Conservative list of cuts shame (Fylde Liberal Democrats)

Fylde Liberal Democrats <info@fyldelibdems.org.uk>

Conservative list of cuts shame

April 16, 2009 3:14 PM

Conservative councillors across the country are being advised to make massive and painful cuts to services to residents and many vulnerable people. Councillor Harry Phibbs, who helps run the Conservative's flagship council of Hammersmith and Fulham, drew up a list of 100 cuts that Conservative councillors are being asked to push through across the country.

Amongst the recommendations are:

Charge local groups, such as scouts and girl guides, more to hold events in parks. The Conservatives claim "revenue can be secured for events which residents enjoy."
Scrap cash support for local arts and cultural groups - therefore ending support to local kids bands and art groups for the elderly
Sell off public toilets
Sack library staff
Scrap support for local school governors
Sell of council land for housing
Cut funding of elderly and disabled people's groups
Replace night staff in care homes with sprinklers
Cut street lighting
End garden waste collection
Turn libraries into cafes
Close council run youth clubs and centres
Get rid of council run playgroups

"It seems that cutting services to local people is endemic in the Conservative Party. Just look what is happening in Fylde where they have closed St Anne's swimming pool, reduced grants to Age Concern and cutting back on the Tourist Information Bureau. It is unfortunate that they see no way to cut back on central government expenditure and free up funding at a local level" said Professor Bill Winlow, Fylde Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate. "Liberal Democrats prefer a local income tax to come direct to local councils, rather than the current Council tax, that returns only a small proportion of funds raised to local councils".