Lib Dem Budget Plans Address Key Services which Conservatives are Funding Inadequately

4.04.00pm GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

Oxfordshire County Liberal Democrats have produced an alternative budget for 2009/10, providing for more spending than the Conservative Cabinet proposals in three priority areas: vulnerable children and services for young people, care for the elderly and road and pavement maintenance.

The Liberal Democrat proposals include over £600,000 extra a year for services for older people, and in particular £250,000 to enhance services for older family carers on whom the brunt of efficiency savings and service cuts will fall. There is also an additional £600,000 a year to help vulnerable children, young people and families at risk, including extra investment for more youth workers. Recognising the widespread public concern about the state of our paths, roads and pavements, Liberal Democrats propose immediate action to reinstate the budget for weed control on pavements and allocate an ongoing £600k each year, from 2010/11, for better maintenance of pavements, cycle paths and roads. There is £250,000 "invest to save" money for energy efficiency in County buildings, including schools. The Liberal Democrats are setting more challenging targets for reducing energy costs and reducing the County's carbon footprint.

Cllr Alan Armitage, Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson, said: "We have concentrated our efforts on those areas which are vital for helping the most vulnerable people in our local communities - the frail elderly and children - and the roads and pavements which everyone knows are deteriorating rapidly. At the same time, we are keeping Council Tax to the minimum we can manage, by reducing backroom functions and increasing some charges."

The Liberal Democrat proposed Council Tax will be 3.75% higher than last year, or a rise of 78.5p a week.

Cllr Zoé Patrick, Liberal Democrat Leader, added: "We think this budget strikes the right balance between holding down Council Tax in these difficult times and providing some improvement to the services that people rely on so much."

UPDATE: See also our speeches at the Council meeting, 10th February

Related Link:

Speeches on budget.