The Conservative administration at Essex County Council has been stripped of its four star council rating a year after being given the status, but has still hiked up council tax. At a meeting of the full council today (12 February) to debate the council's budget, Conservatives voted to raise council tax by 4.2%, which is considerably above the average pay rise achieved by taxpayers.
A pioneering treatment for diabetes is being rolled out across the country with experts believing it could eventually lead to a cure. Six centres are receiving nearly £10m of government funding to offer transplants of insulin-producing cells.
A new online guide has been launched to help promote businesses in Fife which provide a disabled-friendly service. DisabledGo has rated shops and other services based on their ability to cater for people in wheelchairs or who have visual or hearing difficulties.
Nepali sculptor, professor and writer Dr Laya Mainali will be holding a sculpture and painting exhibition of his own works at the Gurkha Community Centre, Mackenzie Drive, Cheriton on Saturday February 16th from 2-6pm.
In the wake of this weekend's revelations on local Conservative MP Michael Ancram's expenses which closely follow the unseemly spectacle of disgraced ex-conservative Derek Conway it is clear that the current system is unsustainable.
A report to Shepway Council has confirmed that Shepway Council are planning an inflation busting 4.7% increase in Council tax this year. Band D Council Tax excluding other precepts will rise from £217.94 to £228.18. Taken alongside the introduction of the new Garden Tax for collection of Brown-top bins, a household retaining their bin will see their Shepway tax rise to £263.18 - a MASSIVE 21% increase.