Liberal Democrats offer of 'lean and green' budget

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 6th Mar 2008

Lib Dems are offering a 'lean and green' Council

The main opposition Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council are set to offer a 'lean and green' alternative budget proposal. They will move the proposal at Friday's special Council meeting and will offer an alternative to the ruling Labour Group that includes a lower council tax and extra recycling measures.

Lib Dems are proposing a council tax increase of 1.5% which is under the current rate of inflation of 2.2% and much less than the controlling Labour group's 2.5% proposal. On top of this there is extra investment for new initiatives including: -

> An extra £1,400,000 to fund kerbside recycling of another material and £115,000 to offer free Green Waste Sacks (currently priced at £1 each).

> An extra £500,000 to fund around 15 extra wardens to tackle anti-social behaviour across Sheffield on a face-to-face basis.

> An extra £500,000 to improve local shopping areas to help local business and make communities more sustainable and £350,000 extra to improve local parks.

In order to find the extra investment to reduce council tax and offer extra initiatives the Lib Dems are proposing a number of measures. Examples of savings include reducing the number of fat-cat managers earning more than £50,000 a year, reducing spend on the 'communications unit' and reducing spend on consultants.

As the Sheffield City Council is in 'no overall control' the Lib Dem proposal could be approved. If the Greens and 'Sheffield Group' councillors support the Lib Dems budget them it would be the Council's programme for next year.

Cllr Andrew Sangar, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Finance said: -

"By cutting back on some of the unnecessary bureaucracy in the Town Hall we can offer improved services and propose a council tax increase that is well below inflation, keeping more money in local people's pockets."

"Our 'lean and green' budget proposal will deliver on the green agenda by offering the kerbside recycling of another material, free green waste sacks, and investment in local shopping areas to make communities more sustainable."

"But we can also deliver on other priorities. More wardens tackling anti-social behaviour and extra money for local parks is what local people have been asking for, and that's what will happen if our budget gets enough votes to be passed."

"Our budget sends a clear positive message to local people that Liberal Democrats are listening and we are ready, willing and able to deliver on their priorities."

Cllr Sangar also has a message for the two small minority groups on the Council, whose votes could be crucial in deciding which budget is passed as the Council is in no overall control, he said:

"The small minority parties will have to decide if they are in favour of a lower council tax plus more services like extra recycling and action to tackle anti-social behaviour, or more disappointment under an unpopular Labour controlled Council."