Notes From The Town Hall May 2007

12.48.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st May 2007

A new era is upon us with new challenges to meet.

Many of you will have helped in the recent local election campaign and we would like to thank you for all your efforts on behalf of the Torbay Liberal Democrat group.

The results were disappointing but not as disastrous as our results in 2000 when we only got four councillors elected for Torquay and none for Paignton. We now have three Councillors for Paignton and six for Torquay representing seven wards. This gives us a good base to build upon both for by elections and the Council elections in four years time.

The Conservatives have got off to a bad start on a number of decisions. Kicking Roger Stringer out of the Chairman elect position is distasteful whilst excluding the Liberal Democrats from the Scrutiny function of the Council is extremely undemocratic. The new Conservative administration has changed the Planning committee of the Council so that it is less representative. They have also altered meeting times, now many working people cannot attend.

These are all just side shows before their main performance begins. Coming soon to the Town Hall we expect significant parts of the Council to be privatised and increasing efforts to reduce public accountability.

We are still finding our feet as a group, but look forward to fighting for our shared Liberal Democrat principles. Fairness, supporting those in need and protecting our environment.