A petition to save the Audley Court veterans' mental health centre has gathered more than 1,000 signatures in just one week.

The online petition, launched by Liberal Democrat Councillor Thomas Janke, calls on Telford and Wrekin Council, and local MPs, to do all they can to ensure the Newport centre is able to continue providing services to veterans, once its use as a coronavirus vaccination centre is completed.

Newport councillor and Iraq veteran Thomas Janke has renewed his call to save the Audley Court veterans' mental health centre.

Following the closure, in 2017, of respite services at the Newport centre, run by charity Combat Stress, the building is currently partially in use as a coronavirus vaccination centre, as well as providing some remote online counselling by the charity.

Telford & Wrekin Liberal Democrats are pleased to introduce local community organiser Kim Tonks as our newest parish councillor.

Wrockwardine Parish Council co-opted Kim on Wednesday 10th February. Local educator Kim has played an important role in the coronavirus community response in her local community.

Telford and Wrekin Council has been urged by local Lib Dems to adopt car free zones outside schools. The motion, tabled at Thursday's full council meeting by Newport Councillor Thomas Janke, proposed adopting a "School Streets" scheme in common with many other local authorities, including Shropshire Council.

Former Lib Dem leader, Sir Vince Cable dropped into Telford and Wrekin, virtually, on Thursday night. The coalition government business secretary addressed local Liberal Democrats at their virtual AGM.

"We were delighted to secure such a high profile speaker as Sir Vince," said local party spokesman, Woodside Councillor Greg Spruce.

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Liberal Democrats have warned that the Government's planning proposals will "disempower" local authorities like Telford and Wrekin Council and allow developers to "run roughshod" over local communities' wishes.

A motion accepted at the Party's Autumn Conference, making it official party policy, lays bare the risks of the Government's proposals, which the Party argue amount to a Government "power grab" that will reduce investment in affordable housing urgently needed in Telford & Wrekin and elsewhere.

Telford & Wrekin Liberal Democrats have today welcomed the election of Ed Davey as the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and backed his plans for a National Listening Project.

In his acceptance speech, Ed Davey announced his plans to "get beyond Westminster" and speak to people across the country so they can tell us "what matters most to them."

Woodside Councillor Greg Spruce has cautiously welcomed the news that council bosses are mobilising a new Community Action Team to Woodside in August and promising an increase in presence from Enforcement Officers to tackle fly tipping.

"I have been campaigning alongside Woodside residents for months for action on fly-tipping," said Cllr Spruce. "It is brilliant that the council top brass have started to take notice. This is a step in the right direction, but we really need action beyond August and a long term strategy."

Newport councillor and Iraq veteran Thomas Janke has raised more than £15,000 to help a Commonwealth veteran cover the costs of his medical bills for emergency surgery to remove a brain tumour.

Taitusi Ratacaucau, originally from Fiji, served for ten years in the British Army, including tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, and now lives with his family in London. Having been classed as an overseas patient, he was told he must pay more than £27,000 for his NHS care.