LIB DEMS FAIL OWN TARGETS (10/07/03)

A report published this week shows that the Lib Dem controlled County Council is performing even worse than last year.

Of 95 Government-set performance standards, Somerset County Council failed 59.That is about 2 in every 3.

‘This is very worrying’, said Stephen Martin-Scott, Deputy Chairman of the Council’s Scrutiny Committee, to which the report was submitted.

He continued, ‘Last year the Lib Dems missed 42 of their own targets.This year, despite massive increases in Council Tax for every Somerset ratepayer, they have missed 59.’

‘We get promises of improvements but that is all they are – promises!’Added Christopher Wolverson, Leader of the County Council Conservatives.

‘Failing to meet their targets yet again shows how unfit the Lib Dems are to run the county.We look forward to taking control in 2005 and really improving services for Somerset’s long-suffering tax payers.’

Notes to Editors:

·Last year Somerset County Council was charged with recording its performance against 82 Best Value Performance Plan indicators.It met 40 and missed 42 (51%).

·This year it was measured on 95 indicators.It met 36 and missed 59 (62%).