The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
I attended the Annual Town meeting on 1st. May and one of the topics which was discussed was the topic of Town Twinning. The Council was asked for its reasons for breaking off the Civic Links with our twinned towns of Villiers-sur-Marne and Friedberg. It was asked to justify its summary abrogation of the Treaty of Friendship which had been signed many years ago, in good faith, by the predecessor council.
By Mione Goldspink in Bishop's Stortford 'Flyer' - May 2012
Several controversial topics have cropped up this month.
The proposed new pedestrian bridge over the railway line at Johnson's Crossing is provoking very strong feelings - some people feel it to be an essential safety measure, whilst others think that it would be a huge monstrosity, and that it is not really necessary. They feel that the lights, gates and sirens which have already been introduced are quite satisfactory. It is interesting to note that many people who are against the bridge appear to be the ones who live nearest to the line and who actually use the crossing as it is. It is interesting also, that Network Rail has not consulted with local people to find out their views, and has not been granted planning permission yet, although work has already started to prepare the site. Personally, I would like to see a bridge to keep people safe, but would like to see a smaller version of the one proposed, which would not be such an eyesore.
Since this Coalition government was formed in May 2010, dozens of LibDem policies have made it onto the Statute Book. Here are some of them.
Raising the Income Tax Threshold. This will happen again next April and again in the April after that, until no one pays any tax on the first £10,000 they earn.
By Mione Goldspink in Bishop's Stortford ;Flyer' - March 2012 issue
Local Matters with Mione Goldspink
I am seriously worried about the Government's plans for the NHS - I cannot bring myself to call the proposals "reforms" as I consider them to be damaging changes.
The controversial Health and Social Care Bill (the NHS Bill) has been making its way through the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Peers of the Realm, who have scrutinised it very closely, have suggested over 100 amendments.
The elections on May 5th were, to say the least, disappointing for the Lib Dems in Bishop's Stortford.
At District level, Bishop's Stortford has thirteen seats on the Council. The LibDems now have only one of those, held by Cllr Mike Wood who retained his seat in All Saints Ward. However, we sadly lost Mione Goldspink after 20 years representing the people of Stortford. Mione lost her seat in Central Ward as did Bob Taylor. In All Saints Ward we also lost the seat vacated by Andy Graham, who did not seek re-election after 16 years.
Re :-- Liberal Democrat influence over the NHS 'Reform' Bill,
As Liberal Democrats, we are delighted that the Government has agreed to make significant and major changes to the proposed NHS 'Reform' Bill. This is due in no small measure to pressure exerted by the Liberal Democrats which, in association with concerns expressed by the medical profession, caused the Government to pause and to consult.
The Bishop's Stortford High School and the Herts & Essex High School have appealed against the planning decisions by the East Herts Council. The Council refused the planning applications, which involved the moving of the two schools to green belt land at Whittington Way and building over 700 houses across the town on the vacated sites, on the Beldams Lane Playing Field and on land at Patmore Close.
The appeal will be heard at a Public Enquiry, which will begin on September 20th and run for about three weeks.
The Civic Federation, local Residents' Associations, Thorley Parish and other community groups in the town plan to contest the appeal, which is being funded by Hertfordshire County Council using tax-payers' money.
The local branch of the Liberal Democrats is also supporting The Bishop's Stortford Civic Federation's fight against the schools' move.
However, funds are needed to engage legal counsel to ensure that Bishop's Stortford Communities are professionally represented at the enquiry. Please help the Civic Federation to fight the 'Stop Schools' Move' appeal by donating online on the Civic Fedration's website at http:/www.stortfordcf.org.uk or by sending your contribution to:
'CAUSE' c/o 5 Maple Avenue, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. CM23 2RP
Your support would be appreciated and any donation gratefully received.
The LibDems are pleased that the Town Council has managed to reduce its share of the council tax for 2011 - 12 and supported the reduction.
However it could have been reduced still further had a suggestion by Cllr. Mike Wood been taken up by the council.
The council tax required for the Town Council now amounts to just over £1m and, by law, it has to keep reserves of half of the tax requirement. At the moment, reserves are well above this level, with the money just sitting in the bank.
Six years after Cllrs. Mike Wood, Andy Graham and Les Pinnell (now ex-councillor) first requested that the flats in Plaw Hatch Close be redeveloped it has now happened. The flats have been demolished and eighteen new homes, for people on the housing register, will replace them.
