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| Stephen Robinson and Chelmsford Lib Dems | 12th March 2010 | <info@cmld.org.uk> |
Greener Chelmsford
Protecting the environment is central to Liberal Democrat policy. Global warming is the greatest challenge to our way of life that we face. We need Governments to lead nationally but there is plenty we can do locally to make a real difference.
If you support these aims, sign our petition on www.greenerchelmsford.org.uk That webpage also brings together in one place ideas to make our town more sustainable and links to other local organisations working to protect Chelmsford's environment. For a wider range of policies to make Chelmsford greener, safer and fairer see: www.cmld.org.uk/pages/Manifesto2007.html If you are interested in meeting like-minded people on a cross-party / non-party basis, come along to Green Drinks: www.cmld.org.uk/greendrinks
Greener Chelmsford NewsMon 15th Feb 2010: Conservatives abandon environment as a priority. The Conservatives today published a list of 'Ten reasons to vote Conservative' but none of the ten included any reference to the environment or climate change. This is despite David Cameron's claim that he has 'sought to push the environment up to the top of the political agenda'. Commented Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson, "Local council decisions on housing allocations have already shown that the Conservatives are not really concerned about the environment. This is just further proof." Fri 5th Feb 2010: Liberal Democrats launch policy to end empty homes scandal. Liberal Democrats in Chelmsford have set out plans to bring empty houses back into use, making homes available for people who need them and creating local jobs. Stephen Robinson, who is bidding to be the town's Liberal Democrat MP, commented: "Allowing houses to sit empty whilst families are waiting for a home is nothing short of a scandal. There are 1,551 empty houses in Chelmsford and 18,170 across Essex. Mon 1st Feb 2010: Labour's feed-in tariff plans too little too late says Hughes. The Government has today announced details of its scheme to allow people to sell electricity to the national grid from solar energy they generate. However, Simon Hughes MP (Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary) attacked the scheme, saying, "The Government has given in to the nuclear lobby at the expense of community-led power generation. Tue 19th Jan 2010: More traffic chaos for White Hart Lane / Beaulieu Park / north Springfield . Traffic on White Hart Lane in Springfield / north east Chelmsford is certain to get worse before it gets better, if housing plans for the area get the go-ahead. The news emerged at a public meeting last night (18 January), following persistent questioning from local residents and Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson. Fri 27th Nov 2009: Regional review of housing is fatally flawed - Robinson. The East of England review of housing numbers to the year 2031 has been attacked as fatally flawed on all four of the scenarios outlined. Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson has stated that jobs (and infrastructure) should drive development not housing targets. Fri 30th Oct 2009: "Urban Vandalism" as development at Rainsford Road/Parkway junction nears completion. "Vindicated" is a word that describes how the residents of Critchett Terrace must be feeling at present, but that will doubtlessly feel hollow when they look out their bedroom windows. The re-development of the old Jeep Chrysler garage into 42 flats is now there for all to see. A new 5 storey high monster totally overpowers the attractive historic dwellings that now sit in its shadow. Wed 21st Oct 2009: Chelmsford Lib Dems back climate change action. Chelmsford Liberal Democrats are one of the key local organisations backing a local Climate Change summit, coming up on 4th December. In contrast, the Labour Government and Conservative Essex County Council have both failed to back the 10:10 climate change campaign. [More about the 10:10 campaign at http://is.gd/4uDqR ] Tue 13th Oct 2009: Conservatives reject CO2 reduction campaign. Essex County Council's ruling Conservative group has today refused to back a call for 10% cuts in carbon dioxide emissions during 2010. They voted down a Liberal Democrat proposal to join the (cross-party) 10:10 Campaign. Thu 24th Sep 2009: Chelmsford Conservatives press on with plans to Choke Chelmsford. The local, Conservative-run council has confirmed its plans for 4,000 houses on green fields north of Chelmsford, in the face of determined opposition from hundreds of local residents and the Liberal Democrats. At a meeting on 24 September, the council rejected a last ditch bid by the Lib Dems to delete from the plan the sites north of Copperfield Road and Essex Avenue. The proposal was made from the gallery by Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson and backed by Lib Dem councillors. Fri 17th Jul 2009: Simon Hughes announces party consultation on personal carbon trading. Simon Hughes, Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, wants to hear whether you think personal carbon trading is a good idea. He said, "I am always keen to engage Liberal Democrat members in policy debate at the highest levels. We have an engaged, committed and intelligent membership and their views and their votes are central to shaping our party policy. This is not just a 'yes' or a 'no' at federal party conference and should mean engagement week in week out throughout the year. Fri 26th Jun 2009: Conservative waste plans thrown out by Government. The waste