Protecting the Vulnerable and Investing in Your Future!
Protecting the Vulnerable - Investing in Your Future!
That is the message from Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats for the planned Bedford Borough Council Budget for 2018/19.
The Lib Dems need to address a £4.4 million pound cut in funding from central government for 2018/19. Despite this, they are presenting a programme of investment and protection for the most vulnerable in Bedford Borough.
Social Care remains the Lib Dems top priority so that the elderly and young get the care that they need in the face of rising demand and cost pressures which has seen a 13.7% increase in spending in adult social care.
£5 million pounds extra funding is being put into Adult Social Care services together with £5.6 million for Disabled Facility Grants and a £2.5 million programme for refurbishments to Bedford Borough's Care Homes.
Investing in your future will see 3 major schemes for roads in Bedford Borough to improve travel journeys for all residents. The biggest investment ever in Bedford Borough Roads will see £18.6 million spent on the Transporting Bedford 2020 programme. This will improve major junctions and introduce new technology to monitor traffic. £19.6 million has been allocated to maintain existing roads in 2018/19 and a £3.5 million investment for improvements in Manton Lane and the junctions with the A6.
Bedford Borough Lib Dems are also supporting jobs with a £2.7 million investment in i-worx and i-hub which in part will help engineers set up small units and businesses in the borough. The Jobs Hub in Greyfriars has also been saved from closure so that more residents can get help and support with applying for jobs and writing their CVs.
Finallly, with Bedford Borough once again having over 90% of schools rated by Ofsted as good or outstanding Bedford Borough Lib Dems are continuing the programme of replacing temporary classrooms with permanent buildings with a total of £59 million being invested in local schools for new school places and 2-tier re-structuring.
If residents have any questions please contact us on bedfordlibdems@gmail.com, the budget will be discussed at the Council Executive on the 24th January 2018 and discussed at Full Council on 07th February 2018.