A group representing disabled people has suggested knocking down the 300-year-old Midsteeple in Dumfries to replace it with an advice centre. The Nithsdale Coalition of Disabled People (NCDP) has written to Dumfries and Galloway Council with its plan. Chairman Alastair Moir said there was no justification for spending more than £2m on renovating the building.
A major review has concluded there is little evidence to suggest a key plank of government plans to toughen up mental health laws actually works. The Mental Health Bill would allow people with untreatable personality disorders to be detained, even if they have not committed a crime. But a review found no sound evidence these community treatments orders had been beneficial in other countries. The government rejected accusations the review had been buried.
More people are being diagnosed with diabetes, but the NHS has to do more to meet the challenge of treating them, the government has said. The assessment by the Department of Health reveals how the Health Service has fared with implementing 2003 guidelines on the disease.
Do you know any really bad potholes locally? The BBC are asking feedback on the worst potholes in the local area - and after years of neglect of local roads by Kent County Council, there are certainly many examples in Shepway!
Speaking in yesterday's House of Lords reform debate, Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield said:
Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield has backed a Bill presented by Liberal Democrat Shadow Local Government Secretary Andrew Stunell MP to require all large shops to accept packing returned by customers.