Lib Dem Boost for Extra Manchester Police (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

Lib Dem Boost for Extra Manchester Police

March 5, 2008 12:00 AM

Lib Dem Budget Plans Would Bring More Police to Manchester's Streets

Opposition Liberal Democrats at Manchester Town Hall today proposed a cash boost of nearly £ 1.7m to fund an extra 40 police officers on the beat to tackle crime on Manchester streets. The call comes after an alarming increase in gun crime in parts of Manchester.

Opposition Finance Chief Cllr Marc Ramsbottom said:

"Fighting crime has got be our number one priority in Manchester. Labour talks tough, but has failed to deliver when it comes to making our streets safer. Many residents tell us that what the police need is not more laws and ASBOs, but more police on the streets to catch thugs and yobs. We will work with the police to fund an extra 40 police officers dedicated to Manchester to reduce crime and make our communities safer."

Lib Dems would fund the extra police by reducing the subsidy to URBIS museum and spending some of the cash dividend the Council receives from Manchester Airport. Lib Dems also say they would cut back Councillors' allowances and get rid of other waste such as bottled water and posting out pay slips to Town Hall staff.

Cllr Ramsbottom also slammed the unfair and unjust Council Tax:

"We believe that the Council Tax is an unfair tax that disproportionately affects people on low incomes, and should be scrapped. Nationally, the poorest 10% pay over 4 times more of their income in council tax than the richest 10%. Therefore we will be proposing a zero increase in Council Tax bills for the coming financial year, " he said.

Leader of the Opposition on Manchester City Council Cllr Simon Ashley said:

"Our budget delegates more decision making to local communities and Councillors, beefs up the police presence on our streets, takes action to cut truancy, clean our streets, improves recycling, and freezes the country most unpopular tax, the Council Tax."

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