North East Liberal Democrat campaigners have expressed shock and disappointment after it emerged that 14 of the 28 Labour MPs in the region voted against proposals to implement a tougher regime of auditing of MP's expenses.
Councils should be set free from depending on Whitehall funding by raising three-quarters of their money locally, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said today in a speech to the Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth.
Paul Holmes MP condemns yesterdays vote in the Commons.
Last Saturday I attended the Old Whittington Gala, a vibrant and well attended annual event which is a credit to its local organisers. Napoleonic soldiers paraded outside the Revolution House, a superb brass brand played, children climbed in and out of the police van and the wide variety of stalls did a roaring trade. A newcomer this year was the RAAW stall (Residents Against Asbestos Waste), a local group who are doing an outstanding job of campaigning against the application to put an asbestos waste transfer site smack in the middle of a densely populated urban area.
The gala launch of this year's Hythe festival is taking place this evening (Friday 4 July) at The Tower Theatre, Shorncliffe starting at 7.30pm. The festival runs from 4-13 July with a wide range of events for all tastes, from local interest walks to golf days, music and dance to a quiz night and high street parade). Learn more at www.hythe-festival.com
Just seven months after the historic chimneys at the Stewartby Brickworks site were given listed building status, Landowner Hanson is seeking to demolish them as part of plans for a new 1200-home development.
