Young people's dismay at Somerset Tory cuts (Wells Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Wells Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@wellslibdems.org.uk>

Young people's dismay at Somerset Tory cuts

January 17, 2012 3:10 PM
By Cllr Sam Crabb

Young people from across Somerset today pleaded with the Tory run Somerset County Council to save the Youth Service.

Cllr Sam Crabb, Leader of the Somerset Liberal Democrat Group said, "The Tory Cabinet at Somerset County Council just does not understand young people, finance or business. They are sleep walking towards disaster. They are determined to cut to the bone all non-statutory services, like they have already done with the Arts, tried to do with the Library Service and they are now decimating the Youth Service and our bus services."

Once again another Conservative Shambles. The decisions taken in February 2011 for the budget relating to 2012/13 should be examined again in detail. I have no doubt that they were illegal. We need to go through them all again, looking at the impact of the decisions, especially upon Young People in Somerset."

Cllr Kim Turner, Shadow Cabinet member added "The Conservatives are determined to cut as quickly and deeply as they can. They are determined to push costs onto other areas like the police, NHS, the District and Parish Councils. Their cuts will cost Somerset residents considerable harm and more money in the long run. It does not pay to ignore all the crime & disorder implications of their decisions."

She added, "When we arrived today we saw a brand new fleet of white vans, just delivered to the County Council. Why spend money on shiny new vehicles when our young people need investment?"

Cllr Ross Henley said, "The Conservatives need to listen. They need to prioritise the young and vulnerable. They need to consider the harm they are doing to young people. Especially by their cuts to services our young people rely upon, like bus transport, county ticket, the Youth Service and Libraries."

For further information contact Sam Crabb - 07785 744771

Notes for Editors

The next stage will be a Cabinet meeting on 1^st February to consider the budget. No budget papers have yet to be put into the public realm. Scrutiny Committee meets again on 6^th February to examine the Budget.

Full Council meets on Wednesday 15^th February to decide the budget and fix Council Tax for the next year. It is believed the Tories will go for a 0% increase in Council Tax again this year.

Young people attended from Wiviliscombe, South Petherton, Martock and Bridgwater, we also heard representations from Councillors from Sedgemoor District Council, Taunton District Council and Martock Parish Council.