disposal plans of Conservative-led Essex County Council are in total confusion after their second Private Finance Initiative bid was rejected by the government. The Conservatives' latest bid, which seems to have been cobbled together overnight without any consultation, is very different to the last one - with no incinerator and plans to send all of Essex's unrecycled waste to Basildon. Mon 30th Mar 2009: Lib Dems call on government to abandon Runway 2 Public Enquiry. The public enquiry into plans for a second runway at Stansted should be abandoned, as air traffic numbers through the airport continue to fall. That was the call from Lib Dem Shadow Transport Secretary Norman Baker MP when he visited the Essex Airport. Sun 8th Feb 2009: Conservatives don't really oppose Stansted expansion. Conservative pledges on environmental damage to mid Essex from runway building have been revealed to be wafer-thin. In the House of Commons last week, Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers MP said: "We do not rule out the possibility of airport expansion in the south-east" (see Hansard: http://is.gd/iP0B) Wed 31st Dec 2008: Lib Dems oppose 800 houses in north Chelmsford/Broomfield and 3200+ in Springfield. Liberal Democrats in north Chelmsford will continue to fight plans for an "urban sprawl" extension that will close the gap between the northern edge of the town and Broomfield parish. Plans for up to 400 houses on the edge of north Chelmsford and up to 400 more on the edges of Broomfield are contained in Chelmsford Borough Council's final "North Chelmsford Area Action Plan". The Conservative-run Council has published its plan for consultation until 16th February. Fri 19th Dec 2008: Lib Dems launch Green Road out of the Recession. Protecting the environment should remain a priority in recessionary times; indeed, the Liberal Democrats believe that Britain can take the "green road" out of the recession. "Helping the environment can create jobs and leave a legacy that will save energy, put money back into people's pockets and fight climate change," says Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson. Thu 20th Nov 2008: More recycling SHOULD mean no incinerators. Recent figures released by the government show a dramatic increase in recycling by Essex residents. Almost every council in the country has met or exceeded its recycling target including those in Essex. The Liberal Democrats have said that this means there is no need for big waste disposal plants in Essex. Mon 3rd Nov 2008: Stephen Robinson visits anti-Kingsnorth Greenpeace ship. Local Lib Dem candidate Stephen Robinson visited the Greenpeace ship 'Rainbow Warrior', when stationed at Southend. It was part of the campaign to persuade Gordon Brown to 'give coal the boot' by rejecting proposals for a new coal-fired station at Kingsnorth in Kent. Wed 1st Oct 2008: Essex Councils missing recycling trick. Your rubbish is worth money and councils in Essex are failing to reap the financial rewards, according to local Liberal Democrats. Cllr Ian Gale (Chelmsford West), Lib Dem spokesman for waste and recycling, explained: "Recycled rubbish, such as paper and plastic, is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity and one that councils should be taking advantage of. We urge the ruling Conservative party at Essex County Council to take a far more proactive role in helping local councils to identify what is not being recycled and why. Tue 30th Sep 2008: Chelmsford's Lib Dem MEP backs action on pollution cuts. Euro MPs have backed tough emission standards for new passenger cars. Chelmsford's Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff has welcomed the new measures, pushed through with the votes of Liberal & Democrat MEPs. Mon 29th Sep 2008: No Plastic Bags campaign goes national. Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson joined environment spokesman Steve Webb MP and other Lib Dems from around the country in the campaign against widespread use of plastic bags. This follows on from the petition launched by Stephen and the motion to the borough council from Cllr Chris Rycroft. Wed 3rd Sep 2008: Green taxes must rise AND income tax be cut. Income tax should be cut from 20p to 16p per £ - its lowest level for nearly 100 years. "This is one of a range of tax measures from the Liberal Democrats that will reduce the burden imposed by the Labour government on hard pressed families," said Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate. [continues…] Wed 16th Jul 2008: Lib Dems say NO to incineration and vote against Tory waste strategy. Liberal Democrats at Essex County Council have voted against Tory plans to build enormous waste treatment plants in Essex, including one north of Chelmsford at Rivenhall. The vote was taken after a debate on waste at county hall on 15 July. Mon 30th Jun 2008: Keeping our allotments in use. The allotments in Avon Road, Chelmsford are now all ready for keen, green-fingered residents or just people who want a bit of space in which to grow flowers or vegetables. This follows lobbying by local councillor, Liberal Democrat Simon Jones, after he was contacted by local residents, frustrated with delays at the borough council in the allocation of sites. Mon 9th Jun 2008: Stansted Expansion Plan Attacked. The Conservatives on the Borough Council's Development Policy Committee on Wednesday 21st May, were forced to abandon the published recommendation after Lib Dem Leader Mike Mackrory led the way in voicing the widespread opposition to plans for a second runway at Stansted. The Committee was being asked to respond to the planning application for a second runway