New proposals for tackling Norfolk credit crunch unveiled

12.00.00am GMT Fri 13th Feb 2009

Lib Dems unveil proposals to help Norfolk people through the credit crunch

A set of major new initiatives targeted at helping the neediest Norfolk communities support themselves through the credit crunch will be unveiled on Monday when Liberal Democrats announce their proposals for changing the County Council's future spending plans.

The Liberal Democrats will submit an amendment to the budget being debated next week at the meeting of Norfolk County Council that includes the following suggested changes for 2009/10:

• More than £0.5m additional investment in independent financial advisers for Norfolk people which would provide ten extra full time advisers distributed across the County

• The creation of a £2m 'Rural Revival' investment programme, which would enable the most challenged Norfolk communities to bid for funding to help themselves survive the credit crunch and flourish thereafter. The fund is intended to support schemes which will support the development of local enterprise, develop employment or financial management skills or help the poorest and most vulnerable households to stay safe, keep warm and maximise income through the credit crunch. Final decisions about which ideas would get funding would be made by Norfolk people using a participatory budgeting model.

• An annual investment of around £1m in a new travelcard for young people, which would enable all children aged 5 to 18 to travel half fare on any Norfolk bus at any time

The Liberal Democrats will seek the Council's agreement to make these changes at the meeting on Monday, and will set out evidence of how they believe this can be paid for simply by making savings on poorly managed County Council staff travel budgets and taking some funds out of the Council's financial reserves.

Speaking about the proposals, Leader of the County's Liberal Democrats, Paul Morse, said:

"We as Liberal Democrats see two key things in the current economic challenge that is facing the County: firstly, a need greater than ever for local government to take a 'can do' approach to finding ways of helping local people who are in need of support and, secondly, an opportunity to get local people working even more closely together to support the prospects of their own families, their neighbours and their entire communities.

"Over the last few months we have been disappointed with the Conservative County Council's rather uninspiring view of what it can and can't do to help local people. Given the uncertainties ahead the Council does need to keep a reasonable amount of funds in reserve but it is all a question of balance. We believe that some money should be released now to support struggling communities.

"The Liberal Democrat budget proposals would keep the Council financially secure but crucially would also offer Norfolk a positive step forward today on the road to economic recovery, would open up opportunities to young people and would get communities working closer together. I think that is the kind of positive outlook that Norfolk is much in need of in 2009."