City Lib Dems Publish Mini-Budget: 'Putting People First'

11.25.39am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Jul 2006

Liberal Democrats on Oxford City Council have published a mini-budget, proposing four practical and costed measures to be implemented this year which will be of real benefit to Oxford's residents.

Launching the mini-budget, Cllr Stephen Tall (Lib Dem Portfolio Holder for Better Finances), commented:

"This mini-budget demonstrates how the Lib Dems will put the interests of the people in Oxford first. Each of the four measures we are publishing today will make a very real difference to the lives of residents.

"We want to signal a change in direction, to demonstrate that, if this Council keeps a tight grip on its finances, taxpayers' money will be spent wisely to pay for services we know residents value."

The four measures proposed in the mini-budget are:

• Support for low-income households to access private rented accommodation. (£50,000)

• Extending the 'Shopmobility' scheme to Saturdays to assist shoppers with mobility problems. (£8,000)

• A funding boost to ensure the continued success of events like the Lord Mayor's Parade. (£8,000)

• Introducing free entry for the City's museum to make it easier for low-income families to visit. (£20,300)

Cllr John Goddard, Lib Dem Leader of the City Council, said:

"The Lib Dems are determined to restore public trust in the City Council after the shambles of Labour's two decades in control.

"This means providing the residents of Oxford with better value-for-money services. This mini-budget shows how we can achieve this, and sets a clear and distinctive direction for the Council."