Stevenage Liberal Democrats

21/08/2026

🔶Chells Way Development Update🔶

Your Chells Councillors have received numerous enquiries regarding the unfinished footpath and highways work related to the development on Chells Way (site of former Car Garage opposite Brunel Road).

The developer should have completed these works prior to the houses being occupied. Despite numerous requests from both the County Council Highways and SBC Planning departments, they still haven't been completed. Following a request from Cllr Tom Wren, planning enforcement action has now been taken.

Stevenage Borough Council has now served a Breach of Condition Notice on the freeholder, requiring them to fulfil the requirements of the highway planning conditions attached to the original planning permission. The developer now has three months to remedy the identified planning breaches or face possible prosecution action.

Cllr Wren said, "Unfortunately, this is a situation we have seen with a number of smaller infill housing developments across Chells. Developers are not following planning or construction management plans and causing unacceptable disruption to neighbouring residents. Your Chells Councillors will continue to push for stronger enforcement action to tackle problem developers in our area."

07/08/2026

Kinda chic to be a Liberal Democrat 🧡

If you fancy joining this winning team in Stevenage, come join us for coffee this Saturday, 8th August at Cinnabar Stevenage at 11 am. We meet every 2nd Saturday of the month! No need to sign up for anything, just come along and speak to our wonderful volunteers and councillors. Have a cup of coffee or brunch with us and enjoy the great conversations!



Promoted by Stevenage Liberal Democrats at 11 Haycroft Road Stevenage SG1 3JL
Nothing else is necessary outside of an election.

18/07/2026

‘A SHOCKING MANIPULATION’: LIB DEMS CONDEMN LABOUR STITCH-UP FOR COUNCIL REORGANISATION

The government has announced that there will be four unitary councils for Hertfordshire. Any reorganisation would have been expensive and disruptive but splitting Hertfordshire in four will be the most expensive and most disruptive option.

Steve Jarvis, Liberal Democrat leader of Herts County Council said, “When the government began this process it said it was focused on devolution - transferring money and power from Westminster and Whitehall to communities across Hertfordshire and the rest of England but now they are concentrating on a reorganisation that nobody asked for and which will take many years to deliver any benefit for Hertfordshire’s people.

“Splitting the teams that deliver care for the elderly and disabled, the teams who support children with SEND and the teams fix our roads into four will make it harder and more expensive to deliver these services.

“This will do nothing to create more special school places or fix more potholes but it will cost the council taxpayers of Hertfordshire more. Projections show that the new Central Herts Council will be bankrupt from the day it is created.

“The government has chosen the arrangements that are best for the Labour party, not those that are best for the communities in Hertfordshire. In parts of the county they are dividing districts, splitting communities with gerrymandered boundaries chosen by Labour in a desperate attempt to win the new Central Herts unitary.

“It is shocking that the government is planning to manipulate local government in Hertfordshire in this way.”

16/07/2026

Today, the Government confirmed that Hertfordshire will be reorganised into four new unitary councils, subject to Parliamentary approval.

From April 2028, the current county, borough and district councils will be replaced by four new unitary authorities, each responsible for delivering all local council services in their area. Under the new plans, Stevenage will join with most of North Hertfordshire and most of Welwyn Hatfield to create one new council. This new council will be responsible for all local services, replacing both Stevenage Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council in our area.

While this decision has now been made by the Government, our focus remains on making sure Stevenage residents continue to have a strong voice and receive the high-quality local services they deserve throughout the transition.

Cllr Andy McGuinness, Leader of the Stevenage Liberal Democrats, said:

"This Local Government Reorganisation is not wanted, nor needed, especially this gerrymandered solution, designed solely to be more favourable to the Labour Party in Hertfordshire, rather than any consideration of financial viability and cost saving. It will saddle many of the local authorities with millions of pounds of debt before they even start.

Despite this, we remain committed to trying to get the best solution for people in Stevenage under the new set-up and ensure that the new system delivers for the people we represent."

We will continue to keep residents updated as more information becomes available about what these changes mean for Stevenage.

09/07/2026

☕ Join us for our monthly Liberal Democrat Coffee Morning! 🔶

Come along to Cinnabar, Stevenage, on Saturday 11th July at 11 am for a relaxed chat over a coffee.

It's a great opportunity to meet some of our members and local Liberal Democrat councillors, hear what we're working on, ask questions, or get to know us. Whether you're a long-time supporter, thinking about getting involved, or just curious, you'll be made very welcome.

We'd love to see you there! 💛

08/07/2026

📍 Chells and Manor Ward Surgery

Do you have a local issue you'd like to discuss? Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are here to listen.

Join Cllr Julie Ashley-Wren and Cllr Peter Wilkins this Thursday from 7pm to 8pm at St Hugh & St John's Church, Mobbsbury Way, Chells.

Whether it's a neighbourhood concern, a council service or an idea to improve our community, we'd love to hear from you. No appointment is needed, just pop in for a chat.

We look forward to seeing you there. 🔶

19/06/2026

Team work makes the dream work! 🙌

It was lovely to catch up with Cllr Julie Ashley-Wren today.

Julie has represented Chells since 2021 and has been incredibly kind, welcoming and generous with her time as I’ve settled into my new role as a councillor. We spent time discussing historic casework, council processes and some of the issues affecting residents across Chells.

It was also great to spend some time working from the new Frequency café opposite the council offices. It’s a fantastic addition to the town centre and a lovely place to meet, work and catch up.

I’m also pleased to say I’ve helped Julie set up a Facebook account, giving residents another way to get in touch and stay updated on her work in the community.

We have lots of ideas and plans to work on together in the months ahead, particularly around the upcoming 80th anniversary celebrations, as well as continuing to support residents and champion improvements for Chells and Stevenage.

Thank you, Julie, for all your help and support. I look forward to working together on many exciting projects for our community.

11/06/2026

🚆 Train fares up. Fuel prices up. Bus fares still too high.

Even as rail services return to public ownership, people in Stevenage still aren’t seeing lower fares and the cost of getting around keeps rising.

The Government is set to pocket an extra £2 billion from rising transport costs. That’s not fair.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for:
• A 10p cut to fuel duty
• £1 bus fares 🚌
• 10% off rail fares
• Lower EV charging costs

If you agree it’s time to cut the cost of transport, sign our petition: https://www.libdems.org.uk/moving

09/06/2026

🔶 It’s been a little quiet from us recently as we’ve been settling into the new council term, with training, committee work and some new roles across our team. But first, thank you.

Thank you to everyone in Chells and Manor and across Stevenage who put their trust in us at the local elections. We’re proud to represent you and are getting stuck into the work that matters to local people.

If you have a local issue, concern or question, please do come along for a chat at our monthly surgery. Cllr Andy McGuinness, Leader of the Stevenage Liberal Democrat Group, and newly appointed Cllr Jaysica Marvell will be there to listen and help where we can.

📍 Chells Ward Surgery
🗓 This Thursday, 11th June
🕖 7pm to 8pm
📍 Chells Manor Community Centre

If you can’t make Thursday, some of our team will also be at Stevenage Day on Sunday, selling second-hand books and chatting with residents, so please pop by and say hello.

Thank you again for your support. We’re here to listen, work hard and stand up for our community.

09/05/2026