Wokingham Tories vote down Lib-Dem Plan to save Taxpayers' Money (Wokingham Liberal Democrats)

Wokingham Liberal Democrats <info@wokinghamlibdems.org.uk>

Wokingham Tories vote down Lib-Dem Plan to save Taxpayers' Money

November 28, 2008 12:00 PM

At last Thursday's Wokingham Borough Council meeting, Wokingham's Conservatives rejected a proposal from the Lib Dems for a mortgage rescue scheme.

Explaining the benefits of such a scheme, Councillor Stephen Conway (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Councillor Group and councillor for Twyford ward) said, "The country faces an economic situation of nearly unprecedented severity. Unemployment is already rising and one of the consequences of this is an alarming increase in house repossessions as out of work homeowners find it impossible to keep up with their mortgage payments.

"A mortgage rescue scheme would help desperate families to stay in their own homes, at the same time as saving the local taxpayer from a hefty bill for housing homeless people. Many councils around the country operate mortgage rescue schemes as the economic situation worsens, and the government is offering money to councils to help as well.

"I am deeply disappointed that the Tories voted against my proposal. It is ironic that the Lib Dems supported the Conservatives' motion to help small businesses through the current economic situation, while The Tories rejected our idea to help residents affected by the same economic crisis. Both proposals involved the investment of a modest sum of public money to save a much larger sum in the future.

"The Tories appear to be ignoring the whole spectre of increased homelessness, and I was concerned to discover that they have no plans in place for housing the increased numbers of homeless people in the borough.

"I have since spoken to the Tory Leader of the Council and I'm hopeful that he will reconsider introducing a mortgage scheme for the benefit of home owners and taxpayers alike. We must act quickly."

NOTE:

According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, house repossessions have increased by 40% in the last year.