Stockport Council Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Stockport Liberal Democrats

Another Council tax freeze for Stockport residents?

Stockport's Lib Dems propose a freeze in council tax for all local taxpayers — Stockport’s Lib Dems propose a freeze in council tax for all local taxpayers

Lib Dems are proposing to freeze Stockport’s Council tax for year 2014/15[/caption]Stockport’s Lib Dem councillors want to freeze Council Tax for Stockport taxpayers for the year 2014/15.

This will be the third council tax freeze the Lib Dems council has delivered in the past four years, despite the unprecedented financial challenges it continues to face.

Lib Dem councillors want to continue helping residents with the cost of living. Cllr Sue Derbyshire said: “We know local authority finances will get no easier, with almost £60m of savings made since 2010 and over £40m more savings needed between 2015 and 2017. However, we have taken the decision to accept the government’s freeze grant this year in the interests of residents, and I call on the other political groups in Stockport to back this freeze.”

The Liberal Democrat budget proposals will be debated and voted upon by all political groups at the Budget Council Meeting on 27th February.

Bridgehall Library – open for business

John, Ann and Sue donated copies of their favourite books to the library for Christmas

Following a petition campaign by Ann Smith and Stockport Lib Dems, Bridgehall Library is now open at the Community Centre after its official opening by the Mayor of Stockport at the end of January.

Not only did the Labour councillors for the area vote against the opening of the library, one of them derided it as a so-called “library” just four days after the Library was officially opened by the Mayor of Stockport.

In fact, the Library at Bridgehall offers a ‘full library service’ with more than 2,000 books and DVDs to suit all ages and tastes and free internet access, with trained staff on hand to help people get online.

It had been hoped the library would open for Christmas. Ann Smith, John Reid and Sue Derbyshire each donated copies of their favourite books to the Library as Christmas gifts to mark its opening.

“Despite Labour putting tribal party politics before local facilities, this is a real win for Bridgehall”, said John Reid.

“People are quite angry that they again couldn’t rely on their Labour councillors. They should be backing the library in the ward they represent instead of degrading it to others.

“They should show some pride in Bridgehall.”

Grand Central – development update

Cllrs Hawthorne and McAuley at a site visit at the new Grand Central development

Most residents will have seen the multi-storey car park being built next to Stockport’s railway station – the first part of regenerating the Grand Central area.

The Lib Dem Council’s Executive has now approved proposals for the next phase – an office block, hotel and public square, giving a pedestrianised exit from the station.

The development creates jobs in the construction phase, but also jobs further down the line in the businesses that will be based here.

100 Apprentices in…50 days!

Staff and apprentices of Kids Allowed on Buxton Road, with local Lib Dem councillors Daniel Hawthorne and Patrick McAuley

100 apprentices in 100 days – that was the challenge taken on as part of a summer campaign by Stockport Council and the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

But this number was reached within JUST 50 days! The Council and NAS will continue to run the campaign until the end of the
100 days to see what figure can be achieved.

Cllr Daniel Hawthorne commented: “I am delighted to see another 100 local young people starting their training and learning skills. This ground breaking initiative will help our young people gain confidence and get their first experience of work, whilst local employers will benefit from apprentices’ new ideas and hard work.”

The Liberal Democrats launched a national ‘A Million Jobs for a Stronger Economy’ campaign this summer highlighting the successes the Liberal Democrats have had in helping to create more than a million private sector jobs since coming into Government and our determination to help create a million more.

The first phase of the campaign is a major apprenticeships drive. The party’s ambition is to double the number of companies offering apprenticeships from 100,000 to 200,000.

See more about the Liberal Democrats job campaign on www.amillionjobs.org.

Wage War on Wonga

Vince Cable Backing Stockport Apprenticeships

Liberal Democrat Vince Cable used a visit to a Stockport credit union to back the Archbishop of Canterbury’s plans to put payday lenders, such as Wonga, out of business through the use of Credit Unions.

Cable said “There is a big opportunity for Credit Unions to grow and support their local communities and their local businesses, too. It has been good to come and see at first-hand how Stockport Credit Union has developed so far, and I certainly wish it well in its plans for expanding its work.”

Lisa Smart, a volunteer at Stockport Credit Union, said “Volunteering at the credit union is great fun and worthwhile too. Giving people access to savings and low-cost loans across Stockport says very clearly “Loan sharks are not welcome here!”

Click here for a link to the Stockport Credit Union or you can ring them on 0161 430 5808 or email them at mail@stockportcu.com.

Summer Campaign – 100 Apprentices in 100 Days

Lib Dem policies at local and national level and led to a 60% increase in Stockport apprenticeships

Stockport Council has joined forces with some of the borough’s key employers to take on the challenge of securing 100 Stockport apprentices in 100 days.

Although Stockport’s JSA claimant rate continues to decrease month by month and is below the North West average, getting more young people into employment is a top priority for the Lib Dems at the council and in government.

Apprenticeships are a powerful and vital tool in achieving this. Stockport Council has an award-winning track record on creating apprenticeships and Cllr Sue Derbyshire, council leader, is working hard to promote the 100-in-100 campaign.

Stockport is currently the 3rd best Borough in the North West for apprenticeships. 2011/12 saw over 3,000 apprenticeship start-ups in Stockport. An increase of nearly 1,500 compared to the previous Labour government.