EXTRA MONEY NEEDED FOR THE VULNERABLE & LOCAL BUSINESSES SAY LIB DEMS

4.30.14pm GMT Mon 9th Feb 2009

The Liberal Democrats have lodged an amendment to the Conservative Mayor's budget calling for more money for the vulnerable and to help Torbay through the economic downturn.

The Lib Dems have identified £707,000 to be spent on other priorities, which is made up of £65,000 from the Communications Department, cancelling £50,000 of Casino Legal Costs, using £492,000 of surplus in a reserve and £100,000 from establishing a Green Travel Plan.

The amendment calls for the money to be spent on:

A total of £250,000 for Early Intervention work in Children's Services;

£100,000 for the Adult Care Trust;

£100,000 to set up a fund for local businesses in need to apply for to reduce their business rates;

£100,000 to reduce parking meter charges in the town centres during the economic downturn;

£40,000 for parking bays, to stop the wrecking of grass verges, as outlined by the Transportation Working Party;

£10,000 for developing sub post offices into community hubs;

£25,000 for the Torbay Pound Initiative

£5,000 for a 'Shop Local' Campaign; and

£50,000 (from the Communications Department) to reinstate the civic budget. The civic role to become part of the communications department.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council Steve Darling said, "With his savage cuts to Children's Services, and the ignoring of need in Adult Social Care, the Mayor's proposed budget would make Torbay a dangerous place for people to grow up or grow old. Torbay spends £25 per person less on Children's Services, and £34 per person less on Adult Social Care than the average unitary authority.

"Our amendment puts some money back into services for the most vulnerable, and directs some money to helping businesses and local people survive the credit crunch. I look forward to cross party support for these proposals."