Central Rochdale Councillor Zulfiqar Ali is now Rochdale Borough's first ever Lib Dem Transport Boss. Councillor Ali, who was previously Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Housing, says he is relishing his new challenge. He will be the Rochdale Spokesperson on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, subject to confirmation at the next full meeting of the Council.
The powerful Commons Defence Committee published a report in February which supports a number of the demands of the 'Honour the Covenant' campaign. There is more to do, however.
There is "worrying" variation in the number of children admitted to hospital for asthma attacks in different areas of England, a charity has warned.
For the first time the government is to calculate the number of adults with autism in England.
A decision to close three residential centres in East Sussex will see 10 disabled people having to move home, the county council has said. Social care spokesman Keith Glazier said the residents would "no doubt find this a difficult time" but the authority would support them.
New star ratings for care homes in England have been criticised for giving a misleading impression. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) gave 70% of providers a three star (excellent) or two star (good) rating. But the charity Age Concern says many homes may have been given a one star (adequate) undeservedly. Its research, found cases in which inspections had failed to establish if residents were treated respectfully.