Council Leader or Elected Mayor
Should we vote for having an elected mayor or a council leader - would there be any real difference? That's the question people are asking us in Stockton Borough.
Should we vote for having an elected mayor or a council leader - would there be any real difference? That's the question people are asking us in Stockton Borough.
The Coalition Government has announced a Pupil Premium to target extra money at schools taking disadvantaged pupils. The proposed Pupil Premium would provide additional per pupil funding on top of the existing funding provided to schools. Schools will be free to spend the additional funding as they choose to raise the achievement of disadvantage pupils. This was a key manifesto commitment and one that Nick Clegg made clear was one of his absolute priorities.
Last week I unveiled a plaque marking the visit to Bedford in April 2000 of the great Nelson Mandela. It was fitting that the unveiling took place on Mr Mandela's 9nd birthday. He visited the Trevor Huddleston bust, of course, and the plaque can be found beneath the bust. There is rightly a real sense of pride locally at Bedford's link with Archbishop Huddleston, who was born here, and the fact that Mr Mandela visited our town and paid his own tribute to Archbishop Huddleston. It really was an honour to unveil a lasting commemoration of that visit. Whole-hearted thanks must go to Garlick Bros monumental masons, who funded and engraved the plaque.
"I'm delighted we are today announcing a new Pupil Premium, which will give extra funding to schools to help them tackle the inequalities that have been a part of our state system for far too long. Thousands of children will finally be getting the extra support they need to succeed," says Children's Minister Sarah Teather.
Increasing tourism in Epsom and Ewell, both of which have considerable history and interest, gives a boost to trade and helps to sustain a thriving economy.
Nottingham Lib Dems will have a stall at Nottingham Pride this Saturday, and Cllr Alex Foster has been invited to be one of the speakers at the "Speakers Corner" part of the day.