Conservatives at Essex County Council are underspending on services and banking up millions of pounds in reserve funds, according to a new report. The report, on the council's finances for 2007/08, was discussed and approved at a meeting of the council's cabinet at county hall.
Cllr Karen Chilvers, Lib Dem councillor and former lead campaigner in the "Save Thorndon Park" campaign, is calling for the council to create a "Friends of Brentwood Country Parks" group to be created to safeguard the future of our precious parks.
Bedford Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Henry Vann has called for a more local accountability at Bedford hospital, in response to news that it is one of the 103 NHS trusts that are failing to meet Government standards on hygiene, according to independent government watchdog, the Healthcare Commission.
Local MP Tim Farron has today spoken out against water companies, who are ignoring the charitable status of churches. Water companies have begun to charge churches for the amount of area that will collect water and discharge it into the sewer network, such as roofs and car parks. Mr Farron has signed a petition encouraging the Prime Minister to take action on this issue, and is urging others to do the same, in the hope of reaching the 15,000 signatures required to gain an official response.
Local MP Tim Farron has hit out at a Government response to the Transport Select Committee's report into the concessionary fares scheme which claims the scheme is not in need of review. Mr Farron has previously expressed concerns to the Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton that because of the huge through-flow of tourists, South Lakeland's Government grant to give concessionary bus fares is insufficient.
Local MP Tim Farron has written to the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, Alan Cook today to ask that he steps in to find an alternative and permanent location for Burneside post office after the branch was closed this weekend. The branch was not closed as part of the Government's closure plan and had been earmarked for retention.
