The sale of Wansfell College has fallen through at the last stage on several occasions, reports former Theydon Bois county councillor Janet Whitehouse. This time, however, it is certain. Contracts were exchanged on 19 August and completion is due 28 days later.
Local campaigner Toni Powell is campaigning for more police on patrol to crack down on rising anti-social behaviour in New Romney. The Lib Dems have also slammed Conservative run Shepway District Council for ignoring calls to buy a new specialist machine to remove graffiti in our area.
Charles Kennedy, in an interview for the Guardian, has criticised the government's "short-term" response to the terrorist threat and warned against moves that undermine traditional civil liberties. He said ministers were "striking stances or floating initiatives in response to very short term primarily media demands. It seems to be a recurrent feature of the way in which this government goes about its business". On Tony Blair's claim that the terrorist threat had produced a new political climate, he said, "When I hear phrases like that being used I really do get concerned. Climate by definition can change from one day to the next. You don't change your entire fundamental approach based on something as passing as that. Politicians should not be governed by something as nebulous as the climate."
The Planning Committee has refused the application from Rosebery School to build 72 houses and flats on part of their playing fields. The school had claimed it was necessary to fund improved sports facilities. No planning objection was raised to the proposed new sports hall, tennis court or all-weather pitch, after the school dropped plans to floodlight the pitch and hire out their facilities in the evenings and at weekends. The concerns were entirely with the loss of part of the playing fields and the effects of the new housing in Rosebank.
Solihull's LibDem MP, Lorely Burt has been nominated for a prestigious national award during her first term in parliament! Mrs Burt has been nominated by the national charity, the Association of Garden Trusts for a 'Charity Champions Award' for her recent Bill, presented in the House of Commons, to protect parkland and preserve gardens from windfall development.
Following the announcement from former County Council partner HBS that it is to receive a £7.7 million severance fee, details which County Councillors had been banned from discussing, Lib Dem Councillor Susan Gaszczak said:
