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NEWS RELEASE
from the Liberal Democrats on Harlow District Council |
| Contact | Cllr Lorna Spenceley (home 324676, mobile 07930 337596) |
| Release | 25 March 2004 |
Lib Dems Welcome Council Cash for Police Support
Liberal Democrats on Harlow Council have welcomed the council’s decision to joint-fund four extra Police Community Support Officers for Harlow - and challenged Harlow Tories to explain why they opposed it. The decision, taken last night (23 March) by the council’s Policy & Resources Committee, allocates to these four posts the £60,000 proposed for community safety in the Liberal Democrats’ council budget. A further £60,000 to complete the funding of the four posts will come from the Essex Police Authority. The posts will be funded for three years. There are currently five Police Community Support Officer posts in the Harlow area, fully funded by the police, and the council’s decision will bring the total team to nine.
Conservative councillors proposed to spend the council’s £60,000 on its own in-house anti-social behaviour team, and not to accept the extra police cash.
Cllr Lorna Spenceley said: "This welcome decision will strengthen the team working to address anti-social behaviour and crime in Harlow. It will also offer opportunities for more joined-up working between the council and the police.
"It’s frankly extraordinary that Harlow Tories voted to turn down £60,000 from the police to address local residents’ most pressing concern. They need to explain why they don’t want this extra money to come to Harlow."
ENDS