Ten point plan for running the city

3.22.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Apr 2007

Fulfilling Norwich's potential is key to the actions the Liberal Democrats will take if returned to control the City Council after the elections on 3rd May.

In their ten-point plan (which has been sent to the Evening News), the Lib Dems said:

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats will fulfil the potential of Norwich and its people as a …

Sustainable City: The City Council will lead by example in saving energy and generating it on public buildings, through wind turbines, solar panels and photo-voltaic cells on City Hall, car parks and schools. Linking up with CRED, we will ensure a review is undertaken of every aspect of Council life, use of vehicles, insulation in properties, recycling, energy efficient boilers and combined heat and power, maintenance of green spaces and allotments, better use of PCs and training of staff to save energy, and then put the findings into practice.

Travelling City: Public Transport will be improved by negotiation and a Quality Bus Partnership. Integrated transport, together with safer pedestrian movement and cycle facilities, will be encouraged. The congestion charge will be opposed. A 20 mph speed limit in residential areas will be promoted.

Supportive City: Co-operation between police, wardens and City and County agencies will reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Communities across the City will manage more decisions for themselves. We will ensure training for potential future leaders, develop more democratic processes and pass responsibilities from City Hall to the locality.

Sporting City: Sporting facilities will be improved, especially for the long-awaited skate-park. An investment today in more coaching, competitions and shared facilities with schools will produce fit people for tomorrow..and a champion or two.

Financially sound City: Building on the success of the previous Lib Dem administration in keeping Council taxes low and winning a £2.7m award from the Government for creating jobs and businesses, we will ensure a Good-Value-for-Money approach. The development of City Hall will be progressed.

Efficient City: The present contract for Council services will be renegotiated over the next 2 years with a view to getting the best value for money and quality of work within an accountable framework. We will look at all options, whether a public or private organisation, to ensure the best deal. Unitary status will give us a chance to widen the scope of the new contracts.

Housing City: Bringing forward new brown-field sites in the City will be a priority to provide more affordable homes. Planning frameworks will be amended to lower the threshold and raise the percentage for affordable housing. Waiting times for repairs and voids will be reduced by a new determination to succeed. Private landlords will be pressed to raise their insulation levels.

Cultural City: Support for the creative arts will be aimed at increasing the quality of life for all. If music is the food of life, may people live to enjoy it. The talent is there, we will help to draw it out. Our forebears gave us today`s heritage, we will build tomorrow`s.

Working City: New businesses and sustainable jobs will be developed, by encouraging the creativity and dynamic in all sectors. The reputation of Norwich as a gateway to Europe, as a place to do business and to visit for pleasure will be enhanced. An emphasis will be placed on improved skill-levels by raising aspirations and working in partnership with places of education and training.

Fair City: We will support the proposal for unitary status so that we can have a greater say over where our future lies. We will press the Government to replace Council Tax with an income tax and for business rates to be held locally. We will also seek decentralisation of powers from Whitehall and of course press for Proportional Representation so that every vote counts.

Let`s fulfil the potential of Norwich and its people with a Liberal Democrat Council," they concluded.