Lib Dem budget amendments ‘about investing in families, elderly and young people’

The Lib Dems have submitted amendments to West Sussex County Council’s 2021/22 budget arguing for investment in families, the elderly and young people.
The Lib Dems want to invest more in sustainable transport (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) SUS-200806-134049001The Lib Dems want to invest more in sustainable transport (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) SUS-200806-134049001
The Lib Dems want to invest more in sustainable transport (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) SUS-200806-134049001

The Conservative-controlled authority’s revenue budget is due to be discussed at a virtual meeting tomorrow (Friday February 12).

A Lib Dem amendment would keep all children and family centres and youth centres open, retain day centres for elderly residents, provide a 33 per cent increase in spending on footpath and bridleway maintenance and more resources for sustainable transport including cycling and walking. 

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In addition the group is proposing a significant increase in investment in mental health support for children and training for teachers as they return to school following the disruption the pandemic has caused to their education, friendships and way of life.

Group leader James Walsh said: “The Liberal Democrat group are investing in West Sussex families, in the elderly and in young people.

“We are prioritising sustainable forms of transport and encouraging residents to continue to enjoy our beautiful countryside, and the many health and wellbeing benefits it offers, which many discovered for the first time during the pandemic.  And we are doing this without cutting frontline services in any area.”

Kate O’Kelly, Lib Dem county councillor for Midhurst, added: “we are facing a crisis in young people’s mental health – closing youth centres at this time is an extraordinary decision, we must fast track increased mental health support in all our schools – the Lib Dems have a plan to deliver this”

The Lib Dems believe money should be cut from the council’s communications team and councillors’ allowances.