PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillors Simon Holbrook
Date of Issue: February 22nd 2010
Contact numbers:
Simon Holbrook 07824 431295
Liberal Democrat Office 691 8544

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: “BUDGET IS BOLD, EXCITING, INNOVATIVE”

Speaking about the measures set out in the Wirral Council's Cabinet Budget proposals, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Holbrook said:

“This budget is bold, exciting and innovative.”

“It contains imaginative yet sustainable measures that are designed to look beyond the current national financial crisis. This budget is about investing now to secure the long term future prosperity of our residents and businesses.”

“In responding to the recession, we know that it is vital to take bold steps now to address the structural weaknesses of Wirral's economy, attract private sector jobs and investment into Wirral and reduce our economy's overdependence on public sector jobs. To attract this inward investment, support existing businesses and increase commercial competitiveness , we will be investing more than £4m over 4 years as part of an £12m programme to fund the installation of a 'super-fast' next generation broadband fibre optic communications network to link together all the key business centres in Wirral .  Alongside this is further investment in our highly successful apprentices programme.”

“We have also put together a significant environmental package, totalling almost £2m in the next financial year, which shows we are serious about tackling climate change by reducing carbon emissions, all the while doing this in a way that will have a positive impact on people's household budgets. A key element of this environment package is to provide free home insulation to every household in Wirral. Money spent on the insulation scheme is money that will be paid back into the pockets of Wirral residents through reduced energy bills (and improved housing standards) as soon as they get it.”

“We have also taken action to strengthen and protect our communities, introducing a comprehensive new road safety policy to bring speed limits down to 20 mph on non major routes in residential areas and outside schools.  Speed is perhaps the most important factor in reducing both the number and severity of road traffic accidents.”