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Rutland and Melton Liberal Democrats
Serving Melton, Rutland and North East Harborough districts
Making it Happen
Thu 17th Jul 2008
Nick Clegg has outlined the Liberal Democrat 'Make it Happen' policy. This includes cutting taxes for ordinary families; paying for treatment elsewhere if local hospitals cannot manage; switching taxes from people to pollution; improving standards in education by funding extra help for those who need it most; putting Britain at the heart of Europe to make us a force for good in the world; stopping ID cards so we can keep control of our privacy; changing the voting system so everyone's voice counts; bringing communities together with local people in charge; and giving communities a say in how offenders pay for their crimes.
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Read "Making it Happen" in full (104 words).
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Conservatives walk away from phone mast battle
Mon 7th Jul 2008
The LIBERAL Democrats have launched a stinging attack on the Conservatives for refusing to support calls to tighten up planning rules on mobile phone masts. Currently, few restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals. The Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones. But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all. Rutland & Melton Lib Dems say, "Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications. This gives phone companies an advantage which is not enjoyed by other individuals and businesses applying for planning permission. Our amendment would have made the system fairer. We were very disappointed to see that the Conservatives did not bother to vote for this change. They simply sat on their hands, despite telling everyone at the general election that they support this policy."
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Read "Conservatives walk away from phone mast battle" in full (212 words).
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Family BBQ and Games - Sunday 29th June
Wed 25th Jun 2008
John and Mary hosted the annual family barbecue at their home in the delightful village of Horninghold on Sunday 29th June. The rain held off until late afternoon and we all had a great time barbecuing, exploring the eco-garden or playing / watching croquet (with some complicated rules!)
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Read "Family BBQ and Games - Sunday 29th June" in full (49 words).
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News on the environment from our MEP
Sun 22nd Jun 2008
1. The Waste Directive to increase Recycling - Yesterday, the European Parliament approved binding targets for the recycling of waste by 2020 that the European Union's 27 member states must include in national plans or face legal action by Brussels. The rules seek to achieve recycling of 50 percent of waste from households and 70 percent of hazardous materials. The sheer fact that concrete targets had been accepted despite strong opposition in some capitals was a victory for MEPs. National governments are increasingly difficult to negotiate with. As the recession bites, they know that this legislation will cost money so they become reluctant to accept the parliament's amendments. According to Brussels estimates, Europe generates around 1.8 billion tonnes of waste, which is an average of 3.5 tonnes per person, mainly from households, commercial enterprises such as shops or restaurants, industry, agriculture and construction and demolition projects.
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Read "News on the environment from our MEP" in full (241 words).
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Harrier down in Ashwell
Sun 22nd Jun 2008
A joint services harrier crashed into a field in Ashwell on Monday 16th June across the road from the home of one of the Rutland & Melton Liberal Democrat executive team. The Royal Navy pilot ejected in time and is recovering in hospital. The Lib Dems wish him a speedy recovery and thank him for his skill in avoiding the village houses.
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Read "Harrier down in Ashwell" (62 words).
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Tories refused to support compensation
Sat 17th May 2008
Did you know? When compensation for people who would lose out from the abolition of the 10p tax rate was proposed last year (primarily by the Lib Dems) the Conservatives refused to support it.
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Read "Tories refused to support compensation" (34 words).
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Liberal Democrats did well in the E Midlands
Sat 3rd May 2008
Well done to East Midlands councillors and supporters including - Catherine Lomax in Daventry, and all in Derby (where the Lib Dems are now the largest party). The projected overall result in the May Day elections is 25% for the Lib Dems which is higher than Labour.
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Read "Liberal Democrats did well in the E Midlands" (47 words).
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A local strategy on all new "eco-habitations"
Sat 19th Apr 2008
Rutland Liberal Democrat Councillor Marc Oxley has declared his opposition to "Pennbury" believing it to be unsustainable and has agreed with Professor John Twidell that there should be a locally declared "eco" strategy on all new housing, not just so called "eco towns".
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Read "A local strategy on all new "eco-habitations"" in full (184 words).
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Archive of earlier news stories.
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Published and promoted by Rutland & Melton Liberal Democrats, 11 The Dell, Oakham LE15 6JG.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.
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"Holding someone without charge for 42 days adds nothing of value to the investigation, prosecution or conviction of terrorists. "
Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General Lord (Martin) Thomas
Comment ahead of the Second Reading of the Counter-Terrorism Bill in the House of Lords - 8 July
"Opponents of Mugabe's regime are at serious risk of being tortured or killed if they are sent back to Zimbabwe. I am dismayed that the Home Office seems intent on pushing ahead with deportations at the earliest opportunity. "
Chris Huhne, Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesman
www.libdems.org.uk - 8 July
"Schools' performance in recognising and tackling homophobia should be an assessed criterion in Ofsted school inspections. "
Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg
www.bbc.co.uk/news/ - 7 July
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