At the Council’s most important meeting recently Labour-run Ealing Council voted not to introduce a number of sensible proposals that are supported by large numbers of residents.

These proposals included:

• Getting rid of the £40 Garden Waste tax. Liberal Democrats believe recycling should be free. Anything else and it leads to more landfill.

• Selling a car park that has hardly ever been used since it was opened.

• Adding an extra £1.6 million of investment for our roads and paving

• Giving a discount to Special Constables, supporting their high level of community work.

• Reducing in the marketing & communications budget.

It is sad that Labour-run Ealing Council have made numerous unnecessary cuts affecting the vulnerable including the elderly and disabled. These included the cutting of respite care, reducing transport services for the vulnerable, cutting sheltered housing provision and closing many day centres.

Liberal Democrats want to see a Council who listens to residents and introduces policies that will really help residents such as:

• Protect green spaces & prevent “garden grabbing”

• Cleaner streets and fines for contractors who perform badly like Enterprise

• Increase social & affordable housing supply

• Make the Council easier to contact

Over the past few years the Liberal Democrats in opposition have successfully persuaded the administration to reverse the library cuts and restore Hanwell and Perivale Libraries, as well as the removal of the Council tax discount on second homes which generated income with no problems.

More recently the Council agreed to introduce a Carers’ permit which will be vital for residents who have been stung by the high price of the visitors’ vouchers, and need nursing staff or relatives to help them.

What was clear over the past few years is that the Conservatives have no clear, costed plans unlike the Liberal Democrats. When any of their ideas have been costed they appear not to add up.