The Government has announced it will write off over £13bn of NHS debt and Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has called for investment in Covid-19 testing and PPE for NHS staff.

The announcement came after former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, revealed last year through a freedom of information request that £607,404,854 worth of interest on outstanding debt was paid by NHS Trusts to the Department for Health and Social Care in the previous five years.

Chelmsford City Council is enabling local food delivery businesses by providing extra free parking, helping them to provide services to residents during the coronavirus crisis.

The new measure means that any companies delivering food, whether as an established or new part of their business, can apply online for two dispensations to park within the city. These permits will apply to the company rather than individual vehicles, giving businesses more flexibility for their deliveries.

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In light of the global situation and following the closure of Chelmsford City Theatres, Chelmsford City Council has closed its sports and leisure centres, museums and the Hylands House buildings with immediate effect - but essential services are still running as normal.

All four leisure centres* are closed from the end of Friday 20 March. All direct debits for Wellness, Swim School, Skate School, Sports School and Patch memberships will be automatically frozen during the closure and members will be given advance notice when the centres re-open. Anyone who has booked a course, party or other activity will be refunded automatically.

Chelmsford City Council is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and the scientific advice and guidance from the Government.

Plans are in place to make sure essential services can continue during this time for the benefit of our residents. The Council is carrying out extra cleaning across all City Council sites and taking other steps in services to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

The Liberal Democrats fully accept the Government decision to postpone the Borough Council Elections until next year.

With the country facing an unprecedented crisis with COVID -19, local elections were an unnecessary distraction when fighting this virus and saving lives is far more important.

Our candidates thank you for your support, donations and the time you spent talking to them on the doorsteps.

Summary

On 2 May 2019 we, the people who live in Tendring, elected our representatives for the following four years. The Tendring Liberal Democrats increased our share of the vote and Councillor Gary Scott (Alresford & Elmstead) was re-elected along with Ann Wiggins (also Alresford & Elmstead) who was elected for the first time. In other areas including, Burrsville and Manningtree, Mistley & Lawford we came close to winning further seats. We stood on the manifesto below and this is what we are still campaigning for in the Tendring District.

Chelmsford's Liberal Democrat women are at the forefront of delivering a greener, safer, fairer and better connected Chelmsford. 17 of the 30 Lib Dem Councillors are women.

On International Women's Day, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women in every corner of the world. We celebrate the women pushing boundaries, defying stereotypes and shattering glass ceilings.

174,000 new trees over the next 10 years, hundreds of affordable homes, tackling rough sleeping and much more. Chelmsford City Council under Lib Dem leadership has passed a budget that delivers a greener, safer, fairer and better connected Chelmsford.

At the recent Full Council meeting in Chelmsford, Councillors backed the Lib Dem budget proposed by Cllr Chris Davidson and seconded by Cllr Stephen Robinson. Cllr Davidson explained that the budget would deliver on the Liberal Democrat manifesto from the 2019 elections. The prudent borrowing that he proposed would enable the council to put homeless families in proper housing AND save local taxpayers cash that is being spent on unsuitable temporary accomodation.

Chelmsford Council will use its new Local Plan to deliver more infrastructure to go with the coming development, genuinely affordable housing, and to ensure that development is really sustainable. That was the pledge by the Lib Dem Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Councillor Stephen Robinson as the new Local Plan received the 'seal of approval' from central Government.