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.

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.

The Liberal Democrats are urging council bosses to secure the long-term future of the Debenhams department store in Gloucester.

The nationwide chain is planning on closing 50 stores across the country over the next five years, which will also mean the loss of 4,000 jobs.

It is not known whether the store in King's Square, which has been open since 1973, is part of those plans.

Gloucester MP Richard Graham has been criticised for again making derogatory comments about immigrants - this time Eastern Europeans.

Mr Graham was involved in a discussion on Twitter after praising a reduction in homelessness in Gloucester.

The Gloucester City Mission rejected Mr Graham's claim and said the night shelters in both Gloucester and Cheltenham were full and turning people away.

The Liberal Democrats are demanding more police officers on the beat in Gloucester.

The call has been made in a motion to the city council which is set to be debated on March 21.

Councillors will be asked to lobby the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable, the city MP and the Home Secretary to increase funding for Gloucestershire Police to allow for expansion of neighbourhood policing and to put more bobbies on the beat.

Gloucester Liberal Democrats have extended the hand of friendship to supporters of both the Conservative and Labour parties, saying 'Come and work with us'.

The resignation of Conservative and Labour MPs to sit as independents in the House of Commons shows that big changes are afoot in British politics.

The Liberal Democrats have announced a package of proposals aimed at reversing the decline of Gloucester City Council under the Conservatives.

The Lib Dems will put forward amendments worth £560,000 to the council's 2019/20 budget, which will be discussed by councillors on February 28.

The budget will be proposed by the Conservative administration, but Lib Dem councillors will attempt to amend it with a plan to rebuild the capacity of the council to deliver better services.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has been urged to stop a no deal Brexit and back a People's Vote during a visit to Gloucester.

Mr Hammond officially opened the new University of Gloucestershire's Business School and Growth Hub building at the Oxstalls Campus in Longlevens.

Dr Rebecca Trimnell, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokeswoman for Gloucester, said: "I am very pleased Mr Hammond visited Gloucester.