New analysis from the cross-party East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) shows that Essex and the wider East region has missed out on key Government funding.

EELGA represents all 50 local authorities across the East and they wrote to HM Treasury prior to the Chancellor's Autumn Budget, outlining five key priorities for the region and making the case for further investment into the region's diverse communities.

Liberal Democrats have and always will support public health protections that work but the use of so called "vaccine passports'' provides a false sense of security.

The Government has lost sight of why they put forward these measures in the first place - to reduce transmission of the virus. The vaccines being given in the UK are highly effective at reducing the severity of Covid symptoms, the likelihood of admission to hospital and against the risk of death. But even those who are fully vaccinated can still spread the virus.

With Christmas just around the corner, there are lots of activities on offer over the festive season. Chelmsford City Council leisure centres and community activity leaders have been busy planning a programme of events which include the Yuletide Stride, festive ice-skating sessions and Christmas parties and sessions.

A day of action to make Chelmsford's 'Bunny Walks' feel safer for all (particularly women and girls) took place on 25 November.

Local residents, particularly women, had told Chelmsford City Council they felt unsafe in the area, so earlier this year the Lib Dem-led CCC and its partners successfully bid for £550,000 of Government 'Safer Streets' funding to improve the area.

Have you ever written a letter to Santa Claus, hoping for the perfect gift?

Coming to Chelmsford's Cramphorn Studio from 19 December, Pip's Post Room is a captivating, fun-filled family play. It tells the story of Pip, a loveable penguin who is Santa's chief helper at the North Pole and his faithful assistant, Esme the squirrel.

Chelmsford's Civic Theatre pantomime Beauty and the Beast is underway as the cast and crew prepare for opening night on Friday, 26 November. To book tickets, visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres, call 01245 606505, or visit the box office in person at Civic Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG.

A 5km walk under Chelmsford's twinkling Christmas lights is happening on Thursday 9 December at 7pm to raise money for the Mayor's chosen charities: Helping Hands, Mind and Sanctus.

A swathe of purple crocuses will appear in Chelmsford's Central Park next spring. The bulbs were donated by the Chelmsford Rivermead Rotary Club in recognition of World Polio Day and were planted by the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr Jude Deakin, and representatives from the Rotary Club.

Help was given by the Council's parks team, who prepared the flowerbed. The arc-shaped planting area is near the park's tennis courts, just before you reach the railway viaducts when walking towards Admirals Park from the lake.