In the Lords we get to grips with the detail of the legislation and improve it; we take part in debates on a whole range of issues; and we question and hold to account government ministers.

For up-to-date information about the work of the Lib Dem group in the Lords, follow us on Twitter: @LibDemLords

The planning application for a Lidl supermarket in Springfield has been refused, protecting the land from development. The proposal came as a shock to local residents and councillors alike, because the land is designated as Open Space in Chelmsford's recently-adopted Local Plan.

Members of the Planning Committee unanimously accepted all reasons for refusal outlined by officers and noted that development would breach Local and National Planning Policy. They agreed that loss of open space on the scale proposed and the impact of development would be devastating to biodiversity and could not be compensated for elsewhere.

We have decided that Autumn Conference will take place from 17th to 20th September. It will be held online. That was a very difficult decision to take and we had a very lengthy discussion about it.

We recognise that a lot of people would like to meet again in person - believe me, so we would we - but the question is whether, at this time, we can absolutely guarantee that conference could go ahead in the format that we know and love. Having consulted a range of others, FCC considered, with some reluctance, that it was not possible at this time to give such a guarantee. Although things are now a lot better in terms of the pandemic, we do not know if there are any final bumps in the road still to come. Medical experts say they expect a third wave in the Autumn but the extent is not yet clear. Of course, things seemed better in the early Autumn of 2020 but then took a marked turn for the worst a few months later. We do not, at this stage, know what social distancing requirements there will be or how many people will be able to attend the venue. We therefore cannot make meaningful plans and set any meaningful budget for the event. The risk of going ahead in person but having to cancel or heavily restrict the event such that it is not inclusive, is just too great. In the same way, we take any risk to the personal safety of party members very seriously. That is why we cancelled Spring 2020. We would not want to expose anyone to any unnecessary risk of catching this dreadful virus in a close setting.

Imagine a train pulls into Chelmsford station one evening. It's late, people are tired after a long day.

A white man leaves the train and starts walking home. He's thinking to himself about what he might have for dinner, listening to some music.

Next to him, a black man walks home. He knows people who've been stopped and searched by the police. Is he going to get to go straight home, or will he get held up, searched and questioned?

Essex Liberal Democrats have been campaigning alongside local residents to support our local community libraries.

After a massive campaign in 2018, Conservative-run Essex County Council put their plans to close a third of Essex libraries on hold. The county council pledged not to close any more libraries for five years.

Locally in Uttlesford we face a consistent line of attack from Residents for Uttlesford and from independent councillors against 'Westminster parties'.

We are saddened that this has culminated in a post on the R4U facebook page in which Dan Starr (in an interview with The London Economic) seems to attribute the cause of the death of an MP, presumably Jo Cox, to Westminster party activists. (link to article here)

Today Liberal Democrats are launching our new campaign to protect British farmers and maintain our food standards.

The Tories failing to commit to maintaining our high animal welfare and environmental standards"

I am deeply concerned that family farming businesses are at risk as the Tories continue to botch our transition away from the EU agricultural system.

Yesterday the Fire Safety Bill passed through Parliament without vital protection for leaseholders and tenants against exorbitant bills for fire remediation works.

The government's failure to address the fire safety scandal properly is now a scandal in itself.

The devastating consequences of this Bill passing cannot be overstated.

Roads and pavement repairs need a radical overhaul. Too many people risk injury and discomfort because of the way Conservative-run Essex County Council manages our highways.

Lib Dems have long campaigned for action to repair roads and pavements. They voted to amend the budget to invest more in pavement repairs. However, the Conservatives instead voted to CUT the maintenance budget by £2.5 million for 2021-22.

Lib Dem county councillors have been spending their community grant budgets on projects that benefit their local communities.

Lib Dem County Councillor Jude Deakin nominated North Avenue Youth Club in Chelmsford to receive £1,000. This will cover the set up costs for a defibrillator outside the club. Cllr Deakin also nominated Chelmsford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, West Chelmsford Children's Centre and Tennyson Surgery Wellbeing Garden for grants.