 Local Councils
Liberal Democrats action, proposals and campaigns in our local
councils.
Devon
County Council
Torridge District
Council
West Devon Borough Council
Bideford Town Council
Tavistock Town Council
People
Liberal Democrats Representatives and Prospective Candidates at
all levels of government.
Graham Watson MEP
Adam Symons PPC
Devon Councillors
Torridge Councillors
West Devon Councillors
Bideford Councillors
Tavistock Councillors
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Honest local leadership for Torridge
The Liberal Democrats Manifesto for 2007
At Torridge District Council the
outgoing administration, which consists of a disorganized coalition of the
Community Alliance and Independents, has been judged by the Audit Commission and
other independent assessors to be one of the worst performing councils in the
country.
The administration has squandered
millions of pounds on redundancies and been dogged by allegations of
malpractice, self-interest and mismanagement.
Their dismal performance means that the
council has failed to address the economic problems of Torridge, which has the
lowest average household income in England and amongst the lowest adult wage
levels.
The Liberal Democrats pledge to provide open, honest and efficient local
leadership, focused on improving the living standards and the needs of the
people of Torridge.
We pledge to:
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Work with other Devon councils, central government and other agencies and
to improve the performance of local public services and raise the standard of
living of Torridge people.
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Cut council bureaucracy by reducing the number of council committees and
streamlining decision making.
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Ensure that the highest standards of probity are maintained, and that
councillors are not permitted to serve on committees whose work regularly
involves their personal professional or business interests.
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Consult the public effectively when crucial decisions are being made,
giving local people the right to address key meetings and have a proper public
question time at meetings where the members and officers can be held to account.
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Promote Torridge’s outstanding natural environment to focus economic
development on developing businesses which enhance and maintain the environment.
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Take action on Climate Change by :
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Launching an advisory service to help people save energy and water (and
therefore money ) in their homes and businesses;
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Making recycling and rubbish reduction key issues, targeting excess and
wasteful packaging;
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Establishing a Green Action Plan for the council itself;
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Supporting local healthy food, farming and forestry so reducing food miles
and making good use of our local timber for heating.
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Guarantee the future of the cultural sector such as the Burton Art Gallery,
Victoria Park, the Plough, the Appledore Festival and Beaford Arts all of whom
need to able to plan for the future.
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Give long term support to the
voluntary sector, particularly TVS, CAB, Volunteer Bureau, Wheels to Work
and Ring-and-Ride.
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Ensure that the Youth Services can reach as many young people as possible
and ensure that high quality play and recreation facilities are maintained in
all our key settlements.
By the time of the election in the May the tenants’ ballot will have
determined the future of the council owned houses. If Tarka Homes is chosen, we
will ensure that they deliver on their promises.
Using the Council’s remaining powers, we will give the highest priority to
bringing empty homes back into use, improving the energy efficiency of the
housing stock and providing many more affordable homes throughout the district
given the huge demand for affordable and starter homes in the area.
Liberal Democrat councils around the country have proved that the delivery of
all of the above is perfectly practical and achievable over a four year term.
These policies, combined with a sound partnership with the Police and a
cogent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour strategy, good health services
and a close working relationship with Devon County Council on education and
social services, will deliver a much improved quality of life for all.
For further information on this manifesto, Humphrey Temperley
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