The Liberal Democrats today accused the Tories of hypocrisy, following Conservative complaints that Alistair Darling had stolen their tax policies. Several key proposals announced yesterday, which the Conservatives claimed were their own, had actually originally been proposed by the Liberal Democrats. They include:
Shepway residents could be hit by a threat by British insurers to remove flooding cover from many policies unless the Government steps up spending on flood defences. With many areas of Shepway protected by existing defences, especially Romney Marsh, the impact on local residents and businesses could be devastating.
Local residents were delighted last night plans for the redevelopment of the White Lion site on the junction of Cheriton High Street and Chilham Road, Folkestone, was rejected by Shepway Development Control due to concerns on the impact on parking locally. The plans were for a block for accommodation for 16 students plus 4 terraced houses on Chilham Road.
Lynne Beaumont, leader of Shepway Liberal Democrats, has railed against the proposed Post Office closures in the district. "Over the last eight years Folkestone and Hythe have already lost 10 post offices, and under this new wave of cuts we face losing another five," she said.
Folkestone councillors have taken to the streets in an attempt to shame Shepway District Council about the state of litter bins in Folkestone.
This year, "Poppy Day" will be Saturday 10 November. There is a great need for volunteers to sell poppies and the appeal organisers for Folkestone are anxious to hear from anyone who can spare a few minutes to sell poppies.
In the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announced later today, the Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to announce that local government expenditure is expected to be squeezed. Ahead of the CSR the Local Government Association has warned that without additional funding for local government and care of the elderly, council tax bills will have to rise.
The Full programme for the Folkestone Literary Festival has been announced, and promises to be the biggest and best yet. The Festival, supported by Folkestone Town Council amongst others, runs 2 - 10 November 2007 and has its full programme on-line at www.folkestonelitfest.co.uk
Kent County Council has announced that due to proposed junction improvement works on the Ashley Avenue/Cheriton High Street junction in Cheriton, Folkestone, there will be a road closure on Ashley Avenue from the junction with Cheriton High Street to the access with All Soul's Church Vicarage from 22nd October for around 4 weeks.
The Liberal Democrats will today table a Bill to the House of Commons to introduce fixed parliamentary terms of four years. The measure, which represents long-standing party policy, comes after Gordon Brown ruled out holding a General Election this autumn, and described the possibility of a poll in 2008 as "very unlikely".
Dover Labour MP Gwyn Prosser's attack on the Conservatives, "MP slams Davis' plans to scrap ID card scheme", Kent on Sunday, 7th October 2007, were not entirely unexpected, but so very wrong. Gwyn was on the Home Office Working Party that dreamt up and planned the whole ID card scheme so he obviously backs "his baby" at every opportunity.
Where were YOU when you learned Brown had bottled it? For me, it was a text on Saturday afternoon Vice Chair Neil Matthews which caused me to jump for the remote: "Have you seen the news? GE". Thanks for that Neil - my pulse will one day return to normal. I guess.
