Local Lib Dems unite to launch local manifesto

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Party pledges to make Ealing a safer and environmentally friendlier borough

Sarah Teather, MP joined Ealing Liberal Democrats in launching their local election manifesto.

The manifesto carries three main themes which are: making the Borough safer, ensuring the council does not ignore residents' views and concerns - and improving the way the streets look.

Liberal Democrats pledge to:

• BRING UP TO STRENGTH all of the Safer Neighbourhood police teams now being introduced in the Borough, by September 2006, without diverting resources from elsewhere. Locally reverse the cuts to the South Acton Safer Neighbourhood police teams and campaign for the highest priority to be given to the Safer Neighbourhoods scheme.

• ENSURE that the Borough's streets and open spaces are cleaned properly and more regularly. We will not hesitate to replace the service contracts of companies who are performing poorly. We will deal faster with graffiti and fly-tipping incidents and reduce the amount of litter by installing more bins and handing out more on-the-spot fines to people who litter.

• NOT introduce the West London tram scheme that will harm our borough.

• RECYCLE both cardboard and plastics

• BUILD on and accelerate the use of Liberal Democrat pioneered Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs). These contracts have been successfully introduced and used in Lib Dem-run Islington to reduce bad behaviour.

• INCREASE the frequency of area committees to eight times per year to give residents more chance to have their say.

Cllr Harvey Rose, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Council, said: “Our manifesto contains detailed proposals on how we want to see Ealing being run. We have responded to issues raised with us by residents as priorities, including the wish to see plastics recycled, opposition to the tram, and more attention to reducing crime. We are in particular concerned that the initial numbers on the local police teams have been scaled down, and want to see them up to strength as soon as possible.”

Harvey Rose added “It is only the Lib Dems who have raised the issue of consulting properly with residents. A well-run council is one where residents are encouraged to become active in matters that affect them and matters in which they have specific knowledge.”

April 3, 2006