Since Spring Conference, most members will have been focused on the Local Elections which took place in many parts of the country - and rightly so: the hard work has paid off, with some truly fantastic gains made from both the Conservatives and Labour. Particular mention should go to our amazing Chief Steward at Conference, Mike Ross, who is now the Leader of Hull Council! Massive congratulations to Mike and the whole team.

The Liberal Democrats have selected Cllr Sarah Dyke as their candidate for the Somerton and Frome constituency.

Sarah lives in the constituency and is from a Somerset farming family which can be traced back over 250 years to the local area. Sarah worked in the agricultural industry and is Portfolio Holder for the Environment on South Somerset District Council where she is spearheading rewilding programmes, investment in electric vehicle charging points and the council's zero-carbon targets.

Liberal Democrats won right across the country in May's local elections with successes from the Scottish Highlands to Somerset, from Kingston-Upon-Thames to Kingston-Upon-Hull, from Powys to St Albans.

Liberal Democrats elected 868 Councillors, a net gain of 224!

We are winning again because we are listening to people. Because we hear their concerns and their frustration. Because we are standing up for our values, standing up for our communities, and fighting for a fair deal.

We're winning

What an amazing outcome from this May's local elections:

• Three more Liberal Democrat majority councils, taking us back to where we were before going into Coalition in 2010;
• A net gain of 224 councillors, making this the fourth set of net gains in a row, something we've not achieved since the Iraq war;
• 19% vote share (the national equivalent vote share, i.e. what it would have been if there were elections everywhere); and
• The lovely bonus of seeing our sister party in Northern Ireland, Alliance, gaining seats and votes to move up to such an impressive third place.

The Federal Board will be holding another surgery, a chance to come along and ask us your questions, on Monday 16th of May. You can register to join us here!

Interested in our plans for Tiverton and Honiton? Want to know drove success in the Local Elections? Have an idea for how we can improve? This is an opportunity to talk to us.

Forty two outstanding Chelmsford residents were honoured at the Mayor's Community Evening, held recently at Hylands House.

Hosted by the Mayor of Chelmsford, - Jude Deakin - the event celebrated residents who've made significant contributions to their community. This year's theme was wellbeing and Chelmsford's younger residents and their achievements were also recognised.

These elections are your chance to vote for Liberal Democrat local champions who will listen to you and work hard for your community.

Here we answer some frequently asked questions about how to vote Liberal Democrat:

• Who can vote in these elections?
• Where do I go to cast my vote?
• When can I vote?
• What do I need to take with me to vote?
• How do I vote Liberal Democrat?
• I have a postal vote but haven't returned it, what do I do?
• Why are people asking for my number outside the polling station?
• Can I tell you when I've voted?
• Why should I vote Liberal Democrat?
• How can I help Liberal Democrats win?
• Is campaigning allowed on polling day?
• When will we know the results?

The hole that has been dug in High Street, Chelmsford has now been largely filled by a tank. This will collect water in the event of sudden downpours (which will become more frequent as a result of the climate emergency).

It's part of the plan to refurbish the top (north end) of the High Street. It has been paid for by money extracted from local developers and a Government grant, all specifically for improving public spaces. It hasn't cost local taxpayers. Update on the excavation: https://citylife.chelmsford.gov.uk/2022/04/14/a-hole-new-concept-for-chelmsford-high-street

Anyone in Chelmsford can learn all about the joys of cycling and enjoy a free event with something for everyone. Perhaps you want to get your children cycling? Come along to the fun-packed day of cycling activities for families and children on Saturday, 30 April.

Chelmsford City Council's Community sport and wellbeing team is holding the cycling taster day in Central Park, in Chelmsford, with a great line-up of activities - and a chance to be entered into a prize draw.

Thank you

With nominations now closed for the May elections, many thanks to everyone who has put in so much work to getting candidates approved, selected and safely nominated. From a first look at the numbers, we've seen a good increase in our candidate totals in Scotland and Wales, with the numbers broadly the same in England compared with last time.