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01/01/09 : Jo Lovelock’s best wishes for 2009 – “It’ll be tough but together we’ll get through” :
The Leader of Reading Council, Labour’s Jo Lovelock, has pledged that the Council and its partners will do all they can to support local communities and local people in the tough economic times ahead.
In a New Year’s message wishing everybody the best for 2009, she says: “We know 2009 is going to be tough. Reading cannot avoid being hit by the global credit crunch, but the Council, other public bodies, businesses and the voluntary sector are all determined to do everything we can to help the town get through.”
One of the most important messages, she says, is to urge people to seek advice immediately if they are facing difficulties with their mortgage, rent or other household bills. “Far too many people leave it too late to get debt advice, and many do not apply for benefits and tax credits they’re entitled to.”
But, Cllr. Lovelock says, it’s not all doom and gloom. “While some building schemes may have to wait for the upturn, there’s still major investment in Reading which is benefitting the local economy. The Government-funded scheme for M4 Junction 11 is under way as is planning for Reading Station – one of the biggest public transport schemes in the country – and the Cow Lane improvements. The Government is also putting more money into school buildings. We’re also expecting a planning application from John Madejski’s Sackville Properties for the area between the station and Friar Street next year and there are other major building schemes across the town.”
“All these projects mean jobs,” Cllr. Lovelock says, “and wherever possible we press for local contractors and local workers to be used. In other help for small businesses, the Council is promoting Small Business Rate Relief and we aim to pay all invoices within 20 working days.”
“Next year Reading Council will be maintaining our generous support to the voluntary sector, who do so much for the vulnerable members of our society,” she says, “and we are determined to maintain and improve public services, which we think is even more important in these difficult financial times. 2009 is going to be a tough year. But if we continue to pull together then 2010 will be a better one.”
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