This year cuts from central government mean again the production of a balanced budget for local authorities is a challenging and difficult process.

The ruling Conservative administration on Wiltshire have produced their budget proposals and we have carefully examined and scruitinised them. Whilst there is much that we find challening in their proposals we must also recognise that they have, for now, been chosen by the people of Wiltshire to run the county.

We particulary welcome the partical u-turn on free swimming for under 16's which the Conservatives have conceeded, one of our proposals in last years budget which they at that time rejected. However, their proposal is only for free swimming during the six weeks of the summer holiday and at Easter, and we would like to see that expanded to the whole year.

Our main budget amendment this year centres on returning one hours free parking in every Market Town in Wiltshire, and introducing it for the first time in the City of Salisbury.

Keeping our towns vibrant is essential and we do this by investing in them, not by trying to squeeze every last penny out of them. Wiltshire is surrounded by alternative and attractive shopping venues out of the county, Bath and Swindon to the north and Southampton and Bournemouth to the south.

It's time to support our towns, and I hope that on Feb 28th the Conservative administration will choose to back our proposals to amend their budget.

Cllr Jon Hubbard
Leader, Wiltshire Council Liberal Democrat Group