The following application was registered on 24 Jan 2012 Site Address: 29 De Vere Road, Colchester, CO3 4QD Proposed Development: Application for a lawful development certificate for a proposed rear kitchen extension. Further information can be found here Consultation expires on 15 Feb 2012 Planning Services at Colchester Borough Council can be contacted by Email at planning.services@colchester.gov.uk ... More

The following application was registered on 23 Jan 2012 Site Address: 7 Van Dyck Road, Colchester, CO3 4QD Proposed Development: Demolition of existing garage and part two storey part single storey extensions to side and rear of property. Further information can be found here Consultation expires on 14 Feb 2012 Planning Services at Colchester Borough Council can be contacted by Email at planning.services@colchester.gov.uk ... More

The following application was registered on 11 Jan 2012 Site Address: 37 Twining Road, Colchester, CO3 9XG Proposed Development: Variation of condition 2 of application no. 090198 – Extension of 1st floor to be of brick construction rather than cladding. Move Study window higher than original window. Further information can be found here Consultation expires on 02 Feb 2012 Planning Services at Colchester Borough Council can be contacted by Email at planning.services@colchester.gov.uk ... More

75% of the Lib Dem manifesto from 2010 has (so far) been delivered in Government The Lib Dems only have 8.8% of the MPs in the House of Commons but have delivered 75% of the 2010 manifesto (according to the BBC). That’s in stark contrast to 0% of the manifesto having been delivered over the last 90 years. David Cameron has watered down central components of his NHS reforms to appease Nick Clegg: Daily Telegraph Lib Dems secure reforms to NHS plans Paul Walter blog Protecting the environment and creating jobs: “Chris Huhne has achieved more in a year than most top politicians manage ... More

John Loxley and the Prettygate Lib Dem Focus Team are launching a new service to publicise planning applications in Prettygate The following application was registered on 04 Jan 2012 Site Address: 20 Crome Close, Colchester, CO3 4QQ Proposed Development: Proposed conversion of existing bungalow into 2no.semi detached dwellings including side extension (resubmission of 110513). Further information can be found here Consultation expires on 26 Jan 2012 Planning Services at Colchester Borough Council can be contacted by Email at planning.services@colchester.gov.uk ... More

Tory-controlled Essex County Council has confirmed that it will NOT replace Lollipop men & ladies as they leave or retire – perhaps explaining why they are so reluctant to agree to a Lib Dem request to discuss the issue. The Brentwood Gazette reported that a lollipop lady who retired in October after 19 years will not be replaced, leaving children vulnerable on their school journeys. We urge all local people to unite behind this campaign to get this discussed at full council with the simple objective of making school journeys across Essex as safe as possible for our children. This news perhaps ... More

On Wednesday I attended a meeting at Colchester Borough Council to speak on the issue of decent homes. I was concerned that the Colchester Borough Homes had completed the program to achieve the previous government’s Decent Homes Standard without bringing many bathrooms up to a reasonable standard. I was surprised to find that a house can fail to meet two of the five criteria relating to kitchens, bathrooms and noise, yet still meet the standard. This does not represent a decent homes standard that I would recognise. This is part of the reason I am a Liberal Democrat. Indeed, a report ... More

Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined a £1 billion pound Youth Contract to tackle youth unemployment. The aim is to ensure that all jobless young people are earning or learning again before long-term damage is done. Over three years, the Youth Contract will provide at least 410,000 new work places for 18 to 24 year olds into work. Starting April 2012 Including 160,000 wage subsidies and 250,000 new work experience placements. In addition, there will be at least ... More

The Straight Road Centre was purchased from Essex County Council in 2007. It was formerly used as a youth centre and when that was closed local residents got together to save the building for community use. The centre is managed by trustees who give their time voluntarily to the project. The centre is available for hire in the evenings and at weekends. Contact Mrs Jill Pullum: Telephone 01206 543957 ... More

The open space between Norman Way and Philip Morant School, known locally as ‘The Green’ is top of a list of sites that Colchester Borough Council has submitted as ‘Fields in Trust’, which would guarantee that the land would remain as open space. John Loxley and Christchurch Lib Dem Councillor Martin Hunt (left and centre in the picture) fought for The Green to be protected. Whilst Liberal Democrats on Colchester Borough Council refused to allow Philip Morant to build a road across The Green, designating the site as a ‘Field in Trust’ would mean that no future Council would be able to ... More