Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats

Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for the East of England, has welcomed a deal voted through the European Parliament to reduce roaming costs in Europe for businesspeople and tourists alike. Costs for calls and texts will reduce sharply from 1^st July this year, when data costs are also to be capped for the first time at 59p per megabyte, with further reductions in later years.

Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for East of England, has welcomed a proposal to boost regional airports, making it easier for smaller airports to apply for EU funding, especially to improve public transport links to and from the airport.

Andrew Duff said: "The ever-lengthening queues at Heathrow prove that our hub airports can no longer handle the pressure of increased passengers, and that regional airports likeNorwich play a more and more important role. NorwichAirport is becoming more and more attractive for local residents and businesses alike. Easier access to EU funding will provide a real boost forNorwichAirport and the local economy."

Plans for the long-awaited Hemel Hempstead Local General Hospital appear to be moving forward. It appears that papers to be presented to the West Herts Hospital NHS Trust Board refer to plans either to refurbish or rebuild the hospital facilities at the Hillfield Road site in Hemel Hempstead. According to a report in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette the papers refer to "achieving a deliverable outcome within the next two to three years."

EU states should get the fiscal compact treaty in place as fast as possible. This is the message of Andrew Duff, President of the Union of European Federalists, on Europe Day.

In his statement, Andrew Duff MEP said:-

"It is too easy for electioneering hot-heads to destroy the new treaty. But what would they put in its place? The British will veto a general revision of the EU treaties at this stage. So the fiscal compact treaty is a necessary expedient. It adds to the pressure of market discipline and peer pressure to which all European governments are now subjected.

The Hitchin & Harpenden Liberal Democrats today launched its official facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HitchinHarpendenLiberalDemocrats

As a tool to connect with local voters it will hopefully prove to be a winner. Regular updates, photographs and a list of local events will keep both members and arm-chair supporters up-to-date with all we do.

After a tough night across the UK, nationally the Liberal Democrats have lost many dedicated and hard working councillors. Although in areas where there was a Liberal Democrat MP we did much better, increasing vote share and gaining council seats (Portsmouth,Cheltenham,Eastleigh,Southport, Cheadle and Colchester.)

And that means South West Hertfordshire geographically, not just within the constituency.

A Herts County Council by-election in Watford, Meriden Tudor resulted in the Liberal Democrats holding the division with the vacancy being filled by new county councillor, Kareen Hastrick

Sadly, Geoff Dunne lost in Carpenders Park (Three Rivers) in a draw following a tied result with the Conservatives.

On Monday 23rd March 2012 the Cabinet of Hertfordshire County Council decided:
not to challenge the Traffic Penalty Chief Adjudicator's decisions,
not to fight any appeal made to the Adjudicator,
to cancel all Penalty Charge Notices issued and unpaid,
to send a letter in respect of each penalty charge that has been paid stating that the Council will refund the charge provided an Application is received no later than the deadline given in the letter
to pay any penalty charges that are unclaimed or claimed after the notified deadline to charity
to give the person who paid the penalty charge the opportunity to allow the Council to pay the money to charity instead of making a claim for a refund
to redesign the scheme after consulting members and groups representing objectors.