Cllrs Michael Wyatt, Julie Roberts & Dominic McGill

The Liberal Democrat Councillors for Greenhill have today been told their plans for a Communal Forest for the Greenhill Estate is now set to become a reality on paper with meetings taking place with Bardon Quarry, who is donating some land, the Council and the National Forest who will be helping to design the Communal Forest. 

Cllr Julie Roberts said “We have been pushing hard for a piece of waste land off Bradgate Drive to become a natural communal forest, which everyone can enjoy. We promised the people we would improve their environment and improve it we will.  We are hopeful that we will be able to start the work on the new forest by the start of the autumn of 2008. Bardon Quarry have been a fantastic supporter of our proposal, so I along with my colleagues, Michael and Dominic would like to thank them for their support.”

The Tory bosses at the District Council last night showed their complete embarrassment after being exposed for their lack of vision by the Liberal Democrats.

 Michael Wyatt said “At the meeting members of the ruling group voted against our budget, which would of scrapped free booze for councillors and free parking permits. Our proposal was to only raise the council tax by 1.5%, which is the lowest ever rate increase put forward by any political party in North West Leics”.

 The Tories voted to keep the free booze, free parking permits and raise council tax by 2%. They also voted to create a whopping £250,000 Tory slush fund. 

We can only hope they will spend this money on better services for the people of North West Leics, but knowing the Tories they will try and spent it on Tory pet projects, which will not really make any difference to the vast majority of the people of North West Leics.

At the Environment Scrutiny committee Councillor Michael Wyatt, a member of the committee asked for a report to be brought to members so they can scrutinise the continued fiasco surrounding the future of the Market. 

Cllr Michael Wyatt, Leader of the Lib Dem Group said “The confusion around the future of Coalville Market is becoming a complete farce and needs to be addressed urgently. I have asked for a report to be represented to members of the committee so we can scrutinise what’s going on and give market traders an opportunity to express their concerns.  We cannot continue to allow the Market to sit in limbo. It’s nothing but a disgrace. The people who use the market and the traders need to know the truth. Rumours are ruining trade and making this council look stupid”

The Liberal Democrat group on North West Leicestershire District Council have launched an alternative budget ahead of next weeks council meeting which will set the council tax for the next year. The Conservative run council are proposing to increase the council tax by 2% but the Liberal Democrats will be proposing a budget with a 1.5% increase. 

Councillor Michael Wyatt, leader of the North West Leics Liberal Democrat Group said “The Liberal Democrats have produced an alternative budget which will reduce the council’s energy bills, increase recycling, benefit the local environment and empower local people by giving them a greater say in how their council tax is spent. 

“If the Liberal Democrat budget is approved, car parking charges will also be frozen so we can help address the decline of our Town Centres. “Our budget not only keeps more money in people’s pockets, but allows the council to invest in helping to address the growing concerns of climate change. The Tories had over a decade in opposition to come up with a real vision for North West Leics but their first budget in control is a real disappointment. It’s a bland budget completely lacking imagination.” 

The Liberal Democrats are proposing to: 

1. Increase Council Tax by 1.5%

2. Freeze car parking charges in Coalville and Ashby, to halt the decline in our Town Centres ( The Tory budget proposes increasing charges).

3. Invest an extra £200,000 in recycling and energy efficiency measures which will     save the council money in the long term.

4. Extend free concessionary travel for the elderly to include journeys before 9.30am.