DO MORE FOR THE LESS WELL OFF, LIB DEMS URGE MAYOR

10.22.15am GMT Mon 8th Feb 2010

Liberal Democrat Councillors will be urging the Mayor to alter his budget so that it helps the less well-off.

The Lib Dems have tabled an amendment to the budget, which will be debated at the Council meeting on Wednesday February 10th. The amendment calls for more money to be provided for:

· Supporting post offices to become community hubs which will protect them from further threat of closure

· Increasing the Youth Service budget to enable them to provide grants to youth groups;

· Create a £50,000 community fund reserve, which could be used to fund projects identified by residents through petitions or by Community Partnerships;

· Continuing to collect rubbish for charities for free;

· Supporting the Torbay Voluntary Service to create a thriving 3rd sector.

The Liberal Democrats have also objected to the huge increases in charges in the Adult care Trust budget and to cuts in the budget for PLUSS who help vulnerable and disabled people into work.

Commenting on the amendment and objections, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group Steve Darling said, "Torbay received a 'Red Flag' recently from the Audit Commission for needing to take action on the quality of life for the less well off. The proposed budget from the Mayor and his Conservative administration does not help the less well off - and will keep the red flag flying over the Town Hall. Our amendment and objections helps our community and will deal with the red flag.