VDSs are prepared by local communities, and define the special character of their village, as a basis for ensuring that new development in their area fits its surroundings and is in keeping with that character. The VDS can help everyone involved in a development to understand local views and perceptions at the outset of the design process.
We speak out when we think that legislation is going to have a harmful effect on people with mental health problems. With your help, we try to encourage MPs and Peers to amend the legislation, or to vote against it entirely.
The summer of 1998 was when my own personal journey with disability began; working as a camp counselor and lifeguard in the USA the summer after my final year exams I had a severe dislocation to my shoulder and needed surgery to repair it before flying home. Over the following years my world altered from that of a fit young law graduate with the world at my feet to one of unexplained pain and increasing disability.
Today's budget debate at Warwickshire County Council was dominated by two major U-turns by the ruling Conservative administration, in both cases on issues which the Liberal Democrats have been pushing for consistently for a long time.
Today, at 7:14pm on Tuesday 5th February, MPs in the House of Commons have voted (400 to 175) in favour of the second reading of Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. As expected a large majority of Liberal Democrat MPs voted in favour of party and Government policy.
Huge changes to housing benefit are on the way which will bring a tsunami of misery in their wake. Anyone of working age with a spare room in their house will lose 15 per cent of their benefit, 25 per cent if they have two spare rooms.