Tory Leader being Economical with the Truth - Councillor Serge Lourie

12.00.00am GMT Tue 18th Feb 2003

Once again Cllr Arbour is being "economical with the truth" ["Council Tax Hike of £180?" 14 Feb.]

1.Cllr Arbour says "The money for parking comes from ring-fenced money that can only be spent on parking". This is untrue.

The cost of £800,000 for free residents' parking, as we were informed before the election, will be borne by the Council Tax Payers and add £9.60 to the band "D" Council Tax;

2.The Liberal Democrats had kept the public conveniences open through very difficult financial times and intended to keep them open.

We believed they were part of the provision in a civilised community with a large inflow of tourists.

We will be proposing the funds to keep them open at the Council Tax debate showing where the potential saving of £60,000 will come from;

3.We believe the Tories will close day centres and withdraw the service. They have not withdrawn the proposed £5 daily charge for attendance.

We did not close "four day centres". The three day centres in St Lukes Kew, Meadows Hall Richmond and Whitton continued under the new management provided by the voluntary sector.

The services at two day centres Alexandra Hall and at Ham were provided elsewhere. We intend to show where the funds will come from to keep our day centres affordable.

The Conservatives are overcharging local residents and are building up a war chest to use before future elections.

Cllr Serge Lourie Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition