Kent Conservatives plan to raise the County Council portion of the Council Tax bill by an increase of 3.9%. This brings the Kent county Council (KCC) share on a Band D property to over £1000 for the first time ever, a rise of £37.62 a year.
Following the close of the public consultation on proposed cuts to Folkestone Fire Services Shepway Lib Dems are urging local residents to continue to make their view heard by lobbying members of the Fire Authority directly.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has launched an attack on the way the NHS is run, describing it as a service in "crisis". In his first major television interview since becoming leader, Mr Clegg said "it is one of the most unequal health services in the modern world." He also predicted Gordon Brown would suffer his first parliamentary defeat over 42 day terror detention, following the expected publication of the Counter-Terrorism Bill later this week. The Lib Dem health policy paper will be published tomorrow and will be debated at party conference in March.
Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has slammed thugs who brought 'shame' to our town in Saturday's violence. Mr Rowen who witnessed some of the incidents said: "Having witnessed many of the problems myself, I have nothing but praise for the way that our police handled the situation. An extremely dangerous situation was handled with the professionalism I expect from our force. I shall be writing to the Chief Constable making these points and praising our local officers."
Conservatives at Essex County Council have set recycling targets that are vague and lack ambition. That is one of the findings of an independent Waste Commission hired by the council to review its waste strategy.
Two Asda supermarkets in Swindon are to introduce £60 fines for drivers who park in disabled bays without displaying the relevant badge. The policy comes into force at the Wiltshire stores on the North Orbital road and in West Swindon on 4 February.
