Proposed EC3 Constitutional Amendments

Moved: Simon Banks; seconded: Stephen Robinson

{Original explanation: Unsurprisingly, in the first year we've been working to a completely new constitution, albeit one closely based on those of our neighbour CCCs, a few issues have emerged. It appears beneficial to have a changeover of officers on 1 January, in line with the financial year and what is now common practice in the Party. There is not clarity in the present text about whether an officer of EC3 counts as one of his local party's representatives. The present text also does not define who can be officers of EC3, beyond some exclusions.}

Brentwood Liberal Democrats wish to applaud footballer Marcus Rashford for his campaign to provide free school meal vouchers during school holidays until next Easter as families in poverty struggle to cope during the Coronavirus pandemic.

We also praise those local businesses that, despite suffering through lockdown, have offered free meals to those in need during half term.

In coming weeks, Lib Dem candidate for Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Callum Robertson has secured meetings with influential leaders from religous communities across Essex.

Robertson has secured a series of meetings as part of his efforts to set up a hate crime commission for Essex in response to concerns over rising hate crime figures.

On Thursday 22, Callum Robertson attended the Police and Crime Panel to ask tough questions of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst.

The Police and Crime Panel, which is made up of representatives of each council within Essex is convened to scrutinise the work of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

On Wednesday, Essex Liberal Democrats and the University of Essex jointly hosted former Lib Dem Leader and Business Secretary Sir Vince Cable for a virtual Q&A.

The well attended event gave Essex based Lib Dems an opportunity to hear about our plans for the 2021 local elections from Leader of Chelmsford Council, Cllr Stephen Robertson as well as an introduction to Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Candidate Callum Robertson.

What: Q&A with Sir Vince Cable, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and Business Secretary

When: Wednesday, 7:30pm-9pm

Where: Online! The link is here

Who: Vince Cable, former Liberal Democrat Leader and Callum Robertson, Candidate for Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Cost: Free! Literally nothing!

On Monday 28, Essex Lib Dem Police Commissioner Candidate Callum Robertson joined Brentwood Lib Dems where he spoke about his plans for linking in his Police campaign with the local campaigns being run by the brilliant local councillors in Brentwood.

He spoke about how we should be combating Nitrus Oxide (also known as laughing gas) saying:

Cllr David Kendall shares his experience of the pandemic...

During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic I found demand for my carpet cleaning business was very quiet, so I applied for a job with the NHS and for three months I worked in a Nursing Home in Chelmsford as a Cleaning Supervisor.

The job gave me a good understanding of how a nursing home operates and gave me the opportunity to see first-hand the dedication and commitment shown by the care workers to the elderly residents in their care. It was a pleasure to be part of such a great team of people all focused on nursing people back to health, including some recovering from Covid-19. My admiration and respect for all those working in the NHS and the care sector has grown even stronger and I will certainly use my new found knowledge and experience to give them as much support as I can through my role as a county and borough councillor.

While the NHS job certainly kept me busy, I'm pleased to have also kept up to date with all my casework across the Brentwood South Division and Pilgrims Hatch ward.

Essex Lib Dem Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Candidate Callum Robertson used a speech at the Liberal Democrat Conference to take the Tories to task over their breaking of international law.

His speech is below:

"Good evening conference

First off, I want to say thanks to the staff members and FCC members who have put on a blinder of a conference in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

To beat the Conservatives across Essex in May 2021, we need to be active and fighting for our communities. We have brilliant Lib Dem Councillors who are doing just that, some brilliant examples from this week include:

• Colchester Borough Council Leader Mark Cory has stood up to Tory MP Will Quince over the disastrous internal market bill
• Chelmsford City Council, led by Lib Dem Stephen Robinson has announced a 2 Million investment program for Chelmsford