MAYOR'S CREDIT CRUNCH RESPONSE TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

11.34.17am GMT Thu 26th Mar 2009

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Steve Darling has hit out at the Mayor's response to the credit crunch, criticising the proposals as "too little, too late."

Steve Darling said, "The Mayor's announcement today is very disappointing. After a very long wait the Mayor has come with a package that is too little too late. Many of his proposals are not new ideas - for example the option of spreading council tax payments over 12 months rather than 10 has been available for many years.

"Today's announcement is made up of gimmicks and recycled spending announcements. On car parking, he should have slashed the on-street car parking charges to encourage footfall in our town centres rather than just introduce a short term gimmick.

"As a creation of the New Labour Government, the elected Mayor seems to be using the art of spin for which they are notorious.

"All in all this announcement is too little too late."