South East Lib Dem Europe Group (SELDEG), which covers South East and South Central regions, is a new community of Lib Dem councillors, local party executive members and PPCs interested in finding out more about how the European Union relates to their daily work in their own counties, districts and towns.
Shepway Lib Dems have welcomed a Home Office U-turn on a previous decision to deny access to the UK for an 84 year old Gurkha hero who won the VC fighting for Britain. Tul Bahadur Pun currently lives in Nepal, but wants to come to the UK for medical treatment. He has heart problems, asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure and requires daily medication - which is not always available in Nepal.
Shepway Lib Dems are stepping up their campaign to keep the Main Post Office in Folkestone. Since the announcement of intended transfer to WHSmith in Sandgate Road over 400 petition slips have been returned from local people, with more signing an on-line petition.
Liberal Democrat Voice - www.libdemvoice.org - is an independent Lib Dem opinion, news and information site for Liberal Democrats. There is a members only forum to allow private discussion, as well public news and comment areas.
Kent Highway Services have confirmed that they will be replacing the existing "speed cushions" in Somerset Road, Cheriton, with new pre-cast concrete speed cushions. The works will take up to 4 weeks, starting week commencing 4 June. The alterations are planned to reduce the risk of vehicles undercarriage hitting the speed cushions.
Mayor Peter Gane has taken a lead in working to get a long neglected park in Taylor Road, Cheriton, back into use. The park, to the rear of houses in Taylor Road, has had a recent history of dumping and is overgrown and neglected. Play equipment was removed some time ago after it was vandalised.
Graffiti on houses in Richmond Street, Cheriton has been removed after local Councillor Peter Carroll reported it the Shepway Council.
There are currently two by-elections pending in Kent. On 21st June there is a by-election in Meopham North Ward of Gravesham Borough Council, and on 12 July, a by-election for the Maidstone North East Division of Kent County Council, following the death of Lib Dem Councillor Margaret Featherstone.
Shepway Lib Dems are delighted to congratulate former Shepway Lib Dem Election Agent Shaun Roberts and former Constituency Organiser Miranda Piercy, who were married in Disneyworld, Florida last Thursday, 24 May. The wedding took place in the lakeside wedding pavilion overlooking the Magical Kingdom, and the happy couple were joined by close friends and family.
Commenting on the first day of the public inquiry into the expansion of Stansted Airport today, Liberal Democrat Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP said:
On Friday 18th May, Conservative and Labour MPs voted to exempt Parliament from Freedom of Information laws, creating one law for MPs and Lords and one law for everyone else. The Bill - introduced by a Conservative MP - will now go to the House of Lords, where it can still be stopped from becoming law.
"New council: Same Old Tories": that's the conclusion many reached on Wednesday night as Shepway's newly appointed Council Leader Tory Robert Bliss announced an increase in the size of the Shepway Cabinet from 7 to 10. That move will put around £25,000 a year into the pockets of Conservative Councillors - a total of around £100,000 in the next four years.
