Harlow's Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Chris Millington joined his Labour counterpart to host an informal reception at the Civic Centre for local organisations in the town. Chris said:

"We wanted to update our partner organisations on the Council's achievements over the past year, the challenges facing both the Council and the town, and to discuss ways we can work together to build a better future for Harlow."

Guests represented organisations ranging in size from Harlow College to Neighbourhood Watch. The joint leaders gave a presentation and answered questions, at the first of what it is hoped will be an annual event.

The re-opening of community facilities formerly run by Harlow Council is going well, Liberal Democrat councillor Lorna Spenceley said this morning.

Lorna was giving a presentation to the Monitoring Board which is overseeing the council's 'recovery' from its past status as a 'poor' council.

• Sumners Recreation Centre, leased to Great Parndon Community Association, opened in September.
• Harlow Study Centre, leased to Harlow Education Consortium, opened earlier this month.
• Stewards Pool is now open under the auspices of Stewards School for a trial period.
• The Wreck, purchased by Herts & Essex Muslim Cultural Association, will open early in 2006.

Decisions about the future of the Norman Booth Centre, Ladyshot and the Dashes will be made on 16 December.

Local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Chris Millington and deputy leader Cllr Ian Jackson joined "the largest gathering for a number of years" at Netteswell Cross for the annual Remembrance Sunday event, and to lay a wreath in memory of those who have lost their lives in war.

Cllr Lorna Spenceley represented the Liberal Democrat Group at the two minutes' silence held outside the Civic Centre at 11:00 this morning.

Local Liberal Democrat leader Chris Millington was in Whitehall today, putting Harlow Council's case to ministers to demonstrate how the council is improving. Together with representatives of both the other parties, Chris met government minister Jim Fitzpatrick to discuss Harlow Council's 'recovery'. Chris says:

"A great deal of work has gone into the improvements we've made on the council already. There's much still to do, but at last the council is beginning to head in the right direction."

Commenting on the shock announcement by Essex County Council that it is to consult on the merger or closure of Brays Grove School, local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Chris Millington said:

"I am extremely concerned at this announcement from Essex County Council, and the potential impact on young people and families in the area served by Brays Grove School. I am also concerned that, contrary to the impression given by Cllr Castle in his press statement, no discussion took place with district councillors in advance of the County Council's announcement.

I am seeking a briefing meeting with Cllr Castle and County Council officers, with a justification for their decision and an assurance that, along with staff, parents and the local community, Harlow district councillors will be fully consulted."

The government's plan to put off the revaluation of council tax until after the next General Election won't help pensioners and low paid workers in Harlow already burdened by council tax bills.

That's the view of local Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman Lorna Spenceley, following yesterday's debate in the House of Commons cancelling the planned revaluation. Lorna Spenceley said:

"Postponing revaluation will do nothing to help local pensioners and families who are struggling to pay their council tax now.

Paralysed by uncertainty, the Government has postponed its review of local government funding, and performed a massive u-turn on revaluation.

Instead of finding more ways to put off a decision, they should be considering how best to pay for local services, and introducing a fair system of local taxation based on ability to pay."

Liberal Democrats on Essex County Council have pledged their support to a parliamentary motion that seeks to remove the 'veil of secrecy' from family legal proceedings.

Councillor Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrats leader at Essex County Council said:

"It is vitally important that the public has confidence in our legal services and especially those involving children. It is difficult to maintain this trust when decisions are made behind closed doors - justice must be seen to be done.

There is an unnecessary clandestine aura surrounding family courts. Liberal Democrats fully subscribe to decisions being made in the best interests of the child and of preserving the anonymity of children. However, it is in the interests of the whole community that decisions involving the family arrangements of vulnerable children, and the reasons behind those decisions, are made as transparently as possible."

