One month to the European elections
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has this week launched the party’s manifesto for the European elections, which will be held on 22 May 2014.
The manifesto, entitled ‘In Europe, In Work’, highlights the Liberal Democrats’ priorities for the 2014-19 term in the European Parliament, including:
Create more jobs from trade within Europe.
Help fight crime across Europe.
Protect the environment and create green jobs.
Reform the EU to cut waste, protect the UK’s influence in the Single Market and strengthen the role of the Westminster Parliament in scrutinising EU legislation.
Launching the manifesto, Nick Clegg said:
“On 22 May, your choice is simple: do you think Britain is better off in Europe or do you want us out of it? Will you back a party that will lead us towards the exit, or do you want your representatives to make sure Britain remains engaged with our neighbours – a leading nation in our European backyard?
“I want you to choose the Liberal Democrats because we are now Britain’s only party of IN. We want Britain to stay in Europe – because that is how we keep our country strong, prosperous, safe and green.”
“Over the coming weeks you will hear other parties blame all of Britain’s problems on Brussels. It’s certainly true that the EU’s institutions are not perfect – just as Westminster isn’t. But don’t be fooled: being in Europe is good for Britain. Leaving the EU is the surest way to trash our economic recovery.
“Pulling up the drawbridge would leave our nation isolated and diminished in the world. Now is the time to use your voice to protect Britain’s interests. On 22 May, vote for the Liberal Democrats.”
Bath resident Jay Risbridger is standing to be a Liberal Democrat MEP for the South West of England region. Jay commented:
“For me, the most important reasons to be in the European Union are the economy, environment and tackling crime.
“In the EU, UK businesses have access to 500m European customers, supporting millions of British jobs. In the EU countries are working together to fight climate change. And in the EU we can work with other countries to bring international criminals to justice.
“Please use your vote on 22 May to support the only party that wants to work in the EU to get the best for Britain.”
The Liberal Democrat manifesto for the European election on May 22 is available to read online here: http://www.libdems.org.uk/european_election_manifesto_2014
Food waste recycling is on the way for flats and schools
Your Liberal Democrat Council is delivering on improving recycling services for residents in B&NES.
In our 2011 manifesto, we said we wanted to extend and improve recycling services. Now this goal is being furthered as food waste recycling is being introduced for people who live in flats and for schools.
This is part of the continuing programme of improvements to waste services which your Liberal Democrat Council has been delivering since 2011. We have added new items to the recycling collections, such as tetra packs and 'WEEE' (waste electric and electronic equipment), and we have found innovative ways to make recycling cleaner and easier, such as the gull proof sacks for black bags.
Councillor David Dixon, Cabinet member in charge of Neighbourhood services, commented:
"B&NES residents are very keen recyclers – over half of all household waste is recycled. I know that not being able to recycle food waste has been a source of frustration for many people who live in flats so it's brilliant news that we are finally able to start this service. Separating food waste will help keep our streets cleaner as gulls and other pests will be less able to rip into rubbish bags.
Councillor Nicholas Coombes added:
"When I moved into a flat 5 years ago I was disappointed to find that food waste recycling was not a service provided by the Council. I have been calling for this service to be introduced ever since and I am delighted it has now been delivered. Now my neighbours and I can further reduce the waste we send to landfill, saving taxpayers' money and helping the environment."
The new service for flats will be rolled out in phases from Monday 5 May 2014. Residents will receive kitchen caddies, liners and instructions and a communal food waste bin will be located with the communal recycling bins already in situ for flats (the 'mini recycling centres').
Further information will be sent to schools after the Easter holidays.
Councillor Dine Romero, Cabinet member in charge of Early Years, Children and Youth, said:
"Food waste recycling in schools will complement the programme of free school meals for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 which is being delivered by Liberal Democrats in government."
Find out more at www.bathnes.gov.uk/foodwaste
Going for growth
Your Lib Dem Council Group and Cabinet are working hard to unlock development and economic growth in B&NES. We want to bring the right sort of jobs and homes for local people to the area.
We believe the Bath Enterprise Area is the key to economic development in B&NES. It will supply the business location for the growing ICT, low carbon and creative sectors which are needed to re-balance the local economy away from a reliance on the retail and tourism sectors.
Preparations for the Enterprise Area are moving ahead in 2014. Work has already started on the restoration of Victoria Bridge – a key crossing point for the city centre and the Enterprise Area masterplanning process is due to be completed this month. On top of this, funding has been approved for the River Avon flood defence works, which will help unlock the riverside development sites in Bath, creating a new work and leisure quarter in the city centre. It has also just been announced that BMT will be building their new offices on ‘Innovation Quay South’ (Newark Works).
In Keynsham, our regeneration of the town centre is nearing completion and this year’s Council budget includes investment to double the size of the Midsomer Norton business centre, creating up to 100 new jobs.
Councillor Ben Stevens, Councillor for Widcombe and B&NES Cabinet member for Sustainable Development, has said:
“We are working to bring forward many other development sites to benefit the local area. You may have seen recent headlines about the Grand Parade Colonnades restaurant development in Bath for example.
“Locally and nationally, the Liberal Democrats are working to keep people in work and create an environment that fosters business growth. It’s this focus on a strong economy that has produced consistently falling unemployment figures locally.”
Nick Clegg interview in the Bath Chronicle
Nick Clegg paid a flying visit to Bath last week. During an interview with the Bath Chronicle, Nick said:
"There is a real sense that Bath hasn't only weathered the terrible difficulties in our economy better than others, but is also reinventing itself."
Read his full interview in the Bath Chronicle here: http://bit.ly/1dzT4DC
