The following is the text of a press release issued by Uttlesford’s Liberal Democrat Group.   “It’s time to start questioning companies who take local council tax for their services and then salt their profits away is shady Bermudan bank accounts to avoid paying UK tax on their profits”, says Uttlesford’s Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr […]

The Conservative-only cabinet deserves some credit for doing a U-turn and agreeing one of the Lib Dems’ budget proposals that they rejected as recently as the end of February. They have agreed to invest £150,000 in the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on two buildings at the council’s Shire Hill depot in Saffron Walden. The […]

I sent the following letter to local newspapers. It has not appeared in today’s Walden Local, though that paper has covered the issues in editorial columns in previous weeks. Sir An annual £9 council tax cut for someone living in a five- or six-bedroom house is not even going to buy an evening meal out […]

Uttlesford’s Liberal Democrat councillors have issued the following press release. Uttlesford Liberal Democrats have accused the council’s Tory administration of short-term gimmicks that favour the wealthy and of lacking ideas on how to use New Homes Bonus to benefit the district. Lib Dem leader of the opposition, Alan Dean, said: “The Tories are out of […]

Last night’s budget meeting was typical of many I have been at over the past 28 years. The ruling Tories agree with the Liberal Democrats’ ideas – and might even implement them on the quiet (IF THEY ARE RE-ELECTED IN MAY) – but can’t vote for the Opposition’s budget amendments because they – the Tories – didn’t […]

On the day that Conservative Sir Malcom Rifkind stood down after telling the BBC that he was worth far more than his MP’s salary of £67,060, the Conservative leader of Uttlesford District Council is quoted saying that a £4.25 Council Tax refund to all householders is not worth the postage. See this article from the Saffron […]

Uttlesford’s Liberal Democrat councillors aim to amend the Tories’ budget for 2015/16 to make it greener and fairer. The Liberal Democrat alternative budget proposals call for improved recycling, solar energy panels on council building and a fairer way to refund surplus New Homes Bonus to taxpayers. In a press release issued today I said “The Lib Dem […]

The planning appeal to cram 14 houses behind the Co-op and Tesco at 14 Cambridge Road, Stansted has been DISMISSED. That is excellent news and vindication for those who refused to accept official planning advice. Read the inspector’s decision notice. Stansted’s Neighbourhood Plan work can now get underway to come up with proposals for this […]

Once again last night the claim by the new council leader that Uttlesford believes in transparency was shown up for being hollow. In fact, it wasn’t the cabinet that was hiding the facts from people, it was the council’s own audit committee which claims to be a robust challenger of the cabinet. It is the […]

Today’s Independent has a Money feature on bank branch closures and features the pending demise of Barclays, Cambridge Road, Stansted. The article quotes local residents Marion and Red Pretty and the bank’s neighbouring hairdresser, Lino Botallico. It is a good article, despite confusing me as parish council chairman rather than Geoffrey Sell. We met management from Barclays on […]