Agenda and Directory Liberal Democrat Spring Conference 2nd - 4th March 2007 Harrogate COURT NOTICE COURT NOTICE COURT NOTICE FIRST HEARING Saturday March 3rd 1pm Ripley Suite, Holiday Inn Liberal Democrat Spring Conference PROCESS AND PROCEDURE Liberal Democrat Council groups who wish to book in to give evidence for what they are doing, in their own authorities, to tackle and address climate change should contact the Court Clerk, Benedict Greening at [email protected] or telephone 020 7664 3235. THE JURY The jury will include Cllr Adam Carew (Green Lib Dems), members of the Lords and Commons front-bench team, Cllr Paula Baker (LGA Lib Dems) and other leading environmental campaigners. Image credit: LGA LIBERAL DEMOCRATS www.recyclenow.com Feature Services to the blind and Contents visually impaired Feature Features: A welcome return to Harrogate by Phil Willis MP 3 Copies of the Conference Election Fever by Hilary Stephenson 4 Agenda and Directory and Agenda: Friday other conference documents Agenda index 5 Friday 2nd 6 can be made available on request in audio format on Saturday 3rd 7 Sunday 4th 18 CD, as pdf or Word files, on Fringe guide and diary: 23–30 Saturday coloured paper or in large Friday fringe 24 print. Saturday fringe 25 Sunday fringe 28 Please contact Emma Harris, Diary 29–30 Sunday [email protected] 2007 Conference timetable 29 Information: or 020 7227 1350, by Monday Venue plans 31 19th February. Conference information 32 Access and facilities for disabled people 39 Fringe Transport and travel 40 Exhibition 41–43 For conference details and Standing orders 44–51 Federal Party 51 Diary registration online, go to www.libdems.org.uk/conference. Map of Harrogate 52 Information Exhibition www.libdems.org.uk Design and layout by Mike Cooper, 25 Orchard Road, Sutton, SM1 2QA. Published by Conference Office, Orders Standing Printed by Network Press, Sutton Business Centre, Wallington, SM6 7AH. Liberal Democrats, Standing Front cover photo: © Mike Cooper 2007. 4 Cowley Street, London, SW1P 3NB. Printed on recycled paper ISBN 1-85187-770-6 The Federal Conference Committee is here to serve you! If you need to find any of the members of the FCC over the weekend, you should be able easily to identify them by the larger white background badge holder with the green FCC badge inside. Here are the 2007 members of the Federal Conference Committee. Duncan Brack, Chair, Ruth Polling, Vice Andrew Wiseman, directly elected Chair Communications, Vice Chair Finance, directly elected English rep Directly elected: Robert Adamson Jon Ball Catherine Bearder Sal Brinton Dee Doocey Gareth Epps Sue Garden Arnie Gibbons Chris Maines Justine McGuinness James Gurling Tessa Munt Jeremy Hargreaves Geoff Payne Debra Storr FE rep FE & FFAC rep FPC rep FPC rep Scottish rep Ex officio: Paul Burstow MP, Chief Whip. Ed Davey MP, CCC Chair. Simon Hughes MP, Party President. Chris Rennard, Chief Executive. Ian Walton Gordon Seekings Chris Jennings, Welsh Rep Staff rep Chief Steward, Trust in peopleco-opted 2 Liberal Democrat Conference Spring 2007 A welcome return to Harrogate Feature By Phil Willis MP Welcome back to Harrogate and famous pure air, heads clear and the Federal Spring Conference. complexions glowing, ready for What a difference a year makes! spirited and purposeful debate. Twelve months ago, amidst a Later in the day other delights beckon: snow storm Sir Ming Campbell some of the finest restaurants in the took centre stage as the Party’s north of England, the renowned Valley new leader with a huge task Gardens, the splendidly restored ahead of him. Turkish Baths, the wonderful shops, the museums and galleries, the lively bars Twelve months later a quiet and cafes are all within easy walking transformation has been taking place distance. Wrapped around the town as party structures and mechanisms centre, the two hundred grassy acres have been renewed and reformed. The of the Stray envelop the elegant most talented and hard-working front- Victorian buildings. Residents of Phil Willis is Member of bench team at Westminster have Harrogate are still entitled to graze Parliament for Harrogate already put in place a raft of innovative their flocks of sheep here but may not and Knaresborough and forward-looking policies. With the ride their bicycles – currently a subject groundwork done, the Liberal of much heated discussion in the local Democrats are now fit and poised to community. move forward and build on the firm foundations that have been put in Harrogate spa boasts a greater variety place. of different spring waters than almost anywhere else in the world and And what better venue for this than throughout the town you can see Harrogate, at its most beautiful in the evidence of the numerous wells that spring? Representatives