Liberal Democrats set the agenda

2.46.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Apr 2006

Cllr Adrian Vinson - Council Leader

Since becoming the largest party on the City Council in May 2003 and forming the administration, the Liberal Democrats' have managed a number of significant achievements for Southampton despite not having overall control on the council.

These achievements cover a range of areas:

• Value for Your Money - To ensure the people of Southampton get value for their money the Liberal Democrats have identified more than £ 10 million of saving and keep 2005 and 2006 Council Tax increases to under 4%, compared to nearly 19% in Labour's last year .

• Serving People Better - To provide a better service for the people of Southampton your Liberal Democrat team have improved Audit Commissions rating of council to Good and now make all key decisions in public and after proper consultation.

• A Safer City - To make Southampton a safer place to live Liberal Democrats have found millions of pounds to back our Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, including more money for City Patrol officers, which has resulted in malicious damage and other crime statistics going down.

• Improving the Neighbourhood Street Scene - To improve the neighbourhoods and the look of the street in which the people of Southampton your Liberal Democrats have an £18.5 millions 5-year programme to reverse years of neglect of our roads and pavements as well as a blitz on litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour through regular CREW weeks.

• Respecting our Environment - To improve the environment for the people of Southampton your Liberal Democrats have increased recycling , it rose from 11% to 35% in the first areas to pilot the new twin-bin service, before halted by Opposition, still the recycling has increased to 18%+ recycling currently achieved across the city.

• Better Transport - To improve the transport systems for the people of Southampton your Liberal Democrats have piloted real-time bus information at the bus stops, so you really do know when the next bus is coming plus providing new and cleaner bus shelters, as well as introducing cross-ticketing on buses.

• Quality Leisure - For your leisure time your Liberal Democrats have improved the quality of the leisure facilities in the city by securing a £5 Million grant for new arts facilities in Northern Above Bar.

• City Renaissance - To improve the whole way your city looks and feels your Liberal Democrats have planned and started on a city renaissance which will in the long term greatly improve Southampton, this includes a City Centre Vision, that outlines £1 billion worth of development plans.

• A Prosperous City - To increase the prosperity of the City your Liberal Democrats have re-launched the Port partnership program and have joined the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire to co-ordinate regional development over the next 20 twenty years to try ensure infrastructure is put in prior to new house development.

• Life Long Learning - To improve the education of the people of Southampton your Liberal Democrats have carried out difficult schools re-organisations to make best use of resources by having a good consultation with the communities affected and seen improved Key Stage 2 results in your primate and junior schools.

• Decent Homes - To make sure all the people of Southampton have decent homes to live in your Liberal Democrats have revised and improved the of system grants and loans for property repairs, as well introducing a choice-based lettings policies for Council house tenants.

• A Caring City - To show that the people Southampton care for the less well off your Liberal Democrats have introduced a fairer charging system for community care and upgraded residential accommodation, as well as reducing the number of teenage pregnancies, plus we have given support to make Southampton a 'Fair Trade' City.

Commenting on these achievements Council Leader Adrian Vinson said

"I am very proud of our record - we have achieved a great deal in a short space of time and we aim to build on this excellent foundation with many long term projects already started."

Related Links:

A fuller list of Liberal Democrat Achievements in Southampton.

Your Award winning Liberal Democrat council.