Despite overwhelming public objections, Conservatives at Essex County Council have voted to reduce mobile library services across the county. A recent public consultation showed that 80% of respondents wanted the service to continue as at present. Now, mobile library stops more than two miles by public transport from a static library will remain but only call fortnightly.
Chelmsford Tory council chiefs are bullish about their Plan for Chelmsford's future but are they leading us in the right direction? Previous planners' efforts helped ruin the town in the 60's, when dual carriageway Parkway was driven right through it, separating the Moulsham Street area.
Shepway Council have been formally notified that the £9.8 million PFI credit for new sports centres in Folkestone and Hythe has been withdrawn. Shepway Council have poured over £1 million in consultancy fees into the project, money now wasted after the rejection of the project by the Government as "unaffordable".
Conservatives at Essex County Council are sending out bills this week with yet another above-inflation hike in their Council Tax for the financial year 2007 / 2008. Essex residents will see a County Council increase of 4.5% plus increases from the Borough Council and Essex Police and Fire Authorities.
It will be years before all local potholes and pavements are repaired, thanks to highway budget cuts by the ruling Conservatives. Liberal Democrats across Chelmsford are always receiving complaints about the roads and pavements. The County Council cut funding from £730,000 two years ago to £235,000 now for the whole of Chelmsford. The Lib Dem budget amendment to put this right was lost.
The Ministry of Defence has today announced improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army. The announcement comes after a rally in Westminster in December, and just weeks after a campaign petition on the subject collected over 5,000 signatures on the Government's petition web site.
