Local Elections 2011 (Bracknell Liberal Democrats)

Bracknell Liberal Democrats <info@bracknelllibdems.org.uk>

Local Elections 2011

April 5, 2011 9:35 AM

FORMER LIB DEM PPC TO CONTEST LEADER'S SEAT

Cllr Bettison's record under attack in Little Sandhurst local election

Bracknell Liberal Democrats have responded to public concern and anger about the performance and record of Conservative-controlled Bracknell Forest Council under Cllr Paul Bettison's leadership by selecting former Parliamentary candidate, Ray Earwicker and Steve Pope, Constitituency Chairman, to stand against him and Deputy Leader, Dale Birch, in the forthcoming local elections on 5 May 2011.

Cllrs Bettison and Birch have held both Borough and Town Council seats in Little Sandhurst and Wellington for many years including the period since Bracknell Forest Council became a unitary authority in 1998. During this time the Borough Council has faced growing criticism of its policies and its recurring failure to contain expenditure and reduce costs.

Bracknell Forest Council is the smallest of the unitary authorities in Berkshire but it has the highest members' allowances and its Chief Executive earns more than the Prime Minister. The number of staff employed by the council has risen by more than 50% since 1998 and the annual wage bill is now over £100m a year. Within Little Sandhurst the post office has closed, public transport has become virtually non-existent and fewer and fewer public amenities remain.

Commenting on his selection as one of the Lib Dem candidates to contest the Little Sandhurst and Wellington ward, Ray Earwicker, said the Liberal Democrats had worked hard within the ward to try and keep residents informed and the forthcoming election would give them the chance to pass judgement on the council's record and on the performance of their elected representatives. The Conservatives obviously regarded the ward as their own but they had neglected Little Sandhurst, in particular, over many years.

Regrettably, the Party lacked the resources to mount a borough-wide election campaign and they were sorry those voters who had previously supported the Party might be unable to do so again. A 'YES' vote in the AV referendum would be a step in the right direction towards a much fairer electoral system that would at least ensure a more representative outcome in future elections, irrespective of a party's size.'