Derby Liberal Democrats

Housing and Homelessness charity Shelter latest report 'Homelessness in Great Britain: the numbers behind the story' shows that homelessness is increasing across the country and is on the rise here in the East Midlands.

The estimated total number of people homeless across Great Britain is believed to be 320,000. It fell in the South West by 8% but has risen here in the East Midlands by 6% meaning now an estimated 1 in 655 people in our region are homeless.

Today a judge has decided that the election result in Boulton Ward last May stands. Labour's Ranjit Banwait lost the election by almost 500 votes.

Reacting to the news, Lib Dem campaigner Ajit Atwal said, "Last May I lost by one vote in Abbey Ward. I accepted the result because I believe in democracy. Ranjit Banwait is just a bad loser. He ran the Council like a dictator and the voters of Boulton delivered their verdict on him on 3rd May."

More shopping choice for Heatherton?

Dozens of people went to the exhibition about a new supermarket in Heatherton on behalf of Aldi. Their proposal is for a large store behind the Hollybrook Pub, with access directly off Rykneld Road.

Tom Bull said "We've asked lots of people locally for their views. While most welcome more choice, not everyone wants an Aldi. Some think the store is too large. Many dislike the access point or have traffic concerns."

The Government have announced that plans to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) has been delayed.

FOBTs currently allow gamblers to place bets of up to £100 on electronic games. They have been described as the 'crack cocaine' of gambling, and can see players lose vast amounts of money very quickly with no human interaction.

Recently the Home Affairs Select Committee released a report called 'Policing for the future'. Liberal Democrats across the country have called for a boost to police funding to turn the tide on serious violent crime. Your Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner, Barry Holliday, commented:

"Needless Conservative police cuts have already made our streets less safe. The Home Office's own reports shows that cuts have contributed to the rise in serious violent crime, yet the Tories continue to squeeze forces' budgets.

Derby City Council have announced plans to address Derby's air quality problem - by introducing traffic management in Stafford Street.

Derby was found to have some of the worst air quality in the country. A court judgement against the Government means that Derby City Council are required to present a plan to improve this and get Derby's air back to safe standards.

News has emerged that Labour are 'calling in' a decision by Derby's Conservative council to cut Special Educational Needs provision in Derby - just as Labour were doing themselves only a few months ago.

Commenting, Danielle Lind said "Labour are trying to treat Derby families as fools.

"Parents know how much damage Labour caused to Special Educational Needs provision in Derby. They cut provision, cut funding and made such a mess of looking after our children that parents were forced to take the Council to court to meet its legal obligations.

Chris Williamson spent the summer recess from parliament travelling the country with what he called a 'democracy roadshow'. Your Lib Dem spokesperson, Barry Holliday said:

"Williamson's roadshow is nothing more than a travelling threat to Labour MPs who dare to question Corbyn. Even Labour party members have pointed out to Williamson on social media that fewer than 5% of their own members vote at meetings, how could they justify deselecting MPs on the whim of a handful of Labour party members? It just shows that Corbyn & Williamson's version of democracy is for the few, not the many.

It has been a long wait, but the work to create the new pathway / cycleway / bridleway from Oaklands Avenue through Millennium Wood and on to Moorway Lane has now started. It is expected to take 8 weeks.

This project is being paid for with money from the Heatherton developers. Since 2012 Labour has delayed the project again and again. In 2015 they even claimed that no local residents wanted this pathway! This was met with an angry response from local residents. The final straw came in December 2015 when the Labour Cabinet wanted to take the money away from this project. Frantic efforts were made behind the scenes to stop this. At the meeting the Cabinet report was withdrawn and it was agreed that the local councillors and Friends of Littleover Parks would work with Parks Officers to come up with a list of what the £330,000+ should be spent on.