The result from the Bickington by election for Fremington Parish Council means Lib Dems have gained yet another seat from the Tories in North Devon!

Congratulations Joy Cann who polled 268 votes (80.7%).  Her only opponent, Labour, polled 64 votes (19.3%). This vacancy was caused by the resignation of Tory Councillor Jackie Flinn so is a Lib Dem gain from Conservatives.

Kirsten Johnson, newly selected Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for North Devon writes about the recent by-election in Lewisham East, and the forthcoming ones in North Devon.

"Well done to Lucy Salek and the team in Lewisham East for a fantastic by-election result! The Lib Dem vote share went up by 19%, pushing the Tories well into third place.

This result can inspire us in our efforts to win the Fremington District Council seat and Bickington Parish Council ward in the June 28^th by-elections here in North Devon.

Everyone has a role to play – those who deliver leaflets, people who make phone calls, donors who fund the campaign and activists who knock on doors to canvass voters. Lewisham East has proven that a team effort works, and every little bit helps. Do join in with other North Devon supporters and members in winning these District and Parish Council seats.

North Devon Liberal Democrats have selected their new prospective parliamentary candidate to try and win the seat back at the next election.

Kirsten Johnson – a Lib Dem county councillor and professional musician from Oxfordshire – was chosen at a meeting of party members in Barnstaple on 2^nd June.  She will be moving into North Devon shortly to enable her to devote maximum time and effort to her campaign.

Kirsten Johnson emerged from a field of 11 to become the new PPC.

Devon CC have announced that while they can find the money to pay for increased Councillors allowances, they cannot afford £45 to continue to employ a school crossing 'Lollipop Lady'. 

Brian Greenslade, Lib Dem County Councillor for Barnstaple North writes the following:

Devon CC have announced that while they can find the money to pay for increased Councillors allowances, they cannot afford £45 to continue to employ a school crossing 'Lollipop Lady'. 

Brian Greenslade, Lib Dem County Councillor for Barnstaple North writes the following:

"North Devon Journal, May 31^st, carries two stories about Devon County Council which paint a disappointing difference in attitude displayed by County Councillors.

“Firstly, on page four, there is a report that County Councillors have just voted for a 15% increase in their allowances. This is an additional £100,000 expenditure with no provision in this year’s budget. I and Lib Dem colleagues voted against implementing this increase. Conservative, Labour, Independent County Councillors voted for the increase therefore it was approved.

Secondly page six with a story about Devon County Council cutting expenses for a Lollipop Lady to the extent she has given up her job by Newport School. She offered to stay on if DCC found her £45 in travel expenses from her home in Bideford.

Barnstaple North Lib Dem County Councillor Brian Greenslade said “It feels like Christmas for North Devon. Firstly the news of the Tour of Britain cycle race coming to North Devon again and within a couple of days confirmation that the Government will help fund major improvements to the North Devon Link Rd is super news for our area and when delivered will make a significant contribution to improving safety on this road and also help regenerate the local economy.

I have long campaigned for improvements to the Link Rd which has a bad reputation for road safety. I know this will please our former MP Nick Harvey who secured a commitment from senior Cabinet Members for improving the Link Rd prior to the 2015 general election. Also thanks to the Journal for their campaigning in support of winning funding for these improvements.

Devon County Council Liberal Democrats will ask County Councillors to support their motion, to be proposed at the full meeting at County Hall on May 24th, calling on Devon MPs to oppose the Government’s proposal to give Grammar Schools an extra £50 million while Devon Schools remain significantly underfunded compared to the national average.

Brian Greenslade, Lib Dem County Councillor for Barnstaple North, who sits on the DCC Health Scrutiny Committee , says that the sudden rush to introduce Integrated Care Systems between the NHS and Organisations like Devon County Council is being rushed through on financial considerations, not what is necessarily right for the services people need.

"To present a report to the County Council Cabinet in March just three week’s before the 1st April, with little commentary on governance arrangements and no prior consultation with the public and the Health Scrutiny Committee, is just not acceptable.

"It smacks of the same approach that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was up to when he tried to slip Accountable Care systems through without reference to the Commons Health Select Committee. Thankfully the Health Select Committee Chair robustly and successfully intervened.

A recent vote in Parliament will threaten the availability of free school meals says Barnstaple Lib Dem County Councillor Brian Greenslade. He made this comment after Liberal Democrat’s at County Hall obtained a break down of the eligibility for free school meals across the county. This shows that 9,522 out of 99,389 pupils, 9.6%, are eligible for free school meals.

The threat to free school meals arises from the Government ploughing ahead with changes as part of the Conservatives Universal Credit Welfare policy. As a result of the vote the earnings threshold for free school meals for children, apart from years one and two, will be £7,400.

Local school budgets are being squeezed by real terms cuts from the Conservative government. In Devon, our schoolchildren receive over £260 LESS than the national average.

The cuts mean our schools are trying to deliver the same education but with less money. Teachers are overworked and it is our children who will pay the price.

The Liberal Democrats have proposed a bold new plan to fight these cuts. They will protect school budgets in real terms - meaning no pupil will be worse off.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an extra £6 billion a year to protect the NHS, paid for by an extra penny on Income Tax.

The money raised will be guaranteed for the NHS and social care services, which is currently in crisis with delayed operations, full hospital beds and record numbers left waiting in A&E.

Lib Dem councillor, Ian Williams said:

“Our NHS is at breaking point. With the Government planning even more cuts, our health service needs a necessary funding injection and only an increase in income tax can feasibly help.”