Chelmsford City Council is drafting plans to upgrade Dovedale Sports Centre in the Old Moulsham area of the city. The Lib Dem-led council is keen to hear local views about this and has just launched a consultation (running until Sunday 13 February) to help shape any future improvements.

The site, which the council shares with Chelmsford College, was opened in 1974 and has had minimal investment over the last few decades. It is used by the college during the day and managed by Chelmsford City Council for public use after 5pm on weekdays, with full access at weekends and college holidays.

As part of the Budget announcement that has already set aside funding for climate change projects, green space investment and improvements to the road network, Mayor Dave Hodgson has also announced investment to improve Kempston's natural flood management. Commenting on the proposal, Mayor Dave said "After the flooding in 2020 that impacted many residents and businesses, it is vital that we put measures in place to prevent these issues in the future. I am very pleased that we are investing in this area, which will protect homes and businesses in Kempston."

The Federal Conference Committee (FCC) met on Saturday, 15th January to start its work on the final agenda for Spring 2022 Conference, which will be taking place virtually via the Hopin platform.

If you haven't yet registered for Conference, I would recommend doing so here.

We've had a few departures from the FCC in the last few months and welcomed two new members. Jennie Rigg ceased being the English Party's Representative to the FCC and Jenni Lang stepped down as the Scottish Party Representative after becoming the Convenor of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. I would like to place on record our thanks for their service to the FCC, they will be missed, and we would like to wish them all the very best for the future. We welcomed Matt McLaren as our new English Party Rep and Paul McGarry as our new Scottish Party Rep to the committee.

Party staff, candidates, councillors and members will join together in the same room to develop a plan for your local party area.

We will consider:

• Aims, Ambitions and Numbers
• BREAK
• Message
• LUNCH BREAK
• Building The Team
• The Campaign Plan
• Next Steps

Bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

Chelmsford City Council has announced its latest round of grants for the hospitality and leisure industry, and the Lib Dem-led Council has announced a further round of special grants to provide FREE membership of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Said Council Leader Stephen Robinson, "We know that many local businesses have been really struggling over the last two years and the City Council is doing what it can to help. The Council is also developing a partnership with the five other District Councils in north Essex to pool resources to help more businesses."

Last week at a meeting of Full Council a Liberal Democrat amendment to a motion calling on divestment from fossil fuels was passed with cross-party support.

The amendment, proposed by Liberal Democrat Councillor Jake Sampson and seconded by Conservative Councillor Graeme Coombes, called on Bedfordshire Pension Fund and Border to Coast Pension Partnership to divest from fossil fuels. It also highlighted the fantastic work the Council has done in combatting climate change since Mayor Dave Hodgson was elected in 2009 on its march to become carbon neutral by 2030. Prior to the meeting, there was a lot of hard work and cross-party discussion to establish a motion that all members would be happy to vote for. At Full Council, the amended motion was passed almost unanimously, with Green Party Councillor Ben Foley the only member to vote against.

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, the OUTing the Past Festival returns to The Higgins Bedford for the fifth year running on Saturday 26th February.

A range of dynamic speakers and presentations will share the hidden histories and stories of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating its diversity, and raising awareness of the challenges that the community have encountered and continue to face today.

Party staff, candidates, councillors and members will join together in the same room to develop a plan for your local party area. The event also features a Question and Answer session with the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Lucy Nethsingha.

We will consider:

• Aims, Ambitions and Numbers
• BREAK
• Message
• Q & A with Councillor Lucy Nethsingha
• LUNCH BREAK
• Building The Team
• The Campaign Plan
• Next Steps

The headline "two new MPs so far in this Parliament" is a welcome one. Winning, especially winning with record swings, is what we all want.

Underneath the headline is a lot of hard work, plenty of tough decisions, and a drive to improve. We should all be thankful to our activists, staff and supporters.