Labour Leader Branded "Stealth Bomber" by Press (Lambeth Liberal Democrats)

Lambeth Liberal Democrats <office@lambethlibdems.org.uk>

Labour Leader Branded "Stealth Bomber" by Press

February 3, 2007 11:00 AM

Labour's plans for new charges will lead to more dumped and fly-tipped rubbish

Lambeth Labour Leader, Steve Reed, has been likened to a Stealth Bomber Pilot by the local Press for his ambitious raid on local resident's wallets.

Cllr Reed launched a cunning 4.99% Council Tax rise in April to avoid being capped by his own Labour Ministers who have set a 5% ceiling. Lambeth Labour then launched an unprecedented fusillade of devastating cuts and increased charges that have left local residents reeling under their impact.

Council tenants already furious about Labour's attack over the ALMO plans to privatise repairs and maintenance will now have to find another 4.9% more in rents and a further increase in parking charges. Outraged tenant's leaders have already formally rejected this kick in the teeth from Labour for the first time in many years.

Vulnerable adults receiving home care will see charges soar to a level where many will be unable to afford this vital service which allows them to live independently in their own homes. What's more, Labour wants to make a profit out of these new services.

Residents who park outside their own home will see their parking permits soar from £60 per year to £115. But this massive increase is only the start. In a cynical attempt to appear environmentally friendly a further charge will be levied based on vehicle emission outputs.

Unlike Lib Dem-run Richmond council's pioneering proposals to tax larger gas-guzzlers, Lambeth Labour wants to tax everyone - even residents with the cleanest small city cars. We estimate that most residents will pay nearer £200 now for their permits.

Labour portrayed themselves as the motorist's friend before the election last May. Some friend! This is about raking in lots of money and hiding behind a small green fig leaf.

Even Labour's tenuous 'Green' credentials are suspect. They now plan to cut 15 air monitoring stations around the borough, they've taken £1.8 Million out of the cleaning contract and plan to sweep streets less often. No wonder Lambeth has plunged from 3rd cleanest borough to 13th. Further charges are planned for replacement wheelie bins and the current free Bulky Refuse service.

Lib Dems say this will lead to grubbier streets and more dumping.

And residents will be charged an extra 23.5% to visit Lambeth's crumbling leisure centres at a time when the Government is exalting people to live healthier lives.

On crime Labour are scrapping the pioneering Council Crime wardens which have police support in the areas where they were introduced. Labour have kept back the £800,000 Lib Dems set aside to roll-out a wardens scheme Boroughwide.

Instead they will contribute towards a smaller number of PCSO's who have no more power than the wardens they replace, will come under direct police control, and will not be engaged in environmental or community-building activities.

Lib Dems say, " LABOUR COSTS YOU MORE. "