Lib Dem election pledge - services not spin

10.32.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th May 2009

Fix the potholes

Liberal Democrats in Chelmsford and across Essex have launched their election campaign by calling for an end to £5 million spent on spin spent by the Conservative-run council, and a switch to improving basic services. Liberal Democrats will:-

• Get the basic services right

• Ensure a greener, fairer future

• Support the economy

Read the details of the 2009 manifesto.

Lib Dem Leader and Chelmsford North Councillor Tom Smith-Hughes explained: "It's a very simple message - taxpayers' money needs to be spent on more services for the benefit of local people and less on spin and publicity that benefits politicians.

• Get the basic services right

"The Lib Dems want action to repair our appalling roads and to switch money from paying spin doctors to paying youth workers.

"The last four years of Conservative control has seen Essex County Council downgraded in its performance by independent assessors. This was mainly as a result of its deteriorating children's services in general and services for vulnerable children in particular.

Essex CC - inadequate for child protection

"Along with only seven other councils in the country, Essex CC has been identified as inadequate for child protection. Concentrating on providing first class services and getting the basics right must be the first priority, yet money has been frittered away on hosting seminars, spin and publicity and the launch of a publicly funded public relations company.

• Ensure a greener, fairer future

"We want roads and pavements fixed and comprehensive services for the elderly, the sick and for children. Liberal Democrats would cut the council's budget for publicity and spin and reinvest the money into mainstream services. Services not spin.

"Providing high quality council services that the public wants and expects is the primary concern of Liberal Democrats in Essex and is at the centre of our election manifesto. At this time of financial uncertainty, it is especially important that hard earned taxpayers' money is spent diligently and appropriately.

• Support the economy

"The council is currently sitting on £200m in reserve funds, money that has been paid by taxpayers, and we would return some of that money back to struggling residents for them to spend as they see fit."

Read about the Lib Dem campaign (and sign the petition) to fix the potholes.

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