The Lib Dem Plan for Winchester
Our May 2024 Manifesto.
Under the Liberal Democrats, Winchester City Council is moving ahead.
While other councils are forced to slash services and the failed Conservative Government just makes things worse, the Liberal Democrat City Council is taking action to tackle the climate emergency, investing to improve our city and town centres, recycling more, and helping people through the cost-of-living crisis.
There’s still much to do.
We know that the Council works best when it works alongside local people. Working together, the Liberal Democrats believe we can address the challenges our area faces and look forward confidently to a greener, stronger, fairer future for the Winchester District.
Martin Tod, Liberal Democrat Leader of Winchester City Council
Cost of Living Help
With the cost of living continuing to rise and tax bills at their highest in decades, the Lib Dems have worked hard to improve services while holding costs down.
What we have done
- £300,000 emergency support for residents most affected by the cost of living crisis
- 318 council homes retrofitted to cut carbon and cut bills
- Free evening and Sunday parking in Chesil St, River Park and Worthy Lane
- Lowest Council Tax increase in Hampshire
What we will do next
- Keep our district council tax increase below inflation
- Invest extra in council tax hardship grants
- Cut fuel bills for low-income families with grants for insulation and draught proofing
Greener, Faster
We need urgent action to tackle the climate emergency. After years of Conservative foot-dragging – and their repeated attempts to slow down our plans, we have to go greener, faster.
What we have done
- Rated top 5 District Council for actions to tackle climate change*
- Increased recycling, bringing in doorstep glass, electrical and battery collections and new carton bins
- Invested to cut phosphates and nitrates going into our rivers
- Highest number of EV chargers and Rapid EV chargers in Hampshire
What we will do next
- Recycle even more: introduce doorstep food waste & push to get plastic pots recycling
- Switch our buses and waste lorries to low or no carbon fuels
- More ‘rapid’ electric chargers
- Invest £45 million to insulate council houses and cut bills
- Keep working to protect our rivers
Pride in place
Our high streets are doing well, but it’s still a challenging time for businesses across our area. We’re working to bring vital investment into our district - protecting local jobs, supporting businesses and reinvigorating our high streets.
What we have done
- Invested in local High Streets with new seating, bike parking & bins
- Worked with police to cut graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour
- Cut fly-tipping with more successful prosecutions
- Started redeveloping the run-down parts of our city centre
What we will do next
- Spend more cleaning up our city and market town centres
- Refurbish the council’s public toilets
- Prosecute fly-tippers. Clear fly-tipping faster.
- Revitalise Winchester street markets and support local festivals.
- Keep working to redevelop run-down and derelict areas
- Action plan for culture
A healthy community
After years of Conservative neglect of the NHS, the Lib Dems are working hard to protect local health services and make our area a healthier place to live.
What we have done
- Invested in new and extended GP surgeries across the district
- Invested in new leisure and sport facilities - including new sports pavilions and football grounds
- Supported the 'City of Sanctuary' movement
What we will do next
- Keep fighting for better NHS services, including the A&E services we need in Winchester
- Improve open spaces, play and sport facilities with better provision for all ages
- Make it easier, safer and more pleasant to get around on foot or by bicycle
Homes for all
Under the Lib Dems, the City Council is building new council homes and putting in place a ‘local plan’ to ensure we get the right houses in the right places to meet need while protecting green spaces.
What we have done
- 281 new council homes across the Winchester district
- Helped fund more accommodation for the homeless
- Buy back of ex-council houses to turn them into family homes.
What we will do next
- 1,000 more new low carbon council homes in the next 10 years
- More affordable housing for young people and key workers
- Protect our countryside and prevent urban over-development
- Work to ensure all new houses are built to operate at ‘net zero’ energy standards