As you may have heard, Winchester City Council is putting up council tax by 3 per cent this year to help fill a hole in its Covid-hit budget. Local Conservatives are crying blue murder, saying the proposed increase is proof of Lib Dem profligacy.

As usual, they’re hoping you won’t look too closely. Winchester’s 3 per cent increase equates to £4.25 a year on the average council tax bill for a family living in a Band D property – that’s 8p a week. For the second year running, the Lib Dems in Winchester are putting up council tax by less than most other councils in the county.

Winchester’s Lib Dem-run city council is opposing new Government plans for 10,250 new houses to be built in the Winchester area by 2030 – an increase of 48% on the previous target. To make matters worse, the Government is planning to curtail people’s right to object to planning applications in their local area – in effect giving free reign to developers.

The current public health crisis is causing considerable concern among members, supporters and local residents. We want to make sure everyone knows where they can find current guidance and seek help or advice.

Glass recycling is up to record levels - while missed bins are now half what they were when the Lib Dems took control of the council.

The Lib Dems in Winchester have announced the 3rd lowest Council Tax increase in Hampshire for 2020/21 (£4.17) while continuing to improve local services. 

Local Liberal Democrats walk 17 miles across the Constituency for Wessex Cancer Trust

Electric vehicle charging points are to be introduced in car parks across the district by the end of the year, as the Liberal Democrats press on with their plans to reduce CO2 and improve air quality.

Conservative majority cut from 9,999 to less than 1,000.

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford is likely to see the tightest race in a General Election for more than twenty years. The latest YouGov poll, published this week, puts the Liberal Democrat candidate, Paula Ferguson, within 2%-3% of the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel the 2.8% rail fare increase that will be introduced in December 2019 and freeze commuter fares and season tickets for the next five years. This means that season-ticket holders from Winchester to London Waterloo would save £2,349.19 over that period.