Tories win cash for youth, parks & fight against crime!

Bristol Conservative Councillors, who hold the balance of power on the hung authority, have won backing for their spending priorities in this year's Council Budget.

Councillors at Tuesday's Budget-fixing meeting supported a Conservative amendment which will now will see an extra £640,000 pumped into schemes to spruce up the city, tackle truancy, combat crime and improve sports and young people's activities.

A second Tory amendment, designed to throw a £250,000 lifeline to nine threatened community groups (using money earmarked for the so-called Legacy Commission) was lost when Labour and Lib Dem Councillors voted it down.

The successful Conservative amendment includes 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

Tory Group Leader Councillor Richard Eddy said: “I am delighted that our main budget amendment has been successful.

“I believe we could have achieved far more for the people of Bristol with the £250,000 which Labour and Lib Dem Councillors preserved for the Legacy Commission.

“Nevertheless, our successful amendment gives a clear indication of Conservative 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.

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

CONTACT RICHARD EDDY tel: 07795-445919 (mobile)

Back to Local News Index 26 February 2008