Gloucester
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Councillors Jeremy Hilton and Sebastian Field

Lib Dems welcome return of the Festival of Light

The return of the Festival of Light to Gloucester has been welcomed by the Liberal Democrats. Gloucester City Council announced the return of the festival, which will run from November until February next year, and will see the light installations bring colour to the city as the nights draw in over winter. Among the highlights will be Shadowing that will turn three ordinary lampposts in the city centre into magical illuminated stages where visitors can dance and play with their shadows. Designed by award-winning digital artists Chomko and Rosier, it will see the lights record and play back the shadows of those who pass under them. The installation launches on October 29 in Berkley Street, Southgate Street and St Mary De Crypt corner, as well as at Blackfriars Priory when the street lights turn on after dark. Another highlight will be Breathing Room by Anna Berry, which is a walk-in kinetic light installation creating a unique sensory experience. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats

8 Oct 2021
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Councillor Jeremy Hilton

Longlevens by-election to cost £10,000

A by-election to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of the Sheriff of Gloucester will cost taxpayers at least £10,000. Conservative Councillor Clive Walford resigned in September just five months after being re-elected in May to represent Longlevens. City councillors had also unanimously appointed him Sheriff - an important civic post in Gloucester supporting the work of the Mayor. Councillor Walford's surprise resignation has triggered a by-election on November 4 which will now cost at least £10,000 to hold, according to city council officials. In May's all-up election, Councillor Walford won the third seat in Longlevens - pipping Liberal Democrat Sarah Sawyer by 62 votes. Sarah Sawyer is now standing in the by-election for the Lib Dems. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: "This by-election is unnecessary and Longlevens residents will rightly feel angry they have to go to the polls again just six months after electing their councillors. "Local families are facing tax

6 Oct 2021
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Liberal Democrat Sarah Sawyer

Sarah Sawyer to challenge Conservatives in Longlevens by-election

Gloucester Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate for the forthcoming by-election in Longlevens. Community campaigner and Longlevens resident Sarah Sawyer will be the challenger to the Conservatives. The by-election, which will be held on November 4, has been caused by the sudden resignation of Conservative councillor and Sheriff of Gloucester Clive Walford - just five months after he was re-elected. Sarah, who is well known in the Longlevens community, stood for the Liberal Democrats in May's local elections and was just 62 votes from being elected. Three councillors - including Liberal Democrat Linda Castle - were elected to represent the area on the city council with Sarah finishing fourth. The married mother of three has a strong record of community activism. Sarah set up the Friends of Elmbridge group and raised £60,000 to build a children's play area in Armscroft Park. During the pandemic, Sarah raised £1,000 to feed local school children and received an award from the Mayor of Gloucester to t

27 Sep 2021
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News in brief from across Longlevens

Councillor Linda Castle has joined local residents in litter picking at Plock Court. "I was pleased to help the community clear Plock Court of litter. We collected nearly a dozen bags of rubbish. My thanks to all those that took part." H markings are to be reinstated on Oxstalls Way, and road markings are to be installed for a roundabout on Thistlebank, Sarah Sawyer reports. There will also be additional traffic management in Plock Court when major events are being held at the tennis centre. A bus stop on Cheltenham Road is to be moved and the markings realigned. The Lib Dem team are working on getting better disabled access in The Triangle. A parking consultation has been launched in Kingsholm, which could affect residents living on Estcourt Road, Estcourt Close and Alderman Road. Please have you say. The Lib Dems are also working with the Gala Wilton and Longlevens FC sports teams to find extra football pitches which are desperately needed in Longlevens. An application for a fast-food van in Estcourt Road h

18 Sep 2021
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Councillor Ashley Bowkett wants to see improvements to the tree maintenance budgets

Lib Dem opposition calls for better tree planting and maintenance

Liberal Democrats on Gloucester City Council have laid down a challenge to the Conservatives to plant more trees in the city and improve tree maintenance budgets. Their challenge will be heard at a meeting of the city council when it meets on September 23. Councillor Ashley Bowkett, who represents Barnwood, will move a motion calling for the cabinet member Richard Cook to: - · identify ways the council can do more to support tree planting and maintenance · identify further city council funds for this purpose · encourage the county council to boost funding for highway trees, and · set targets and map them against such further funding so that the 2020 Strategy for Gloucester can be fulfilled. Councillor Bowkett said: "Trees are an essential part of the high-quality green infrastructure that our communities value, yet the current council budget allocated to this is acutely inadequate. "This is putting considerable pressure on the city and county council to meet the commitments laid out in the 2020 Gloucestershir

15 Sep 2021
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Jeremy Hilton with PCC Chris Nelson

Lib Dems invite the police and crime commissioner to address the city council on policing in Gloucester

City councillors are to debate a motion over concerns about anti-social behaviour and petty crime in Gloucester. If approved, the council will invite the newly-elected police and crime commissioner for Gloucestershire, Chris Nelson, to address council on his plans to reduce anti-social behaviour in the city. The motion, which has been proposed by the Liberal Democrats, asks council to agree that increasing the number of police officers and PCSOs patrolling in Gloucester to cut anti-social behaviour and reduce crime is an objective the council could support. The Lib Dems are asking that a letter be sent to Gloucestershire's PCC, from the three group leaders inviting Mr Nelson to address council in open session on his plans to improve community policing in the city of Gloucester, allowing for a question-and-answer session from elected members following Mr Nelson's address to council. Lib Dem group leader Jeremy Hilton, who proposed the motion, said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour across the city was a manifest

14 Sep 2021
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Cameron Thomas MP

National News

Alexei Navalny on a march in memory of politician Boris Nemtsov, who was killed in Russia. Image: Michał Siergiejevicz
International Affairs

The Death of Alexei Navalny

Navalny cast a light on the corruption of Putin and his cronies. His tragic death, at the hands of Putin, cannot and will not stifle the democratic ideals that he fought for. Together, let us be a voice that speaks for those who have been silenced.

CJ
17 Mar 2024
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A hand in a plastic glove is using a flask to collect a sample from standing water
Environment & Nature

Are you drinking what we’re drinking?

Liberal Democrats are leading the charge to clean up our rivers, lakes and coastlines. It's time to put an end to sewage dumping, protect our precious waterways, and ensure a sustainable water system for generations to come.

TF
16 Mar 2024
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Woman wearing a headscarf in a medical setting
Health, Care & the NHS

Boosting Cancer Survival

Liberal Democrats have passed new policy with a comprehensive plan aimed at boosting cancer survival rates and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

DC
16 Mar 2024
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Photograph showing three people from behind, the person on the left has his hands in the air, the people are watching a football match on TV, the match is out of focus.
Latest UK News

Sport for the People

The Government is missing an open goal by failing to protect more of the treasured sporting events which bring people together. Liberal Democrats will give sport back to the people.

TF
16 Mar 2024
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