Sadly the Tories voted against our proposal not to increase Council Tax this year and used their majority to stop residents suffering another increase this year.The Conservatives have stashed away £180 million in reserves and balances after overcharging people with inflation-busting council tax increases for the past three years. They plan to use £18.2m of this money to have a less high increase in election year, but that still leaves an obscene amount of tax-payers’ money sitting idle in the bank.The Liberal Democrat budget would have allowed Hampshire residents to have a holiday from council tax increases this year. People need relief in these harsh economic times. It will also help local businesses by committing Hampshire to pay all bills within 10 working days.We proposed an alternative budget for Hampshire which would also improve services by giving people the benefit of the money they’ve been overcharged in past years and by cutting £2.0 million from the £4.5 million county budget for publicity and “spin”.The Liberal Democrat budget would have given a £5 million boost to road, footway and verge maintenance throughout Hampshire to clear the backlog of potholes following 12 years of Conservative control. It would also prevent any more cuts in valuable bus services, put more new books on the shelves of Hampshire libraries and help families and small businesses during these difficult economic times.

Without your help the many volunteer Firefighters, who cover 90% of Hampshire on our behalf, will be unable to work.

The Working Time Directive will restrict the number of hours possible to 48 per week

Most of these brave men and women have full time jobs so when you add a minimum of 3 hours training per week it only takes one large fire and they will not be able to go out again!

Sign the petition NOW at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/fire

With the effects of the recession beginning to spread, I and my local Lib Dem colleagues have launched a ‘Shop Local’ campaign to support Yateley’s local shops.

The campaign has been very well received so far with takings reported to be up at Yateley Jewellers on Saturday and Geoff Allen of Travallen Travel welcoming our efforts in the Yateley News.

Shopping locally will help to maintain our distinctive variety of shops and vibrant local community. It also saves you time, petrol and parking costs or bus fares.

We’re very lucky there’s so many things we can buy locally. Don’t let Yateley become a ghost town!  Make sure you have a browse around next time you’re out.