West Herts Liberal Democrats - Working for Hertfordshire, for Britain and for You!

The main item of the first Full Council since the May Local Elections was a Motion declaring a Climate Emergency IN DACORUM.

Dacorum is now committed to act significantly on the Climate; the Motion directs the Council organisation to put together a Strategy and Action Plan to reduce Carbon Dioxide generation, preserve bio-diversity, improve Air Quality and reduce plastic pollution, across all the functions of the Council, and to lead the local population in each individual doing their bit.

"Upcycling" - recycling by refurbishment and upgrading - comes to a railway line in the East of England Region.

After a startup in 2012, Vivarail, brainchild of Adrian Shooter, former CEO of Chiltern Railways, has been developing ways to convert the old London Underground stock into three configurations of seating suitable for various types of operation, as well as developing new power sources.

In 2018 the then Rail Minister, Jo Johnson, challenged the rail industry to reduce its carbon emissions and a recent report sets out the industry's initial response in the form of an Interim Report.

In its lack of emphasis on further electrification it does appear that the terms of reference might have been restricted by the diastrous Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling whose cancellation of several rail electrification schemes the year before led to changes to existing procurement orders for rail vehicles in favour of an increased number of hybrid locomotives. This was an inevitable consequence of the cuts to the planned electric network but it led to considerable increases in the costs of those vehicles, reduced efficiency of operating performance, higher maintenance costs for more complex equipment and timetable chaos as operators were faced with a shortage of drivers, many of whom had ended up being trained to operate what was now the wrong type of train.

"I am determined the Committee will play a key role in providing legal certainty and stability for the European Union, while advancing rights for Europe's citizens and addressing the central issues of our time, such as environmental crime."

In addition, fellow Lib Dem East of England MEP, Barbara Gibson, was confirmed as a member of the Committee on International Trade, as well as a substitute member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

Rosemarie and Nick Hollinghurst and Patrick Fisher from West Herts Local Party attended the hustings last night for the choice of the next Liberal Democrat Leader

The Candidates for the post of Leader were Jo Swinson MP and Ed Davey MP.

The event was held in the Lloyd George Room of the National Liberal Club and was presided over by Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted.

The members present were very conscious that they were probably selecting the next-but-one Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Six or seven years ago, the government passed much of the responsibility for flood mitigation onto Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) - in our case that is Hertfordshire County Council. Their role is to develop a strategy to monitor local flood risks within the county. They also draw up and maintain a record of structures, such as walls and embankments that might have a significant effeect on flood risk, recording their ownership and state of repair. This data is identified in the Hertfordshire Flood Risk Asset Register.

With better public health and improved quality of life in mind, Tring County Councillor, Nick Hollinghurst, has arranged a couple of simple improvements to the local road and footpath network between Dundale Road and Little Tring.

The only difficulty is in crossing the Icknield Way at the cross roads with Dundale Road and Little Tring Road. Please take care here.

Well done, Berkhamsted Town Council!

On 10th June, 2019, Cllr Wendy Conian proposed and Cllr Rick Freedman seconded the following Motion on the Climate Change Emergency to Berkhamsted Town Council - which is now under Liberal Democrat control.

This Council:

a) Declares a Climate Emergency with the aspiration to achieve carbon neutrality in our community by 2030.

b) Will undertake practical measures within our powers to reduce the impact of Council's activities on the environment.

c) Will work with all sectors of our community to publicise this declaration and develop initiatives and practical measures that will help our community towards achieving carbon neutrality.

d) Calls upon the Borough and Hertfordshire County Council systematically to review their services, planning regulations and Local Plans and implement measures to reduce their impact on the environment and climate breakdown.

e) Calls upon the Government to provide regulations and resources that will enable communities to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.