OTLEY and Yeadon councillors are backing a string of amendments to the new Leeds budget.

Leeds City Council is proposing a 3.99 per cent increase - which includes a 2 per cent Adult Social Care precept - to its council tax.

The Liberal Democrats are not opposing the rise but are calling for different spending priorities ahead of the budget being debated on Wednesday, February 26. Their proposals include a string of ‘green’ initiatives such as:

*Setting up a £3 million Leeds Climate Emergency Fund for citizen schemes

*Introducing a city-wide food waste collection service and building an anaerobic digester to recycle that waste - using the gas/energy to power council vehicles and heat offices

*Ending charges for replacement bins and bulky waste collection and the DIY waste tax at council tips.

There are also proposals to improve children’s care facilities and employ more enforcement officers. Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “Our proposals for new purpose-built accommodation and extra support for foster carers would make a difficult time for young people in care easier.”

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “Waste food collection is particularly important because waste food can be converted to energy and used to provide power.” Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) added that having extra officers to control dog fouling and parking would be ‘particularly welcome’.