People across the country have endured terrible hardships over the past six months. They've lost loved ones, lost livelihoods and been cut off from friends and family.

Everyone has made huge sacrifices and played by the Government's rules; they deserve to have confidence that these rules will work.

Instead, our efforts are being squandered by the incompetence of Boris Johnson and the Conservative Government. Their Test and Trace system is not fit for purpose, and scientific advice is being ignored.

People have made a massive effort to fight coronavirus but it's clear that the road to recovery is going to be rockier than we first feared.

With millions of workers worried about their livelihoods, the British people deserve a Government that listens to their concerns and does everything in its power to protect them. Sadly, this isn't the case.

Chelmsford City Council will use emergency funds over this week's half term holiday, to address holiday hunger among vulnerable children. The Council is stepping in because of the Government's failure to act.

Many amazing businesses and voluntary groups in Chelmsford have already stepped up and promised to help. Liberal Democrat-led Chelmsford City Council will work with them to ensure our community supports vulnerable children.

Chelmsford City Council has agreed a set of additional measures that will improve the sustainability of a new community. The masterplan for west Chelmsford, known locally as Warren Farm, will be amended to include an additional bridge for cycling and walking; a contribution to improving the local cycle network, and improvements to bus stops/signs.

Many homeowners on new development sites in Chelmsford have been paying high management fees for maintenance of open spaces. They are used by the public but not owned by the public. Now the Lib Dem-led Council is set to overturn the policy.

Said Lib Dem Council Leader Stephen Robinson, "Many residents have said they resent paying high management fees to look after playgrounds and open spaces, because they think that's what their council tax is for. Unfortunately, the previous council didn't want to take responsibility for these and allowed developers to bring in management companies instead.

"A month of ideas on growing a sustainable Chelmsford" is how October is being labelled by Chelmsford City Council.

The council has brought together organisations from across Chelmsford to create 'Future City: a month of ideas on growing a sustainable Chelmsford'. The mainly digital festival runs throughout October and tackles the themes of climate change, biodiversity and sustainability. The programme is intended to capture the moment as we think about life post-COVID-19, and it's hoped events and activities will encourage people in the city to make connections and provide fresh thinking about the future.

Many more new houses in Chelmsford; less public input into planning applications; less infrastructure investment and fewer affordable homes. These could be consequences of changes to the planning system proposed by the Government, and Chelmsford City Council has expressed opposition.

The City Council approved its response to the Government's 'Planning for the Future' White Paper at the Policy Board on Thursday 1 October.

Cycling should be at the heart of making Chelmsford's transport more sustainable. Chelmsford's Lib Dem-led Council has launched a new charter, with the aim of showing wide-spread support for safer cycling from Chelmsford's communities.

All residents, schools, community groups and businesses of Chelmsford are invited to sign the Cycling Charter to show their support for everyday cycling as a way of making the city a better place to live and work in. Sign the charter at: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/parking-and-travel/chelmsford-cycling-charter