Horsham Lib Dems secure action on local crime and additional cost of living support

At a full meeting of Horsham District Council on Wednesday, 22 February, Lib Dems secured two important amendments to the District’s 2023/24 budget. These amendments secured cross-party support amidst the continuing chaos between the Conservative Cabinet and Conservative backbenchers.

Lib Dems help secure extra £150k to cope with local crime wave

In the light of public alarm at a recent surge in crime, the Lib Dems proposed to add an extra Community Safety Officer to the HDC team.

While the Conservative Cabinet is always reluctant to be seen to support any Lib Dem proposal, on this occasion they were shamed into compromise. They agreed to allocate £150k to a new Community Safety Fund and this compromise amendment was supported unanimously by Council.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Martin Boffey said:

“Members will all be aware of the increased instances of crime and anti-social behaviour in recent months, particularly (although not only) in Horsham Town.  

Police analysis suggests that sadly, anti-social behaviour is likely to rise in Horsham District, and we will find more young people involved in crime in the coming years. Whilst this is primarily a matter for the Police to address, there is a role for the Council to play.

HDC’s Community Safety team not only works to divert young people away from getting involved in criminal behaviour in the first place but also engages with the community to address the fear of crime that is currently plaguing our residents.

The Lib Dems will not hesitate putting money into immediate solutions. Investing now will reap benefits as fewer of the at-risk 12, 13, 14-year-olds of today will become the 15,16,17-year-olds causing the more serious violence of the future. “

Lib Dems amendment cuts Council Tax for most needy

A Lib Dem amendment will provide all working age claimants an additional £45 off their Council tax bill next year.

The amendment was carried despite the opposition of the Cabinet, as some Conservative members rebelled to vote with the Lib Dems.

As a result, the cap on Horsham District’s Discretionary Council Tax Relief, for those eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24, will be increased from £150 to £195.

All working age claimants in receipt of Council Tax Support up to Band C will now have their council tax bill reduced to zero. In addition, the maximum amount of council tax a working age claimant in a Band D property would need to pay is reduced to £25.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Martin Boffey said:

“We wanted to keep this budget balanced, while at the same time increase the support available for our residents who are entitled to Council Tax Support.

We can provide additional discretionary council tax relief by diverting central Government funding from being squirreled away for a potential food waste collection service, that has yet to be fully costed or agreed, and instead re-allocating resources to the Council’s cost of living support fund.”

Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, Cllr Sam Raby, said:

“We are going through an incredibly tough time economically, and all of us have been hit hard by rising energy prices, fuel costs and much more expensive food shops. For most people wages haven’t kept up.

For some people it has simply meant that no matter how well they budget and cut back the money coming in is just simply less than the money going out. And for a rising number this has meant having to seek help to eat from the Horsham matters foodbank, who provided meals for over 700 children this December.

I believe that one of the best ways to help our poorest residents through the cost-of-living crisis is to let them keep more of their money.

For this reason, I wholeheartedly support the additional Council Tax Discount to reduce the tax burden on our poorest residents.”