This year's Autumn South East Region Lib Dem Conference is in Canterbury, and as ever, all members are more than welcome to attend.

The Folkestone and Hythe Lib Dems hope to take a few car loads of people along: if you would like a lift, or can offer one, then join us in coming along! To let us know you are coming to arrange travel, please contact Kate on kate@shepwaylibdems.org.uk or call on 01303 278791.

We absolutely do need to spend more on defence. You weren't expecting that were you. Defence is about more than spending on weapons of war though. Defence at its core is about ensuring that internal and external threats don't lead to the destruction of our society.

There are many challenges facing us as a country, a continent and a species. Most of the challenges we face have nothing to do with who has the biggest aircraft carrier or who can wipe out all life on the planet the most effectively in under an hour.

All members welcome. Venue - The Reading Room, The Old Fire Station, 51 Sandgate High Street, Sandgate, CT20 3AH.

Shepway (Folkestone and Hythe) Lib Dems 2018 AGM Calling Notice.

Shepway (Folkestone and Hythe) Lib Dems 2018 AGM Agenda.

Shepway (Folkestone and Hythe) Lib Dems 2017 AGM Minutes.

Constitution of Shepway Liberal Democrats [last updated Nov 2013].

There is a Folkestone and Hythe District Council cabinet meeting being held on 12th December at 5pm where the Princes Parade business case will be discussed. The council have given notice that they intend to exclude the public for at least part of the meeting: the Save Princes Parade committee will be challenging that decision on your behalf.

The best example of work life balance I've seen was when I was working in Further Education. A colleague of mine worked part-time as a lecturer whilst his partner worked part-time in a primary school. I believe she was the deputy head. They shared parental responsibilities, led active lives and had their own small-holding.

The Financial Conduct Authority has published general information about how consumers may be affected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU:

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/how-brexit-could-affect-you

This update provides general information about how consumers may be affected by the UK's withdrawal from the EU as well as signposting to further detail. It outlines potential scenarios that may occur depending on whether an implementation period is agreed or not, as well as scam awareness information. It also indicates that consumers should hear directly from their financial providers if they are going to be directly affected by Brexit.

On Monday the Chancellor announced that he was providing £420m extra to councils for pothole and other urgent highways repairs. Kent can expect to receive about £10 million. Kent Liberal Democrat Group are calling for at least half of this extra money to be spent on long overdue pavement repairs.

The backlog for pavement repairs in Kent has hit £84 million, leaving more than a third of paths and pavements across the county in a poor and potentially dangerous condition.

We're all human beings, born who and where we are through nothing more than luck. Some of us are unlucky enough to be born in places ruined by war, famine, disease, dictatorship, natural disasters or the consequences of history. Some human beings need our help. Some are simply looking for a chance at a better life. Some come to Britain.