Lib Dems present bus pass petition to Council

11.31.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Apr 2008

Cllr David Jones presents bus pass petition to Lib Dem Leader Cllr Mike Mackrory supported by Cllr Keith Francis and Stephen Robinson

Moulsham Lodge residents have collected hundreds of signatures protesting against the scrapping of the 9am start for concessionary bus passes. Local councillor David Jones (seen pictured with Parliamentary candidate Stephen Robinson, local County Councillor Keith Francis & Lib Dem Borough Council Group Leader Mike Mackrory) handed in the petition at the Council Offices.

Cllr. Jones said, "The Labour Government has introduced this scheme but didn't properly fund it which means the council taxpayers have to pick up the bill. We want the Council to join Liberal Democrat MP's in Parliament who have been pressing the Government to meet the shortfall."

Chelmsford Borough Council Liberal Democrats recently submitted a motion to Council calling on Whitehall to provide a fairer deal for local government, but the Conservatives did not want to pursue the matter. Liberal Democrats are continuing to press for an overhaul in the funding of local government, and the scrapping of the Council tax, in order to bring government closer to the people.