Tories find cash for youth, families & fight against crime!

Bristol Conservative Councillors have unveiled their priorities for this year's Council Budget which would see an extra £900,000 pumped into schemes to spruce up the city, tackle truancy, combat crime and improve sports and
young people's activities.

The 13-strong Conservative Group, which holds the balance of power on the hung authority, has already announced their plan to scrap the proposed 'Legacy Commission', which Labour wanted to commemorate the abolition of slavery.

Instead, the Tories want to throw a lifeline, totalling £250,000, to nine threatened community groups, including the Kuumba nursery & education project and Dhek Bhal, a carers and respite service for the south Asian community.

In addition, the Conservatives propose the following extra investment:-
# £215,000 to develop four new children's play areas in Canford Park, Cottle Road Park, Kings Head Park and Victory Park
# £180,000 for the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to deal with problem families
# £75,000 on sports development programmes for young people
# £50,000 to support additional young people's work in Avonmouth, Bishopsworth, Brislington, Henbury, Horfield, Oldbury Court and Stockwood
# £50,000 for graffiti and fly-tipping removal
# £40,000 to double the Council's anti-truancy campaign budget
# £30,000 for a range of “Brighter Bristol” local environmental improvements

They have funded their spending plans by identifying savings in existing programmes, as well as the money earmarked for the 'Legacy Commission'.

Tory Group Leader Councillor Richard Eddy said: “Our proposals clearly indicate our priorities - enhancing local communities, tackling truancy and anti-social behaviour, and improving young people's opportunities.

“For too long, this Council has sold our youngsters short, especially with regard to sport and out-of-school activities.

“We should be encouraging more young people to take up sport and yet the current Labour budget proposes a swinging cut in the sports development programme.

“This budget amendment is positive and forward-looking but it will also allow us to get tough with 'neighbours-from hell', environmental vandals and truants.

“We propose to double the funds available for anti-truancy sweeps and campaigns, fight fly-tipping and take more effective action on problem families.”

Back to Local News Index 15 February 2008