Cllr Andy Swain
Ward: Teign Valley
Parishes: Ashton ; Bridford ; Christow ; Doddiscombsleigh ; Dunsford ; Hennock ; Tedburn St Mary ; Trusham
Mobile: 07756 253908
Email: andrew.swain@teignbridge.gov.uk
Following an excellent campaign by Praxis the Government has announced a permanent extension of free school meals to ALL families affected by No Recourse to Public Funds. Well done Praxis!
Tom Spenser and the Lib Dem team in St John's are pleased to report that, after many years of campaigning, Surrey County Council have agreed to build a pedestrian crossing on the A324, Hermitage Road, near the canal towpath.
In March the majority of MPs voted to reject all of the Lords' amendments to the Nationality & Borders Bill. It returned to the House of Lords this week where, again, the House of Lords defeated the Goverbment and insisted that its key changes where looked at again by the House of Commons. An unusually high number of amendments were voted through (12 out of 13) . In particular the Peers voted to scrap clause 11 which seeks to treat refugees differently based on how they arrive there rather than on their need for protection. Peers also voted to allow asylum seekers to work if their case was not resolved within 6 months, and that the government had to publish how many refugees it will resettle each year . This represents another major win although the revised amendment dropped a specific reference to a number. The amendments will have to go back to the House of Commons where MPs will vote again. Peers have shown that they are going stand up for rights of refugees and the UN Convention; the government has a
Bedford Borough Council have received £40,000 from the East London Foundation NHS Trust to develop a sensory garden in Russell Park. The garden will provide a relaxing space for children and young people with special educational and mental health needs, improving their mental and social well-being.
Milton Keynes Council is set to adopt a new policy outlining how to make neighbourhoods dementia friendly.
The Liberal Democrats oppose the current version of Warrington's Local Plan being submitted for an 'Examination in Public'. At the Council meeting on Monday, the ruling Labour Group voted in favour and all opposition councillors voted against.