Following a report to the County Council's Cabinet on the funding arrangements for Concessionary travel in Leicestershire, the Liberal Democrats have highlighted their concerns about the future of various discretionary elements of the scheme currently funded by district councils.
Heather Kidd has called on the Shropshire Hospital Trust to give a definitive statement about the future of the Shrewsbury maternity unit following a tip off from within the service that its future may be at risk. Heather Kidd said "Maternity services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital have been threatened several times over the years. The Trust for the Royal Shrewsbury and the Princess Royal Hospitals now have a new Chief Executive who appears to have reopened the debate about cost savings and where services are delivered.
Last June the Coalition announced a cut to all housing benefits across the country. Research undertaken by Cllr Heather Kidd has revealed that the Governments projected housing benefits cut will hit Shropshire pensioners the hardest. Reductions in Housing benefit for Shropshire have been calculated by Crisis as around £9 per week for a one bed flat and £12 approximately for a three bedroomed house.
An update from Kent County Council: Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has confirmed the government intends to clarify how the law on bias applies to local councillors in the forthcoming Localism Bill. Mr Pickles has indicated that the Bill will:
I am delighted that we have been able to announce free parking in Bedford Town Centre to help kick-start the Christmas shopping season. All Council car parks will be free after 3 pm from Monday to Saturday next week, while Queen Street Car Park will be free all day through the week. Together with events such as the Christmas lights switch on and firework display and the expanded Victorian Christmas Fair, the free parking offer will help make Bedford town centre the place to go in the run-up to Christmas.
Liberal Democrats in Wolverhampton have welcomed the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg that an extra £7 billion will be spent on the education of children from the poorest backgrounds.
