Working hard for a fairer deal for all
Promoted by Brian Davies (Warrington Liberal Democrats) at 75 Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington WA4 2AR
"This is a failure of leadership and governance. When vulnerable residents are being failed this badly, and the council’s own systems don’t even spot it, something is deeply broken."
https://t.co/Jv24GCLMwW
At Monday evening’s Borough Council meeting we repeated our call for substantial reform in governance, scrutiny, and financial accountability. The Council's response to the Best Value report must deliver real change. https://t.co/nIYN9DJ7XW
Scrutiny was not helped by Tories' adversarial approach including personal attacks on officers. 4 ex-Tory Cllrs and 1 ex-MP were interviewed by Inspectors but only 4 Labour and 1 Lib Dem. Neither our Finance Spokesperson nor our previous Group Leader were interviewed. (4/4)
We repeatedly called for more openness and transparency in decision making and welcome the proposal for the Opposition to chair key committees. Shame it took so long for Labour to agree to independent outsiders being appointed to the Audit & Corporate Governance Committee. (2/4)
We supported some investments to protect public services but opposed others because they were located outside of Warrington or outside the Council’s expertise. We were sympathetic to investing in a community bank but not Redwood because of the nature of its ownership. (3/4)
We are offering a cross-party approach to applying the Best Value Report recommendations. The Council passed a balanced budget but we are concerned the projected savings will not be realised. We trust Labour will now agree to our full participation. (1/4) https://t.co/hidbWUdkMQ
Although Labour rejected our proposal on this occasion, we have had offers of further discussion and involvement with senior officers in taking these important developments and decisions forward.
As we move forward towards a Combined Authority with the two Cheshire Councils, it is important that we have a fully thought through and costed Master Plan for delivering our infrastructure needs. https://t.co/YdTTDac0H1
Labour unanimously voted down our motion opposing the unfair changes to the welfare system. The motion also called on the Council to look at ways in which Warrington residents affected could be supported. https://t.co/iwOm6iouyz
Liberal Democrats have a proud tradition of working hard for local people and listening to their views. Our councillors always keep people informed about what is going on through regular FOCUS newsletters.
Allan Bird is the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Great Sankey North & Whittle Hall by-election. Allan asks for your support on 1st May to help protect Westbrook Library and Sankey Valley. https://t.co/2gcyX4jNIy
We were given less than a month to consider proposed cuts - including changes to parking, recycling and library services which greatly impact south Warrington.
Labour has agreed to earlier consultation with us next year.
https://t.co/ov54wNRNR0
In the last few days we have worked with officers to develop alternatives on several issues of great importance to our residents, which retain the balanced budget, and we are hopeful these will be accepted. (2/2)
Labour has chosen to balance the budget by slashing £30.5m in services, avoiding scrutiny that would come with a government review of the Council's budget.
There has been no consultation with us and we are in the dark about many of the details. (1/2)
https://t.co/Du5G5M3X1r
Stockton Heath Borough Councillors Sharon Harris and Judith Wheeler will vote against the proposed Council budget on Monday. (1/3) https://t.co/WKZM1Lppi9
We are dismayed that there has been no consultation with us on any of the proposals which will adversely affect Stockton Heath residents, such as closure of Sandy Lane Recycling Centre, changes to parking charges and a reduction in library services. (2/3)
We've given our support to plans for Warrington to join a devolution priority programme along with Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester, in a move that should bring significant power and funding to our region.
https://t.co/AZKsmCPhLH
Lib Dems Sharon Harris and Laura Booth have secured unanimous support from Warrington Borough Council for better planning and consultations over the Creamfields festival. https://t.co/6SgdybH2l7