Recommended reading for Lib Dem councillors and local campaigners from the last seven days:
National issues:
The biggest political news of the week from a Lib Dem point of view is Nick Clegg’s speech on the NHS. Widely praised in the media, although less popular with Conservatives, the speech is worth a read.
The Daily Telegraph environment correspondent enthuses about Chris Huhne’s work on climate change.
Academies and free schools are to be allowed to reserve places for pupils from less well-off backgrounds.
Within the party, we had three bits of news:
The party announced that it’s new headquarters from August will be at Great George Street just off Parliament Square.
The party has also announced the appointment of a new Director of Marketing – Collette Dunkley.
Plus, in Scotland Willie Rennie has been elected as our new leader.
In Local Government:
The post-election shake-up has seen us take the leadership in Bath & North East Somerset and North Devon, continued to lead a coalition with Labour in Calderdale and agreed a new one with the Conservatives in Derby and Chorley.
The Municipal Journal reports on a favoured topic for Lib Dem campaigners – the state of potholes.
The government has announced plans to reduce red tape in planning decisions with planning officers giving their opinion on how they should be able to take more local needs in to account when making decisions.
Plus, rural areas will receive extra funding to improve broadband services.