http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Maidstone and the Weald Liberal Democrats en-GB Maidstone and the Weald Liberal Democrats http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Maidstone and the Weald Liberal Democrats 2010-09-08T14:56+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000232/temporary_road_closure__a229_chatham_road_maidstone.html Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald intend to carry out bridge repairs and it will be necessary to temporarily close A229 Chatham Road whilst these works are in progress. 2010-08-01T15:49+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000225/lane_closures_and_carriageway_closures_on_the_coastbound_m20_at_junction_6_and_the_a229_chatham_road_in_maidstone.html Drivers using the coastbound M20 at junction 6 are advised that works will commence on 09 August and are expected to last for 10 weeks. Due to the nature of the work, it is necessary to have lane closures in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and so drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys throughout the works. 2010-08-01T15:34+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000226/county_leaders_apology_welcome_but_stop_digging_paul.html County Councillor Tim Prater has welcomed an apology from Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter to all staff "who may have felt misled" by a statement on officers bonuses given by past Chief Executive Peter Gilroy. 2010-07-27T13:24+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000227/question_from_ian_chittenden_to_22_july_full_council_meeting_open_golf_updated_with_answer.html Question by Mr I Chittenden to the Cabinet Member for Communities: 2010-07-16T16:18+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000228/question_from_malcolm_robertson_to_22_july_full_council_meeting_cabinet_scrutiny_updated_with_answer.html Question by Mr M Robertson to the Chairman of Cabinet Scrutiny Committee: 2010-07-16T16:16+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000231/sharon_calls_on_smes_in_the_south_east_to_look_to_europe_for_business_opportunities.html Sharon has called on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South East to 'look to Europe' for business opportunities after a recently published report showed a positive link between exports and SME performance. 2010-07-14T14:30+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000229/kent_lib_dems_call_for_officer_payoff_review.html The Liberal Democrats on Kent County Council have tabled a motion for next weeks full Council meeting calling for an urgent review into large severance payments from the Council. The motion comes after reports of another huge pay-off for a Council Officer hit the national and local press. 2010-07-14T11:38+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000230/south_east_region_liberal_democrats_autumn_conference_speakers_and_venue_confirmed.html The South East Region Liberal Democrat Conference is confirmed for Saturday 23rd October 2010 9:30am - 4:00pm at Ratton School, Park Avenue, Eastbourne BN21 2XR. 2010-07-13T09:45+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000224/general_election_results.html The Liberal Democrats made huge inroads into the Conservative Majority here in Maidstone and the Weald at the General Election on 6th May. 2010-05-07T16:30+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000223/conservative_evasion_on_high_street_repaving_scheme.html In September 2008, the Conservatives running MBC first said that they intended spending £1.25 million of a Government grant on a regeneration project in Maidstone High Street. Lib Dem Councillors immediately asked to see a cost / benefit analysis. It was their belief that the Council should not embark on such a scheme without a clear understanding of any economic benefit or traffic-flow improvements it would bring. Councillors were also told that the entire scheme would cost a massive £4 million. The Lib Dems asked how the remaining balance was to be found. It soon became clear that this was not a regeneration project at all and was just a re-paving and lamp post replacement scheme. Incredulous Lib Dem councillors vowed to fight this financial foolishness on the following grounds: 2010-05-03T18:52+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000222/undecided_voters_swing_to_lib_dems_following_final_leaders_debate.html Last night was the final of the three televised Leaders' debates. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, debated with Gordon Brown and David Cameron about the economy. Subjects discussed included breaking up the banks, creating more jobs and reinvigorating the British economy. 2010-04-30T18:09+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000221/outrage_as_tory_candidate_admits_she_wont_be_a_full_time_mp_and_will_claim_second_home_allowances.html The Conservative candidate for Maidstone and the Weald, Helen Grant, admitted at a recent hustings that she would claim allowances for a second home and would keep her second job if she was elected as MP next Thursday. 2010-04-30T16:21+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000220/wildwood_destroyed_by_your_local_conservatives.html A Conservative block vote has forced through a new housing scheme on irreplaceable ancient woodland in south east Maidstone. 2010-04-30T16:10+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000218/maidstone_chokes_as_conservatives_spend_45million_on_tartingup_the_high_street.html At last week's full council meeting Cllr Christopher Garland, leader of Maidstone's Conservative administration, once again attacked the Liberal Democrats for our refusal to support his cabinet's High Street regeneration proposals. 2010-04-29T07:10+01:00 http://www.maidstonelibdems.org.uk/news/000219/third_and_final_party_leaders_tv_debate_the_economy.html On Thursday 29th April from 8.30pm, BBC One will host the final live Prime Ministerial Debate of the General Election from the Midlands. Nick Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron will again be going head to head in the run up to the General Election next Thursday. 2010-04-28T14:25+01:00