arrive at the catered to Victorian visitors. Sadly few conference hall invigorated by its are still operating, but adventurous visitors can still sample the sulphur waters at the Pump Rooms. Those with more conservative tastes may prefer to stick to Harrogate Spa Water, an award- winning bottled spring water now available in all good-quality Many battles establishments throughout the country. Like the hugely successful lie ahead for Harrogate International Centre, the establishment of this venture was a the Liberal notable achievement of Harrogate Democrats ... Borough Council under Liberal Democrat control. and Harrogate The Royal Horticultural Society’s is ready to play northern gardens at Harlow Carr lie on the edge of the town and offer a its part. delightful and instructive diversion for © Mike 2007 Cooper those interested in plants and gardens. continued on page 5 Make Britain fairer Conference Agenda and Directory 3 Feature Election fever By Hilary Stephenson In just eight weeks nearly 38 Electors should be left in no doubt that million people across Great we are serious and effective when they Britain will have the chance give us the opportunity to run things. to vote in a major round of Squeezing extra low-cost housing elections. from developers in South Shropshire, zero-carbon building in York, cutting Voters will have their say in elections alcohol-related crime in Islington and for the Welsh Assembly, for councils in Safe Neighbourhood projects in almost all parts of Scotland and Newcastle are just the start of a very England except London; in Scotland long list. these will be the first set of council elections under STV, with the crucial Recent voting evidence shows us that, Scottish Parliamentary election on the more than ever, residents want their same day. representatives to be rooted in the community, available, willing to listen Furthermore, after a very successful and get results on the small things. round four years ago, the last time all Once again, we are well placed – our these seats were up for election, we roots are in community campaigning find ourselves defending more seats and we shall not forget that. than ever before. Hilary Stephenson We have a strong programme on the is Director of Campaigns So if election fever has not set in where issues that matter to people, like crime for the Liberal Democrats you live, make sure Conference is the and climate change, and there are trigger for action. With almost 12,000 excellent materials to help get those council seats and all seats in the messages over. Conference is a first- Scottish Parliament and Welsh class showcase for our ideas and a vital Assembly going to the polls, if you do launchpad for our campaign. not have elections in your own area there are certainly plenty of places There are more than 80 hours of free where you can lend a hand! training available at Conference – a vital chance to check out your plans, We start from a strong position. In refresh skills and learn about new Scotland we have shown we can techniques. influence events and make a real difference on key issues like student So please enjoy Conference and go fees and free care for the elderly. away refreshed and reinvigorated for Councils we control, from shire districts what is a major challenge for the to metropolitan boroughs, lead the whole party and a massive way on crime prevention and opportunity for Lib Dems environmental innovation. everywhere. Conference is the trigger for action ... a first-class showcase for our ideas and a vital launchpad for our campaign TrustTrust in inpeople people 4 Liberal Democrat Conference Spring 2007 Agenda index Feature Friday 2nd March Page 16.30 F12 Presentation by the Liberal Democrat 17 14.00 Consultative Sessions: 6 Group on South Somerset District Council – 16.30 Climate Change, Health and 4Rs 16.50 F13 Speech by Michael Moore MP 17 (Articulation and Communication 17.10 F14 Urgent Issue 17 in Primary Education) Friday 17.40 F15 Reports of the Parliamentary Parties 17 15.00 Consultative Sessions: 6 of the Liberal Democrats – 17.30 Better Governance and Local Government Structures and Finance Sunday 4th March Saturday 3rd March 09.00 F16 Emergency Motions 18 09.00 F1 Formal Opening of Federal Conference 7 09.30 F17 Speech by Simon Hughes MP, 18 Speech of Welcome by Phil Willis MP President of the Liberal Democrats 09.05 F2 Federal Conference Committee Report 7 09.40 F18 Report of the Federal Executive 18 F3 Standing Order Amendment 7 F19 Report of the Federal Finance and Administration Committee F4 Federal Policy Committee Report 7 F20 Report of the Campaign for Gender 18 09.30 F5 Save Our Waterways 7 Balance 10.00 F6 Presentation by Welsh Liberal Democrats 9 10.05 F21 Green and Prosperous Communities 18