2016 saw the Liberal Democrats His questioning of the foundations make dramatic progress. After the of NATO, intolerance to refugees disappointment of the 2015 and his contempt for media and General Election and EU science demonstrates the need for referendum the party is back with liberalism like never before. the best local election results in history. To top it off we ended So what can you do about it? The 2016 with a stunning victory in defence of the British values of Richmond Park, overturning a tolerance, compassion and open- massive Tory majority of 22,000 mindedness starts on the local and seeing Sarah Olney elected. level. Join us in campaigning, fund raising and donating as we look People are joining the Lib Dems in towards the 2018 Barnet Council unprecedented numbers and we election. now have the highest membership in our history. We start campaigning now and will greatly appreciate your help in Never have the electoral stakes delivering been as high are they are today. Focuses, The EU have given us peace, canvassing and stability and access to the most manning street successful and largest single stalls. Even if its market on Earth. In the post- only for an hour world we face an uncertain future or two, come with diminished living standards along and help and a diminished role in global us promote a affairs. positive and prosperous Britain. Uncertainly in Europe is only matched by the threat to Liberal Peter Lusher Democracy from President Trump. Chair, Barnet Liberal Democrats

What do the Tories have against our pupils?

First they cut the libraries. Now they cut the schools budget. Why are the Barnet Tories hell-bent on attacking the opportunities for the future generations?

Whilst nobody will deny greater funding for schools elsewhere in the UK is a good thing it should not be at the expense of others; why can’t all schools have a boost in funding? Indeed whilst the Liberal Democrats We live in momentous political Conference is, however, bigger were in government we increased times, and I have been encouraged than just debates. From breakfast the funding to schools in Hendon by by the number of new members briefings to late night discos, the over £17.5 million via the Pupil who have joined us over the last fringe programme is packed with Premium. Now the Tories are year. We are a party which values events. Guest speakers from many slashing this by £500 per student per and empowers our members, as walks of life host debates and year across Barnet; and the local evidenced by the way we engage seminars on many aspects of Conservative Party are openly with them at out two annual policy and politics. And, if you are supporting this! national conferences. interested in being politically active and standing for election Our conferences ca be summed up there are free training courses on in one word – involvement. We everything from canvassing to debate, discuss and vote on policy building a local profile. motions which are put forward by individual members and local Then there is the fun; meeting and parties, not dictated to by the top. socialising with likeminded people Every member has the right to from all over the UK. York is full of vote and thus you can play your history with plenty of great places part in determining national policy. to see and things to do. There is Let it not be forgotten that the always a big group from Barnet Barnet Tories’ record on supporting The agenda is now available and we arrange opportunities to children is diabolical and their lack of online. The range of debates is catch up and share our backbone when challenging central wide and touches on all aspects of experiences at conference. government is astounding. For future life. Some of you may have Barnet pupils the prospect of specialist knowledge which you So what are you waiting for? If you reduced access to books and study may wish to share. haven’t signed up yet there is still space in libraries and a threat to time. And for first-timers its only resources and teaching staff at This Spring motions that will be £35! Head to schools is a very grim prospect debated include tackling the crisis http://www.libdems.org.uk/spring indeed. in our prisons, underfunding of the -conference to sign up! NHS and Brexit. Sean Hooker Alasdair Hill “massive disappointment that the Leading Labour Activist Labour party nationally have chosen #Libdemfightback to back the hard Brexit favoured by switches to Lib Dems UKIP and the far right of the Richard Logue, a leading activist in Conservative party, and are the Save Barnet Libraries and EU increasingly out of touch with Remain campaign has defected moderate public opinion on a wide from Labour to the Liberal range of issues. Democrats. He added, “Barnet Conservatives have Speaking about his decision to cut back Council services to the point leave Labour Richard speaks of his, where local control has been lost.”

