THE LibDem parliamentary candidate said he is “delighted” that Taunton Town Council voted to pay for three services that could have been scrapped due to the unitary’s council financial crisis.
Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, however, said the Liberal Democrats in Taunton “believe they can take the local people in Somerset for fools, and they are continuing to mislead them about who bears responsibility for their financial mess”.
Gideon Amos said: “I am absolutely delighted that Tom Deakin and the rest of our Lib Dem team on Taunton Town Council have this week secured the continued provision of CCTV, security of park gates and the Visitor Centre in Taunton town centre.
“These were all under threat after Conservative government cuts to local councils and their reduction of social care funding by 60 per cent just before Christmas.
“Taunton’s LibDem team have taken the tough decisions needed to ensure the funding is in place to put the safety and security of our county town first.
“Unfortunately, the local Conservative MP has completely failed to come to the aid of Somerset and Taunton Town Councils as they negotiate the recent financial emergency - and didn’t even turn up to the urgent debate in Parliament on Somerset’s finances.”
“It’s time people in Taunton and Wellington didn’t just have the voice of the Conservative government in their midst but actually had an MP who will stand up to those in power when they need it most”.
Rebecca Pow MP said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that the Liberal Democrats in Taunton and county hall believe they can take the local people in Somerset for fools and they are continuing to mislead them about who bears responsibility for their financial mess.
“Tackling antisocial behaviour locally is one of my prioritise and as such I have instigated an antisocial behaviour forum bringing stakeholders together to work on actions we can take.
“Having a well-functioning CCTV system in the town is integral to this and I have been making representations to the Liberal Democrat unitary council to keep the CCTV service in place.
“The Liberal Democrats can’t blame the government for their £100 million deficit and their cuts to services, particularly when other councils around the South-West are under the same inflationary pressures yet are managing to balance the books.”
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