The Liberal Democrats have gained the vacant seat of Broomfield and The Walthams on Chelmsford council on a massive 29% swing. The result strengthens the position of the Lib Dems on Chelmsford council, which now has 25 Lib Dems, 32 Conservatives and no other Councillors.
The British army's commander in Iraq has said British troops should have withdrawn from Basra Palace five months ago, but the pull-out was delayed because of 'high politics' following a request from the US. Brigadier James Bashall, commander of 1 Mechanised Brigade, said American pressure caused them to stay in the exposed outpost, since when 11 soldiers have been killed and 62 wounded in months of intense fighting. British forces were finally pulled out of the palace and back to Basra airport a week ago.
Ruling Conservatives at Essex County Council have today (11 September) voted not to use the county's current relationship with Chinese authorities to influence a relaxation of China's oppressive media regulations for domestic and foreign journalists. The Conservatives chose to strike out part of a Liberal Democrat sponsored motion, asking for the administration to use its long standing links with Jiangsu Province in China, to lobby for expanded and permanent media freedom and the release of imprisoned writers and journalists.
Following a meeting with Age Concern South Lakeland this morning, local MP Tim Farron has called on Cumbria County Council to review the introduction of charges for day care on 1 October. The council is introducing the charges after a consultation which many groups have said was botched.
Pfizer has today announced its intention to cease all remaining manufacturing operations in Sandwich, Kent. The closure of manufacturing operations at Sandwich is expected to result in the loss of approximately 420 jobs, phased over the next two years.
The BBC have reported that fire and rescue crews were sent to Dungeness B nuclear power station in Shepway, Kent. The station was evacuated after a carbon dioxide leak, but Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was a precaution and the incident was minor.
