A difference you can see

A message from the Lib Dem leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr. David Faulkner

People say that the Liberal Democrats have made a difference in Newcastle since we were elected to run the
city council in 2004. What's more, it's a difference that people say they can really see!

Our neighbourhoods are cleaner and safer, and millions of pounds are being spent to improve roads and pavements after years of neglect under Labour.

Local libraries have been improved and we have a network of new customer service centres. There are new and modernised schools across the city, and the exam results achieved by our young people are the best ever. Crime is down by 20% over the last three years, and our adult social care is top-rated.

We've been building the first council houses and bungalows for 25 years, and we've been improving the 30,000 council homes. Regeneration is now under way in areas of the city like Scotswood and Walker.

The city centre has a fantastic new library, improved theatres and museums, and a very successful extension to Eldon Square, and the Government has confirmed £350m to upgrade the Metro.

The council has made £50m of efficiency savings in the past two years and we've kept council tax rises below the rate of inflation, as promised, every year since 2004 - and there's a council tax freeze for the coming year funded by government grant.

Remember how bad the council was during the previous 30 years of hard Labour? Labour in Newcastle offers no
alternative budget to face up to the financial crisis which their party created.

The Liberal Democrats can be trusted to provide effective leadership for our city in tough times. We're ambitious for Newcastle, we want to protect and enhance quality of life, and we want every resident to achieve their potential.