Richmond Lib Dems launch record-breaking £165 million investment programme

10.00.00pm GMT Tue 8th Jan 2008

Cllr Stephen Knight outside Teddington School, which is to be rebuilt under a £32 million scheme

Liberal Democrat Richmond Council has announced a record-breaking £165 million investment programme for the next five years to transform local public facilities.

The investment programme, which will go to Cabinet on 14th January will see massive investment in a range of public services, including:

• Over £107 million in the borough's schools

• £15 million in new affordable housing

• £7 million in environmental improvements

• £1 million in improvements to youth centres

The Council also expects to spend around £25 million in road and pavement improvements over the same period using funds from Transport for London.

The programme will be funded from a range of sources, including the Council's reserves, government grant, borrowing, developer contributions and the sale of surplus land.

Councillor Stephen Knight, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources said:

"The Liberal Democrat administration is determined to invest in our local public services and facilities, whilst holding down Council Tax to the minimum possible. We are not content with simply hoarding bigger and bigger reserves at the town hall like the Conservatives did before us.

"This new capital investment programme covers the next five years and will transform many of our local public services, especially our schools, where the majority of the investment will go."