Stevenage Liberal Democrats

28/09/2026

Leaving items of rubbish—like this old rug—next to a litter bin is fly-tipping.

​Unfortunately, a small minority of people seem to think this is acceptable, but it spoils our public spaces for everyone. I have reported this instance to the council teams so it can be cleared as quickly as possible.

​Keeping our local area clean, tidy, and well looked after is a top priority for me. I am keen to see the council take stronger enforcement action to stamp out this behavior.

​If you spot issues like this, or have any information about who might be responsible, please report it to the council or get in touch with me via email:

​📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 Report Fly-Tipping: https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/environment-and-clean-streets/street-cleaning/fly-tipping

15/09/2026

👀 What do we spot when we walk around Chells?

Today, Cllr Julie Ashley-Wren and Cllr Jaysica Marvell joined council officers for the latest Neighbourhood Audit, getting out and about in Chells to look at some of the issues affecting the local community.

They spotted a number of things that need attention, including fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles. They regularly report issues like these when they see them, and our councillors will continue working with council teams to make sure problems are picked up and followed through.

But councillors and officers can’t be everywhere, and that’s where residents come in. 🧡

If you spot fly-tipping, an abandoned vehicle or another issue in your neighbourhood, you can report it directly to Stevenage Borough Council here:

https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/report-online

You can also let your local councillors know. Resident reports really do help build a clearer picture of what’s happening across Chells. And if the council don't get things done, we're there to hold them accountable and make sure they get done!

These audits are also about looking beyond the problems and identifying opportunities to improve green spaces, neighbourhoods and the wider community.

🎥 Julie and Jaysica explain a little more in the video.

12/09/2026

08/09/2026

Got a local issue that needs sorting, or an idea that could make Chells even better? Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are here to listen. 🔶

Cllr Jaysica Marvell and Cllr Peter Wilkins will be holding their next councillor surgery this Thursday, from 7 pm to 8 pm at St Hugh & St John’s Church, Mobbsbury Way, Chells.

Whether it’s parking, bins, housing, a council service, something happening on your street, or an idea for the local area, this is your chance to speak to your councillors face-to-face.

No appointment is needed; just pop in for a chat.

We hope to see you there!

07/09/2026

Today, the Government has announced a review of its Local Government Reorganisation programme, asking councils to halt work on changes announced in July while the process is reconsidered. Elections scheduled for May 2027 will now go ahead on existing council boundaries while the review takes place.

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

“Labour continue to play the hokey cokey on local government reorganisation in Stevenage. First it was cancelling this year’s elections, now it’s potentially cancelling the whole thing. It’s a total omnishambles of a process – wasting millions of pounds that Stevenage Council and local authorities across Hertfordshire can ill afford. Labour need to apologise - just another Labour administration continuing to disrespect local voters and wasting your hard earned council tax.”

Follow us for more information as it becomes available over the next few months.

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! 💛