Solihull's Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt has expressed her outrage that the previous Labour Government overpaid by nearly 900% on NHS treatment in private clinics across the West Midlands. The West Midlands region under the previous Government paid £14m to private sector operators to carry out operations.
There is no doubt that the country and our City are facing major challenges as the Coalition Government attempts to tackle the record budget deficit left by Labour.
It is the final weekend of the Census. The Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats, along with the British Humanist Association, are urging all non-religious people to declare themselves as "non-religious" on their census form.
This week saw the launch of the Council's Carbon Management Plan. That doesn't sound very exciting, I know. However, it sets out how the Council is going to cut its carbon emissions by a massive 40% by March 2015, and save taxpayers £8 million! If you ask me, that really is something to shout about. In fact, by the end of the 5 year programme, the ongoing saving to the Council through this plan, which has been produced in partnership with the Carbon Trust, will be almost £1.5 million.
Trading Standards have been made aware that some producers of commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) may be writing to local parish councils telling them they need EPCs for their village halls etc. and risk large fines if they do not comply. This is not correct because an EPC is only required for a building when constructed, sold or let.
Councils have been told how they will benefit from the doubling of funding available for repairing potholes as announced in Wednesday's Budget. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has written to all English local highway authorities to inform them of their share of £200m.