The Government proposal this week for a new prison at Runwell near Chelmsford will not cut crime says Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson. "Locking up more and more people, only for them to come out and commit more crime, is madness," said Mr Robinson.
We have learned today how managers at Stafford Hospital lost sight of the real purpose of a hospital, which is patient care. Management concentrated on the finance of the hospital instead of clinical care. There are lessons for the whole NHS here, and also lessons for us locally as the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust is also aiming to become a Foundation Trust. In Stafford, anxious to meet financial targets so that the hospital could become a Foundation Trust they reduced staffing levels while death rates soared. Today's report also highlights poor communication between management and clinicians, and the PCT was criticised for lack of clinical leadership.
Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have announced their full slate of candidates for the first elections for the unitary Bedford Borough Council. Elections are taking place for all wards across the Borough on 4th June, with the overall number of councillors reducing to 36.
"We Will NEVER Consult Residents ..." - so said an RA committee chairman at a borough council meeting in response to a question from the Liberal Democrats about the government-backed "Over 60s Swimming" scheme which had not been taken up in Epsom & Ewell, unlike some other neighbouring boroughs.
Epsom's Tory councillors were subjected to attack from all sides at a council meeting held on 28th April.
If your home catches fire, Get Out and Stay Out - that's the message from Folkestone firefighters who rescued residents from a blaze after they ignored the sound of the smoke alarm system.