In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

The Liberal Democrats in Government have put the brakes on plans to reshape the NHS.

They forced a two month period to allow major changes to the plans to ensure they bring real improvements to patients.

These changes should include tough rules to stop private companies cherry picking services and give more say to patients and professionals in how the NHS works.

Catherington Lane -Water Mains Renewal
By the time you read this, Portsmouth Water will have begun renewing its pipes under Catherington Lane. Whilst it is welcomed that they are taking this action to
prevent leakage, it is likely to cause disruptions across Horndean. I have been working to ensure that this work is done quickly whilst attempting to reduce problems elsewhere.

Local Lib Dem Mike Ashton decided to retire at the last district elections after a successful eight years representing residents of Murray ward. Mike is well known as a cycling enthusiast and had been campaigning hard for improved cycle routes around Horndean.

Hampshire County Council along with East Hants District Council and Havant Borough Council have now secured funding to implement cycle routes so local children can have safer access to Horndean Technology College (HTC). The primary focus is for better cycling access to HTC but with the hope that lots of other cyclists can benefit. County Councillor Sam Darragh is campaigning for improvements to the speed bumps along Victory Avenue as part of this scheme.

Local residents are backing the campaign by local Lib Dem Angela Clear to protect our countryside from over-development.

Conservative-run Fareham Council are pushing ahead to build 7-8,000 houses in open countryside.

Angela Clear and the local Lib Dems are calling for limits on the housing numbers.

They also want to see the land between Wickham, Knowle and the new development, which is in Winchester District, kept as open countryside.

The Conservative-run County Council are proposing to apply for planning permission to build 90 homes between Lady Betty's Drive and Leafy Lane.

Local Lib Dem campaigner Sam Newman-McKie and Cllr Vivian Achwal are opposing the plans.

"Although we recognize the need for affordable housing, the new development would exacerbate the existing peak-time traffic problems on Leafy Lane with 200 extra cars," said Sam Newman-McKie.

Whiteley Liberal Democrats were sad to learn that founding Whiteley Primary School Headteacher Pat Bradley died last month after a long battle against cancer.

Pat was a truly inspirational Headteacher who played an important role in shaping the future lives of many of our children. She will be greatly missed by the wider Whiteley Community.

The Conservative proposal to cancel Hampshire's Mobile Library stop at the Clanfield Co-op Car Park has been foiled by FOCUS and People Power!

Through our Clanfield and Horndean Focuses, County Cllr Sam Darragh urged people to object to the plan to drop this weekly, 4 hour stop because, as we were told by a Libraries officer, this service was well used by about 60 people borrowing 120 books each week. More importantly, about half of these were children. And, many of these users were Catherington residents.

Cllr Sam Darragh is delighted to support Horndean Parish Council's application for a grant towards a Speed Limit Reminder device.

The Parish Council want their own device, which helps drivers by alerting them if they are breaking the speed limit.

Sam says "I was delighted to donate £2000 from my Councillors devolved budget so the Parish Council could purchasethis device. Whilst it won't stop anti-social driving it may slow down the unintended speeding that happens to most drivers occasionally."