Chelmsford's young people are being offered a range of opportunities to keep fit. The City Council offers many different facilities, with admissions policies that are more generous than private sector gyms and has revised its pricing to help young people.

Most private gyms are only available for those aged 16 years or older. The council's gym at Riverside is, however, more generous and is available to ALL 14 and 15-year olds until 5:30pm on weekdays. After that time, 14 and 15 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult, because that is the busiest time at the gym. The Council serves ALL residents of the district, not just leisure scheme members, and has to accommodate diverse interests, different needs and competing demands for space.

Stephen Robinson (Liberal Democrat, Leader of Chelmsford City Council) was asked to write for the Essex Chronicle about why libraries are vital.

Libraries that evolve to meet changing needs are a vital part of a strong community. Libraries continue to be vital sources of information, and their staff retain a crucial role in helping everyone navigate the bewildering array of information sources. Unlike Google, libraries don't set out to make a profit out of you, and they are there to serve everyone.

A climate and ecology emergency has been declared in Chelmsford. This was voted through at a meeting of Chelmsford City Council last night (Tuesday 16 July). The move comes as a growing number of UK councils have formally recognised the urgent need to reduce global temperature increases if we are to avert major disaster.

Essex County Council has been urged to retain the inter-lending service between all libraries of all types. At a recent meeting , Cllr Stephen Robinson pressed the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer to agree this, but she did not.

Stephen says that 'the inter-lending service it vital to support thriving library services and that if ECC cannot continue the service, then there will be an inevitable decline in book borrowing as there will be no books left to borrow.'

The Lib Dems took control of Chelmsford Council on 22nd May. Stephen Robinson was elected Leader of the Council and Marie Goldman Deputy Leader. The Lib Dem Group made proposals to reform the Cabinet structure to reflect Lib Dem priorities, as set out in the election manifesto.

The new Cabinet posts are:

The Liberal Democrats are standing candidates in every one of the 24 wards across the district of Chelmsford in the local election on 2nd May. In every ward the real contest is between Conservative and Lib Dem. In fact, in some wards there are only Lib Dem and Conservative candidates.

The Lib Dem candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds including teachers, engineers, scientists, finance experts, surveyors, local business-people, charity workers and musicians. There are more female than male candidates and they cover all ages and all backgrounds.

Says Stephen Robinson, "I am delighted to be standing in St. Andrew's ward for the Chelmsford City Council elections. It's where I live and where I have been Essex County Councillor for almost seven years.

"I am standing with fellow Lib Dems Cllr. Lee Ashley and Ann Davidson and we have made this short video to say why we would like to be the St. Andrew's ward councillors." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEJWWQUdWlc&feature=youtu.be

Chelmsford has nearly 300 homeless families and at least 20 rough sleepers. Yet the Minister responsible doesn't know why.

Heather Wheeler MP says she does not believe welfare reform and council cuts are factors.

Read more here https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/18/homelessness-minister-heather-wheeler-rough-sleeping-housing-first

Vote Leave has dropped its appeal against its rule breaking, as judged by the Electoral Commission.

Read more: https://www.facebook.com/BritainForAll/photos/a.803829216342819/2398169076908817/?type=3&theater

A motion to protect all 74 Essex libraries was voted down at today's Extraordinary Full County Council Meeting, the first in 25 years. That means Conservative proposals to close 25 libraries and possibly 19 more remain on the table.

The debate was preceded by well-researched and thought-provoking questions, which were asked by residents from a packed public gallery.