Don Foster to Retire in 2015

Announcing his intention to stand down as MP at the next election in May 2015, Don Foster said,

“After what will have been 23 wonderful years, this has been a very difficult decision to make. It has been an enormous privilege since 1992 to serve the people of this great city through five parliamentary sessions.

However, my task is not over: there are 17 months before the next election. I have every intention of continuing to do all I can to work with and for local people. I will do my utmost to ensure that Bath continues to grow from strength to strength as a great place in which to live and work.”

Commenting, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said,

“Don has been an outstanding MP and will be hugely missed by his constituents and his colleagues, in Parliament. His energy, humour and tenacity are unrivalled and I have seen first-hand Don’s tireless efforts to serve Bath as an MP and Britain as a Minister. After 33 years as a public servant – as a local councillor on Avon County Council and as MP for Bath – Don will be hugely missed. And with five stunning victories behind him, he leaves big shoes to fill.”

Commenting, Cllr Paul Crossley, Lib Dem Leader of B&NES said,

“Don has been a great servant for Bath and its people since his election in 1992 and will be a hard act to follow. Over the years Don has achieved many notable things in Parliament which have had a national impact such as getting increased government funding for public transport to increasing the energy efficiency of new buildings and has reached the heights of Minister and then Chief Whip in his political career.

Locally Don has always seen it as an important part of his role as MP to work with the local Council and it has been an honour, as Leader of the Council, to work with Don for many years. His achievements have been many; from getting Stothert & Pitt pensioners protected after the Maxwell saga to solving the tour bus regulations which were blighting Bath in the 1990s and from getting government funding for Combe Down Stone mines to getting student accommodation recognised by Government as counting towards our housing provision.

I wish Don well in retirement and am sure he will be busy.”

Commenting, Shaun McGall, Chair of the Bath and North East Somerset Lib Dems said,

“Don has been an exceptional advocate for Bath and its residents over the last twenty years. The local Executive is meeting on Thursday evening for discussions on starting the process to select an excellent Liberal Democrat candidate to stand in the May 2015 General Election and to help build a stronger economy in a fairer society.”

Drop in unemployed and rise in apprenticeships in BANES

BANES Lib Dems and Don Foster, MP for Bath, has welcomed the news that the number of unemployed claimants in Bath and North East Somerset has continued to fall.

The current unemployment rate in BANES stands at 2.7% of the economically active population aged
16 to 64, which is far below the national figure rate of 7.7%.

This has seen the number of claimants in BANES drop to 1,161 in August, which is 214 less than a year ago and 21 lower than in July of this year.

Lib Dems have also been working to ensure that unemployment rates will continue to drop, as we have been able to create over 2,800 apprenticeship positions in the area

Commenting, Don Foster MP said:

“This drop in unemployed claimants is a good indicator of the progress being made however there is more work to do.

These figures reflect the national trend that has seen unemployment fall once again.

The Liberal Democrats in government have helped business create more than 1 million private sector jobs and we have launched our Million Jobs campaign to create a million more. The success of this campaign is evident locally with the increase in apprenticeships being offered by local businesses.”

Councillor Ben Stevens, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development added:

“This drop in unemployment is great news. Investing in growth and jobs for local people are top priorities for the Council and we are always working to increase the diversity of employment opportunities in the area.

This is why I’m delighted that nationally and locally, Liberal Democrats in Government are working to prioritise apprenticeships. Thanks to this emphasis, youth unemployment is down across the UK and it will ensure that unemployment generally stays down.”

Council Listens and Removes 4hr Parking Limit

After feedback on the new residents parking zone scheme, the Liberal Democrat administration is abolishing the four hour minimum stay for visitor parking from Monday July 1 2013 for a three month trial.

A new permit system was introduced in March 2013 to make the system of resident permits easier and more convenient, particularly through using digital technology, part of this system was adopting a minimum four hour visitor stay. After collecting data for an initial period, the Council now better understands the level of demand likely if the scheme adopted a one hour minimum stay.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, Cabinet Member for Transport, said, “This Council listens to local people when they have concerns and the feedback that we received about the new system was very positive except for the minimum four hour visitor stay.

“To address this concern, the Council has worked hard to gather data that previously was not available to better understand what the level of demand would be for a one hour minimum stay. This will now be reintroduced just like the previous system whilst still making the significant savings the change of system offers. I anticipate that this change will be warmly welcomed and look forward to the results of the three month trial.