View from the Chamber

Cllr David Dickinson led the Lib Dems on Shepway Council during some very difficult times. He did so with great dignity and integrity. I'm sure that I speak on behalf of the local Party when I thank him for his marvellous contribution.

I have 3 key aims as leader of the group. The first is to promote the Lib Dem alternative, the second is to focus the energy and skills of my fellow councillors and the third is to help inspire all our councillors and supporters.

I think that people are fed up with cllrs and politicians who just oppose and point score for its own sake. I agree with them. In the affairs of the Council, I will make sure that instead of just opposing, we'll put forward alternatives. Just as an example, we know that the introduction of the recycling scheme has been handled very badly.

Instead of just lashing the Conservatives and the People First Councillors for their obvious failure, we'll work with them to help sort it out on behalf of local people and (crucially) explain that we would not have introduced such a complex scheme across the whole area at one go - we would have done it in stages.

All our councillors make a very significant contribution to their wards. They all have a great interest in our area. As leader, I will help focus their work and make sure that our group gets its message across to the local newspaper and radio. I will make sure that we pass on news of our councillors work to our local campaign team. Its not enough to do good things - we have to make sure that local people know what we are doing.

Leading is more than managing and organising. It is about making sure that people believe in themselves and are inspired. I will try to put my thoughts in action over the coming months. I thank everyone for their kind words of support and congratulations.

Note: Cllr Lynne Beaumont was elected as the new leader of the Lib Dem group on Shepway Council. Cllr Beaumont was elected by a convincing margin at a meeting in December.

Lynne can be contacted on 01303 274584, or write to her c/o Shepway Lib Dems, 82A Sandgate High St, Folkestone Kent CT20 3BX