Epping and Theydon Bois Liberal Democrat County Councillor Janet Whitehouse spoke out about Conservative County Councillors' failure to give adequate resources to pedestrians at Essex County Council's budget meeting on Tuesday (15 February).
In an extraordinary scene on Tuesday, the Secretary of State for Health was warned by the Speaker of the House, to desist from raising 'propaganda issues' when replying to other Members questions. Business of the House of Commons came to halt during Oral Health Questions, when the Minister failed to answer a question put to him by Parmjit Singh Gill, Member of Parliament for Leicester South. The Minister was cut off by the Speaker and forced to sit down when he continued to list unrelated statistics.
At last night's full Council meeting, Shepway's Lib Dem Group proposed an amendment to the Council's budget.
Two bundles of witness statements have disappeared from the High Court's postal vote fraud case in Birmingham. This is the latest twist to the case which dates from last June's local elections in Bordesley Green in Birmingham. Judge Mawrey stated this morning "Overnight, two bundles have disappeared and gone missing", he further asked for their return saying "I hope that nobody attending court has helped themselves tot eh court documents. If anybody has inadvertently taken the copies, would they return them"
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council passed their budget and agreed a 4.9% council tax increase, virtually the maximum 5% allowed under government capping rules. Opposition leader Cllr Colin Taylor (Lib Dem) moved an amendment drawing attention to the looming financial crisis predicted for just after the next borough council elections - and the optimistic nature of the proposals to reduce spending. He pointed out that if this year's overspend was repeated the crisis would happen even sooner. He said "Much as I would like to see a smaller increase in Council Tax, the council's finances are in such a state that it would be irresponsible to propose this."
Charles Kennedy MP has launched the Liberal Democrat's manifesto for women. Amongst the proposals are plans to introduce a fairer Citizen's Pension, a Maternity Income Guarantee, and free long-term care for the elderly, helping both those in need and their carers.