The motion is Early Day Motion No 869 entitled Working of the Children Act 2004, proposed by Eric Pickles MP. Over 120 MPs have signed the motion so far, including Bob Russell, Essex's Liberal Democrat MP. The full text of the EDM is as follows:

"That this House urges the Government to remove the veil of secrecy from the workings of the Children Act 2004; considers that the closed door policy of the family courts breeds suspicion and a culture of secrecy which does nothing to instill confidence in those using them, which affects not just the courts but the social services departments of local authorities; and believes that it is possible to preserve the anonymity of children involved in the proceedings without the cumbersome rules which obstruct parents from receiving advice and support, which in particular works to the disadvantage of parents with special learning difficulties."

Local campaigner Lorna Spenceley has today called on the Government to tackle the crisis in NHS dentistry. She referred to figures which show that

• As many as one in five people in Harlow are not registered with an NHS dentist.


• Nearly one in ten local residents has had problems trying to register as an NHS patient with a local dentist.


• One in three Harlow residents says check-up charges have put them off having dental check-ups.

The figures come from Lorna Spenceley's NHS Study, carried out in March and April this year. Nearly 700 people responded to the survey.

Lorna Spenceley is calling for:

• Tony Blair to keep his promise for everyone to get access to an NHS dentist.


• Free dental check ups for everyone.


• The Government to get more dentists to take on more NHS work, with the speedy introduction of a contract that pays dentists for each patient on their list, rather than per treatment.


• A focus on getting people registered, not just treated in emergencies.


• The Government to support primary care trusts to provide access to NHS dentists.

Lorna Spenceley said:

"In Harlow, at least one in five local people are not registered with an NHS dentist. Under Labour charges for check ups are rocketing. Charges for check ups prevent problems being picked up early enough. They should be scrapped. Tony Blair must keep his promise to get to grips with the crisis in dental care. Every patient deserves to be able to register with a local NHS dentist - and not to feel put off by the cost of check-ups and treatment."

Recent changes to dental charges proposed by the government mean that the cost of a check up could more than double from £6 to £15. Charges for simple treatment such as fillings would be £41. These charges would be likely to increase the proportion of local residents discouraged from getting a dental check up, and even from seeking treatment when it is needed.

British Dental Association research shows that nearly 60% of high street dentists will either reduce their NHS commitment or quit the NHS altogether as a result of initial plans for a new dental contract.

Local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Chris Millington joined an all-party delegation today to accompany a government minister on a tour of Harlow.

Chris joined Baroness Andrews, parliamentary secretary at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, on a visit that included the new football stadium and sportcentre sites. Chris says:

"This was an excellent opportunity to show the minister the potential Harlow has, but also the need for government support for regeneration of our town."

Harlow Council's Environment & Community Committee has agreed not to put back a limit on the number of licences the council issues for black cabs.

Cllr Lorna Spenceley said in the debate:

"The facts show that over the last year, applications to join the trade have levelled off almost to zero. This means the black cab market is limiting itself naturally, so there is no need for the council to intervene and set a fixed limit.

The report the council has received from its consultants is excellent, and suggests some very positive steps the council and the black cab trade can take together to increase demand and use of cabs. If we take this approach, everyone's a winner."

The suggestions in the consultants' report include:

• increasing the turnout of cabs at night when demand is greatest


• reviewing the number and location of cab ranks


• overcoming public perceptions of the cost of hiring a black cab.

New figures on the take up of Pension Credit show that over 1,600 pensioners in the Harlow constituency are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs.

Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson Lorna Spenceley, who was the candidate for Harlow at the last General Election, said:

"It is a scandal that so many poorer older people are missing out on money they should be getting as of right. And for Harlow, this represents a loss to the local economy of as much as £63,357.

In the short term, I hope everyone who is unsure about their entitlements rings the Pension Service helpline to find out if they are missing out.

In the long term, we need to provide pensioners with a decent pension that isn't falling further and further below the poverty line each year."

The Pension Credit application line is (freephone) 0800 99 1234. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 8am - 8pm and Saturdays 9am - 1pm.