STATEMENT FROM LEADER OF KIRKLEES LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP

6.57.00am GMT Wed 17th Feb 2010

Cllr Kath Pinnock - Leader of Kirklees Liberal Democrat Group

"The reckless actions of investment bankers in London have landed the residents of Kirklees with a massive bill to pay for their greed."

"In times like these, politicians have a responsibility to work together to find the best solutions to the challenges we are all facing."

"Over the last few months the Liberal Democrat Group has worked constructively with Labour and the Greens on the setting of this year's budget; but it is with regret we note that the Conservative group withdrew from cross party discussions. This was an opportunity to pull together and put aside party politics for the good of the area."

"The council needed a sensible budget to protect essential service and this is what we have been working to achieve. Services for the old, young and the vulnerable will be maintained.

"The other major challenge we face is climate change. Our amendments to this year's budget put forward projects to help local people save money on their bills whilst reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere."

"Under one of our proposals, over the next two years all council houses would get the Warm Zone treatment that has already been available to all private properties. Under another we help would be available to people interested in replacing inefficient boilers in their homes. We would also like to introduce a grants scheme that would allow community Groups to install photovoltaic panels on their buildings so they could generate their own power and sell surplus off to the energy companies. We also want advice on how to make the best use of central heating systems made available to households."

"We hope the other parties will support our suggestions which would benefit local people financially whilst helping in the continuing fight against climate change."