Social care improvement 'slows'
For the first time since star ratings were introduced, no council in England has been zero-star-rated for adult social services this year.
30 Nov 2006
National News
Cornish Lib Dem MPs Meet Health Secretary To Discuss Crisis In NHS
Following the meeting in the Commons today with the Health Secretary, Rt. Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, Cornish MPs, Andrew George, Julia Goldsworthy and Dan Rogerson reported that the current strategic review of hospital services in Cornwall would need to be closely monitored.
30 Nov 2006
Operation Stack continues to blight Folkestone and Hythe
The M20 between junctions 11 and 12 was still closed for Operation Stack on Thursday morning. Operation Stack was put in place on Tuesday in response to ferry crossings from Dover to Calais being blockaded by a strike at Calais, and at its peak yesterday the M20 was closed back as far as junction 8 towards Maidstone.
30 Nov 2006
Hertfordshire: Council Agrees To Protest About Failure To Build New Superhospital
A majority of the county council backed a Lib Dem motion yesterday condemning the decision not to proceed with a superhospital in the Welwyn Hatfield area.
30 Nov 2006
Councils must be given more power to tackle housing crisis
Commenting on reforms to planning guidance announced today, to increase the number of family homes and cut carbon emissions from new homes, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Dan Rogerson MP said The Government may have identified the problem but is devoid of ideas on how to solve our housing crisis. Rather than issuing yet further guidance, local councils should be given more flexibility to solve their community's needs."
30 Nov 2006
Talking Politics by Councillor Elwyn Watkins - Chair of Rochdale Township.
Although I was born and bred in Rochdale, I have been fortunate enough to have lived and travelled in many parts of the world. This certainly makes one appreciate the best things about our town. It may sound surprising for a reader on a grey slaggy Autumnal day, but when I was based in the middle of the Arabian desert I used to dream of a nice bit of drizzle and a bit of cold. When it did rain, the children used to run out into the street to sing, dance and ride their bikes through the puddles. What a contrast to Rochdale!
30 Nov 2006