Hastings and Rye Liberal Democrats

LIB DEMS LISTENING AS TWIN BINS SET TO ARRIVE...............................................................................................30th July 2007

Lib Dem councillors want to support our town to get better at recycling, but we are aware that local people are feeling like they haven't been listened to by the Council.

In Gensing Ward, Cllr Vivienne Bond says:

‘'Obviously I want us to be recycling as much as possible, but I know that some people have real concerns about the Council's proposed scheme..'

Cllr Bond has been out on the streets of Gensing canvassing opinion about the new scheme.

‘I have had some positive comments, but the twin bins just won't work in some situations, and I am fighting to make sure that residents get heard by the Council.'

4p INCOME TAX CUT WOULD BE GREAT NEWS FOR PEOPLE OF HASTINGS AND RYE .....................20th July 2007

Local Lib Dem Leader Richard Stevens has welcomed the national party's plans to reduce the basic rate of income tax to 16p, and scrap the council tax, benefiting millions of people on low and middle incomes.

He said:

‘These proposals would mean lower tax bills for most households in Hastings and Rye , as well as tackling inequality and environmental damage.'

Proposals in the Liberal Democrat tax policy paper, ‘Reducing the burden: Policies for tax reform' would –

Save a typical pensioner couple nearly £1,600 a year through proposals including scrapping council tax
Save a typical double-earning couple around £1,000 a year through measures including a 4p cut in the basic rate of income tax
Remove tax loop-holes exploited by the super-rich
Reform stamp duty to reduce the amount of tax paid on properties worth less than £500,000
Reform Inheritance Tax, with the aim of raising the starting threshold to £500,000

Cllr Stevens said: ‘The current system of taxation is not fair. The unacceptable reality is that in Britain today the poorest pay a higher proportion of their income in tax than the super-rich. Wealth inequality has actually risen since Labour came to power. ‘Our new proposals will put fairness at the heart of the tax system. Low and middle income earners in this country shoulder too heavy a tax burden. ‘These tax cuts for the majority will be paid for by the wealthy and those with environmentally damaging lifestyles.

‘I look forward to supporting these proposals when they are debated and voted on at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton in September.'

PAUL SMITH BACKS RESIDENTS TO IMPROVE MANOR ROAD ..........................................................................20th July 2007

Manor Road residents were out in droves enjoying sunshine, music, football and food at the road's Street Party, organised by the Castle Ward Forum. Among other stalls, there was a ‘wish board', where residents could write their hopes for the street.

Attending the event, Cllr Paul Smith, councillor for Castle Ward said: ‘This has been a fantastic day, with people of all ages coming to take part. As one of the local councillors, I have been out and about listening to residents' concerns and hopes. ‘I am determined to take forward some of the issues that have been raised. I will investigate the possibility of resident parking permits, speed bumps and more trees for Manor Road .'

He was speaking during the Street Party, which has taken weeks of preparation, and has involved many different local organisations. Cllr Smith said: 'I am so pleased that the weather has been kind for this special day, and I want to congratulate the Castle Ward Forum, and everyone who has worked so hard to make this day a reality. ‘It has been great to see so many youngsters taking part. And I personally am committed to ensuring that there are more things for our young people to do in areas like this.'

LIB DEMS SLAM LABOUR'S £27,000 CUTS IN CRIME BUDGET ........................................................................................9th July 2007
Savage cuts in the crime-fighting Safer Hastings Partnership budget could impact on the way that town centre violence is tackled, warn the Lib Dems this week.
Cllr Paul Smith, who represents town centre Castle Ward declares: ‘In this ward we are still concerned about the town centre violence of the last couple of weeks. How the government expects local agencies to consolidate improvements when it reneges on funding mid-financial year, I will never know. He was speaking following the news that the Labour government has slashed the Safer Hastings Partnership budget by £27,000. This is an in-year reduction, made by the Home Office, with no prior local consultation. Cllr Smith said: 'It is outrageous that the Labour government is imposing these cuts, and it is typical that it is being done without any local consultation. 'I am stunned that Michael Foster cannot persuade his Labour colleagues to stop these cuts. This poses serious questions about his effectiveness as our MP. 'Lib Dems locally will continue to ask questions and get answers about the proper funding and effectiveness of the Safer Hastings Partnership' .