Bus Fare Rescue Plan Wins Committee Support

Liberal Democrats have welcomed support for their proposal to safeguard concessionary bus fares beyond 2006.

Following the decision by the Mayor and his cabinet to increase the concessionary fare by 25% Lib Dems have campaigned to find ways of preventing the increase without the need to cut other services or increase the cost to local tax payers. The Lib Dems believe this is possible by releasing money set aside in the council's £37 million reserves. The released funding could be use to fund other council spending allowing concessionary fares to remain part of the core base budget. This suggestion won the overwhelming support of the Scrutiny committee at its last meeting and will be added to the committees suggestions to be put forward to the Executive.

Speaking following the meeting Lib Dem Group Leader, Michael Headley, said:

"It is great news that the Scrutiny committee backed this proposal. There are alternatives to the cut that is being proposed but it requires careful management of the council's finances and deciding on clear priorities. We have stated all along that the council was wrong to put up fares to pensioners like this. Many pensioners in the borough rely on these fares to be able to get around and make essential journeys. It's wrong that they should have been the first call for cuts.

By releasing a fraction of the council's huge reserves, as the Mayor has done elsewhere, we can stop this increase without cuts to other services or additional council tax implications."

The Scrutiny Committee is currently conducting a review of the decision to increase the concessionary fare and will report back to the Cabinet after its next meeting.

ENDS