Your Chance to make a Difference: Use Your Postal Vote Now

4.38.53pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th Apr 2003

Every vote cast across Brighton will count.

Liberal Democrats are urging residents to return their postal vote forms now.

Residents have been receiving their ballot papers through the post all week and they should be returned directly through the post by 1 May. Residents can also drop them into Brighton and Hove Town Hall from Monday 28 April until 5pm on 1 May. If you do not receive a ballot paper ring 291999 for advice.

Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'Use your vote today to make a difference for this city.

"The Liberal Democrats have a radical agenda for the city with real vision and direction. We will not be caught up on issues of spin but will devote our time and effort ensuring that local services are well delivered and up to standard. The key issue in the delivery of local services is to ensure that residents receive value for money and this is where the council has failed in the past."

"Residents are tired of the current council's obsession with glitzy projects such as the city of culture bid - its time for a fresh start and a different way at looking at things."

"Our key manifesto pledges of giving a school book every term to each child in our schools, free swimming for pensioners and young people and devolved local democracy through Neighbourhood Forums, provide real vision for this city. It offers a caring and inclusive agenda for the citizens of Brighton and Hove. We want to involve all and give all the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the city."

"We would also tackle a range of issues which have for sometime caused concern amongst residents. We would make parking enforcement more democratic, street lighting repairs more efficient, schools less bureaucratic and the city council more transparent."

"We will also go further than any other party and look at issues such as Trams, let Friends Groups actually manage open spaces such as Preston Park and Brunswick Square and develop a community trust to manage our sporting venues."

"Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats are pleased and proud to present this manifesto. We genuinely believe it offers a way forward for everyone. We have a vision of Brighton & Hove that is efficient, caring, cosmopolitan, and tolerant."

The Lib Dem manifesto proposals for the election offer a 'fresh start' for Brighton and Hove and a clear alternative to the city's Labour run council. The manifesto is a four year programme which the party would implement if elected to control or influence the city council.

Key manifesto pledges include:

· Providing free off peak use of the council's swimming pools for pensioners and offering free swimming lessons for young people;

· Providing a free book every term for every junior and infant school pupil to encourage reading and literacy;

· Opening the city's main two libraries on Sunday afternoons and increasing the library book stock by 100 books each week;

· A Neighbourhood Forum, with devolved budgets and a dedicated Neighbourhood Ranger for every ward;

· A community trust to manage our sports and leisure venues, charged with amongst other issues redeveloping the King Alfred and refurbishing the Prince Regent;

· No more double figure council tax increases.