Paul Holmes, Leader of 17 Liberal Democrat Cllrs says "Although Covid is easing, residents face a very difficult year with huge energy price increases, rising tax and rising inflation. Labour politicians are always calling on the Government to do something about this."

"Now they can put their money, or rather taxpayer's money, where their mouth is. They can actually do something instead of just trying to pass the buck to others all the time."

At the Cabinet meeting on Tues 18^th Jan, Labour Cllrs voted to increase car park charges by more than inflation in order to take an extra £143,000 from Town Centre shoppers. Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Holmes voted against this, telling Labour Cllrs that:

"The effects of Covid are not over yet even if things may soon start to ease. If we want the Town Centre to recover, then we should not be putting shoppers off with any increases this year - let alone such above inflation increases."

PACKED PUBLIC MEETING DEMANDS COUNCIL THINK AGAIN OVER CONTROVERSIAL ROAD PLANS.

A meeting organised by Chesterfield Civic Society was packed to full capacity last night with over 250 residents attending. Local County Cllr Paul Niblock was among those addressing the meeting. Paul was elected in May this year when the supposed County Council consultation was already underway. He told the meeting that whilst knocking on doors on Chatsworth Road and the adjoining side streets he found barely a single resident who knew anything about the proposals.

Budget leaves many in Chesterfield worse off

The Liberal Democrats have said the Chancellor is "living on another planet" after he claimed in interviews that changes to the Universal Credit taper amount to cutting taxes. Even the Institute for Fiscal Studies says the gap between the "generosity of the furlough scheme and the meanness of our out of work benefit system could hardly be more stark."

The Conservatives have proposed a retirement scheme to support farmers who wish to leave the industry, freeing up land for new entrants. However, no analysis has been done on the number expected to take up the scheme, nor how many new entrants will replace them.

Questions from the Liberal Democrats have revealed that the Government only "think" that new workers will enter the industry.

Since its launch in 1998 Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Credit Union have gone from strength to strength, starting with less than 100 members they now have more than 5,000.

Cllr Emily Coy popped in to congratulate the manager Alan Ward and learn more about the non-profit making financial organisation set up by members to benefit the community.

Chesterfield Lib Dem spokesperson Emily Coy said: "A new report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies demonstrates that Boris Johnson is only interested in helping the already wealthy. His real agenda, including Brexit, is to line the pockets of the rich and disadvantage ordinary working people".

Responding to new analysis published on Friday by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, suggesting Boris Johnson's proposed raising of the Higher Rate income tax threshold from £50,000 to £80,000 would cost more than £8 billion annually and mostly benefit those on high incomes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Ed Davey said:

Chesterfield Liberal Democrats have selected local campaigner Emily Coy as their Parliamentary candidate.

Emily lives in Chesterfield and works as an accountant for a leading local firm.

Speaking at Chesterfield Liberal Democrat's AGM on Thursday night Emily said: "Chesterfield desperately needs investment to regenerate the town centre and make it a vibrant place that attracts visitors. This would bring money into the local economy and create a cycle of continuous improvement from which residents would benefit.