Liberal Democrats launch Vision for the City

12.47.33pm GMT Mon 2nd Apr 2007

Liberal Democrats are launching their campaign for the City Council with a promise to address the key quality of life issues facing residents. The manifesto aims to tackle a range of quality of life issues, from cleaning up the streets, improving the seafront, making parking easier to planting more trees.

The Lib Dems would review the proposed academy proposal for Falmer, concentrating on improving standards for all schools. In the longer term they would also bring forward proposals for a new school in the city centre to help create more choice for parents. Main libraries would be open every day of the week, leisure centres would be run through a community trust and every home would get a weekly doorstep recycling service.

Community grants would be increased by 10% each year, whereas senior executive salaries and councillor's allowances would be frozen.

Lib Dem City Council Group Leader, Councillor David Watkins said: 'Putting it simply, we want to improve people's lives. From anti-social behaviour to improving local schools - we want to see the city get better. Residents struggle with a range of daily issues, and often don't see the council as on their side. We want to change this.'

Brunswick & Adelaide Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'There are many issues which need to be addressed by the City Council, however, what we have found on the doorstep is that these are the over-riding concerns for local people. If in control or a position of influence after May's elections, these are the issues which we will pursue on behalf of residents.'

10 Reasons to support the Liberal Democrats in Brighton & Hove

Liberal Democrats in Brighton & Hove are campaigning to:

-Abolish the Council Tax and replace it with a fair and affordable alternative.

-Fight to retain the Post Office network, threatened by the Labour Government.

-Reduce the City's eco-footprint by adopting sustainable, green policies to protect our environment for future generations.

-Improve public transport, cut congestion, reduce pollution.

-Make parking easier, tackle graffiti, reduce speeding, plant more trees and improve the quality of life of communities across the City.

-Keep the City's Council homes under public control.

-Raise educational attainment and give parents real choice over school placements, with local schools for local communities.

-Clean up the seafront and make our streets safer, cleaner and greener places to be.

-Drastically improve the Council's relationship with the City's diverse communities. Introduce Neighbourhood Forums in all wards.

-Cut Council wastage, freeze senior officers' salaries, slash publicity spending and end unnecessary propaganda.

And we're local people, from local communities who care about local issues - and we work all year round!