MORE investment in libraries, better transport links to and from hospitals and more 20mph zones where appropriate are among the amendments being proposed by Worcestershire’s Labour group before the County Council’s budget meeting next Thursday, February 13.
The Leader of the Labour group, Redditch Councillor Robin Lunn, said his party would be calling for the county to use its higher than expected rate of council tax collection to spend an extra £500,000 on boosting key library services with cash to buy new books and new e-books for online readers.
County libraries have been under increasing financial pressure in recent years and the group is also calling for a £50,000 marketing campaign to promote the modern benefits they offer.
“For too long our libraries have seen their funding cut and a lack of investment.
“The library service needs to be allowed to flourish and the years of funding cuts needs to end.”
Cash would also help county Citizens Advice Bureaux combat homelessness and there are calls for targeted funding to tackle congestion and improve public transport specifically to and from hospitals.
Coun Lunn added: “The County Council still faces ever growing pressures on its adult social care budget.
“Until social care is properly addressed and funded it will squeeze the council budget still further.
“We call on central government after years of prevarication to come up with a permanent, long term and funded solution.”
