Surrey Liberal Democrats call for Council Tax freeze
Surrey Liberal Democrats call for Council Tax freeze Conservatives hoard £207 million while pleading poverty and putting up Council Tax
29 Jan 2013
National News
“Conservative Police Commissioner has chosen cronyism and gimmicks over police officers” Cllr Glynane
The Leader of the Official Liberal Democrat Opposition at County Hall, and member of the Police and Crime Panel, Cllr Brendan Glynane, has today attacked the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire as he published his budget.
DLD
29 Jan 2013
Lib Dems call on council to suspend book sales in face of potential library closures
Ahead of National Libraries Day on February 9th, Opposition Lib Dem councillors have called upon Newcastle City Council to reconsider plans to sell off thousands of the city's library books as an "income generating measure", after it emerged that in addition to old and obsolete stock, brand new best-sellers are on offer priced at just 50p or £1 in sales at libraries across the city. Dene ward Cllr Bob Renton has taken up the issue with city libraries bosses after High Heaton library users discovered that a number of books on sale were sought-after copies which in some cases were still subject to borrowing requests. The news comes as up to 10 branch libraries are set for closure by the council's programme of budget cuts, and the council is also set to cut annual funding set aside for the purchase of new books. Lib Dem councillors are also concerned about loss of stock of DVD and Blue-Ray items due to theft from the City Library. Lib Dem councillors and libraries campaigners are calling for further sa
28 Jan 2013
Council Leader announces cuts to town centre parking charges
Council Leader announces cuts to town centre parking charges
28 Jan 2013
Lord Freud to clarify the criteria for enhanced mobility rate for Personal Independence Payment.
Ministers are clarifying how mobility disability assessments are carried out following criticism of changes to Personal Independence Payments. Those unable to walk more than 20m would automatically qualify, rather than the previous distance of 50m. But peers said the new regulations should include the requirement that tasks be done "reliably, safely, repeatedly and in a timely manner".
28 Jan 2013
Let's Work Together to Help Bedford Town Centre to Adapt and to Thrive
The latest of my monthly columns for the Times and Citizen newspaper looked at Bedford Town Centre in the context of the nationwide trends which are creating such challenges for the British High Street. The 'perfect storm' of the extremely difficult wider economic climate, the rise of internet shopping and growth of out-of-town shopping have sent many town centres fall into steep decline.
28 Jan 2013