News from South Norfolk Liberal Democrats

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A Budget Showing Sound Financial Management (13 Feb 2006)

South Norfolk Council Cabinet at its meeting reviewed this year's budget, and that for the forthcoming year 2006/07. Monitoring of this year's budget projects a small underspend showing Cabinet is in control of the spend of its budget.

For 2006/07, Cabinet proposed a 3.85% rise in the district share of council tax, which if approved by the full council, will mean that Band D homeowners will pay £123.93 for the year for the council's services, an extra £4.59 compared with 2005/06. Councillor Trevor Lewis, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat controlled council, said: "We have managed this despite the Government withholding £300,000 of grant that a well-run council like ours should be entitled to. We have done this by making tough decisions to save money and make the council more efficient."

This 3.85% increase compares very favourably with the South Norfolk Tory Group Leader's suggestion last Autumn that next year's increase in Council Tax is likely to be 27%.

"Can you believe a word he says?"

South Norfolk Council Leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson reacted more in sorrow than in anger to the latest attempt by the Conservatives to spread alarm over next year's Council Tax. More...

NORFOLK-WIDE CONFERENCE ENDORSES MACK'S CAMPAIGN ON ELDERLY CARE

Liberal Democrat delegates from across Norfolk backed a motion from Liberal Democrat candidate for South Norfolk and GP Dr Ian Mack calling for the saving of the Elderly Mentally Infirm beds under threat of closure. More...

MENTALLY ILL ELDERLY COULD BE FORCED TO GO PRIVATE WARNS MACK

Pressure from the Strategic Health Authority could cut the beds available for the elderly mentally infirm in central Norfolk. This would lead to more new patients being forced to use private nursing homes, resulting in means testing and payment for their care. This was the stark warning issued today by Dr Ian Mack, Liberal Democrat candidate for South Norfolk and a GP. More...

SOUTH NORFOLK FAILS GP STANDARD - MACK

South Norfolk's failure to meet Government standards for out-of-hours care was highlighted today by Liberal Democrat Candidate for South Norfolk and GP Dr Ian Mack. He has pledged to press the Primary Care Trust again about the level of care it provides. More...

FLU JAB CHAOS

The Government's sudden suspension of flu vaccine manufacturer Chiron will lead to chaos and further delays in preventing flu in Norfolk claimed Norfolk GP and Liberal Democrat Candidate for South Norfolk Dr Ian Mack.

The mid afternoon announcement on the BBC came out of the blue. GP practices have not been alerted on how to deal with patient enquiries. No guidance has been issued as to whether existing supplies of Chiron's vaccines are safe to be used, or what advice should be given to those who have already had these vaccines. More...

MACK SLAMS SUDDEN CLOSURE OF KEY SOUTH NORFOLK OUT OF HOURS BASE

Dr Ian Mack Liberal Democrat Candidate for South Norfolk revealed today the closure of the Ditchingham base for emergency out of hours care from this Friday, and condemned health bosses for failing to consult and inform local people about the issue. More...

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, HEALTHY PEOPLE

Local GP and Liberal Democrat Candidate for South Norfolk Dr Ian Mack today struck a blow for the NHS when he slammed Tony Blair for introducing, "targets that have replaced the health needs of the individual with the political needs of the Government".

Speaking at the Liberal Democrat Conference Dr Mack highlighted the plight of elderly hip replacement patients in South Norfolk who have a wait as long as those having their bunions straightened. More...

LIB DEM VOTE SURGE THREATENS BACON'S SEAT

South Norfolk Conservative MP Richard Bacon was forced to abandon parliament and miss key votes (like the controversial hunting bill) in an effort to shore up support in a previously safe Conservative council seat, claimed South Norfolk Liberal Democrats late on Thursday evening.

The Lib Dem vote in the Easton by-election surged by more than 10% compared to the result in the 2003 district council election. More...