THE LOWEST COUNCIL TAX INCREASE IN STAFFORDSHIRE!

8.30.00pm GMT Mon 3rd Mar 2008

The Council Tax increase for Cannock Chase District Council is just 2.4% that is the lowest increase of any of the District Council's in Staffordshire and well below the national average and the rate of inflation. It can be compared with increases of 4.5% at neighbouring Lichfield, 3.9% at Stafford and 4.9% at Tamworth. Unfortunately Staffordshire County Council has increased its Council Tax by 4% despite receiving a massive increase in funding from the government.

Cllr Neil Stanley Leader of Cannock Chase District Council

The increase in the council tax for the District Council (led by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives) will be less than 8p per week for the great majority of local residents, but when the increases from the Labour run County Council and the Police and Fire Authorities is added the increase shoots up to almost an extra £1.00 per week.

FREE SWIMMING AND TENNIS

With effect from 1st April the tennis courts provided by the District Council will be free to use all year round. In addition during the school summer holidays there will be free swimming sessions for children at both the Chase Leisure Centre and the new swimming pool at Rugeley Leisure Centre. These great opportunities have resulted following the Liberal Democrat led Council spending over £100,000 on providing a new tennis court at Ravenhill Park and fully refurbishing 6 courts at Cannock Park (after Labour had let them fall into near dereliction over 11 years). In addition there are 4 courts in Hednesford Park.

In addition the new £4,250,000 swimming pool is due to open in Rugeley in a couple of months. The provision of the new swimming pool in Rugeley has always been a Liberal Democrat commitment, despite repeated Labour attempts to stop it being built!

SALE OF STADIUM LAND OPENS DOOR FOR A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE!

The money raised by the sale of the land at and around the old stadium will be invested in new leisure facilities.

It will be used to provide;-

• a new athletics stadium,

• a full size artificial turf pitch,

• additional football pitches at Heath Hayes Park,

• improvement of the football pitches at Hednesford Park,

• a new modern theatre to replace the Prince of Wales,

• and the new leisure village to replace the Chase Leisure Centre.

STADIUM SALE ALSO MEANS NEW HOMES TO RENT!

As part of the planning agreement for the development of the old stadium site, £1,250,000 will be made available for new homes to rent. These new homes will be built as part of the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Road area of Cannock (just across the road from the old stadium site) and will be made available for local families in need of affordable homes to rent.

GETTING TOUGH WITH THE LITTER LOUTS

The Liberal Democrats have made getting our streets cleaner and improving the local environment a priority ever since taking over the leadership of the Council. The frequency of street sweeping has been increased by providing extra sweeping vehicles and the standard of grounds maintenance has been raised. Now the Council is to get tough with those people who cause the litter. Those individuals who litter will be prosecuted and fined, and action will be taken against businesses that do not keep the areas around their premises clear of litter, such as private car parks and rear yards. Enforcement action will also be taken against contractors who do not follow legal requirements in disposing of their waste.

TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Extra money has been provided in the Council's budget for the coming year to step up joint action by the Council's street wardens, the police and other bodies to tackle anti-social behaviour and the yob culture.