MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Simon Holbrook
Date of Issue: March 1st 2010
Contact numbers:
07824 431295
Lib Dem office: 0151 691 8544

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DELIVER ON THEIR PRIORITIES

Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Leader of Wirral Council, Councillor Simon Holbrook speaks about how this year's Budget represents the fruition of three years of hard work to bring the council's spending under control and accelerate delivery of Liberal Democrat priorities.

Councillor Holbrook said, “Three years ago, when the Liberal Democrats helped form a joint administration, we set out our priorities.

“Three years on, this year's Council Budget shows how much progress we have made and how much of a positive influence we have had as partners in the administration. We have brought momentum and ambition to the administration and our progress shows this.

“On the environment, we have delivered one of the first carbon budgets in the country and established a framework through which all other carbon reduction activity can be measured. This has been a major step forward, enabling a cohesive and consistent approach that ensures that the Council, other organisations and our residents can work towards a common goal of reducing carbon emissions by 60% by 2025.

“We have brought forward measures to improve housing standards and energy efficiency, creating warmer, healthier homes by providing free insulation for every home that leads to less energy being needed to heat homes, saving people money on their energy bills.

“We have also shown that we can respond to the evolving situation as the recession and subsequent plans for economic recovery have become a key issue. For example, by making a commitment to deliver ‘super fast' next generation broadband to link up our key business centres and ensure our economy has a key competitive edge, we can demonstrate that we are serious about our ambition for Wirral and are always looking to the future.

“On speeding and road safety we have worked hard to put in place measures which will help to reduce the number and severity of accidents. We have demonstrated our strong commitment to improving road safety in the Borough, through securing funding for a comprehensive new road safety policy to reduce traffic speeds in the borough through introducing legally enforceable 20 mph zones in all residential areas.

“For young people we have enabled over 200 apprentices to gain the valuable skills and experience they need to equip them for work in today's challenging labour market.

“And on budget stability, it is our success in this area that means all of this is possible.  The Council has had to make difficult decisions to bring spending under control and improve efficiency, but the benefits of these measures are now being felt and thankfully the finances are in very good shape.  The remarkable thing about this budget is not that the Council Tax rise is only 1.67% - it is that we are able to invest in these wonderful schemes and still keep Council Tax so low.”

Copy of press release issued in May 2007:

      Issued by:      Councillor Simon Holbrook
      Leader, Liberal Democrat Group
      Date of Issue:  May 10 2007

      Liberal Democrats set out their priorities

      Wirral Liberal Democrats' new Council Group Leader Simon Holbrook has been setting out his Party's priorities for the upcoming municipal year. 

      “Important decisions will be made in the next few weeks about the way the Council is run. 

      “With no single political party having enough Councillors to run the Council by themselves, Parties will need to talk to each other and work together for the overall benefit of the people. 

      “In making these decisions, the Liberal Democrats will be guided by the policies we have campaigned on in the recent local elections, acting always in the best interests of the people of Wirral.  Our actions will be guided by the progress we can secure on these priorities.

      “The Environment is a key priority for the Liberal Democrats; we want to restore pride in our streets, parks and open spaces.  We believe people should take pride in their local area, and that the Council should support them through more responsive services on litter, graffiti and dog fouling.  We will be seeking improvements in the Streetscene service with better connections between the call centre and prompt action to deal with problems.  These are areas where Wirral must do better.

      “Although Wirral's record on recycling is improving, there is a considerable way still to go.  Liberal Democrats will want to see year on year improvements in the level of recycling and reductions in the amount of waste for disposal.  To achieve this aim, the Council must improve the reliability of the bin collection service, which has been poor recently.

      “We are determined that the Council should play its full part in tackling the challenges of climate change.  We are committed to developing a ‘carbon-neutral' approach to the delivery of council services wherever possible.

      “Along with a clean environment, people want a safer environment. Speed is a major contributor to injuries on our roads. Speeding traffic blights neighbourhoods. We believe that 20mph zones, where appropriate, will improve road safety.

      “Young people are the future; we need to do more to engage with them to identify how services can be shaped to meet their aspirations.  Support for the Youth Service has been patchy in the past and we will support them in their initiatives, and ensure prioritised funding for the future.

      “There are dramatic health inequalities across Wirral. We need to improve the chances of everyone to live a long and healthy life. We aim to promote healthier communities and narrow health inequalities by targeting local services to match local need, and by encouraging healthy lifestyles.

      “Health promotion is a multi-agency responsibility; we will encourage partnership working with other agencies, essential in delivering joined up health services. We will also encourage the public to get involved in developing strategies and joint working to improve health.

      “The stability of the budget underpins the delivery of all Council services and we are committed to controlling expenditure and giving value for money.  The Council faces huge financial challenges and we will need to take a long hard look at how we do things.  The Liberal Democrats will consult local people to prioritise those services that matter most, and identify the most effective ways of providing them, seeking efficiencies across the Council's activities, not just within individual departments.”