Liberal Democrats on Kent County Council

Youngsters enjoying a weeks activities, sponsored by Kent Fund for Children.

"It was absolutely brilliant to see the children develop in confidence and maturity by taking part in these activities."

Over the last few years, through the Lib Dems annual Christmas dress-down day, Kent County Council staff and Councillors have raised over £7,000 for the Fund which is dedicated to 'making young people's dreams come true' - supporting children and young people in Kent who have not had the same opportunities that most children enjoy, because of personal or social circumstances.

Liberal Democrats at County Hall have renewed their calls for an inquiry into the failure of services to children in care in Kent. Trudy Dean (Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition) revealed for the first time that data about vacancy levels in Kent were known to be at high risk well before an unannounced inspection by OFSTED resulted in a critical report.

In response to a question raised by Lib Dem County Councillor Ian Chittenden, at the County Council meeting on Thursday 9th February, the Conservative Cabinet Member confirmed that the decision on the future of Youth Services will be decided by newly formed 'Locality Boards' (where they exist). Locality boards are informal bodies, with no requirement to allow the public to attend the meetings to listen to or join in the debates about changes to their local youth services.

Throughout February Citizens Advice is trying to find out how people access cash from bank, building society and post office card accounts and how they would be affected if their bank stopped them from using other cash machines.

You can take part in this survey on line at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to see if they are taking part and request a paper copy. you can find Kent CAB office addresses and contact details at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm?txt_search=kent&x=0&y=0

At the County Council meeting on Thursday 9^th of February, Martin Vye, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Kent County Council, asked the Conservative administration to prepare plans for much greater involvement of local people in planning the services KCC provides for them.

Canterbury County Councillor Martin Vye said:

Energy firm SSE is creating over 100 new apprentice jobs this year and is looking for bright sparks to fill 15 of them in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

The announcement of the new posts coincides with SSE holding a special education event at its training centre at Thatcham to show local school pupils the benefits of a career in the energy industry, and of apprenticeships.

A growth in apprenticeships under the Coalition Government has been welcomed by South East MEP Catherine Bearder.

Catherine praised new figures which show Coalition investment has led to a substantial rise in the number of apprenticeships since the last Labour Government.

Figures released last week show a 49 per cent increase in the South East since 2009, putting the number at 58,340 in 2011.

Future of Youth Services will be debated and agreed in secret says Conservative Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities

In response to a question raised by Lib Dem Councillor Ian Chittenden, at the County Council meeting (09.02.12), the Conservative Cabinet Member confirmed that the decision on the future of Youth Services will be decided by newly formed 'Locality Boards' (where they exist). These are informal bodies, with no requirement to allow the public to attend the meetings to listen to or join in the debates about changes to their local youth services.

Liberal Democrats at County Hall renewed their calls for an inquiry into the failure of services to children in care in Kent. Trudy Dean (Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition) revealed for the first time that data about vacancy levels in Kent were known to be at high risk well before an unannounced inspection by OFSTED resulted in a critical report.

Catherine urged more than 300 youngsters to make 2012 a year to remember at the Force for Good in the World conference.

The South East MEP was at Windlesham House School, in Washington, West Sussex, on Friday to inspire tomorrow's leaders.

The conference focused on the problem of human trafficking and how young people can get involved to stop slavery.