Chelmsford is better connected with a Lib Dem Council
The Liberal Democrats campaigned in the local elections to make Chelmsford Safer, Greener, Fairer and Better Connected. Below are some of the policy changes and actions that your Liberal Democrat-led City Council has undertaken in the first six months.
A Better-Connected Chelmsford
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Make it easier for the public to contact the Council by linking up Digital Services. New self-serve, online services will allow the public to report issues directly through the Council's website, rather than waiting in a telephone queue. This will bring the Council into the 21st Century and make it more efficient.
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Working towards a more open Council - encouraging the public to attend more Council meetings and ask questions; allowing all Councillors to ask more questions at and before Cabinet meetings, and putting out more information via social media. The first speech of the new Lib Dem leadership of the council was broadcast on Facebook Live and we are looking at low-cost ways to do that for all meetings.
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Supporting new, innovative productions in Theatres & Museums. The theatre has trialed new ways to reach different audiences. The productions of Someone Who'll Watch Over Me and R4J are just two examples of the more diverse range of programming that we expect to see in the coming months and years.
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The refurbished and reimagined Chelmsford City Museum was officially reopened and has welcomed approximately 30,000 visitors, which is more than came in a whole year before. The museum has developed its volunteer programme, to support services, and is growing new audiences, with exciting innovations like Museum Lates, which bring visitors into the museum 'out of hours' - making the most of the Council's investment and its building assets.
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Creation of the Chelmsford Policy Board. This board looks at all policy formation and has so far formed five Working Groups, all cross party like the Board itself, covering the following areas .
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homelessness and rough sleeping
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the supply of housing that is affordable
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health and wellbeing
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developing more use of our waterways and adjacent towpaths and green spaces
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local democracy and the connectedness and involvement of Chelmsford 's many organisations and charities and its residents.
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More news about better connected communities
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Article: Jul 19, 2022A former water mill in the Chelmsford area could become a facility enjoyed throughout the year, potentially for leisure, educational or cultural uses. Lib Dem-led Chelmsford City Council is at the very earliest stages of coming up with plans to develop Chelmsford's Sandford Mill into a much more accessible asset for the community.
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Article: Jul 13, 2022A plea was made for all children in families receiving Universal Credit to receive free school meals. This was called for by Liberal Democrats on Essex County Council on 12 July but was rejected by the Conservatives.
Lib Dem councillors pointed out that, since the Free School Meals policy was introduced (seven years ago by the Liberal Democrats in Government), the Conservatives have increased funding per pupil from £2.30 to just £2.34 - an increase of 1.3% compared to inflation of 7%. As a result, children in the Essex County Council area have lost the equivalent of £1,171,603 - more than any other area in the country. Had funding increased with inflation, it would currently stand at, at least £2.46 per pupil. This funding cut has left Essex schools covering the extra cost by spending less on textbooks and teachers.
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Article: Jul 12, 2022Chelmsford City Council will give a higher priority to action on climate change, affordable housing and community facilities in an upcoming review of its Local Plan. This change of priorities is driven by the Liberal Democrats, who want to address the failings of the current Local Plan, written by the previous Conservative leadership of the City Council.
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Article: Jun 23, 2022In Chelmsford City LifeChelmsford Smart Hangar Scheme (CSHS) was launched earlier this month to help cyclists to safely store their bikes in Chelmsford's city centre. Currently, there are three 'bike hangars' that can hold up to six bikes. They are located in:
Can Bridge Way (by Meadows Surface car park)
Market Road (by the public toilets)
Market Square (on the corner of Cornhill and Bellmead)
The bike hangars cost £1 per hour or £3 for a full day.
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Article: Jun 6, 2022Chelmsford city centre has been transformed by a festival of street art. "Concrete Canvas" brought incredible murals and artwork to Chelmsford using the city's story as inspiration. Sites across Chelmsford's city centre are now the canvas for striking artworks, forming a diverse trail of street art.