SPRING 2020 Compassion, fairness, equality and internationalism West Berkshire and Newbury www.wbld.org.uk @WBerksLibDems FocusFocusWORKING HARD FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF WEST BERKSHIRE @WestBerksLibDems Dear West Berkshire Residents, I am incredibly proud of the General Election campaign we mounted here in Newbury. It was so important to us that we got out to our towns and villages to speak to as many of you as possible over the 5 week campaign so I could hear your views. From Brexit and funding our NHS, to the climate Thank you to the 18,384 people who voted emergency, what was clear is that the challenges we face affects each and for Lee Dillon in the General Election every one of us. I want to thank the and to each and every campaigner, activist and volunteer thousands of you that spoke to me during the campaign, whether on the for their commitment to the communities of West Berkshire. doorstep, at hustings or through letters and emails, and the 18,384 voters that backed our vision for a more open and tolerant country . Liberal values Lee Dillon last longer than election results The start of a new year is usually a in local government as well as ideals, to contribute fully to their time for reflection; this year was nationally. The opening of the Liberal communities and to take part no different and for the Liberal Democrats constitution reads as in the decisions which affect their Democrats this is especially true. follows: lives. The 2019 General Election – in The Liberal Democrats exist to build At the start of this new decade those West Berkshire and Newbury – was and safeguard a fair, free and open beliefs are still as relevant as ever, positive for the party. Increasing society,in which we seek to balance if not even more so! our share of the vote (the only party the fundamental values of liberty, to do so) built on solid local election equality and community, and in Tell us your priorities which no one shall be enslaved by results earlier in the year and the local poverty, ignorance or conformity. for West Berkshire... party goes from strength to strength. Nationally, 3.7 million people We champion the freedom, dignity voted for the Liberal Democrats - an and well-being of individuals, we increase of 1.3 million from 2017, acknowledge and respect their right taking our vote share from 7.4% to to freedom of conscience and their 11.5%. right to develop their talents to the full. Whatever the result of our election We aim to disperse power, to foster review, a belief in Liberal Values will diversity and to nurture creativity. We remain at the heart of the party and believe that the role of the state is to Take our online survey: drive our policies and behaviour enable all citizens to attain these www.wbld.org.uk/haveyoursay GET THE FULL PICTURE - FOLLOW THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY IN WEST BERKSHIRE AND NEWBURY WWW.WBLD.ORG.UK @WBerksLibDems @WestBerksLibDems FOCUS ON NEWBURY TOWN COUNCIL A message from Councillor Martin Colston, Leader of Newbury Town Council Thank you to everyone who voted • We set up a cross-party Climate Fostering a sense of community Liberal Democrat in the local elec- Emergency Working Group, • Led by the Council, the horticul- tions last year and made the Liberal independently measured our carbon tural community of Newbury won Democrats the ruling party on footprint and set an annual target to the Britain in Bloom Silver Gilt Newbury Town Council. With 19 reduce it; we are investing in modern Award, and the Inspiring Everyone out of 23 councillors, all with enthu- technology for the Town Hall to to Grow Award. siasm and drive to make a positive reduce our CO2 and save money. • We organised the Family Fun contribution, we will work • We held our first Community Day in Victoria Park, Newbury in constructively with the other Climate Change Workshop in Sep- Bloom, the Remembrance Sunday parties to serve the whole tember to share our plans and invite Parade, and contributed to the community of Newbury. input. We’ll hold two workshops a Christmas lights. Here are some of the things we’ve year going forward. Providing focused support for already delivered with the sup- Making Newbury a unique, safe, young people, the elderly port of our full-time officers and welcoming and well cared-for town and vulnerable hundreds of residents: • Victoria Park was recognised as • The Council has committed to Addressing the climate emergency being an outstanding facility for increasing the level of youth support • We declared a climate emergency our community and awarded the in Newbury, and to backing West and committed that the council will prestigious Green Flag Berkshire Citizens Advice, for the be carbon neutral by 2030. • We have put funds in place to next four years. • Plans for the new café in Victoria replace the play equipment in Councillor Martin Colston Skyllings. The original equipment Park have been redesigned, to make Leader, Newbury Town Council will be given a new lease of life in City it sustainable and carbon neutral. www.newbury.gov.uk Recreation Ground. The last few months have been busy for Liberal Funds have been reserved for projects that have Democrat-led Thatcham Town Council. Thatcham the greatest impact on carbon reduction for the Festival in October was our most successful ever Thatcham community and the Council stands with most events fully booked. We improved the ready to support West Berkshire in ensuring the Christmas Festival with new lighting, increased town transitions towards zero carbon. entertainment events on stage on Friday and Saturday, including free parking, to provide The day-to-day business of the Council is serving entertainment for all the family. As usual, the the local Thatcham community. We are going to Remembrance Day Parade was exceptionally well refurbish the toilets in the Broadway, resurface the attended, and benefited from our improvements to play parks, addressing a legacy of under invest- the audio system. Preparations are already being ment in maintenance of Town Council properties, made for the Thatcham Family Fun Day in June provide financial support to our local Library, and which will have a special VE Day Theme. distribute funds to several local good causes, all with the Community and value for money at the After declaring a Climate Emergency, the Town heart of our decision making. Council has developed a Climate Action Plan which supports the decisions that the Council must take Councillor David Lister, to help the community to become more sustaina- Leader, Thatcham Town Council ble and transition towards zero carbon. THATCHAM FOCUS www.thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk Viewpoint: First-time activist felt compelled to get involved The recent election was a bit of a combat climate whirlwind for me. Called at short change, most of the notice, and with very little time people I spoke to agreed there is to prepare, it was testament to a desire to do things differently. the dedication and hard work of Yes – Brexit continues to polarise the party that we managed to public opinion, but we also saw make huge inroads into the Tory support from areas which majority. surpassed expectations, and that we can continue to build on The Liberal Democrats I’ve always been interested in as we hold the Tories to account. politics, and how decisions taken are working hard by our elected representatives Much of what we achieved was can change lives. Brexit, and only possible due to the hard to tackle the big issues the constitutional crisis which it work and dedication of the unleashed, continues to fascinate campaign team and volunteers. that people are facing me. But it was Parliament’s So we should all be very proud across the UK. decision to call the General of ourselves. As we leave the EU Election in December which and reflect on the last few years Ensuring a properly resourced led me to conclude I had to get of British politics, we’d do well involved and so I volunteered to to remember that there is more NHS, to provide the highest help. which unites than divides us. quality care for our loved ones. I met some truly amazing people Going forward, the future for Fighting to reverse police cuts, to during the election campaign. our party is bright and there is protect our communities from From hitting the phones at West so much to play for, both at local violent crime. Berkshire HQ, to knocking on and national level. Along with doors all over the constituency, it everybody else, I want to be at was clear that many of our the forefront of that movement Protecting our environment. constituents supported the – listening to people, finding We’ve already done more to fight party’s policy offering. Whether out what’s important to them, the climate emergency than any that was real-terms spending improving our public services other party. increases for the NHS; fairer and driving forward the changes business costs; better transport and reforms that our Building high-quality, reliable public connections; more teachers; communities so desperately transport links across the UK. more comprehensive childcare need. provisions; and measures to Investing in world-class education, Justin Pemberton, Volunteer Activist to give our children the best start possible in life. Promoting diversity and internationalism, making sure everybody living here feels welcome and valued. Aldermaston • Bucklebury • Chieveley • Compton • Hampstead Norreys We want to see an open, inclusive, outward-looking and optimistic United Kingdom. That’s who we are. That is what we will be.