Our press releases

Latest press releases from the LGA Lib Dem Group.

In this section:

December 2020: Council motion: Stand Up For Carers

The Carers UK survey found that “43 per cent of carers felt that a rise in Carer’s Allowance would help them, given the financial pressures they are facing.”

December 2020: Government forces councils to hike Council Tax or make cuts despite promises

"So much of the extra potential increase in council funding depends on councils hiking up Council Tax by 5 per cent. It is an unfair tax, not related to the ability to pay."

February 2021: Dealing with the pandemic in York – the answers are in our local communities

The first two cases in the UK were identified in York and we got to hear about them through the local paper and before PHE told us. Those patients were quickly moved into isolation out of the city and no local transmission was found. However, it was clear more cases would occur so our city’s infection control plan was brought into play. We soon agreed on three areas of focus to help contain the virus: communication, communities and close collaboration.

February 2021: Housing the homeless in (now) Lib Dem Chelmsford

Councillor Stephen Robinson writes: “Exactly five years ago I marched with hundreds of others concerned about a Public Space Protection Order with plans for £100 fines (from then-Conservative Chelmsford City Council).

February 2021: Letter to The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP from Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, regarding local elections

There is democratic principle at stake here. If it is deemed not safe to campaign for an election, then it is not safe to hold those elections.

February 2021: Virtual meetings motion

The introduction of virtual meetings as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has proved to be a success and has brought many advantages. Initially some found it strange getting used to using Teams or Zoom but it has enabled the work of the Council to continue during difficult times. Councillors have quickly got used to the new etiquette and the debate is as lively and informative as ever.

February 2021: Watford Liberal Democrats call for level playing field for local shops with online retailers

Watford Liberal Democrats are supporting calls for a ‘level playing field’ in the taxes paid by local shops and online retailers. The call comes after major UK supermarkets lobbied for a 1 per cent sales tax to be levied on online stores including Amazon.

January 2021: : Template press release - Lib Dems slam exaggerated Tory boasts on [AREA] police funding as ‘smoke and mirrors’

This template press release is for you to use in response to local Conservative press releases about “[AREA] Police set to receive an additional £XXX million”.

January 2021: Did you know the LGA Liberal Democrat Group posts are up for election this May?

The LGA Liberal Democrat Group runs its elections every two years. We pride ourselves on our internal democracy as a group, and all who are Liberal Democrat Councillors on LGA member councils on 30 April this year have a right to stand if they wish.

January 2021: EnergieSprong in Sutton

Energiesprong, which originated in Holland, is a revolutionary low energy approach to whole house refurbishment and new build. The mission of Energiesprong UK is to scale this approach in the UK market.

January 2021: Government is out of touch on Free School Meals

"With the Government announcement that schools should not provide free school meals over half-term, it is increasingly clear that the Government is out of touch, both with the schools and their families."

January 2021: Postal ballots

This Council resolves to implement a campaign to encourage people to sign up to use their postal vote; ensure that this campaign is ongoing up to polling day, and advertises key dates for voters to be aware of; endeavour to make the public aware that while precautions are being taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way to vote will be by using a postal vote.

January 2021: Supporting the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill

Watford Borough Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019 and committed to becoming a climate neutral council by 2030, since taking actions including: establishing a sustainability forum to work with key communities and businesses in the borough; working to provide alternative and sustainable modes of transport for residents; leading by example to reduce waste in the council and the borough more generally; creating biodiversity in council-owned assets.

Januuary 2021: Offices left empty by COVID-19 could result in surge in substandard home conversions

Press release template

November 2020: End our cladding, EWS1 and snagging scandal

Proposed by: Cllr Humaira Ali Seconded by: Cllr Graham Neale

November 2020: Fighting for tenants and leaseholders rights

This week, Liberal Democrat peers reintroduced this amendment to the Fire Safety Bill and had it passed by just 13 votes meaning the amendment will return to the House of Commons where our MPs will support it once again

November 2020: Getting media coverage in Worthing

Worthing Liberal Democrats have gained a reputation for their local campaigning. This regularly features trademark pictures of their Councillors pointing at an offending item.

November 2020: Letter from Councillor Jayne McCoy on planning consultation

Councillor Jayne McCoy Liberal Democrat Councillor for Wallington South Ward Deputy Leader and Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee

November 2020: Lib Dems take action on empty homes

Under Lib Dem leadership, Bath and North East Somerset Council is taking action on empty properties which blight communities and waste valuable housing stock.

November 2020: Liberal Democrat motion from the Hull City Council Group on Extending the Furlough Scheme

"Council notes the huge negative impact that the Coronavirus outbreak has had - and continues to have - on employment figures in Hull. Council recognises that, people across our City need the certainty and support to know that they have a job going forward."

November 2020: Neurodiversity

A presentation from Councillor Ross Henley and Julie Jordan, Strategic HR Lead, Somerset West and Taunton Council

November 2020: Notice of Opposition Business, 4 November 2020

Motion 2: Let’s make street harassment a crime

November 2020: Notice of motion to embrace and agree the victim support hate crime charter

In 2019/20, there were 105,090 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales, excluding Greater Manchester police, an increase of 8 per cent compared with 2018/19 (97,446 offences).

November 2020: Oldham leading the way on combatting street harassment

When Oldham Borough Council voted to pass the Liberal Democrat motion against street harassment this week, it became the first Council in the country to sign up to support the Our Streets Now campaign to combat public sexual harassment by making it a specific crime, and to introduce education in schools to combat the problem.

November 2020: Retrofit programmes at the City of York Council

Through Better Homes the council has delivered an energy efficient demonstration house, Government Central Heating Fund, Leeds City Region Fuel Poverty scheme, Leeds City Region Warm Homes Fund scheme, and discretionary grants for boiler replacements.

November 2020: Template letter to reply to people concerned about the Planning White Paper

The Durham Lib Dem Group has created a template letter to communicate to residents about the Planning White Paper.