Liberal International Congress, Robert Woodthore-Browne reports from Manilla
Liberal International held its 57th Congress in Manila from 16-20 June, the first time a full congress has been held in Asia.
25 Jun 2011
National News
Update on Jesmond Towers (formerly La Sagesse)
Shepherd Offshore recently unveiled their current proposals for the development of the Jesmond Towers Estate (formerly La Sagesse School). No formal planning application has yet been submitted however and the Council's planning department have indicated that they have reservations about what is currently planned.
24 Jun 2011
Good Housekeeping! Council Comes in Within Budget
I chaired a meeting of the Council's Executive at Borough Hall on Wednesday night where, amongst a range of matters including the Council's use of surveillance powers, the Borough's Community Safety Strategy and the outcome of petitions over the past year, we considered a report which confirmed that the Council came in at 1.6% within its agreed budget for 2010/11. This is obviously very important news, as putting together a balanced budget is only half the job; staying within that budget is vital. Any overspend can be extremely costly for local taxpayers, and that is why it is essential that sound financial management is in place to control spending. We took effective, swift action to deal with the inevitable pressures and unforeseen challenges that came our way. This week's news is a testament to the work that went in all year round to keep Council spending on track from everyone involved, from Finance Portfolio holder Cllr Michael Headley and Cabinet colleagues to staff across the organisation for their wor
24 Jun 2011
Labour ousted with stunning win for the Lib Dems in Melksham Spa.
Melksham has a new Town Councillor, elected on Thursday.
24 Jun 2011
MP writes open letter to county council demanding they ‘call off failing single status project’
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today written to the leader of Cumbria County Council asking him to call off the deeply controversial and unpopular single status programme.
24 Jun 2011
Lantmannen Bakery Now Open
I was delighted to join Thomas Boden, Chairman of Lantmannen Group, in opening Lantmannen Unibake's major new bakery at Cambridge Road, to the South of Bedford. We have worked closely with the company since we were first alerted that they were seeking a location for expansion, and it's fantastic that the plant which will create up to 300 new jobs is now up and running. In fact, Lantmannen had originally wanted to locate the new bakery inMilton Keynes, where they have an exiting plant, but after they were unable to secure planning permission at a particular site there, Bedford Borough Council moved quickly to support them in finding a suitable site and creating jobs and economic growth here.
23 Jun 2011