THORNTON Cleveleys Labour Party is demanding to know why Wyre residents are facing cuts in services and increased charges.

"This council has taken the decision to cut services in Thornton Cleveleys without the slightest thought for the outcome of their actions," claims Thornton Cleveleys Labour Party Press Officer Lee Rossall.

A statement issued this week says that residents deserve the courtesy of an explanation from the Tory administration as to why, following a 9.9 per cent increase in council tax, they are now going to have to suffer:

INCREASED car parking charges in central Cleveleys, and no more free car parking on Sundays.

REDUCED road cleaning, from once in four weeks currently to once in six weeks.

A LIMIT of two free refuse sacks per household supplied.

A £25,000 cut in sea defence spending.

THE CLOSURE of public toilets (33% of all toilets in the borough are to be closed).

THE POSSIBLE closure of Cleveleys tourist information office.

REDUCED beach cleaning.

A £2 INCREASE to £12 for the collection of bulky household waste.

THE SEASONAL closure of Marsh Mill visitors centre.

As outlined in last week's Citizen, the controversial cut-backs, designed to streamline services, have been described by Wyre Council Leader Alan Vincent as "essential".

Mr Rossall warns: "As a town that relies heavily on tourism to generate much needed revenue for local business, visitors can now look forward to dirtier streets, dirtier beaches, higher car parking charges, fewer public conveniences, and no tourism information office.

"Thornton Cleveleys residents, who have to pay an extra 9.9% on their council tax bill this year, are going to receive fewer public services than last year. Is that value for money? What about the people of Cleveleys Avenue and the streets off Clarence Avenue where parking is already a problem?

"The fact that the council is increasing car parking charges in the centre will only encourage more residents to park their cars in this area of Cleveleys."

Mr Rossall added that Labour group leader Keith Riley had received many phone calls and letters regarding the issues of parking and the increases in parking charges but that the increases and cuts in public services were pushed through by the Tory-controlled authority.

"A recorded vote was taken at the special meeting and every Labour councillor rejected the increases and cuts. You will not be surprised to note that every Tory councillor voted to impose these cuts and increases in parking charges," he said.

"What effect will the decision to close Marsh Mill in winter have on local businesses based in the Mill village? As small businesses, they need all the help they can to ensure their long-term survival, and this can only take away valuable passing trade.

"As business ratepayers, do they think they are getting value for money? This Conservative group seem to have no idea how to look after the finances of our council.

"Why are they cutting services to save money after increasing the council tax less than four months ago? The answer, I believe, is that with local elections now less than twelve months away, they hope that all these cuts in services will be long forgotten when it comes to polling day.

"But when you have to pay 50 pence more every time you park your car in Cleveleys (an increase of 166%), and you are buying extra bin bags because you cannot manage with the two that the council give you, and you need to visit the loo when out shopping but can't because they have been closed down, ask yourself this: 'I am paying 9.9% more this year in council tax. Am I getting value for money?'

"I would hazard a guess that your answer will be 'NO.'"