Liberal Democrats fear that confidential details of every child in Essex to be held on a council database, will not be secure enough in the light of the government's recent loss of 25m pieces of personal information. Councillors at Essex County Council today (4 December) have now agreed to undertake regular reviews of the system.
People who rely on motorised scooters to help to cope with disabilities are to be hit with a £300 tax, after an EU ruling that they should be categorised along with "leisure vehicles".
Some patients with neuromuscular diseases may die more than a decade too soon because specialist services are too far away, a report says. It found people with muscular dystrophy in north east England - close to a centre of excellence - live an average of 30 years after diagnosis. However, in the south west the average was just 18 years.
The environment secretary Hilary Benn has published the government's Climate Change Bill, introducing legally binding targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions for the first time. The Bill sets a target of reducing emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050 and a mid-term target of between 26 and 32 per cent by 2020 with five-year "carbon budgets" from next year. The budgets are set 15 years in the future and are intended to help direct businesses and policy-makers towards a low-carbon economy.
Local MP, Tim Farron has written to North Yorkshire County Council challenging them to take account of new guidelines which make their proposal to close Baliol School even more ridiculous. The school, which is for children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties provides a vital service for children and their families and is an important and integral part of the local community in Sedbergh. The school is owned by North Yorkshire County Council but also serves many children from across Cumbria.
Local MP Tim Farron has tabled a parliamentary motion promoting the Sustrans Connect2 scheme which will see the creation of 79 new cycle and foot paths up and down the county. The motion also congratulates Cumbria County Council for participating in the scheme. In Cumbria, areas such as Coniston are set to benefit hugely from the new links that the scheme will create for cyclists and the benefit this will bring in terms of tourism and the environment.