Northamptonshire Tories want to wipe out  over 800 years of  Northampton history and our local council

Councillor Sally Beardworth

At the end of December Northamptonshire County Council put forward a bid for a single council to cover the whole of the County stretching from Brackley to Oundle. They have even put aside £10 million  to promote this idea.  This from a council that  its own auditors say is in debt and struggling financially.

Liberal Democrats in Northampton led by Councillor Sally Beardsworth have put forward a motion to next weeks meeting of Northampton Borough Council calling for local support to retain our own council here in Northampton.

"Northampton is an ancient borough with over 800 years of history in controlling its own affairs" says Sally. " We fully support the move to single  councils cutting down on duplication and waste but a huge county wide council would be too remote and unresponsive". We need a council based on or around our existing boundaries , one that can respond to local issues locally " .

Details of the Liberal Democrat motion are set out below.

Norman Lamb MP calls for cross-party consensus on future funding for Health & Social Care

The Liberal Democrats on Northampton Borough Council have put forward a motion to the council meeting on 7^th November asking councillors to support local chemist shops.

Cllr. Brian Markham (Lib Dem Westone Ward) who is proposing the motion says.

“Central Government is planning to cut upfront funding for pharmacies by 12% from 1^st December and by a further 6% in 2017. The changes to the way the Department of Health pays local pharmacies will particularly affect small local shops that many people rely on”. “Liberal Democrats recognise that our local chemist shops not only dispense prescriptions but also provide help and advice.“ says Cllr. Markham “Everything from advice on weight reduction, stopping smoking and sexual health to cold remedies are provided by local pharmacies if we lose their services then surely that will put more pressure on overstretched GPs and A&E Departments.”

Councillor Sally Beardsworth Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the council adds “ Local Chemist Shops provide an important community service and attract customers of all ages to other nearby stores” The Government appears to want people to order their prescriptions on-line but where is that primary care the the local pharmacy provides?” 

Daventry Liberal Democrats have arranged an event for members across Northamptonshire to contribute to a discussion about what a Liberal Britain would actually look like.

 The event is being held on Thursday 20^th October at the Cross Roads Hotel at Weedon. 

Click on the link for more details :-http://www.libdems.org.uk/andrewsimpson/daventry_lib_dems_your_liberal_britain_event

This is an event for all members …. old and new. 

 It would be particularly interesting to hear contributions from new members who have joined with fresh ideas of what the Liberal Democrats should aim to deliver.

 If you plan to attend please drop Andrew Simpson an email so that he has some idea of the numbers that he can expect to turn up on the night. asjsimpson@btinternet.com

Put the date in your diary

At Today's  (Oct 6th) County Council Meeting Liberal Democrats will propose a motion of No Confidence in the ruling Tories ability to control the council's finances.

This follows last months damning Audit Report.

The Conservatives have  been struggling to balance budgets for several years. Liberal Democrat Councillors on the Council have repeatedly pointed out that the budgets set each year are undeliverable and based on hope rather than sound financial management.

External Auditor Andrew Cardoza from KPMG Accountants agrees that the County Council has failed to put in place ‘proper arrangements to ensure it took properly informed decisions and deployed resources to achieve planned and sustainable outcomes for taxpayers and local people.’ At the Council’s Audit Committee Mr Cardoza stated he would be issuing a formal ‘adverse 2016/16 value for money opinion.’

 When quizzed by Lib Dem Councillor Chris Lofts, Mr Cardoza explained that he audits 28 councils and in only 3 cases has he been forced to issue this stark warning. ‘Northamptonshire County Council’s approach to budget setting and financial management has been officially called into question by the external auditor.’ Explained Councillor Lofts. ‘For years the Conservatives have based their plans on whims rather than sound analysis. The auditor has found them out and has said things must improve otherwise central Government could be forced to step in.’

 Lib Dem Leader Brendan Glynane added ‘The people of Northamptonshire are facing real cuts to front line services because the Tory Administration have failed to manage the money properly. By issuing this ‘red card’ the auditor is saying enough is enough.’

Liberal Democrats will fight Theresa May's plans for more Grammar Schools.

We believe that a return to the 11 Plus exam will leave leave 80% of our children and young people behind.

Liberal Democrats believe that all children should have the best possible start in life and the opportunity to flourish when at school. Children develop in different ways and at different times and no child should be written off at 11 years old.

However Theresa May's plans are not only wrong for children they are wrong for the Country and the economy. To compete in the modern world Great Britain Ltd. needs a workforce that is educated, innovative and motivated.

Secondary Education In Northamptonshire has gone through many changes in the last 15 years and it is true that not long ago many of our local schools were under-performing.

Things are beginning to improve, we now have excellent schools which specialise in Music, Drama , Sport, Science and Technology. Girls Schools and a School for Boys as well as excellent colleges offering sixth form and vocational courses. There are also Free Schools and Religious Foundations.

At present parents and young people have an element of choice. Reintroducing The 11 plus will take away that choice and variety.

 So why on earth would we want to stop all of this progress and success and go back to a system that condemned kids as failures at the age of 11?

Why would we want to introduce more change and uncertainty?

Come along and meet local members and supporters.

Wednesday 12th October 7pm to around 9pm