The Liberal Democrats in Hull

09 Mar 2010 - Labour MP's council tax feeze boast falls flat

Recently Hull North's Labour MP Diana Johnson boasted that the Hull council tax freeze from the Lib Dems was actually thanks to the generosity of the Labour Government. She claimed that an increase in local government funding from the national Labour government meant that there was no excuse for council tax rises, and that Labour councils in London were "leading the way" in council tax freezes.

However, the council tax rises of four of our closest Labour councils this year have made these claims look embarrassing for the MP. Rotherham and Barnsley had already put up their council tax byat least 2.5%, and North Lincolnshire had voted through a 2.9% rise - just short of the government's 3% cap reported by Channel 4 news last year. More recently Wakefield also announced a 2.4% rise.

So why have these Labour councils not been able to take advantage of the government's apparent generosity as reported by the Hull North MP? Is it perhaps because local government finance is more complex than she would have us believe, and is she taking local people for idiots once again?

06 Mar 2010 - Call for more transparency on finance from government

Hull City Council's leader and Lib Dem councillor Carl Minns called for more transparency from the government on local government finance over the next few years. Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside this week he said that, while Hull City Council has avoided job losses and service cuts this year, the Government's lack of information about future grants to councils is making it difficult to plan ahead.

Pointing out that 80% of Hull City Council's funding is reliant on government grants, he said: "This council is very vulnerable to cuts in government funding." The worst case scenario is that an incoming Labour or Tory government could cut its funding by 10-15%. "It would be very helpful if now, or in the near future, the government could clarify its plans over the next 3-5 years," said Cllr Minns, "but if they just apply the brakes without warning after the election then local councils could be in trouble."

03 Mar 2010 - Lib Dems fixing your roads and pavements

Lib Dem led Hull City Council has carried out 1,000s of repairs across the city. Indeed, since January this year over 1,000 potholes have been repaired. This follows the launch of the pothole busting teams by the Lib Dems last year. This is in addition to the other repairs that take place to ensure our roads and pavements are in good order. "Although there's a lot more to be done, people can see that the backlog is being dealt with," said deputy council leader Councillor Abigail Bell. Councillor Mike Ross, portfolio holder for Neighbourhood Management, added: "It's difficult to travel across town without seeing repair crews out and about nowadays. It's a far cry from the neglect under Labour."

26 Feb 2010 - Labour admit to secret cuts

During the Hull City Council budget setting meeting leading Labour Councillor Sean Chaytor confirmed they would bring forward new spending plans and proposals for cuts if they won the local elections. This was instead of putting forward proposals to the budget setting meeting, when this is traditionally done. "This confirms what residents will fear. Labour have secret plans but won't tell the people of Hull till it is too late." said Lib Dem Cllr Abigail Bell. "If Labour are planning to make cuts they should let people know before the elections where the axe will fall".

The Liberal Democrat budget went through meaning this year there will be no increase in council tax. "This is good news for local people who have been so hard hit by Gordon Brown's recession." said Cllr Damian Walker. Other proposals include increased spending on pothole repairs, more investment on education and protecting crime fighting schemes. "While we have made clear our priorities in this budget, Labour have hidden their cuts." added Cllr Carl Minns.

25 Feb 2010 - Lib Dems Freeze Your Council Tax

Local people are pleased to learn that the Liberal Democrats have kept council tax down for the coming year. In today's council meeting, Liberal Democrats voted unanimously for a budget with no rise in council tax - with no support from Labour councillors.

Labour instead have threatened to move a new budget if the people of Hull vote for them in the next election. But they won't say what cuts they would make to pay for their £3 million spending promises - or how much more the people of Hull would have to pay in taxes. Cllr Carl Minns summed up Labour plans as a "tax & cut bombshell" in contrast to the successful Lib Dem budget.

A fairer deal for our troops

We the undersigned support the Liberal Democrats' call for a big pay rise for our troops fighting in war zones. We call on the Government to implement the Lib Dem proposals to raise the pay of the lowest paid troops by an extra £6,000 per year.

• Click here to support this campaign.