Tackling the Recession (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Tackling the Recession

January 14, 2009 3:55 PM

The County Council yesterday discussed the economic downturn and what it could do to help businesses and residents in Oxfordshire. A motion from Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Zoé Patrick had raised the issue, and came up with some suggestions for an action plan.

Zoé said, "The economic downturn will hit Oxfordshire along with other parts of the country. We need to help those in Oxfordshire who lose their jobs, struggling businesses and people facing higher bills. We know from the press that there has been a doubling of applications to the Emergency Food Bank in Oxfordshire from people who literally have no food in the house to feed their children. This is a shocking state of affairs in this country in this day and age, and we must take tackling their poverty extremely seriously."

A useful amendment from the Leader of the Council informed Council that an Economic Task Force had already been set up by the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership.

Deputy Liberal Democrat Leader Jean Fooks said, "I am delighted to hear about the Task Force. Clearly the Leader has had similar thoughts to the ones we had in drawing up this motion. He sees this as sufficiently important to let all members of Council have information on this, and we welcome this as well.

"There are a number of things the Council could do, along with its partners. For example, advice to young people on money management or advice to businesses or individuals on energy costs and reduction. I hope that the action plan comes up soon with practical and useful suggestions, along the lines we have discussed today in our motion."

The motion was passed with all councillors agreeing.