Conservatives at Essex County Council are sending out bills this week with yet another above-inflation hike in their Council Tax for the financial year 2007 / 2008. Essex residents will see a County Council increase of 4.5% plus increases from the Borough Council and Essex Police and Fire Authorities.
It will be years before all local potholes and pavements are repaired, thanks to highway budget cuts by the ruling Conservatives. Liberal Democrats across Chelmsford are always receiving complaints about the roads and pavements. The County Council cut funding from £730,000 two years ago to £235,000 now for the whole of Chelmsford. The Lib Dem budget amendment to put this right was lost.
The Ministry of Defence has today announced improvements to the working terms and conditions of Gurkhas serving in the British army. The announcement comes after a rally in Westminster in December, and just weeks after a campaign petition on the subject collected over 5,000 signatures on the Government's petition web site.
Park Ward Focus Team has started to deliver its March Focus to 5200 homes in the Ward.
Speaking in yesterday's House of Lords reform debate, Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield said:
Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield has backed a Bill presented by Liberal Democrat Shadow Local Government Secretary Andrew Stunell MP to require all large shops to accept packing returned by customers.