The Liberal Democrats are pressing for key worker housing initiatives to tackle the shortages of key workers such as teachers, social workers and youth workers, that adversely affect services to the public and increase costs to the Council, for example by increasing spending on agency staff. The shortages of key workers are worsened by the high property prices in the County.
After much pressure from the Lib Dems, the Tory chairman of the council's Transportation Select Committee agreed to call a special meeting on 19th September to comment on the proposed reduction of Sunday and evening services, due to be re-considered by the Executive on 30th September.
Folkestone Sports Centre has decided to re-introduce ladies only swimming during school holidays on a trial basis in the forthcoming half term break. The decision follows representations from a group of lady swimmers who felt that it was wrong to suspend their sessions during holidays. The ladies asked local Lib Dem spokesman Peter Carroll for help.
Key members of the Folkestone & Hythe Lib Dem team have been celebrating their part in the historic Brent East by-election last Thursday. The Lib Dems overturned a massive 13,000 majority to win the Brent East seat. There was a 30% swing from Labour and a 15% swing from the Conservatives.
Sarah Teather's victory in the Brent East by-election shows how disillusioned the electorate are with both the labour Government and the Conservative opposition - or lack of opposition. Commenting on the result Totnes Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven, said:
Today is polling day in Brent East in North London and it's the Liberal Democrat's Sarah Teather who is setting the pace in this formerly safe Labour seat. The Conservative candidate has already admitted that she cannot win and has been described in the national press as throwing in the towel. Labour's Robert Evans has not impressed voters, deciding not to make the journey from Surrey to defend Tony Blair in a public meeting on Iraq. Commenting on the by-election Totnes Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven said: