2019 Dacorum Local Elections
PRIORITIES FOR DACORUM - LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MANIFESTO - LOCAL ELECTIONS 2nd MAY 2019
In May's election, Dacorum Liberal Democrats theme is "Residents Matter Most". Everywhere we go in the Borough, people say that the ruling Conservative Councillors just don't listen to people. Following their Government's austerity programmes, the current Council continues to undervalue our quality of life. Their search for relentless cuts is ruining our towns.
Dacorum Liberal Democrats are committed to working with residents to improve and enhance our environment, maintain what is great in our community, and look out for each other. ** If you want the "Long Read", download the full Manifesto Document for the 2019 Local Elections. Otherwise, the following gives you the overview:
BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES
Liberal Democrats believe in working with communities to bring local decision making into practice.
We will introduce a 'Dacorum Deal', setting out what support our voluntary and community partners can expect from the council.
We will develop meaningful neighbourhood forums where local residents can vote for projects and activities that will improve their neighbourhoods - practical localism.
A NEW APPROACH TO HOUSING AND PLANNING
A Lib Dem council will create a long term Plan for the Borough which will be Community-led, not Developer-led.
We will ensure that developers contribute towards the infrastructure needed such as roads, health centres, schools, open spaces and designated Electric Vehicle charging points where parking spaces are shared.
CLEAN, SAFE AND REALLY GREEN - ENVIRONMENT
Parking on- and off- street. Our communities are becoming choked by the combustion engine. In our first year of administration we shall set up a major enquiry on what to do with the motor car and how we control the increase of commercial vehicles driving through residential areas.
We want to be among the best Districts for recycling, catching up with Lib Dem run Three Rivers District Council, so we will increase practical help to individuals and businesses to re-cycle more.
SPORT AND LEISURE
We will produce a Sports & Leisure Strategy based on an audit of facilities and a comprehensive consultation with all these stakeholders. Every local group will be invited to take part in a Dacorum Sports Council, which will adopt co-operation agreements between complementary groups in order to maximise efficiency and capacity.
All community buildings will be included in capacity engineering to form a new backbone of Community Leisure Activity Inspiration and Motivation leisure Spaces (CLAIMs). The aim will be to build up a successful network of neighbourhood CLAIMs - just as important as conventional sports centres.
As the Borough grows, our strategy will link planned development of leisure capacity in our communities to planned housing and population growth.
A DEMOCRATIC, TRANSPARENT, LISTENING COUNCIL
So much is kept unnecessarily secret right now. We want people to be able to see how the council makes difficult decisions. We want all Councillors from more parties to be involved, not just a "Cabinet" of seven from one party.
We often hear from residents that the current Council doesn't listen. A recent instance was the lack of good consultation when the long-term SportSpace contract was terminated early.
Liberal Democrats have always believed that local people should be involved in decisions affecting their communities and services should be managed with 'service' in mind.
GETTING THE FINANCES RIGHT
We must never forget that the Borough is spending residents' taxes, housing rent and Business Rates. The Borough needs enough funding to function well for residents.
If it is necessary to invest in the services that residents need and want we will consider raising council tax. More importantly, to ensure that money spent is approved by residents and represents good value for money, we will review all vanity projects.
We shall work with businesses across the borough and in the new development areas to aid growth and mitigate the worse effects of an unfair business rate system. We will work with businesses and all levels of Government to safeguard local employment and attract new well-paying jobs to the Borough.
BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES - A NEW APPROACH TO HOUSING AND PLANNING - CLEAN, SAFE AND REALLY GREEN - SPORT AND LEISURE "C-L-A-I-M-S" - A DEMOCRATIC, TRANSPARENT, LISTENING COUNCIL