The guest speaker at a dinner in the University of Bedford last Friday organised by the Local Government Organisation for leading Liberal Democrat councillors was Councillor the Lord Tope - an unusual title to put on any business card. But if a "polymath" is a person who has a grasp of many different academic subjects, the Baron Tope just has to be a "polypolitician"!
Even the Guardian, the paper that's been so critical of the Coalition in general and the Lib Dems in particular, these past two years, has had to run this story. This is the announcement that many of us have wanted to see for as long as we've been politically active. That women who take time out of the labour market to care for children or sick relatives will not be penalised in their old age.
Commenting on the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England's plans to create more credit to boost the economy, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Treasury Committee, Stephen Williamssaid:
Three Rivers District Council is going to build a new play area in George Vth Playing Fields. Mill End residents of all ages have recently been consulted about what they would like to see there. Pupils in the local primary schools were asked for their views and to comment on possible equipment. Consultative sessions were held at William Penn Leisure Centre, the Children's Centre and at the Mill End Community Celebration Day. Over 330 people responded to the consultation which was an excellent result and the information will be very useful. Thank you to all those involved.
The redevelopment of the Lister Hospital, Stevenage, one of Hertfordshire's two acute hospitals, has been underway for several years. The final Phase Four redevelopment costing £75 million was given the go-ahead in March of this year, and within that phase the Treasury has now approved the start of construction of a new £19.3 million Emergency Department.
Keeping the lights on, consumers energy bills down and creating cleaner electricity to help tackle climate change, are the three goals of ambitious draft electricity market reform legislation published today.
