Responding to the Government only giving NHS staff a 3% pay rise, Martin Wrigley, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Newton Abbot and Councillor for Dawlish, said:

"This is a slap in the face to NHS heroes who have put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe.

"This miserable amount will do nothing.

At SHDC's Executive meeting held last Thursday it was reported that the Council's waste collection contractor, FCC, has shown an improvement in its collection service.

Cllr John Birch says "At the height of its dismal performance it was being reported that FCC was missing up to 1600 household recycling collections each day. Following widespread public outrage and pressure from SHDC councillors at two lively council meetings FCC took immediate steps to improve its performance. The missed collections at the beginning of July were reduced to 200 per day. However, this is still not good enough as there shouldn't be any missed collections.

Responding to the news that the Government has planned to cut Pupil Premium funding by some £90million, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Newton Abbot and County Councillor for Dawlish commented:

"Liberal Democrats warned the government months ago that the most disadvantaged children would lose out on support because of the Government's shameful penny pinching.

The Liberal Democrats have pulled off an stunning victory in the Buckinghamshire constituency of Chesham and Amersham, taking the what has long been one of the safest of seats from the Tories in the this week's byelection.

This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Sarah Green and the Lib Dem team, both in the constituency itself, and those joining in to help from around the country.

We have a waste collection crisis in South Hams. There are widespread problems with the new recycling collection service across the district and councillors have been inundated with complaints of non-collection. It has been reported that 4,000 properties have not had their bins collected. Councillors have been receiving many calls and emails notifying them of missed collections throughout the district.

'Put Britain first', Boris Johnson told

Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin with two of her lambs - scenes like this may be a thing of the past if the Prime Minister gives in over the Australian trade deal

As the Government seeks to conclude a trade deal with Australia in record time, Devon farmers have joined in widespread condemnation of reports that the agreement will allow unlimited and tariff-free imports of meat which will undercut British producers, calling it a 'betrayal of British farming.'

Councillor Alan Connett has been announced as the Leader of Devon County Council's Lib Dem Group, and Leader of the Opposition on Devon County Council for the next Council term.

Alan has been on Devon County Council, representing Exminster and Haldon, since 2008. Julian Brazil, councillor for Kingsbridge, has been elected as Deputy Leader of Devon County Council's Lib Dem Group.

A big thank you to everyone who voted for our candidates in last week's County Council elections, and to the numerous volunteers who helped to get our message out in these challenging times.

Not only did we re-elect Julian Brazil in Kingsbridge, but in South Brent and Yealmpton we achieved approximately a 20% swing and managed to overcome the incumbent (the only division in the South Hams to do this)