Hinckley & Bosworth Liberal Democrats

The main opposition party on Leicestershire County Council, the Liberal Democrats have elected a new leader and team to oppose the Conservative administration ay County Hall.

Michael Mullaney Lib Dem County Councillor for Hinckley De Montfort was elected to the post by the Leicestershire Liberal Democrat group. This follows the decision of the long standing leader of the Leicestershire Lib Dems Simon Galton to stand down as leader.

A councillor has hit out at plans to close the Santander bank in Hinckley Town Centre saying it is a "most-valued facility".

The Castle Street branch is set to shut in July as part of plans to close 111 Santanders by the end of August, after the coronavirus restrictions accelerated a shift towards mobile and online banking.

A Hinckley Councillor has spoken at a national party conference on the need for increased support for businesses and employees in Leicestershire as we emerge from Covid19 pandemic

Speaking in a debate on the economy at the national Liberal Democrat Conference Councillor Michael Mullaney said "Here in Leicestershire we have been hit by a local lockdown longer than anywhere else with Leicester having been under lockdown since way back in June 2020, with parts of Leicestershire county also having been hit by it. This will do damage to the economy of Leicester and Leicestershire as a whole and as we emerge from Covid19 it's important the Leicestershire economy is properly supported.

A Liberal Democrat campaigner from Barwell has called for the government to adequately fund the youth service, after a decade of cuts.

Mathew Hulbert made the call in a speech to the party's national Spring Conference which was held online due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Mr Hulbert, who is the co-author of the party's policy on the youth service, participated in a debate on education.

Dr James Moore, Liberal Democrat candidate for Leicestershire and Rutland Police Commissioner

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Dr. James Moore has lived in Leicestershire and Rutland for much of his life. Educated at John Cleveland College, Hinckley, he holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester. James has worked in education for most of his career and currently teaches history and politics at the University of Leicester. He has been a local campaigner for several decades, serving as a member of Liberal Democrat controlled Hinckley and Bosworth Borough council, and working to prevent crime in the community.

Leicestershire County Council is responsible for highways issues locally. For the past two decades the Conservatives have controlled the County Council. Over these 20 years Council Tax bills have soared yet roads maintenance budgets have been slashed. The result is many local roads are congested and our pavements and road surfaces are crumbling.

There's been an angry reaction locally to the announcement from the government that hard-working NHS staff will only get a 1% pay rise this year.

Reacting Leicestershire Lib Dem Councillor Micha el Mullaney said "Our NHS staff have gone above and beyond during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the government to offer them a 1% pay rise, which with inflation is effectively a pay cut in real terms is abysmal.

Whilst 45 parts of England are celebrating getting support from the government's new Towns Fund, there's been an angry response to the news that Leicestershire is again missing out on support.

No town in Leicestershire will benefit from the £1billion fund announced by the Conservative Chancellor in the recent budget to help support towns recover post the Covid-19 pandemic. Leicestershire Lib Dem Finance spokesman Councillor Michael Mullaney said "This is a bitter disappointment for Leicestershire. Many of our towns would have welcomed being part of this fund to help them recover post Covid-19.

A local Councillor has taken on a role supporting Cancer Research UK as Councillor Care Champion. Hinckley Councillor Michael Mullaney has taken on the role of Councillor Care Champion in Leicestershire, The role involves promoting and supporting the work of Cancer Research UK.

Michael Mullaney said "Every family in the country my own included has been affected by cancer. Cancer Research UK do great work in supporting people with cancer and their families and for working towards a cure for all cancers. Half of all people here in Leicestershire and across the country will sadly develop cancer in their lifetime, it's essential we do all we can to reduce that number and increase cancer survival rates.

Residents in Hinckley are being urged to raise their concerns about plans for a huge industrial park off the A5.

Councillor David Bill wants to hear from locals who have any worries about the industrial hub and how it will affect traffic levels or the environment of the area.

Cllr Bill can be contacted at d.bill@ntlworld.com