Four council by-elections this cold week, all in southern England. They come with the neat simplicity of one defence each for Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Ukip. A neat simplicity of results too: all won by the Liberal Democrats in the party's best council by-election night for a long time.
Liberal Democrat county councillors have criticised Surrey County Council's plan to set aside income derived from property acquisitions into further property speculation rather than investing in services. According to the latest budget figures, the County Council is facing an overspend of £19 million in the current financial year but is planning to set aside £3.8m of income generated from property to invest in more property, rather than take the pressure off council services which are facing cuts of £104 million pounds this year.
On Thursday 14th December I presented our petition "Where's the 40%? We call upon Brighton & Hove City Council to meet their own affordable housing targets and make developers provide 40% affordable homes on sites of 15+ units." to the full council meeting at Hove Town Hall.
Following a Public Inquiry, the Planning Inspector has supported the Planning Committee's decision and dismissed Aldi's appeal against the Council's refusal of planning permission for a new store on the former Dairy Crest Site.
West Norfolk Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce the formation of three specialised groups which will discuss and develop our campaigning on topics of local interest.
South Lakes MP Tim Farron will present a petition to Parliament which calls for an Urgent Treatment Centre to be brought to Westmorland General Hospital.