The death is regretfully announced of Sigrid (Sigi) Marsh, who was an active Borough Councillor for Goldington Ward, Bedford between 1977 and 1990. Sigi leaves her husband John (who is also a former Borough Councillor), her daughter Bridget and grandson Max.
I must admit a slight excitement when the budget first landed in my inbox, I thought this was an opportunity for us to potentially turn things around and start truly delivering for people across our city. Obviously this shows my naivety as a new councillor as I couldn't really have been more wrong, Cllr Thom Campion told Newcastle City Council last night.
I have a great amount of respect for the leader of council, unlike some in his party, but to hear him complain about the state of devolution in the region, when he and 5 other Labour council leaders completely failed to agree a meaningful devolution deal 5 years ago is a bit galling. That is why we have been left behind, Councillor Phil Hall told Newcastle City Council last night .
Wiltshire Council has thanked local communities, charities and organisations for rallying behind the people of Ukraine following the country's invasion by Russia.
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the defeat of a clause in the Government's controversial Borders and Nationality bill. A crucial amendment, amendment 55, was passed by 101 votes to 96. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael MP said: "Priti Patel's anti-refugee bill has tonight been dealt another major blow, with measures to make it illegal for people to come to the UK in search of refuge being defeated. "This cruel bill is deeply flawed, particularly given the growing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We should be offering sanctuary to those in need, not criminalising them for seeking safety. "Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose these draconian measures and push the Government to offer quick and legal routes for Ukrainian's fleeing Putin's war machine.
Mayor Dave Hodgson has launched a new Skills Led Recovery Plan to ensure that residents have the skills and opportunities needed for Bedford Borough to build back better following the COVID pandemic. The plan will enable Bedford's future economy to be resilient and people-focussed. It will be ready to face economic shocks and will respond to changes in economic needs, ensuring success for residents and local businesses. The plan will be underpinned by Bedford Core Delivery Partnership which will coordinate skills and employment activity, and identify new trends so that training is relevant to local need.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, called on the government to provide incentives for energy providers to develop solar power in the UK.
Mrs Hobhouse slammed the government for falling behind on meeting the UK’s renewable targets for solar energy capacity. The government plans to deploy 70 GW of solar power across the country by 2035. However, as of 2022, the UK had only installed 14.3 GW of solar pv.
Following a visit to a rooftop solar system installed by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) at Beechen Cliff School last year, Wera Hobhouse is keen to encourage the development of similar solar projects across Bath. The solar system is predicted to significantly cut the school’s fuel costs and reduce their carbon emissions by 52 tonnes a year.
In the House of Commons on the 27th February, the Bath MP noted that the UK is lagging behind the rest of the world in renewable energy investment, she urged the government to offer incentives to energy providers to improve solar capacity.
However, Andrew Bowie, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, ignored Hobhouse’s proposals, failing to describe the ways in which the government could incentivise solar energy. Instead, Bowie said that the government’s Solar Taskforce would publish recommendations for solar power and reiterated the government’s target to deploy 70 GW by 2035.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented:
“The Conservatives are falling dangerously behind on meeting our targets for renewable energy production. It is no good the government setting an ambitious 70 GW solar target if they are nowhere near reaching it.
“It is clear that they have no plan to get us back on track to reach Net Zero. Evidently, they are more than happy to dismiss perfectly good proposals like incentivising solar power. That is why I am so proud that Bath is home to many community energy projects like the solar system at Beechen Cliff School, so that we can lead the way in renewables.”
“It is not just our climate targets harmed by the Conservatives’ delay. Families in Bath and across the country are struggling to pay soaring energy bills which investment in renewables could curb. That is why we Liberal Democrats would build significantly more renewable energy, aiming to generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.”
Peter Capener, Managing Director of Bath & West Community Energy said:
“Our work with schools is really demonstrating the value of community energy in both addressing the climate crisis and reducing fuel bills. Rooftop solar installed last year has already saved local schools a combined total of £134,209 and has reduced carbon emissions by 224.3 tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,173 journeys from Bath to Edinburgh by train!”
