The Liberal Democrats in Richmond and Kingston boroughs have chosen former BBC producer and Vice Chair of the London Liberal Democrats, Robin Meltzer, as the new Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency of Richmond Park, including parts of North Kingston and New Malden.

Sushila with Cllr Derek Osbourne (Leader of the Council) on left and fellow ward councillor Bob Steed on the right

Congratulations to Sushila Abraham, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Berrylands by-election on 28th February, who beat the Conservative candidate into second place.

The full result is:

Liberal Democrats on Kingston Council fully support Kingston Environment Group and the campaign to make Kingston a 'greener' place. This report is from the Kingston Council Press Office:

Schools, businesses and residents are being urged to join forces to help combat climate change and make Kingston a greener place in a week of action and events.

Kingston Lib Dem councillors are backing the MetalMatters campaign to encourage people to recycle metals.

Leaflets have been sent out to Kingston residents since Christmas explaining that metal items can now be put out in the green recycling box every week.

Liberal Democrats already put in place improvements

Kingston Council is set to peg a rise in council tax bills to less than two per cent following a two-year freeze.

Cuts in government funding

Despite a third consecutive year of cuts to the government funding for Kingston, the Liberal Democrat councillors have vowed to continue to deliver services that matter most to people.

We must sadly inform you of the death of Councillor Frances Moseley. She passed away yesterday (18th December) at Princess Alice Hospice, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

We will remember Frances with deep affection and with admiration for her feisty approach to life and her bravery.

Every school in Kingston will benefit from increased pupil premiums in 2013/14.

The cash targets extra money to schools depending on the number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds they have, at a rate of £900 per pupil. The Pupil Premium is a major Liberal Democrat priority that is being delivered by the Coalition Government.

The full total for Kingston schools will be £3,047,000.

Our Liberal Democrat commitment to put the environment at the heart of everything we do is still as relevant today as it was four years ago when a new waste collection scheme was pioneered in Kingston. Being the envy of other London boroughs, the scheme was one of the first to collect recycling from flats.

"I want to see Club shut down completely"

On the 25th October, after the fatal stabbing at Oceana Night Club the Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council, Councillor Derek Osbourne, issued a statement which said:

Leader of the Administration, Councillor Derek Osbourne, wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg in the strongest terms about Government plans which would see residents being able to extend their homes by up to eight metres without planning permission.

Councillor Derek Osbourne said:

“We welcome any changes that will stimulate the economy, boost jobs and growth but I believe this change to policy would be a disaster for residents and our communities.”

Following the Ofsted inspection, Cllr Tricia Bamford made this statement to Council on 17th July 2012:

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) have completed an inspection of our Safeguarding and Looked After Children services. The outcome of the inspection has come as a shock to us. We have been found wanting and there are serious issues for us to address. We must now demonstrate our resolve to address the issues raised and get our services back to the level at which we expect them to be.

The construction of the new school in Oakhill, Surbiton is progressing according to plan.

It will be opening with a nursery class and two reception classes this September.

Malcolm Self, councillor for Surbiton Hill ward, says: “I’m pleased that the Lib Dem council has been so successful in providing new primary school places.

Recently, rumours have been spread by the local Tory party over the future of Surbiton library.

In order to set the record straight:

At a recent meeting, looking at all the local properties administered by the council, one councillor did express a view that the library could relocate to Surbiton’s town centre.

Rebekah Moll and retiring councillor Marc Woodall

The Lib Dem Focus team has selected a strong local candidate for the council by-election, to be held in Grove ward, on 5th July.

Kingston resident Rebekah Moll says: