Hundreds of people have backed the Chelmsford Lib Dem "We Can Cut Crime" campaign, by posting back the reply cards that have been distributed right across the area. Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson has reported on the successful campaign to Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary Nick Clegg MP.
This is the week when the government was due to start collecting the personal biometric data that will form part of the national identity database. The data will be collected at one of 69 interrogation centres around the country, including one in Chelmsford. Local Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Stephen Robinson objected to the planning application for the centre, and attended a meeting last night, addressed by the General Secretary of the No2ID campaign.
The next Chelmsford Lib Dem lunch is Tuesday 10 April, at 12.30 for 1.00pm. As per last time, it will be at The Bakers Arms, Stock. Special three course lunch - £10. Full bar service provided. All members and friends cordially invited for a pleasant lunch, in comfortable surroundings with interesting conversation.
The Home Office will be split into two separate departments for security and for justice in the next six weeks. The Department for Constitutional Affairs will take control of probation, prisons and prevention of re-offending and be renamed the Ministry of Justice. The slimmed down Home Office will then be left to concentrate on dealing with terrorism, security and immigration. The changes will take effect on 8 May.
New government statistics released yesterday reveal that carbon dioxide emissions in the UK continued to rise in 2006. Emissions have risen by 3.7% since their low in 1999. Last year alone emissions rose by a further 1.25%, an extra 6,000,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
An Audit Commission report published this week on Shepway Council confirms that on local streets "standard of cleanliness is poor", the Council "is not adequately meeting the parking needs of the community" and "has not been working to clear and published performance standards".