County Council Cuts- There is an alternative, say Lib Dems

8.40.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 21st Feb 2006

Liberal Democrat County Councillors are to propose an alternative to the savage cuts proposed by the Tory administration of Northamptonshire County Council.

Lib Dem group leader Richard Church will be proposing an alternative budget to that put forward by Brian Binley MP. For an extra 2% on the council tax (5% increase instead of 3% increase) Lib Dems will propose an alternative to cuts which will hurt the frail elderly, people with physical and learning disabilities and young people.

'Tory dogma on the council tax will hurt the some of the most vulnerable people in Northamptonshire' said Richard Church. 'For less than 35p per week on the average council tax we can help these people, and we will put that choice before the full council meeting on Thursday'.

The Lib Dem proposals will:

• Save Nicholls House care home for the elderly from closure.

• Save Quarry House respite care home for people with learning difficulties from closure.

• Protect people with substantial care needs from losing the right to council funded care.

• Stop cuts in funding for stairlifts for people with disabilities.

• Retain the Youth Service

• Target funding to tackle youth crime.

• Protect local democracy by retaining effective scrutiny and area committees.

'The Tories think that putting half a million pounds into repairing potholes in the road is more important than the needs of vulnerable people' concluded Richard Church. 'the Lib Dem alternative puts people before potholes, while still addressing the very difficult financial position the council finds itself in. We appeal to the compassionate values of Northamptonshire people which David Cameron's party in our County have ignored.'