Plans for the long-awaited Hemel Hempstead Local General Hospital appear to be moving forward. It appears that papers to be presented to the West Herts Hospital NHS Trust Board refer to plans either to refurbish or rebuild the hospital facilities at the Hillfield Road site in Hemel Hempstead. According to a report in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette the papers refer to "achieving a deliverable outcome within the next two to three years."
Food Hygiene Assessments: Since 2008 Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) has given food businesses a rating of 0-5 stars depending on the results of hygiene inspections. These inspections include how food is prepared, cooked, cooled, stored and displayed. The structure and equipment used is checked - whether it is clean, suitable, properly maintained. This covers layout, lighting and ventilation. Does the business understand what must be done to ensure food safety ? Are the necessary precautions part of the routine and are records kept ?
And that means South West Hertfordshire geographically, not just within the constituency.
Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Rt Hon Danny Alexander called in to South West Hertfordshire this eveningon a visit to Rickmansworth to meet local businessmen and councillors. After visiting shops and businesses in the town centre he met Cllr Ann Shaw OBE, Leader of Liberal Democrat-run Three Rivers District Council and was introduced to senior council officers and executive members. Mr Alexander praised the way that the Liberal Democrat administration had succeeded in keeping local finances under tight control while continuing to make service improvements for local residents.
On Monday 23rd March 2012 the Cabinet of Hertfordshire County Council decided:
Last year big multinational companies operating in the developing world avoided paying taxes of approximately $165 billion to host governments.
Nick Clegg announced this week that agreements have been secured with the big six energy companies that could cut energy bills for millions of people. The commitments will mean that EDF, E.On, Br...itish Gas, Southern, Scottish Power and Npower - who supply 99 per cent of British homes with energy - will now write to customers every year to specifically tell them what the best tariff is for them and how to get it. Many people are currently paying far more than they have to. Some vulnerable customers - those assisted by the Warm Home Discount scheme - will be contacted twice a year. Customers will also be offered the best tariff if their contract comes to an end and if they contact their supplier at any time to ask. There are more than 120 different tariffs. Currently, seven out of 10 people aren't on the best tariff for them. The average customer tends to stay on theirs for years, despite the amount of energy they use varying over time. In 2010, 75 per cent of people did not change their tariff. The governm
News has just come in that the Herts County Council Executive Member with responsibility for highways has asked for an additional urgent item to be added to the agenda of the next Cabinet Meeting on Monday, 23rd April.
George Osborne recently, and belatedly, discovered that some wealthy individuals and corporations are using off-shore companies and the diversion of income through companies generally to escape UK tax liabilities. Welcome aboard at last, George!
Good News - Liberal Democrat-run Three Rivers is one of the local authorities allocated money from the High Street Innovation Fund. Our share is £100,000. The aim is that local authorities, government, businesses and communities work together to promote new models of prosperous and diverse high streets and confidence in local high streets. Among approaches suggested are business rate discounts for new start-up businesses taking on empty properties and persuading landlords to support new occupiers, filling empty properties and increasing local choice for the local community. If you have any ideas about how this money should be spent to achieve its aims, please let us know. ........................................
Liberal Democrats have again criticised the Conservative administration at Herts County Council for their behaviour over the Highways Fault Reporting System.
March 30th, 2012
