Here Plymouth Liberal Democrats set out some of the ideas they would like to introduce to PlymouthCity Council (PCC). Even a small number of Lib Dem councillors could influence the way the city is run, and we would use that impact to help create a safer, greener, better connected, more vibrant and
more democratic city.

 A safer city

We want every one to feel safe and be safe in Plymouth. As a cornerstone of delivering on that we support the city's Violence Against Women and Girls Commission and believe this work should be a priority both now and over the long term.
To help make the city safer we would, for example, improve street lighting and lighting in parks and cut throughs, look to install CCTV in bus shelters, rather than removing them. We would hold early discussions with transport groups and pedestrians to find the best way forward. Better night buses would help support the city's nighttime economy and keep people safe.
Potholes have spread like wildfire throughout every ward. Let us stop this scourge and make the roads of Plymouth safe for our vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

A greener city

Plymouth has so many great green spaces, from Devonport Park and Central Park to Freedom Fields Park and Ham Woods. The city also finds itself in an enviable position, surrounded by areas of great natural beauty: the Rame Peninsula to the west, the Tamar Valley and Dartmoor to the north, the South Hams to the east, and of course Plymouth Sound to the south.
We want to improve the current facilities to create opportunities for use, while investing in the environmental aspect by mapping and nurturing pocket green spaces across the city.
We must expand residential and industrial recycling and trial food waste collection.  
We support the installation of electric vehicle charging points and would like to see them more widely promoted. This would help residents and encourage holidaymakers on their way to and from Cornwall to stop and discover our great city while their cars get topped up.
In this as well as many other areas, we want to see a council that is more innovative, creative, and ambitious.
We will work with the University in the development of wave and tidal energy as Plymouth is uniquely placed to be a world leader in this innovative technology.
 
A better-connected city

Electronic journey information boards at bus stops should work accurately and this would be an early discussion with the bus companies about their failure to provide them.
Plymouth needs better connected services for local people.  

The council needs to be a more effective champion for better, faster rail links between the city and the rest of the country and should continue to explore options for the reopening of the old Okehampton line.
Plymouth Airport must be retained until widespread use of green hydrogen and electric powered planes are able to use it.
Remote and flexible working is on the rise. Increasingly, people will be able to choose where they live, rather than being tied to where their job is. Plymouth lies in a beautiful part of the country and could be an attractive place to live for people who are location independent.
Co-working spaces like the Market Hall in Devonport, as well as Ocean Studios and BLOCK at the Royal William Yard, amongst others, offer attractive workspaces for this emerging workforce. Good public transport and superfast broadband are essential tools for these jobs.
We would work on attracting these often innovative, creative workers to the city, with investment and new jobs and businesses encouraged to establish here.

 A more vibrant city

The nearness of National Trust properties like Antony, Cotehele and Saltram, as well as the natural beauty offered by Dartmoor and the South West Coast Path help make Plymouth a great place to live.
But Plymouth plays its part too, boosting the culture that is available to people living in our part of the far South West.
Institutions like The Box, the Plymouth Arts Cinema and the Theatre Royal, alongside new public art, help the city contribute to the energy and life of the region and its attractiveness to visitors. We want a brave city that supports culture and is not afraid of challenge or debate. We value the arts in public
life and see a clear role for the council in nurturing the cultural life of the city.

A more democratic city

Millions of pounds of our taxes have been wasted in holding local elections three years out of four. We want this to stop. We also want to open the debate on a fairer voting system, and there are a number from which to choose, but our current ‘first past the post’ is undemocratic.
We believe in collective government with parties openly debating issues and arriving at a consensus. Liberal Democrats have successfully achieved this in South Hams. The fiasco in Armada Way might not have happened had there been a proper cross-party discussion beforehand.
The city is let down by clownish goings-on in the council chamber, we think councillors should take responsibility for their individual actions or find a way to a healthier democracy.

Manifesto Published and promoted by Dennis Draper on behalf of The City of Plymouth Liberal Democrats 58 Bowden Park Road, Plymouth, PL6 5NG