Essex has lost nearly 100 GPs (from 930 to 820) over the last three years and many of those have gone part-time, meaning even less availability. There is an even larger shortage of Occupational Therapists (35% of all OT jobs in Essex are vacant), and all other NHS staff types have around 15% of the jobs vacant.

An Extraordinary full meeting of Essex County Council will be held on 12th March at 10am to debate the future of Essex Libraries. The Lib Dems on Essex County Council have worked with the two other opposition groups to secure this meeting.

This follows widespread opposition to the threat of closure or downgrading of the county's 74 Libraries.

At peak times, the roads in most of our towns are almost completely full. So, more parking capacity would not really help - the roads to get there are full. Also, land in the centre of towns is in short supply and very expensive. So, more car parking there is unlikely.

However, we could provide more parking on the edges of the urban areas and provide Park & Ride buses into the central areas. The site at Sandon, to the east of Chelmsford, has proved very successful and other areas might benefit from similar services.

Some of the potholes in north Chelmsford that Stephen reported as needing action are scheduled to be fixed.

In particular, in Peggotty Close and nearby Oliver Way; in Queensland Crescent; in Wicklow Avenue, and on the Patching Hall Lane roundabout.

A proposal that would generate extra users of Essex libraries is being tabled on Tuesday. At the Essex County Council budget meeting, the Liberal Democrat Group will propose that the council recruit four new officers to promote reading and literature, particularly among young people.

The Lib Dems will also propose taking unused cash reserves to extend, convert or remodel library buildings to make them more flexible spaces, able to deliver a wider range of services.

Most people will be looking to their councillors to deal with local issues that matter day to day. Unlike at Westminster, where key issues are being ignored due to them spending so much time and money discussing Brexit.

High on the list of local issues are problems with roads and pavements, consistently generating the most complaints. Essex Highways has decided to concentrate on main road repairs, so the side roads that we all use day to day have been neglected, as have pavements. The Liberal Democrats have proposed more cash for pavement repairs at the last few budget meetings but have been turned down by the Conservative majority.

Lib Dem Councillor Stephen Robinson (Chelmsford North) has asked the Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate about ECC's Library consultation.

It has been said that the Libraries review isn't about saving money, so Stephen asked whether a saving is assumed in next year's budget or not, and If the projected £2 million saving could be identified in other ways, will the closures still be pursued?

Five Chelmsford libraries have been proposed for closure by Essex County Council, with others at risk. Broomfield, Writtle, Galleywood, Danbury and Stock libraries are due to close and Springfield is at risk of closure, despite only opening a few years ago and being run by volunteers.

Libraries are not just about books. They are a vital community resource.

Essex County Council is piling up debts, as more and more residents take out loans to pay for their care fees.

Councillor Stephen Robinson said: "We have to have a complete review of the way social care is funded.

"Local government is in crisis. The Government refuses to recognise the depth of the crisis and they are not taking action at a national level.

The Essex Health and Wellbeing Strategy is an important document that brings together many agencies across the county to agree a range of topics on which joint working is required - to improve health in the county. The strategy is on the Essex County Council website at this link.

There are supporting notes and action points from the 18 July meeting where it was adopted also on the ECC website.