at Stansted now in front of Uttlesford District Council. The original recommendation was to object unless road transport links were improved. Sun 8th Jun 2008: Lib Dems dig in for Springwatch. On Saturday, local Liberal Democrats joined a range of BTCV volunteers and residents of the Brownings Avenue / Eastern Crescent area to build garden areas on the field in between. It was all part of the BBC Springwatch project. Local ward councillors Graham Pooley and Jude Deakin, Cllr Alan Arnot (Patching Hall) and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson took part in the digging and planting process. Mon 26th May 2008: A new report into the green policies of the major parties makes grim reading for David Cameron. His Conservative party was judged to be the worst of the parties on the environment. Mr Brown's Labour Party were shown to have missed their own targets on carbon emissions and green energy. But Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats were the clear green winners in the report. Tue 29th Apr 2008: High Bridge Road should stay, say Lib Dems. Chelmsford Council committed itself last week to knocking down High Bridge Road, from near the Odeon roundabout to Springfield Road. The local Liberal Democrats have condemned this as bad for the environment, a waste of money and sure to make traffic at the Army & Navy much worse. Thu 24th Apr 2008: Rainsford Avenue/Rainsford Road Development. Developers are still pressing for planning permission to knock down the two houses on the corner of Rainsford Avenue. This time they want to replace them with six flats and three town houses. Mon 14th Apr 2008: Chelmsford Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson was out on the streets this weekend to highlight his campaign for a fair deal for Chelmsford residents - including keeping the 10p tax rate. The 'fair deal' offered by Stephen and the Liberal Democrats include: abolish Council tax (which has DOUBLED in Essex under the Conservatives in the last ten years), and cut income tax by 4p per £ now - for everyone. Mon 10th Mar 2008: Cllr. Nichols highlights the waste of Easter Egg packaging. Liberal Democrat Councillor Gloria Nichols has been highlighting the wasteful packaging that comes with the Easter Eggs we buy from the high street. Councillor Nichols decided to speak out about this after she found she was unable to buy any Easter Eggs that did not come with excess packaging. Mon 25th Feb 2008: Environment watchdog closes as council "consults" on local pollution. Chelmsford Environment Partnership (CEP) is to close after 10 years but held its last public meeting about the Borough council's "action plan" to reduce pollution around the Army & Navy roundabout. Comments on the action plan have to be in by 29th February. See www.chelmsford.gov.uk/airquality Fri 22nd Feb 2008: Campaign for plastic-bag free Chelmsford launched. Chelmsford Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign for Chelmsford to become plastic bag free. Cllr. Christine Rycroft called on Chelmsford Borough Council to support the campaign at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 20th February. Wed 20th Feb 2008: Lib Dem plan for Borough Council to reduce carbon footprint. Liberal Democrats have called on Chelmsford Borough Council to take real steps to reduce their carbon footprint. In a motion presented to Council on Wednesday 20th February, Cllr. Andrew Sosin called for all new Borough Council buildings to be carbon neutral in terms of how they are built & how energy would be produced and consumed within the buildings. The motion also called for any significant changes to current buildings to aim to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of that building. Fri 23rd Nov 2007: Recycling Yellow Pages and Tetra Paks in Chelmsford. We cannot put Yellow Pages and Tetra Paks out for the weekly recycling in Chelmsford but they can be taken in for recycling at the following locations: Thu 13th Sep 2007: Inquiry set to back council plans for 6000 houses on green fields. The public inquiry that began on Tuesday into Chelmsford council's plans for new houses is set to rubber-stamp the plans, despite the enormous voice of opposition from the voters of Broomfield who massively rejected the plans in Tuesday's by-election. That is the view of parliamentary candidate Stephen Robinson who attended the first two days of the inquiry. He has written up the discussions on his blog: http://snipurl.com/eip_day1 and http://snipurl.com/eip_day2 Fri 31st Aug 2007: Lib Dems oppose town cramming and back north of Boreham for new houses. In the run up to the local plan public inquiry, Chelmsford Liberal Democrats have made clear their opposition to 'town cramming' and 'urban sprawl' in the Borough Council's plans for new houses. They are backing proposals for houses to go on a site north of the A12, north of Boreham and opposing the plans for houses around Broomfield and Springfield. Towards a zero carbon Chelmsford and Britain. Locally and nationally the Lib Dems are backing ideas to cut our carbon footprint to zero by the year 2050 - and thus help slow climate change. In Chelmsford, the Lib Dems are promoting alternatives to the car - such as a new station near Boreham and extending the cycleway network they put in place when they ran the council. Tue 31st Jul 2007: Safety improvements for Parkway crossing as Lib Dem pressure pays off. Calls from Keith Francis (Central Chelmsford Lib Dem County Councillor) have achieved a number of measures to improve safety at this busy and valuable crossing. Cllr Francis met with officers and the new cabinet member for transport (Cllr Norman Hume) to persuade them that special measures were necessary. Wed 18th Jul 2007: Tories reject Lib Dem proposal to increase recycling. Conservatives at Essex County Council have rejected a call to increase recycling targets across Essex. At a meeting of the council yesterday (17 July), the Liberal Democrats group proposed that the council sets ambitious and firm recycling targets, which the Conservatives voted against. Sat 30th Jun 2007: Lib Dems reject Tory plans for urban sprawl. Chelmsford's Conservative council has this week sidelined Lib Dem proposals for a sustainable solution to the local shortage of new houses. Chelmsford Conservatives want to put at least 4,000 houses on green fields around the edge of Chelmsford (link below); and also increase the number of houses built on every single scrap of land coming vacant in Chelmsford. The Lib Dems have pledged to oppose these plans. Tue 5th Jun 2007: Tories U-Turn to Back Incineration. Essex County Council's Conservative administration is proposing to build an incinerator in the county to deal with the treatment of waste. Ian Gale (Lib Dem spokesman on waste management and Chelmsford West County Cllr), said: "After years of insisting that they have a 'no incineration' policy and contesting elections on that basis, Essex Conservatives have now effected a spectacular U-turn. Thu 12th Apr 2007: Lib Dems launch vision for a Safer, Greener, Fairer Chelmsford. There will be more Police + Community Support Officers, increased recycling and more funding for pavement and pothole repairs in Chelmsford - if the Liberal Democrats gain control of the Borough Council on 3rd May. These are just a few of the key pledges in the party's Manifesto launched in front of Hylands House. The Manifesto, entitled "For a Safer, Greener, Fairer Chelmsford", sets out the Lib Dem vision for Chelmsford and the action they will take to realise that vision. Tue 3rd Apr 2007: No To Phone Mast near Kings Road School. Yet another attempt to put a mobile phone mast right near Kings Road Primary School has infuriated nearby residents. Local Liberal Democrats are campaigning strongly against it, and are hopeful it will be rejected by the Borough Council. The campaign is being run by Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley, the two Lib Dem candidates here (Marconi ward) in the Borough election on Thursday May 3rd. Thu 30th Nov 2006: When the oil starts to run out….. There has been much talk of the need to cut carbon emissions to reduce global warming. However, little thought has been given to what will happen when oil production starts to decline, let alone run out. At their AGM, Chelmsford Lib Dems heard a wide-ranging presentation on the topic, warning of world-wide economic decline. The presentation can be downloaded from the Chelmsford Lib Dem website. Tue 21st Nov 2006: Carbon emissions in Chelmsford unsustainable. Chelmsford is emitting three times as much carbon dioxide as the global average, and thus making a major contribution to climate change. This was revealed in dramatic new Government figures, calculated locally by Liberal Democrat Stephen Robinson. There was a small consolation in that this figure is better than the national average. Sun 19th Nov 2006: Action for Wellington Close Residents. Residents of Wellington Close, off Queensland Crescent, Chelmsford, are delighted that their overgrown side and rear pathways have been trimmed back following pressure from local Lib Dem Councillor Simon Jones. The paths were badly overgrown with brambles and weeds, and have now been cleaned up and trimmed by Chelmer Housing Partnership. Mon 30th Oct 2006: A campaign has been launched for a Greener Chelmsford - because if the polar ice caps melt, Chelmsford and most of Essex disappear under water. Local Liberal Democrats were out in the town centre last week promoting their ideas for a greener Chelmsford - and their national plans to give the average Chelmsford family a £1,000 income tax cut, by taxing pollution more. Sat 28th Oct 2006: Essex Conservatives don't sign up to "go green". Conservatives in Essex are reluctant to sign up to the green agenda. On 10 October the Essex County Council ruling group initially refused to accept a motion calling on the council to sign the Nottingham Declaration which commits the council to action on climate change. The Tories also failed to commit to publishing an action plan, within a year, stating their proposals for dealing with climate change and cutting CO2 emissions. Fri 6th Oct 2006: The local Liberal Democrats have attacked Conservative-run Essex County Council for allowing weeds to take over some of the pavements around Chelmsford. Lib Dem Councillor Simon Jones (St Andrews ward) has written to the Essex Chronicle in response to an earlier letter. Tue 17th May 2005: Tory Consultation " a sham"… Development Chairman should be sacked - Smith-Hughes. Leader of the County Council Lib Dems, Cllr. Tom Smith-Hughes, has attacked the Conservative Borough Council planning consultation as a sham. This follows a statement by a leading Tory that ALL the new housing would be built in North East Chelmsford. That is, on the remaining green fields north of Springfield. Earlier Stories Complete archive on the official site.
(c) 2010 Stephen Robinson and Chelmsford Lib Dems Thu 21 Feb. 2008 - LD Leader Nick Clegg lists his steps to a greener lifestyle. Other LinksLib Dem Film - the environment needs action (Sept.2006). Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY.Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Stephen Robinson & the Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |
