As we draw closer to the election, more and more politicians are calling for extra spending. And I agree that many of our essential services need more money.

Our NHS is overstretched, with waiting times exploding and people suffering while they wait for treatment. That's why as Lib Dems we'll invest extra in the NHS funded by a 1p rise in income tax.

Senior Conservative councillor Stephen Willoughby has quit the Conservative party and joined the Lib Dems. Steven said "It's more a case that the Conservative Party has left me rather than me leaving the Conservative Party. Over the last 3 years, I have seen the party become unrecognisable from the one I first supported over 20 years ago. I can no longer be part of and campaign for a party where Pro-European and compassionate Conservatives such as Dominic Grieve are no longer welcome.

The House of Commons Education Select Committee have today published a report into Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). It makes for damning reading on the government' handling of SEND.

The report was compiled following an 18 month enquiry and takes a rigorous look at all aspects of SEND provision. It concludes that the sector as a whole is fundamentally underfunded, but that this isn't the only problem.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson MP visited Derby today, where he said that 'every child should be in school' and criticised climate strike protesters.

Liberal Democrat MP Candidate for Derby North Greg Webb said "Many parents across Derby will be rightly upset by Mr. Williamson's comments today.

A recent report from the Care Quality Commission and OFSTED has revealed that Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision in Derby is failing families and hurting our children.

We call on the government to fully fund SEND services for Derby so that no child needs to suffer or be excluded because of government underfunding.

Derby has about 270 licensed Hackney taxis (currently yellow) which can be flagged down or found on taxi ranks. They can also do pre-booked work. Derby also has about 1000 Private Hire vehicles which can only do pre-booked work. There are also quite a number of hackney taxis licensed by other councils that do pre-booked work in the city. Derby City Council has no control over those "outside" vehicles. They are allowed to work outside of their licensed area due to a legal loophole.

For well over a year the Sinfin waste plant has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The plant, originally due to open in 2017, has not been able to meet the requirements of the acceptance tests during the past year. It has not proved possible to make the plant work as it was expected to. After detailed discussions between the companies, banks and the two councils, it has been decided to end the contract today.

At the July Full Council meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillor Lucy Care proposed a motion calling on Derby City Council to agree to stop using single use plastics as far as possible, and to avoid using products that contain micro-beads and similar micro-plastic particles.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Joe Naitta. It also called on the Council to minimise the use of other single use materials, including glass bottles, and to reduce the excessive use of packaging, particularly plastic packaging.

Housing beyond Havenbaulk

Land either side of Rykneld Road between existing housing and the city boundary has been kept for future housing for many years. The area nearly got planning approval ten years or so ago. Developers are now looking at plans for this area again. They held a public consultation event at the Heatherton Community Centre at the beginning of July. There is information available at www.rykneldroad-heatherton.co.uk or email consultation@rykneldroad-heatherton.co.uk to complete a survey before 21st July.

Some people choose to burn garden waste instead of putting it in their brown bin. Others see a plume of smoke and assume it is an out-of-control fire. They then call 999. Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service arrive on the scene only to find a bonfire being looked after by the householder. This type of situation happens quite often.