Mayor Dave Hodgson has thanked all those who attended the first Mayoral election hustings, which took place on Monday. Commenting after the event hosted by the Mature Citizens Action Group, Mayor Dave said:

"Thanks to everyone who attended the election hustings event this morning at the Salvation Army's Congress Hall, hosted by the Mature Citizens Action Group.'

Warning: use of a trigger word in this article

A few days ago, I was surprised to receive an email with 'Vice President' in the subject title.

'Why would the Vice President of the Party be writing to me?' I asked myself.

Then I realised that the 'Vice President' WAS me…

That email was the first of many congratulatory messages. It was sent to me by the 'tour de force' that is Roderick Lynch, the Chair of the LDCRE (Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality).

In 1919, the Lloyd George government's Ministry of Reconstruction published the Report on Adult Education. The report set out the fundamental importance of educational opportunities throughout life:

"Adult education is a permanent national necessity, an inseparable aspect of citizenship, and therefore should be both universal and lifelong."

Sir Vince Cable makes his final Spring Conference speech as Leader

" we are committed to tackling the underlying causes of Brexit. "

" What is democracy if it is not the right for a country to change its mind?"

" It is dividing families, communities, and even the United Kingdom and sucking the energy out of government.

Former Chelmsford Mayor Felicity Sturt passed away at her home on Saturday 2nd March 2019. Felicity was 85 years young and dedicated to the local community.

A major local innovation was when she and her husband Ronald produced the local Talking Newspaper for the partially sighted.

Chelmsford's Lib Dem Leader Cllr. Stephen Robinson commented, "We were all sad to hear this news. I followed Felicity some years later as a councillor for the Patching Hall ward that she used to represent. Felicity always kept us on our toes on local issues long after she left the council, especially related to her interests in libraries, arts and culture. She was always so kind and encouraging as well."

Following requests brought to him by candidates Sarah Cloke (Brentwood West) and Jay Laplain (Warley) as they knock on doors around their respective wards, Cllr David Kendall has requested speed surveys for the following roads:

• Honeypot Lane
• London Road
• Warley Hill
• Woodman Road

David said:

"Sarah, Jay and I want these roads to be assessed for the safety and wellbeing of everyone that lives in or around the area. e have seen too many accidents and near misses over the years and I will do all I can to improve safety.

Cllr Karen Chilvers has secured some extra blue badge parking for disabled people after she discovered spaces cordoned off in William Hunter Way (WHW) last week due to engineering works.

This town centre car park with 28 spaces is exclusively for blue badge holders and provides ample room for wheelchairs to be loaded and unloaded as well as a dropped kerb. A blue badge holder herself, she was surprised to see that 10 spaces were blocked and this was to continue for eleven weeks. Taking this up with Brentwood Council an oversight was uncovered: there had been no communication with ward councillors or relevant groups and no notices put up prior to the closure.

Although the weather has been changeable, it feels like Spring is coming and to 'celebrate' Keep Britain Tidy are encouraging people to be #LitterHeros and take part in the #GBSpringClean. It will run between 23rd March and 23rd April.

There are already events planned in Bedford, Great Barford, Great Denham, Melchbourne, Sharnbrook, Stagsden, Stevington, Wilstead, Wootton and Yelden, you can find out more about this events, or organise one locally at https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean. There is also a Rivercare Clean up on 30th March between 10am-12noon organised by the Council meeting at Star Rowing Club on Bedford's Embankment.

Clarence House in Bedford has celebrated its first birthday, marking one year since Mayor Dave Hodgson opened the Complex Needs Unit which provides accommodation and tailored support for some of the most vulnerable rough sleepers locally.

The facility is the first of its kind in Bedford, with specialist accommodation and support services provided in the unit itself. Residents are provided with their own individual, tailored support plan designed to help them stay off the streets and towards a more stable, settled life in a home of their own. The facility is operated by One Housing group, under contract with Bedford Borough Council, and is one of a number of new services and facilities introduced to tackle rough sleeping homelessness in Bedford Borough.