Bexhill and Battle Liberal Democrats

On behalf of the LibDem Mayor of Bexhill, Stuart Wood, independent councillor Stuart Earl is organising a Curry Evening for his Charity Appeal. This will take place on Thursday 23rd February, 7 for 7-30, at the Shiplu Indian Restaurant,London Road, Bexhill.

Both Cllr Earl and the Mayor's secretary Lynda Crawford at the Town Hall have tickets for the event which are £18-00 with a guaranteed £10 going directly to the charity," THE EAST SUSSEX DISABLED ASSOCIATION -BEXHILL BRANCH".

All members are invited to a General Meeting at the Parkhurst Garden Room, Sackville Road, Bexhill-on-Sea.

The business of the meeting will be to approve the Constituency Accounts for 2011, to introduce initiatives to encourage informal meetings of members and supporters to discuss issues of local interest and policies, and to advance plans for the County Council election campaign for 2013.

Battle Branch of the Bexhill & Battle Liberal Democrats has announced that the annual "Catsfield Lunch" will take place this year on Saturday March 31st.

As usual it will take place at Catsfield Village Hall.

Guest Speaker to be confirmed.

All Members and Friends welcome

Informal exchange of views with refreshments provided.
Topic to be decided
Venue to be confirmed

At a meeting before Christmas Liberal Democrats from Bexhill decided to close their formal "Branch" and work instead as an informal "Group" with access for longstanding supporters and other friends.

In response to many calls for discussion groups and exchanges of views on policies and local issues instead of the boring formality of Minutes and Reports the group plan to hold a friendly inaugural get-together on Friday March 16^th. at 7.00pm at Rachel Hills' home in Cooden Close unless the response is so overwhelming that it becomes necessary to book a larger venue !

Battle's Lib Dem Councillors Kathryn Field and Kevin Dixon, alongside Robertsbridge Councillor Sue Prochack persuaded Rother District Council's Services Scrutiny Committee to arrange a separate meeting to properly debate The 'Next Wave' seafront project on Monday.

Rother's flagship project along Bexhill seafront has been heavily criticised in the local press, and by local pressure groups. The Scrutiny Committee had been due to discuss the almost completed project at a busy meeting on Monday, but seconding Independent Cllr Stuart Earl's motion, Cllr Kathryn Field said that Scrutiny should be seen to be looking at the Project in more detail. She said that the Committee should look at all aspects of Next Wave, including what did not go well, but also what parts of the Project were successful and could be used as 'Best Practice' in the future.

East Sussex County Council agreed its budget today, 7 February 2012. In his speech proposing this year's Liberal Democrat amendment Liberal Democrat Leader of the County Group, Cllr. David Tutt, was delighted to point out that although last year's LibDem amendment had been roundly dismissed by the Conservative Administration many of its proposals had in fact been put in place during the course of the year! In spite of saying last February that LibDem plans to spend some of the County's substantial reserves on capital projects were unworkable this has happened. Last February Tories laughed at LibDem plans to save money by having fewer meetings at expensive outside venues and by reducing the use of external consultants. Again during the last financial year this has happened.

Rother District Council' s ruling Conservative Group are set to create a massive £1 million hole in the Council's finances. At a recent joint meeting of the Council's two Scrutiny Committees the Conservatives voted en-bloc to recommend to Cabinet to accept a one off £117,000 grant from the Government in lieu of any Council Tax rise. However due to its 'one-off' nature the ramifications of this means that after 5 years, the Council will find itself worse off by £1,004,424, causing immense problems for the Council in balancing its books in the future without severely cutting services.

Another chance to enjoy a lively Quiz Night and home-cooked supper with the North Rother Libdems.

Contact Sue 01580 881309 or Mary 01580 819470

Saturday, December 3rd. Bexhill Buddhist Centre. Children's Awards

Sunday, December 4th. St Michael's Hospice. Lights on the Tree of Hope
3.00pm. St Peter's Church service
4.00pm Bexhill Hospital. Lights on the Christmas Tree
5.00pm. Little Common. Christmas Tree Lights

Monday, December 5th. Bexhill in Bloom Christmas Get-together