Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has set out plans to revitalise Britain's high streets, ensure the future of the Post Office, and help small businesses establish and grow in a fairer marketplace.
The new Conservative administration, following David Cameron's lead, has now proudly proclaimed a conversion to "localism" (the devolution of decision making to the lowest level) which is a complete reversal of the policies of the last Conservative government. However the first test of the new approach revealed that not much had changed.
Throughout Surrey there was a failure to fill and top-up grit bins during the periods of heavy snow in December and January resulting in many justified complaints from residents. Just how chaotic the situation was has been revealed following questions from County Cllr Stephen Cooksey.
The Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have voted against the Tory administration's budget for 2010/11 at County Hall. County Cllr Colin Taylor said: "We supported limiting the Council Tax increase to 2.5% as proposed. Many Surrey residents are struggling to pay their bills during the economic downturn, so the Council Tax needs to be set as low as possible whilst allowing for adequate funding for services. However we opposed the contents of the Conservatives' budget, as it does the opposite of what Surrey residents want."
Budding young rock gods and goddesses are queuing up to use a refurbished state-of-the-art multi media centre in Blackburn. The Kaleidoscope Centre in Higher Croft is preparing to officially reopen following a £50,000 transformation funded by a Government Youth Capital Fund (YCF) grant.
Liberal Democrat activist Bob Sheffield has written asking why Rossendale Council has taken so long to see the sense of the Liberal Democrat proposals on the "Valley Centre", a proposal they condemned nearly a year ago.