Nationally since 2015 there has been a £1.2 billion shortfall in Government funding for children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND). In Derby the total cash shortfall in High Needs funding since 2015 is over £15 million.

On 30th May local Lib Dems joined with parents and others for a nationwide day of protest against this shortfall in funding. The campaign puts pressure on the Conservative Government to properly fund SEND.

From 10th June, various changes to the library services offered to city residents were implemented.

This is happening because about two years ago the then Labour-run Council decided to close most of the libraries as Council-run, and open them as Community Managed Libraries (CML) run by Direct Help & Advice (DHA). Derby's and Derbyshire's library services had been run jointly up until then. But now data protection issues have meant the two services are splitting.

A city youth service is needed back in Derby, to give young people the chance to engage in positive activities whilst fulfilling their potential as members of society. YMCA Derbyshire is therefore taking a lead, working with Derby County Community Trust and Baby People to deliver activities for young people. They are encouraging corporate and payroll giving. There'll be a formal launch later in July, or find out more from gillian.sewell@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk

Watch Your Speed!

Littleover Community Speedwatch are going to be checking speeds within the 20mph area in July. If you're interested in volunteering, please email Marion Russell on mr.1066@hotmail.com

Rykneld Road works

Severn Trent have just begun relining the water supply pipes along Haven Baulk Lane. They will be doing similar work on Rykneld Road during the summer.

Across the globe, across Europe, across Britain and across Derby there are growing calls for real action to combat climate change. We are already experiencing extreme weather events and action is needed now, as they will become more frequent and more severe.

Derby Liberal Democrat councillors have responded to this urgency - and calls from the local community - by drafting a motion now submitted to Derby City Council for debate at the full Council meeting on 22^nd May.

It might be only a year since Labour were removed from power in Derby, but Derby is still suffering from their mismanagement of the Council.

• The A52 fiasco. It was supposed to cost £15 million, but has run massively over-budget. It may end up costing over £43 million. Labour won't even say sorry for their part in this disaster!
• The botched re-grading of Teaching Assistants pay - leading to big pay cuts for some.
• Not giving pupils with Special Educational Needs all the support and services they needed, forcing parents to take legal action.
• Labour allowed a toxic culture to take hold in the Council. This led to low staff morale, high sickness rates, and many senior staff leaving.
• Labour's candidates at this election include the Cabinet Member responsible when the legal mess in Derby's library service was created. He was a close ally of Derby's deposed Labour leader, Ranjit Banwait.
• External auditors severely criticised Labour's running of the Council on several occasions.

Before they lost power last May, Labour signed contracts with a voluntary sector organisation for it to take over the running of 10 of Derby's libraries, including Blagreaves. Since then not a lot has happened. Most of the 10 libraries are still being run by the Council. This is because the contract failed to properly take account of important laws regarding data protection and protection of employees' rights.

Local Campaigner Ajit Atwal has been supporting our community Speed Watch group.

Many local residents have told the Lib Dem team that they're worried about the speeds some drivers do on our roads.

Ajit said "Our area has some great parks for families to play in, but a few drivers ruin our area by driving too fast past parks and people's houses. Our roads just weren't designed for people to drive fast on.

Cllr Mike Carr said "This has been a very special year for me as Mayor. I've met lots of people doing amazing things for others. Small acts can make a big difference, especially when we work together. "Reporting something that is wrong can be the first step to making things better. So these examples show how people in our area are helping the Focus Team make things better for everyone."

Police Action

Derbyshire Police have launched a new website to receive video of traffic incidents. This can include footage from dashcams, cyclecams and mobile phones. See snap.derbyshire.police.uk

Manor Kingsway plans

Thank you to everyone who commented to planners about the new park for Manor Kingsway. You might also like to comment on access to the park. At present the only links between phase one ('Princes') and the rest (including the park) will be through 'Princes'. See https://docs.derby.gov.uk/padocumentserver/DownloadDocument.aspx?docid=134682790 and https://docs.derby.gov.uk/padocumentserver/DownloadDocument.aspx?docid=134688072. The planning reference is 08/18/01304 or email planningcorrespondence@derby.gov.uk