PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Simon Holbrook,
Leader, Liberal Democrat Group
Date of Issue: January 25th 2008
Contact number: 07824 431295

WIRRAL ON TRACK TO MEET TOUGHEST FINANCIAL TARGETS FOR YEARS

Wirral's Cabinet this week approved its latest round of efficiency savings to meet the toughest Government financial targets it has faced for years.

Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Simon Holbrook said,

“This now brings the total of efficiency savings so far to over £16m, which is the equivalent of 14.5% less on the council tax, or around £158 on a Band D property.

“Taken with a better than expected settlement from the Government, these savings mean we are now well placed to meet the first year efficiency targets.”

“This is quite an achievement, and it has not been easy.

“We have had to take the long-overdue tough decisions that were necessary to bring stability to the Council's budget, and I am proud of the way Liberal Democrat Councillors have worked tirelessly to bridge the gap in the Council's finances to ensure stability for the future and to protect vital services.

“When the Liberal Democrats took the brave decision last May to form part of a joint administration for Wirral Borough Council with Labour we did so with our eyes open, knowing full well that the Council faced a potential financial crisis if it did not take prompt action to deal with a big hole in its Budget of around £45m over the next three years.

“We took this on because the previous all party administration had been ineffective and failed to provide the leadership necessary to take the tough decisions we knew were needed to get to grips with the budget.

“Eight months down the line we are now a Council heading in the right direction, well on the way to del ivering financial stability and better value for money for the people of Wirral.”