Don't Risk letting the Mendip Tories Loose in Somerset!

Written by Cllr. Jim Mochnacz and published in sent to the Mid Somerset Press on Tue 3rd Mar 2009

Letter to Editor,

The existing Liberal Democrat administration have taken Somerset County Council on a continuous upward curve of improvement to an official rating of "Excellent" across the full range of vital services, from Schools, through Waste Management to Economic Regeneration and Social Care.

Recognising that the economic downturn is affecting many people they have just recorded the lowest council tax rate

in their history 2.7 %, below inflation and below almost every other council in the country.

Many of the Tories bidding to replace them on June 4th's elections are part of the ruling administration at Mendip.

In the sharpest possible contrast to the Lib Dem County, Tory controlled Mendip is deemed to be "weak and failing"

by the Auditors. They have just increased their Council tax by 3% only achieving this by making one-in-six staff redundant, stopping cardboard and plastic recycling, increasing Stealth Taxes, rescinding transport grants and all but ending tourism support at a time when the weak pound is enticing foreign tourists and persuading Britons to holiday at home.

The £1.834M total package of Mendip's panic cuts to services and staff will disproportionately hit the elderly,

the vulnerable and the disabled (Shopmobility) and represents a 36% reduction in what you are paying for.

Let us be very clear - you will pay Mendip Council 3% more this year in Council Tax AND suffer a 36% reduction in services.

Who would want to replace the party that has made Somerset a 4 Star Excellent Authority with the one that has

dragged Mendip to the bottom?

Cllr Jim Mochnacz

County Councillor for Street

01458 442229