Lewes Lib Dems launch low tax budget

9.44.00am GMT Wed 18th Feb 2009

Lewes Lib Dems are working to keep council tax as low as possible for local people.

Lib Dem-run Lewes District Council are proposing a raft of measures to help local people cope with the economic downturn, including a council tax increase of just 2.9%, believed to be one of the lowest in Sussex. Watch the videos on the right for more info on the budget.

Other measures include:

- Off-street car parking charges frozen for fourth year in a row

- Funding to keep families in their homes and make more social housing available

- Free bus passes for senior citizens put back to earlier start time of 9am

- Below average rent increase for council house tenants

- A new Cabinet brief created to boost business, tourism and employment

- Councillors' allowances frozen for second year running

- Free swimming slots for under-16s and over-60s

Leader of the council, Ann De Vecchi, says: "Times are tough for people all over Britain. Lewes District are working hard to put a bit more money back into their pockets. We've kept council tax as low as possible, despite the government cutting funding for local councils.

"One of our key priorities has been to tackle the housing crisis. We have given sites to Housing Associations to increase the number of rented properties available and are increasing funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau in the area to help those falling into debt.

"There are measures included to help local businesses, such as freezing off-street car parking charges for the fourth year in a row, and we're creating a new cabinet brief focusing on boosting business, tourism and employment in the district.

"We've also included measures to help pensioners by moving the start time for free bus passes back to 9am, so that they are able to make early health appointments, and by keeping rent increases for council tenants well below the national average."

The council, which according to the Taxpayers Alliance has one of the lowest levels of allowances in the South East, is freezing councillors allowances for a second year at £2,558 per year for backbench councillors and is cutting back on the number of conferences councillors and staff attend.

Ann adds: "The Conservatives on the County Council must now take similar measures to help local people and businesses. For example reviewing the Lewes parking scheme for which they are responsible, and scrapping their plans to build themselves a new HQ at the expense of local taxpayers."

Nick Clegg and Vince Cable launched the Lib Dems Economic Recovery Plan in late 2008:

The Liberal Democrat Economic Recovery Plan

1) Cutting taxes for struggling families so you've got more money in your pocket

The Liberal Democrats will cut taxes for people on low and middle incomes, raising them for the richest so the tax cuts are affordable. We will fund this by ending upper rate tax relief on pensions, clamping down on tax avoidance, harmonising income and capital gains taxes, increasing green taxation and trimming overall central public spending. These proposals would not increase the government fiscal deficit; that means they are affordable now. This tax cut is now urgent to get money to people who are struggling the most, helping them to pay for essentials and keep spending money in the high street.

2) Lowering energy bills so you can afford to keep warm this winter

As wholesale fuel prices fall - they have dropped 28% since August - utility companies must lower people's bills too. Millions of people face a winter unable to heat their homes: 4 out of 5 single pensioners will be in fuel poverty this winter. Energy companies must pass on wholesale price cuts. We'll also change billing rules so the first units of energy you use are no longer the most expensive. Essential energy should be the cheapest, while bigger users pay more. This is fairer, and will help the environment. Finally, those energy companies that received a £9bn subsidy from the European Emissions Trading Scheme must invest in lower tariffs for vulnerable customers and providing comprehensive insulation for everyone.

3) Keeping people in their homes, so you don't need to fear unfair repossessions

We must ensure that banks only ever repossess people's homes as a last resort. Liberal Democrats will instruct the courts to make sure banks don't repossess unless they've already offered free independent financial advice, and pursued all alternatives like renegotiating the terms of the mortgage and offering a shared equity agreement.

We already have nearly two million families on housing waiting lists. We can help those families and prevent a homelessness crisis by allowing councils and housing associations to buy up unsold properties and land from building companies. This will replenish our social housing stock, stimulate the house building industry and provide homes now for people who need them