In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

On 5th May you have a choice. You can keep the discredited First Past the Post system to elect our MPs, or you can choose a new and fairer system - Alternative Vote (AV). Back the campaign for change at www.YesToFairerVotes.org

AV is a small change that makes a big difference.

Saying YES! to Fairer Votes Means:

We have had a fantastic response to our "save the cheque" campaign.

In 2009 the big banks decided to abolish cheques by 2018. This decision was taken by the Payment Council for the benefit of the banks.

Four million cheques are issued every day. Local Liberal Democrats believe that banks should listen to the public, who are their customers, and keep cheques. Many pensioners and vulnerable people reply on cheques, as do lots of Ashfield businesses.

Angry residents all over Sutton have contacted me over the last few weeks complaining about the amount of dog poo on the streets.

People are saying how disgusted they are that the Labour run Council are neglecting our streets and allowing dog owners to let their dogs poo all over our streets and not clean up after them.

Several residents have contacted me about the amount of fly tipping on Penn Street.

This has been an ongoing problem for people surround Surrounding Lawn; what is annoying people more is that their Independent and Labour Councillors have ignored their requests for help.

I have acted on behalf of the residents of Sutton and I have contacted the Neighbourhood Services Team and they are going to investigate the situation.

Residents of Leamington Drive have told me that despite asking their local Councillors to get the sunken grate repaired they have had no action.

As a local campigner trying to get a better deal for residents in our area I have reported the sunken grate to the Highways Authority. Action to repair the sunken grate will start soon.

A few weeks ago we told you the council were starting legal action on the owners of the land on the corner of Bowne Street / Penn Street after a number of broken promises to clean the area up (http://craigday.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/11/26/bowne-street-penn-street-update/).

The Council have requested a list of details from us outlining each time we have contacted the land owners. This will help the legal team to put together a case. We are supplying all the information we have but if you have any evidence you would also like us to submit then please get in touch.

After speaking to residents on Collins Avenue it is clear that everyone is fed up with the number of potholes.

Nobody can understand why they pay one of the highest council taxes in the country bit are neglected by the Labour led District Council.

I have reported the potholes in to the Highways Department and they have told me they will repair the potholes.

After reporting the pothole on Scarcliffe Court before the start of the bad weather I have noticed that the Labour led District Council have failed to fill in the hole.

I have reminded the Council of the pothole and I have been assured by the Highways Department that they will be taking action soon.

I will keep you posted on the progress.