CITY OF PRESTON LABOUR PARTY

The Tories in Preston caused significant embarressment to the Liberal Democrats after the recent local elections, by declaring that they had been in alliance for 3 years and that it worked well for the Tories in Preston.  This was despite consistent claims by the local Lib Dems in and out of Preston Town Hall that were not in any alliance with the Tories.

The Tory/Lib Dem coalition has plagued Preston with a series of cuts to services and rising charges that have hurt the most needy in the city. Despite this, the Lib Dems are expected to emulate their national party, and once again enter into an alliance with the Tories at Preston City Council.

Labour entered the Local Elections with a manifesto to bring real change to Preston.  Pledges included

1) Reinstate the free Passport to Leisure in 2010 and provide free swimming in council owned leisure centres by 2012.

2) Scrap charges for replacement household waste bins and for the collection of bulky waste, including fridges, from households. 

3) Promote a living wage standard in Preston businesses of at least £7.19 an hour. 

4) Implement a rolling programme of gating of back alleys, based on criteria of crime and litter prevention.

5) Work with our partners to increase the amount of social and affordable housing in the city.