Norwich Liberal Democrats Online

Commenting on Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker's announcement of £15m to boost cycling, including £8m for transport charity Sustrans to enhance cycle routes and £7m to make it easier for cyclists to use the railways, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Transport, Julian Huppert said:

In a letter to the local press Cllr Judith Lubbock, Deputy Lib Dem Group Leader at City Hall, outlines her support for the national campaign to make cycling safer.

Dear Editor,

The Times has launched a campaign to make cycling safer. It has come about as a consequence of one of their staff being seriously injured in an accident on their way to work.

At this week's Full Council meeting, Cllr James Wright highlighted the fact that there are areas of Norwich that do not have access to consistently high internet speeds. He also called on City Hall to play its full part in the 'Say Yes to Better Broadband in Norfolk" campaign.

Cllr James Wright, Liberal Democrat Group Leader at City Hall, commented:

Is the customer contact system at City Hall fit for purpose?

That was the question discussed at this week's Full Council meeting. Cllr Caroline Ackroyd, Liberal Democrat Ward Member for Eaton, raised the issue after receiving a number of complaints from local residents trying to contact the Council. In one incident, a resident sent three emails to the customer contact centre and after receiving only an automated reply she then emailed the chief executive, but still did not receive a proper reply. Officers at City Hall said that the first email was directed to the wrong department whilst the next three were lost in the system.

Hopes were raised last night that cycling facilities in Norwich could be improved with the provision of new cycle parking and a bicycle hire scheme.

Liberal Democrats have said that the awarding of the East Anglian rail franchise to the Dutch company Abellio provides an opportunity to drive forward improvements in Norwich. The Lib Dem Group has called for a range of measures, including secure parking at Norwich Station and a cycle hire scheme across the City. Last night, in response to a Lib Dem question, City Hall said that Abellio had indicated that their short-term priorities include significant improvements to the provision being made for cyclists at rail stations, which could include cycle hire and secure cycle storage facilities at Norwich Station.

At tonight's Full Council meeting at City Hall, the Liberal Democrat Group successfully introduced a new policy that will see the existing 10% council tax discount on empty homes removed.

It was also revealed at the meeting that there are 467 empty homes in Norwich. A house is classified as empty if it has been unoccupied for over 6 months or 12 months if it is being renovated.

In response to the breaking news about the collapse of Fountains, Cllr James Wright has issued the following statement as a follow-up to comments from Cllr Alan Waters on the Evening News website.

"Today is clearly another difficult day for Norwich City Council and my sympathies go out to those who work for Fountains and have lost their jobs.

Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne has today announced that Shipfield in Norwich will be receiving £55,000 from the first £4m allocation from the Local Energy Assessment Fund.

Shipfield is one of the first of around 80 local energy projects to win funding from the new £10m Local Energy Assessment Fund. Other winning bids include opening show homes to demonstrate solid wall insulation to the public, schemes to check the energy efficiency of homes and invest in renewable energy, and events to promote the uptake of energy efficiency in local communities.

The Liberal Democrat Group have welcomed the City Council's decision to terminate its current ICT contract and begin final negotiations to enter into a new shared service agreement with LGSS - a partnership between Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire county councils. However, the Group has raised concerns over the disclosure of key information relating to the decision.

In a letter to the Norwich Evening News Cllr David Fairbairn, ward member for Lakenham, outlines his views on the latest developments regarding the former Lakenham cricket ground.

Dear Evening News,

I was disappointed to read the news that the City Council's development plan has been delayed yet again (Evening News 10th January). This document identifies potential sites for development across the city, including the former Lakenham Cricket Ground, in my ward. The Council has blamed the delay on changes in national government policy, and specifically the adoption of a new National Planning Policy Framework. However, they have admitted that the development plan "could be adopted ahead of the Framework's publication". Previously, the Council had blamed the delay on staffing issues and the higher than expected response to their consultation last year. These shifting explanations make me wonder whether the real reason for delay is that Labour actually want to put off controversial decisions until after May's elections.