Local Lib Dem councillors remain concerned about a number of
cuts included in council budget proposals from the controlling Sefton Labour
Group.
Three main areas where Labour's cuts will particularly hit
Southport are tourism, the fernery and aviary at Botanic Gardens, and charges
to sports clubs. Although the Tourist Information Centre itself looks safe for
now, Labour's proposals still call for a cut of £27,000 in the tourism
marketing budget. The Lib Dems are calling for that cut to be over-turned.
On Botanic Gardens, John Dodd said "I share the
widespread concern about the impact closure of the Botanic Gardens fernery and
aviary would have. With my colleagues, I have been fighting to save these
precious resources. I am pleased that many councillors now agree with us that
the fernery and aviary should be saved."
The Labour budget also proposes massive increases in charges
to local sports clubs. John Dodd added "In some cases sports clubs will
have to pay over 300% more. This is simply far too much. We are calling for a
much smaller increase, and for any extra charges to be staggered over two
years."