schools and children’s services. Caroline Pigeon She secured funds to build new secondary and primary schools AM – working and ensured huge improvements hard at City Hall in youth services and adult education, as well as the support given to children in care. Tory and Labour Councillors agreed for a new Hasmonean A Liberal Democrat member of the She eventually decided that she School development that will Greater London Assembly since May destroy 15 acres of virgin 2008, Caroline Pidgeon was a thorn wanted to transfer her activities onto a larger canvas, stood for a Greenbelt in Mill Hill despite in Boris Johnson’s side throughout objections from Planning Officials his eight years as London’s Mayor. seat on the GLA and has served ever since as one of the liveliest and locals. The old school site will be closed only bringing a net After first winning a seat on Opposition AMs. Focussing on transport and housing, Caroline increase of a couple of hundred Southwark Council, she rapidly students with such a big established a reputation for taking became Chair of the powerful GLA Transport committee and became development. on the toughest issues for local people, especially in such areas as widely recognised as having real housing, schools, transport and expertise in this area which is so benefits. She saw how the failing crucial to London’s efficient functioning. Labour Council was resistant to Barnet Libraries are set to close change, and when the Liberal over the important exam period With a young family Caroline sees Democrats won control of for refitting and shrinking. This first hand the pressures on Southwark Council, became Deputy will deny precious revision and affordable housing, transport and Leader, focussing on improving the study space to our young students childcare on families. Among some way the Council worked with local at the most important time of the of her innovative ideas to make people. year. When reopened many will London’s transport more user- be out of bounds for unsupervised friendly are one-hour bus tickets, Caroline later took on the job of students due to the lack of staff and for a part-time travel card. turning round the council’s failing for most of the day.

It’s the time of year when local authorities set their budgets and the Council Tax for the year ahead. Barnet Council meets on Tuesday March 7th at the Town Hall, starting at 7.00 p.m. The media has been awash about the crisis in social care, and for once it is no exaggeration.

The government seem to be aware, but are placing the responsibility for providing the money on to local authorities. They are relaxing the cap on Council Tax rises to allow Local Authorities to increase Council Tax beyond what would normally trigger a local referendum. The new cap is 5%, of Cllr Jack Cohen presented with his Vellum of Appreciation from Barnet Council after which 3% must be spent on social care (unless you are County 30 years of continuous service. A high Council). congratulations to Jack and to his immense efforts for the people of Childs Hill! Typically the rules are complex, and nothing is straightforward. Barnet’s Conservative administration seems likely to propose a 3% increase ring- fenced for social care, and a nil increase on ‘normal Council Tax’. So we are in for more cuts to services, or higher charges.

I am working on an alternative budget, and am already finding savings which do not impact on services.

Examples are cutting Councillors’ special allowances, reducing agency staff, slashing consultants, and reducing ego- churning publications. I am sure I can find sufficient savings of this “The Government have taken the kind to put even more money mandate of 23rd June and not only into Social Care, and reverse disregarded the 16.1 million some of the cuts, particularly on people who voted to remain, but highway and footpath have very deliberately ignored the maintenance. pleas, the dreams, and the aspirations of the people who The last Council meeting held on should count most. 31 January covered a whole range of issues. These included It is our children and grandchildren ‘Adoption of an internationally who will have to live with the recognised definition of anti- fateful consequences more than Semitism’, ‘volunteering in care anybody in this house - or homes’ and ‘cuts to school anybody on the front bench, and funding’. The Tories seem to be in guess what - conventional denial about the latter. wisdom says that the youth of today are politically indifferent Finally, thank-you to everyone and do not participate. Sixty-four who helped to deliver Childs Hill per cent of 18 to 24 year olds News. It does make a difference voted. keeping in touch with local residents. It means more work They mobilised in huge, for me because so many unprecedented numbers, and 73% residents then contact me, but of them voted for a different that is how it should be. future.” Written produced and published by Alasdair Hill on behalf of the Barnet Borough Liberal Democrats all at 36 Pageant Ave, NW9 5LQ /BarnetLibdems www.barnetlibdems.org.uk

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[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Peter Lusher, Chair Hendon Campaign Team Chipping Barnet Campaign Team [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Gerald Fitzgerald, Membership Officer Finchley & Golders Green Campaign Team Conference Organiser, Barnet