Weston-Super-Mare
Liberal Democrats

News

LibDems push back against unachievable Tory housing targets

At Wednesday's meeting of the NSC Executive, LibDem Councillors won support for a plan to push back on the Tory Government's unachievable housing target. Our amendment reflects what we've heard loud and clear from local communities about the need to protect the green belt and other sensitive sites. LibDems managed to pass an amendment that: 1. refers this report to the Place Policy & Scrutiny Panel to seek further input, if possible by 30 September 2022, and 2. requests that officers proceed to develop a revised Local Plan that recognises the constrained nature of North Somerset and identifies an appropriate scale and location of development to offer greater protection to the Green Belt and other sensitive sites, and seek legal advice including advice on implications for the Local Plan timetable and anticipated national reforms, further evidence gathering, potentially including further consultation, in order to prepare the strongest possible pre-submission draft plan, and 3. requests a further r

PK
8 Sep 2022
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LibDem Councillors Demand Bus Bosses "Reverse Bus Cuts Now!"

At a meeting with First Group bosses this evening (18 August), North Somerset Liberal Democrat Councillors have demanded that proposed cuts to vital local bus services are scrapped. Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, Chair of the Place Scrutiny Panel, chairing the meeting said: "District Councillors are horrified at this unilateral decision by First to withdraw services, especially since here in North Somerset we have put so much effort and time into providing better facilities for passengers to use the network and will be working hard with government grants to further improve infrastructure." Cllr Patrick Keating, Blagdon and Churchill, highlighted the particularly damaging impact of cuts to rural areas, where people who do not have access to private cars are now cut off from vital services. "The agreement to save some parts of the X5 route shows that it is possible to find ways to save some services. First Bus and North Somerset Council must now quickly work together to reach an agreement to save routes under thre

PK
18 Aug 2022
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Cllr John Crockford-Hawley

Weston LibDems speak out on bus cuts.

Cllr John Crockford Hawley, Chair of the Place Panel, has spoken out about the latest cuts to services announced by first bus. We are all disappointed to read that First has decided to withdraw some of its rural bus service in the autumn. Even more disappointing is the sudden manner in which this news broke. First doesn't engage with local councils before making this sort of statement since its priority is to shareholders rather than to the travelling public. I believe the rot set in when Mrs Thatcher de-regulated and privatised the bus networks throughout the UK, leaving the Mayoralty of London as the only local authority with statutory regulatory powers over local transport. Public transport cannot survive using this now antiquated and disproven commercial model District and Parish Councillors in North Somerset and Somerset along with their Integrated transport officers are horrified at this decision by First to withdraw services, especially since here in North Somerset we have put so much effort and ti

PK
10 Aug 2022
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Weston LibDems Pitch in in Tiverton

Liberal Democrat Members from Weston and North Somerset travelled down to Tiverton and Honiton to support local-born Richard Froome, campaigning to be the local Member of Parliament. Our local team had much to learn from the campaign in Tiverton and Honiton, where there is a byelection following the resignation of (yet another) disgraced Tory MP.

PK
30 May 2022
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