In a major survey of our local health services, Chelmsford residents have said they are mostly happy with standards of medical care and NHS staff, but have attacked waste of money, bad management and interference from central Government. The findings come in a survey conducted by the local Liberal Democrats and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson.
The Home Affairs Select Committee has called for proper safeguards on the plans for compulsory ID cards to stop "function creep" threatening privacy. It wants a guarantee that the scheme will not be expanded without MPs' approval. The government says that the scheme would not be used as a surveillance tool. However, the Committee's report said "We seek the further assurance that any initiative to broaden the scope of the scheme will only be proposed after consulting the information commissioner and on the basis that proposals will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in draft form,". Committee chairman Keith Vaz said there could be "potentially disastrous consequences" if data was mishandled.
The Conservatives on the Borough Council's Development Policy Committee on Wednesday 21st May, were forced to abandon the published recommendation after Lib Dem Leader Mike Mackrory led the way in voicing the widespread opposition to plans for a second runway at Stansted. The Committee was being asked to respond to the planning application for a second runway at Stansted now in front of Uttlesford District Council. The original recommendation was to object unless road transport links were improved.
Cllr Fraser Macpherson, Liberal Democrat Councillor for the West End, today (Monday 9th June) launched his June 2008 update to West End Community Council.
Springvale Liberal Democrats have started to deliver their latest Focus Newsletter across the Ward. The main stories are: Hilton Hall under treat of closure, Cllr Whitehouse thanks the voters, What May's election results mean for Wolverhampton, EU commissioner backs Liz Lynne's call for cancer action, road resurfacing and flooding in Spring Road.
The government has confirmed that congestion charging for drivers entering and leaving Manchester will begin in 2013 and in the public transport improvements to offset the charge it has been confirmed that the Metrolink will be extended to Rochdale town centre.