The Liberal Democrats have backed the county council's attempts to stop the police and crime commissioner's proposed takeover of the fire and rescue service.

Gloucestershire County Council has sent the Home Secretary Sajid Javid a comprehensive case opposing the move by PCC Martin Surl.

The council is against his proposal on the grounds that it will impact public safety, reduce the level of funding available to the service and minimise public scrutiny of decisions.

The Liberal Democrats are demanding Network Rail delivers on a commitment for hourly direct rail services to London from Gloucester.

Hourly direct services to Paddington were due to start in December 2018 but have been delayed until December 2019 at the earliest.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, is calling on Network Rail to deliver the hourly service as part of the forthcoming May 2019 timetable changes for the Great Western mainline.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the netting that has been put up across Gloucestershire to prevent wildlife making their home in trees and bushes to be removed.

Supporters of the scheme say it is necessary to prevent wildlife nesting in areas set for development.

Critics have raised concerns about the impact it has on wildlife with birds and hedgehogs being caught up in the netting.

Councillors have backed a call from the Liberal Democrats for more police officers on the beat in Gloucester.

A motion proposed by the Liberal Democrats at city council last week was amended by councillors and adopted.

Over the last decade the Thin Blue Line has been getting even thinner.

Crime is rising, Gloucestershire Police has had to make budget savings of £32 million and the force has nearly 300 fewer officers than a decade ago.