Brentwood & Ongar Liberal Democrats

Local and national news

• Letter from the Leader: Notes from an island
  Article: May 18, 2013
  I'm writing this week's Letter to you from Kirkwall in Orkney. Alistair Carmichael and Jim Wallace have been trying to persuade me to make the trip for a while and I've finally made it in order to join the celebrations of the centenary of Jo Grimond's birth.

  
  

  The big debate this week in British politics, which featured strongly in PMQs - where I was standing in for the PM (you can watch it here) - has obviously been about our future role in Europe. An issue on which Jo Grimond was a pioneer and leader.
• Hutton Community Centre - Lib Dem Leader inspects the fence
  Article: May 16, 2013

  Earlier this year, Tory-controlled Brentwood Council awarded Tory Cllr Keith Parker's company a contract to provide fencing at Hutton Community Centre. Cllr Parker, prior to being awarded the contract, had spoken of the urgency of installing the fencing. This was in February, the work started in May. Some local councillors also questioned whether Cllr Parker's company was, in fact, a fencing company?
• 
  Crossrail: Lib Dem councillors fight car park sale
  Article: May 15, 2013

  Crossrail's bid to buy Friars Avenue Car Park under a compulsory purchase order will be fought by Shenfield Councillors Liz Cohen, Graeme Clark and Barry Aspinell.

  Lib Dem leader and County Cllr Aspinell has learned that the CPO was actually received by the Conservative administration on 21st April 2013, but the Conservatives decided to keep the information to themselves until 10th May rather than be open and transparent with Shenfield residents and businesses and, once again, putting political campaigning first and issuing a Conservative leaflet before telling the elected ward councillors or the Shenfield Environmental Partnership (a non-political group set up to manage the effect of Crossrail, amongst other things).
• Building a stronger economy
  Article: May 15, 2013

  "While it is disappointing that overall unemployment is up, it is good news that youth unemployment has fallen as that will be encouraging for young people who are looking for work.
  
  "To build a stronger economy in a fairer society, Liberal Democrats have been focusing on giving young people the skills and experience necessary for a successful career.
  
  "That is why Nick Clegg has introduced the £1bn Youth Contract that will ensure young people have the opportunity to earn or learn and Business Secretary Vince Cable has overseen the creation of more than 1m apprenticeships.
  
  "We will continue to work hard to get more people in employment and build a stronger economy."
• 
  Essex Conservatives reject bid to cut the cost of politics
  Article: May 14, 2013

  A proposal to save council taxpayers £21,400 (from allowances for senior Essex Conservatives) has been rejected by the Conservatives at County Hall.

  At today's meeting of Essex County Council the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group proposed deleting the Special Allowance for the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group. Cllr. Stephen Robinson (Chelmsford North), proposing the amendment, said:
• Letter from the Leader: The Queen's Speech
  Article: May 11, 2013
  Dear Friend,

  
  

  Fair pensions. Decent care in your old age. A tax cut for small businesses taking on staff. A major new high speed railway. Energy investment to keep lights on and bills affordable. Shared parental leave. Rehabilitation of prisoners to set them back on the straight and narrow.

  
  

  Just a few highlights from the Government's plans for legislation this year, outlined this Wednesday in the Queen's Speech, designed to build a stronger economy and a fairer society in Britain, enabling everyone to get on in life.
• 
  Cllr Liz Cohen: Why losing Friars Avenue Car Park is bad for Shenfield
  Article: May 9, 2013

  Shenfield's Cllr Liz Cohen explains how the loss of a car park could affect Shenfield residents:

  "The news that Crossrail are trying to put a compulsory purchase order on one of our car parks is bad news for businesses and residents alike.

  "We already have major issues with parking in Shenfield. We have residents complaining about their roads being used as overflow car parks. If this happens, of course the situation will get worse. Since the increased car parking charges traders can already feel the drop in business. If people start to feel that Shenfield is a nightmare to park, they will avoid the area and shop somewhere else.
• 
  Shenfield councillors say NO to compulsory purchase of Friars Avenue Car Park
  Article: May 9, 2013

  Today, Shenfield councillors have learnt that Crossrail plan to compulsory purchase Friars Avenue Car Park in Shenfield.

  Shenfield Cllr Liz Cohen said:

  "This move will is bad news for Shenfield residents, businesses and those who visit to enjoy our independent and unique retailers.

  "We have started a petition immediately that calls on Crossrail to stop their plans and for our MP Eric Pickles to join residents in opposing this move."
• Shenfield: Save Friars Avenue Car Park
  Petition: May 9, 2013
• A Queen's Speech for a stronger economy and a fairer society
  Article: May 8, 2013
  With Liberal Democrats in Government this Queen's Speech sets out the Coalition's determination to build a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life. It shows that Liberal Democrats are making a real difference in Government, with bills focused on jobs, growth and fairness, and an agenda that shows the Liberal Democrats are keeping the Government anchored firmly in the centre ground.