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."
Local Lib Dem campaigner Cllr Ann Holtom has welcomed news that the UK Payments Council has reversed its decision to scrap cheques.
The campaign to save the cheque was driven by Lib Dem MPs, with strong leadership from Solihull MP Lorely Burt, and was backed by thousands of people across the UK.
Cllr Holtom said "I want to say a huge thank you to all the local people who signed the Lib Dem petition to save the cheque.
Solihull MP Lorely Burt has welcomed the news that her long running campaign to Save the Cheque has been successful.
The UK Payments Council announced on Tuesday that they are to reverse their decision to scrap cheques by 2018 and continue their use for as long as customers need them.
Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that Birmingham's commitment to becoming a greener city is on track after the publication of carbon reduction figures for 2010/11.
"Our focus on improving sustainability will continue as the benefits are huge - a cleaner and greener environment along with increased opportunities for business in emerging technologies to develop here in Birmingham."
Lib Dem Euro MP Liz Lynne has backed a cross-party call for better treatment and other help so sufferers of epilepsy can lead more normal lives.
Epilepsy, marked by recurrent seizures or fits, is the most common serious brain disorder and affects 1 in every 130 people, or 6 million across the EU.
Though between fits people with the condition are usually completely normal, stigma and discrimination against them is widespread and unemployment much higher than average.
A new weather station has been opened in Birmingham city centre to help scientists to discover more about climate change and extreme weather conditions in an urban environment. The city council's Environmental Partnership has teamed up with University of Birmingham, the West Midlands Climate Change Adaptation Partnership and the Met Office to develop the city centre station.
Details have been announced of the 7.5km city-centre route for Sky Ride Birmingham on Sunday 3 July 2011. This is a free event offering people of all ages and abilities the chance to cycle around Birmingham on traffic-free streets.
Sky Ride Birmingham will take in some of the city's most iconic landmarks and sights including Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Cannon Hill Park and the Rag and Wholesale Markets. The route will be traffic-free from 10am to 4pm allowing participants to take part in the ride at their own pace and enjoy some of the sights en route.
LocalLibDem Euro-MP Liz Lynne has warned that there must be 'no backsliding' on an EU law to banall animal testing for cosmetics by 2013.
EU legislation to ban animal testing was approved in 2003 with clear deadlines for the phasing out of the practice. Most substances used in cosmetic products like sun cream, deodorants and toothpaste now gain approval without the use of animals, but some cosmetics manufacturers claim that some requirements cannot be met by the final 2013 deadline.
By Nick Clegg - Deputy Prime Minister & Leader of the Liberal Democrats
"We all know how important the NHS is to the British people.
It isn't just a system; it's isn't just a service. The NHS says something about who we are:
A nation that cares for its citizens when they need it, whatever their means.
"It's a people's health service. Paid for by the people, owned by the people, and dedicated to the people.
"So the NHS debate has never just been about policy. It's about our values, our identity.
That's why there's been so much passion, so much feeling, throughout this listening exercise...
And that should give us all reason to be proud. Because it shows we care.
"Where we do all agree is that the NHS needs to change. For all the reasons David talked about, the question has never been whether to reform. But how to reform.
"We didn't get that right straight away. So, you told us what to do differently. We listened. And now we have a plan I hope we can all get behind.
"You told us you were worried about privatisation through the back door.
So we have made that impossible.
"Yes, diversity can drive up quality and increase choice. And the NHS has always had a mix of different providers. But competition will not be encouraged for its own sake, and only where it clearly benefits patients.
"We're introducing additional safeguards on price competition and cherry-picking. As well as making it illegal, now and in the future, to favour the private sector - or indeed any type of provider over any other. What matters is what works for patients - getting the right provider, doing the best job. "
"You told us the different bits of the NHS need to be better joined up. So we're putting integration at the heart of our reforms.
"Patients don't like to be sent here, there and everywhere for the same condition. Feeling like no one has a handle on the overall picture. That's why integration will now be at the top of Monitor's agenda. And there'll be a strengthened duty on GPs and other professionals to work closely with other local services, like, crucially, social care.
"You also told us services should be more accountable to local people. More responsive to local needs. So they will be.
"GPs are an important part of the answer, but not all of it. That's why we wanted elected councillors to sit on Health and Wellbeing boards. And why we will now be giving those boards much more influence over care provided in their areas.
"I also strongly welcome the NHS Future Forum's recommendation yesterday. That local commissioning boundaries should not normally cross those of local authorities. Helping us to join up local health and social care services as well.
"Finally, you told us not to rush. The NHS isn't a machine. You can't flick a switch and turn it on and off. It's a living, breathing part of our lives. The NHS is all of us, millions of us - patients, doctors, nurses. It exists in every single community. At some point it touches every single one of us.
"Reforming an institution like that takes time. We have to be careful, considered. It's too important to get this wrong.
"So change will happen at the right pace. And that's why the arbitrary deadlines have gone.
"No switch-on-switch-off date for clinician-led commissioning.
Clinical commissioning groups will only take on responsibility for budgets by April 2013 if they are ready and willing to do so.
If not, the NHS Commissioning Board will do so on their behalf, until they can do it themselves.
No overnight, universal extension of Any Qualified Provider."
Any Qualified Provider gives patients their pick of licensed providers within the NHS. And, where it exists already, it's working well. Providing much greater choice, for example, for hundreds of thousands of patients needing operations every year.
"But we shouldn't pretend it works everywhere. And we should extend it in a more phased, more sensible way.
"And, while we're on deadlines, no rushing the legislation through parliament. We paused the Bill to get this right. Now that we've changed it, the Bill will go back to Committee in the House of Commons. So that MPs - who represent millions of patients - can scrutinise it properly.
"We've listened, we've learned, and we're improving our plans for the NHS.
"Yes to patient choice. No to privatisation.
"Yes to giving nurses, hospital doctors and family doctors more say in your care. But no to heavy-handed, top-down restructuring of the NHS.
"The right reforms - much needed reforms - at the right pace. Evolution, not revolution.
"I want to thank the NHS Future Forum for the excellent report they produced for the three of us.
Professor Field's opening letter is the best description I have read in a long time of everything we cherish about our NHS. As well as the task we face in meeting the challenges ahead.
"And I want to thank every patient, every clinician, every NHS manager, every nurse who told us where we didn't quite get it right the first time. And where our proposals could be improved.
"I know that many of those people are now eager for us to get on with this. Pausing the legislation was an unusual step. But this is a Government won't take risks with something as important as our NHS.
"And it's a different kind of Government too - a coalition.
Where different voices are heard.
Where we're not afraid to disagree, to have the debate, to bring together the best of our ideas.
That's coalition; that's good government.
It's how you take the right decisions.
And it's how we're protecting our NHS."
Euro MPs including local Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne are demanding tough action to stop small businesses being bullied and deceived by scammers running bogus directory listings.
The European Parliament's Petitions Committee has received more than 400 complaints about "business directory companies" harassing small firms, charities and even schools.
