Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

On 5th May you have a choice. You can keep the discredited First Past the Post system to elect our MPs, or you can choose a new and fairer system - Alternative Vote (AV). Back the campaign for change at www.YesToFairerVotes.org

AV is a small change that makes a big difference.

Saying YES! to Fairer Votes Means:

Liberal Democrats at County Hall are pleased that proposals to limit the use of free bus passes are likely to be ditched.

At present retired people in the county can travel for free between 9am and 6am the next morning.

In July the Conservative-run North Yorkshire County Council proposed to limit travel to between 9:30am and 11pm. This is the minimum it has to offer by law, and Tory bosses thought they could save £400,000 a year by doing it.

A Liberal Democrat County Councillor has attacked the Conservative-run Council for its spending on consultants.

North Yorkshire County Council spent over £22,000 on consultants between 2004 and 2007 according to figures obtained by Lib Dem Councillor John Marshall. This was spent on the Council's failed bid to become a unitary authority and to help develop a waste strategy.

Local Liberal Democrats are celebrating a council by-election victory in Scarborough's Eastfield Ward. The seat was held by the Lib Dems after the sad death of Councillor Brian O'Flynn necessitated an election. Local candidate Johan Zegstroo dedicated his win to Brian, a longstanding friend.

The election was closely fought, with a very poor turnout. The Liberal Democrats won on 182 votes with Labour coming second on 159, the Independents on 110, Conservatives on 100, BNP on 27, and the Green party on a mere 13 votes.

Local Lib Dems are counting down to the Borough Council By-Elecion for Eastfield Ward on the 24th September. The election was called after the sad death of Liberal Democrat Councillor and Group Leader, Brian O'Flynn.

The Lib Dem candidate set to fill Brian's shoes is Eastfield Parish Councillor Johan Zegstroo. Eastfield is a 3 member ward and Johan is hoping to join fellow Lib Dems Councillors Geoffrey Evans and Brian Simpson on Scarborough Borough Council on the 25th.

Local Liberal Democrats are mourning the sad death of their Borough Council Group Leader, Cllr Brian O'Flynn. Brian, 77, who died of a stroke earlier this week, was a much respected and much loved councillor for Eastfield.

Tributes have been pouring in from Eastfield residents who remember him as a friendly, approachable and hard-working Councillor. He can be remembered fondly riding his bike through the estate and ringing an old school bell to let residents know that he was in the neighbourhood and available to hear any problems or concerns.

Liberal Democrats at County Hall are disappointed at today's decision by the ruling Conservatives to cut scrutiny provision at the Council.

Overview and scrutiny committees were introduced in 2000 to give councillors of all parties a chance to examine the work of the Council's powerful ruling Executive.

Liberal Democrat County Councillor John Fox has today criticised North Yorkshire County Council for causing uncertainty for voluntary groups.

As part of the Conservative Council's review of voluntary sector financial support, a deadline of September this year was set.

Councillor John Fox (Harrogate Central) said:

Liberal Democrats at County Hall have elected County Councillor Geoff Webber as their new leader. He takes over from County Councillor Bill Hoult, who has led the 11-strong group since 2006. However, Bill is soon to become Mayor of Harrogate, and wishes to concentrate on that role.

Geoff Webber, who represents Harrogate Bilton & Nidd Gorge, said