowledged that their pre-planning consultations with residents could be better and gave Cllr. Swaine assurances that from now on Tesco would seek the views of ward councillors of all parties at the earliest opportunity in order to reduce potential future problems.

Janel Blattler, the Lib Dem candidate for Katesgrove said: “We have always stood up for the community and won’t sit on the fence and allow things to happen. I’m pleased that residents and businesses across the town will now benefit from our hard work in Whitley Street.”

Liberal Democrats in Reading have called into question Council figures showing that bus lane fines have sky-rocketed under the latest Labour administration.

Labour’s assault upon Reading motorists was recently revealed in a Council report showing that the amount of bus lane fines issued under the Labour-run Council has risen by as much as 277%.

Reading residents have also expressed alarm to local Liberal Democrats over the level of contempt shown for voters by the Labour Lead Councillor for Transport after he called motorists “stupid”.

Whilst in coalition locally, Liberal Democrats tried to create a sustainable and fair budget, not one built upon punishing motorists as an easy target and in effect introducing congestion charging by the back door.

What Labour refuse to admit is that they are using exorbitant fines for motorists – already hit hard with rising petrol prices – to plug gaps in a balanced budget which they inherited from the previous coalition, but have since squandered after coming to power. One example being their hesitation to implement our adult social care changes, more out of an ideological desire to discredit Liberal Democrats, rather than an evidenced-based attempt to address real problems in our community. This inaction has already cost Reading tax payers thousands of pounds in delays, and this is on top of the costs of their review of our proposed changes.

“Reading has a growing frail elderly population and these new homes will help meet this need.”

“Rob Wilson MP and I worked hard over the past year to secure the funding required from the Coalition Government to enable this project to go ahead.”

“The striking fact is that in just one year the Coalition Government and the previous administration of this Council has delivered more new Council housing than Labour managed in 20 years.”

Transport Spokesperson Cllr Ricky Duveen commented, ‘this is a key project for the development of our town and the willingness of the coalition government to fund it despite the current economic pressures shows a commitment to revamping the country’s infrastructure after many years of neglect.’

‘For Reading this will be a new entrance to the town and one that will cater for visitors and commuters alike. It is right that we make the station entrances suitable for the public travelling to the capital of the Thames Valley.’

“Just months into their administration Labour are planning cuts to sheltered housing services which will hit some of the most vulnerable people in Reading.

“This will come as a nasty shock to many elderly people living in RBC sheltered housing as Labour kept their plans for sheltered housing hidden in the run up to the election.”

“Proposals including the number of support staff and support provided and making changes to night time services.’

“This is not about improving services it’s about saving money.”

“Labour councillors should rethink this decision.”

“We are urging tenants and families affected to respond to this consultation and for local residents to sign our petition to help fight this needless cut.’

“We think these cuts are wrong and totally unnecessary.

“Our top priority remains to protect the most vulnerable childrens and adults in Reading. We would not have made these cuts.’

“I would like to take this opportunity apologise for making derogatory comments during the BBC Question Time programme on the 27^th January especially those relating to Chuka Umunna MP. I made a lot of comments that were insulting that night and I regret that.

“In respect of one particular tweet, no offense was meant but I absolutely acknowledge that it was recklessly worded and liable to an interpretation that was never intended. For that I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Mr Umunna and to anyone else for any offence caused.

“I take the values of the Liberal Democrats very seriously and as someone of mixed heritage myself, I can fully understand why it has upset many people. For that I offer an unreserved apology.”

“This superficial consultation ignores the true budget situation. It’s about time they started being honest with the electorate and fully involved them in the difficult decisions this council has to take.”

‘There is never enough money to repair all the roads that need mending at any one time but this extra funding will make a big difference to road users in Reading.’

The list includes many of the roads that local Lib Dems have campaigned about over the last six months.

Local campaigner Dave Warren commented:

“I’m delighted the Labour administration has responded to our local campaign for better facilities for residents in Southcote.”

“So far over 200 people have signed our petition which I launched a few weeks ago calling for a new community facility to be built as part of the redevelopment of the Happy Prospect Pub.”

“With the loss of the local pub many residents have told us that a new community hub is needed to allow local people to get together close to home.”

Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Daisy Benson added:

“We will continue to campaign for real resident involvement across the Borough.

“For too long Labour councillors have taken local residents for granted on decisions that affect them.”

Cllr Daisy Benson, Group Leader of the Lib Dems on Reading Borough Council said:

“It is good to see the ambitious plans developed by the previous Lib Dem – Conservative administration including the UK’s second largest bike hire scheme outside London and other  green transport initiatives have been endorsed by the Coalition Government.

“Investing in sustainable transport has long been Liberal Democrat policy and it is good we will feel the benefit of it here in Reading.

“The new Labour administration of the Council must learn from its past transport mistakes including the failed one-way IDR scheme and use this cash to deliver increased cycling and walking opportunities for residents and visitors.”