LIB DEM FAIR DEAL FOR CORNWALL LAUNCHED!

10.02.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 28th Apr 2009

Lord Teverson launches the Lib Dem Manifesto for Cornwall

Liberal Democrats have launched a detailed manifesto for reform and lower council tax at Cornwall Council.

Key policies include:

1. We'll provide "10p first hour" parking in every town

2. We'll help deliver at least 1200 new affordable homes for local families every year.

3. We'll freeze Councillors' allowances

4. We'll fund new Community Support Officers/Police Liaison Officers for every area.

5. We'll review waste policy to deliver the most environmentally friendly, cost effective waste solutions available.

6. We'll make Cornwall the 'Green Peninsula'

7. We'll increase funding above inflation to support elderly people and those with disabilities

8. We'll extend free public transport to carers

9. We'll increase investment in Fire services in Cornwall

10. We'll cut your council tax in real terms over the next four years

Leader of the Cornwall Council Lib Dem team, Cllr Ann Kerridge, added: "Over the last fifteen years, growing Liberal Democrat influence in councils across Cornwall has delivered big investment in the things that matter to local people. Almost every school has been replaced, extended or refurbished, and exam results are now well above average. Investment in supporting elderly and disabled people has been increased. We are building more affordable homes earmarked for local people. Transport links have been greatly improved. And we led the successful campaign to win Objective One funding for Cornwall, in all nearly eight hundred million pounds of investment boosting Cornwall's economy - meaning more and better paid jobs than ever before.

"All this, and we have held Council Tax £175 below the national average - lower than four out of five councils across the country. Now we will do even better, cutting council tax in real terms over the next four years, as well as improving services, as a result of the savings from creating a single Cornwall Council."

Lord Robin Teverson, Liberal Democrat campaign chairman, added:

"As times get harder, improving services and holding down council tax gets ever more difficult to deliver - and ever more important to local people. Through Liberal Democrat leadership Cornwall Council will save over £70 million in the next few years by cutting wasted duplication of bureaucrats and councillors - savings opposed by every other political party in Cornwall. Liberal Democrat savings that are enough to improve vital services like schools, affordable homes, and support for elderly and disabled people, at the same time as cutting council tax in real terms over the next four years. It makes possible our promise of better services and lower council tax - our fair deal for Cornwall.