Local Lib Dems outline key priorities after elections boost

1.59.50pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th May 2007

Liberal Democrats want to deliver for Sheffield

Sheffield Liberal Democrats have outlined their key priorities after their recent elections boost which saw them gain four extra councillors and Labour lose control of the council. Now that Labour have lost their majority the Lib Dems can could change council policy on key issues in the coming year.

Key priorities include: -

> Stopping the unpopular planned closure of Wisewood and Myers Grove Schools.

> Increasing kerbside recycling provision and doing more to tackle climate change.

> Reviewing the network to ease congestion and campaigning for the re-regulation of buses.

> Opposing the privatisation of local schools through making them trusts and academies.

> Ensuring the whole of Sheffield gets a fair deal on basic services.

> Devolving decisions and budgets to so that local areas can decide their priorities.

Lib Dems have stated that they will work towards these key issues regardless of which political party forms the administration to run the council.

The council AGM is on Wednesday 16th May, councillors will vote to decide who forms the administration. Labour are the largest party on 41 members with the Lib Dems on 39. The Greens have 2 councillors and there is one Conservative and one Independent.

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council said: -

"The result of the local elections showed that change is needed on some key issues were Labour have got it wrong. Over the next year we will be proposing some changes in council policy on a number of issues. These will include things like the closure of local schools, recycling and tackling congestion."

"Regardless of who forms the administration, Liberal Democrats will be working towards our key priorities that we have been campaigning on. This is the mandate we have been elected on and we have a responsibility to those who voted for us to do our best to deliver. We are willing to work constructively with others on this basis."