STATEMENT FROM CLLR KATH PINNOCK, LEADER OF KIRKLEES LIB DEM GROUP: (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

STATEMENT FROM CLLR KATH PINNOCK, LEADER OF KIRKLEES LIB DEM GROUP:

May 21, 2008 6:01 PM

“Lib Dems will work constructively for Kirklees but will oppose Conservatives when right to do so.”

Statement from Cllr Kath Pinnock, Leader of Kirklees Lib Dem Group: "Lib Dems will work constructively for Kirklees but will oppose Conservatives when right to do so."

Kirklees Annual Meeting of Council - 21st May 2008

STATEMENT FROM CLLR KATH PINNOCK, LEADER OF KIRKLEES LIB DEM GROUP:

"LIB DEMS WILL WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY FOR KIRKLEES BUT WILL OPPOSE CONSERVATIVES WHEN RIGHT TO DO SO."

On the outcome of the vote to determine which political group would run Kirklees Council, Cllr Pinnock said "The Lib Dems accept that in a balanced council all groups need to be responsible and work to ensure the Council can function effectively.

"We had serious talks with the other three political groups, focussing on key policy issues like education, climate change, transport and housing.

"Due to the differences between the Lib Dems and the other groups on matters of policy and principle, a shared administration was not possible at this time.

"Our talks with Labour fell at the first hurdle - over issues of trust in the leadership of their group, mutual respect and policy differences.

"The Conservatives showed last year that they would enable the Lib Dem group to secure major policy initiatives through the budget - we secured an investment of almost £26 million in Lib Dem policies and projects, such as making roads safer, improving young people's activities, providing extra services for elderly people and tackling climate change.

"The Conservatives have again pledged to allow the Lib Dems to contribute to decision-making in the Council. Therefore we felt able to allow the Conservatives to continue in the Cabinet positions on this basis.

"We have made it clear to Robert Light that whilst we will support Cabinet proposals where we agree with them, Liberal Democrat Councillors will challenge the Conservatives if they try to impose policies which would harm the residents of Kirklees. We will always try to be constructive for the good of local people, but will oppose the Tories when it is right to do so."