Dear Editor,

Those kind-hearted Tories of Somerset County Council are putting £100,000 back into Youth Services! That's the £100,000 they planned to steal from this vital public service this year - but with no sign that they won't continue to strip down provision for our young people in 2013. It's like a shop-lifter who knows he's been caught red-handed, putting some stolen goods back on the shelves, then returning next week to continue his thieving spree!

Following the announcement, made earlier today that Cllr John Osman will take over from Cllr Ken Maddock, as the Tory Leader and Leader of Somerset County Council, Sam Crabb has requested an urgent meeting with John Osman.

Sam Crabb, Leader of the Somerset Liberal Democrat Group said, "I have sent John Osman my best wishes for his new role. It will be a very challenging year for him."

Ross Henley deputy leader of Somerset Liberal Democrat County Group said "This is great news forSomerset".

"Sadly Tory Ken's legacy is one of destruction and disaster. He led the County Council to close all out tips two days a week and on Sunday afternoons and thanks to his policies, fly tipping has rocketed. Large parts ofSomersethave a £2 entry fee to a tip, thanks to Ken.

Despite the huge amount of protests at the proposed Tory sell-off of the Quantocks - they have gone ahead anyway.

The Liberal Democrats proposed a motion to stop the sale at the February full council meeting. This was defeated by the Tory Administration.

Ross Henley, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Somerset County Council, has expressed anger at the Conservative decision to sell a parcel of land at Great Wood on the Quantocks to the Forestry Commission. In all, a total of 1,550 acres has been sold to the Forestry Commission who have leased and managed it since 1927, for the sum of £250,000 - £162 an acre.

Councillor Paul Maxwell reports

The Countess of Wessex visited Somerset on March 21^st. Arriving by helicopter on a Spring morning, with one of her engagements being to formally open the New South Petherton Community Hospital, by unveiling a plaque.

The Countess was able to meet staff and patients on a tour of the hospital. Paul Maxwell, the Liberal Democrat County Councillor for The South Petherton Division commented "The Countess was obviously impressed by the new hospital, which is a stunning facility with equally stunning views over the Somerset countryside. It was a great honour for all of us here that she came to open our new hospital, which replaced the old one and is a huge improvement "

Sam Crabb joined Liberal Democrat Council Leaders and Group Leaders from across the country in calling on the Chancellor to make helping those on low and middle incomes a priority in the Budget next week.

Liberal Democrats have been urging the Chancellor to move further and faster on raising the Income Tax threshold so that ordinary working people do not pay income tax on the first £10,000 they earn. This will ensure more than 2.5m people will be lifted out of paying tax all together and giving millions £60 back in their pockets each month - meaning real help for people on lower incomes.

Commenting, Sam Crabb, Leader of the Somerset Liberal Democrat County Group said:

"In these difficult times, I am clear who should be the Coalition Government's priority. As a Liberal Democrat, I want to see a budget for the millions, not the millionaires."

"In Somerset, 8,000 people were lifted out of paying tax altogether last year and 211,000 had a tax cut. Across the country 23 million people each received a £200 tax cut. I now want the Chancellor to help even more people by going further and faster on raising the Income Tax threshold to £10,000."

"I look forward to the Coalition Government doing the right thing and giving an extra hand to those on low and middle incomes who are struggling."

ENDS

Dear Editor,

Is it any wonder that people are cynical about stories emanating from county council press releases? Take the SWone saga.

Leader Ken Maddock has been determined to break the partnership with IBM and been sulking in his lair for nearly three years because he could not do it on day one of his rule.

Sam Crabb, leader of the Liberal Democrat Somerset County Group has criticised the leadership of Somerset County Council in their "failure to manage" Southwest One (SWOne). Somerset County Council's Leader, Conservative Councillor Ken Maddock, outlined during last Wednesday's Full Council meeting that Procurement Savings due from the SWOne contract were still not being met.

During the Full Council meeting Of Somerset County Councillors held on Wednesday, the Conservative-led authority refused to adopt a fair and sensible approach to the County Library Service.

The Liberal Democrat County Group put forward a motion requesting that no library should have funding withdrawn without consultation with the local community and that libraries should be regarded as public spaces for the whole community.

The Tories of Somerset County Council are putting back £175000 into Youth Services for 1 year only!

Whilst applauding any extra funds, let's be realistic and put this into context. Using County figures, the original cut of £19.710m has been reduced by 0.9%!! Cllr Osman now says he is listening and has lauched a consultation excercise, does this include the other 99.1%? Or is he still not listening?