Darlington Liberal Democrats have proposed “ambitious” changes to help the town prosper in years to come, as it bids to win further seats in May’s local election.
The party has revealed four key pledges, which it says will transform the town: reverse the five per cent council tax rise; rejuvenate the town centre; improve road safety and pollution; and properly protect the environment.
The Lib Dems - who currently have three elected councillors - say its aims are the most ambitious yet and come from its members’ frustration at how the council has been run by current and former administrations.
In proposing to reverse the council tax increase the party says it will challenge the current council’s “complacent and entitled attitude” to spending taxpayers money. Almost all local authorities in the North East have increased the rate but Simon Thorley, who has been selected as the town's Parliamentary candidate, defended the approach.
“Darlington is in a more fortunate position than other councils in that we have substantial reserves. The council is not being anywhere near proactive enough in ensuring value for money and they’ve reached far too easily for a tax rise without really considering how much of a negative impact that will have on local people, particularly the lowest paid.
“The council needs to look at itself and understand what it’s mission is, which its says is to secure the prosperity and wellbeing of the town, but when people are struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table taking more money out their pocket shouldn’t be done unless it’s absolutely a last resort and we don’t think we’re at that point.”
Darlington has been fortunate in recent years after receiving significant Govenrment investment to revitalise its town centre, but as consumer habits change Mr Thorley has called for a “radical new solution” by creating a new neighbourhood. The party proposes a comprehensive restructure of the town centre into a mixed-use neighbourhood, with surplus shops and offices rapidly converted into private and social housing. This, it says, will recreate a living, vibrant core for the whole town to enjoy.
“Our town centre is blighted by dozens of empty premises,” Mr Thorley said. “The more empty shops appear, the less attractive the remaining shops become, creating an unstoppable downward spiral.
“Neither the Conservatives or Labour are willing to recognise this basic fact: we do not need as many shops as we used to. Their plans to attract new retailers to fill the empty units are pure fantasy. We have a huge opportunity to do this but the risk is that we miss the opportunity by not being bold and imaginative enough.”
The party says a plan to implement a default 20mph speed limit across the borough (certain major routes excepted) will help improve road safety and traffic flow, and reduce air and noise pollution. More Low Traffic Neighbourhoods will also be introduced, allowing local residents to enjoy peaceful and safe streets. “We should be able to easily walk and cycle everywhere in town. Our children should be able to safely play outdoors and breathe clean air,’ it’s manifesto says.
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Sewage dumps in the River Skerne and Tees and the reduced amount of green space in the town has prompted members to warn ‘enough is enough’. It has pledged to protect Blackwell Parkland from further development by implementing a Town Green status, while also challenging water companies over river pollution.
With the 2019 election returning a result of ‘no overall control’ Mr Thorley says this is a positive sign that it could gain greater power in May. He added: “We’re hoping to hold the balance of power on a ‘no overall control council’ and we will go into discussions with other parties once the election results are announced and see what we can do to work together in a constructive way.”
The local elections in Darlington take place on Thursday, May 4. Other party campaign launches are expected to take place in the coming weeks.
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