'Conservatives vote down fairer, safer, greener district' - Rendel

7.01.00pm GMT Thu 6th Mar 2008

West Berkshire's Liberal Democrats have expressed their anger following the Full Council meeting which set the budget for 08/09. "The Conservatives have claimed that they want the District to be Fairer, Safer and Greener", explained Shadow Finance spokesman David Rendel.

"Our proposals improved on theirs on all three counts. Yet they voted unanimously against every one of the changes we suggested.

"We proposed cutting the Conservatives' Council Tax increase from 3.9% down to 3.7%.

At the same time we would have made the District:

GREENER by introducing a free bus pass scheme for young people to get cars off the roads, and keeping the Paices Hill recycling centre open.

FAIRER by giving a Council Tax refund to flood victims who have only been able to use the upstairs parts of their homes.

SAFER by introducing another Community Warden in Thatcham.

"We would also have removed the absurd Evening Parking Charge for Newbury which is due to cost as much to implement as it will bring in.

"The sheer hypocrisy of the Conservatives in turning down these useful and sensible proposals demonstrates all too clearly how they put party politics above the best interests of the community."