The Weston Mercury has asked the different parties to offer 150 words on key policies. Here is what the Lib Dems had to say on council spending ? ?

Despite government cuts, North Somerset still spends hundreds of millions of pounds every year. Council tax has gone up by around £400 per year for the average household and charges for things like parking and care services have gone up too. For Liberal Democrats, it is about how you make these decisions and the services you value. We have challenged the council’s secretive spending of £100 million on shopping centres and car parks. We’ve put forward a costed alternative budget every year, focussing on getting basic services right – collecting the rubbish and recycling, cleaning the streets and looking after our young and old. Virtually all our suggestions have been rejected by the Conservatives. It’s time for the Town Hall to listen to local people. The Conservative majority has been in power for 12 years and it’s time for change.