There are just 13 days to go until the Norwich North By-Election, caused by the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson.  This election is very important as it could be the last parliamentary by-election in England before the general election, but also April Pond is a great local candidate who deserves an excellent result.

Norwich is a great city to visit, so why not spend some time helping out on the ground.  You can find the details of how to get to our campaign HQ on the Norwich Liberal Democrats website.

If you can't help out in person, then why not do some phone canvassing from the comfort of your own home.  Contact the team at phone@norwichlibdems.org.uk and someone will be in touch.

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker is campaigning to "clamp the clampers".

Motorists are being held to ransom by unscrupulous private car clamping firms. If you feel you've been overcharged or conned, there is no independent means of redress.

Clamping on private land is already illegal in Scotland. Let's ban it in England too. Please sign the petition here

The Government have begun a consultation into clamping but have ignored the option to ban clamping on private land entirely. To have your say, visit the consultation website

Join the new Facebook group here. If you're interested in campaigning locally on this we have more information at ALDC - contact Anders, Mark or John. 

The LGA Liberal Democrat Group "Lib Dem Council Group of the Year" awards were announced at Harrogate on 6 March 2009.

The winners were:

Backbencher of the Year
Councillor John Marshall – councillor on North Yorkshire County Council for over 30 years service.

London Councils Award for Innovation in Candidate Recruitment
Liberal Democrat Group in Lewisham.
Highly commended – Lib Dem Group on Lambeth Council.

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour
Liberal Democrat Group on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Helping Children and Young People
Sheffield City Council Liberal Democrat Group

Improving Social Care Services
London Borough of Sutton

Supporting Culture, Leisure and Regeneration
Liberal Democrat Group on the London Borough of Islington.

Green Council Group of the Year
Liberal Democrat Group on Liverpool City Council
HIghly commended: Liberal Democrat Group on Cardiff City Council 

Council Group of the Year
Liberal Democrat Group on Newcastle City Council
Highly commended:  Liberal Democrat Group on Waltham Forest. and Liberal Democrat Group on Cambridgeshire County Council 

The new "Local Government Directory" for the Harrogate Spring Party Conference is now available. Click here to download a printable version - if you're going to Harrogate there will be a paper version in your delegate's bag!

Last week we outlined the programme of ALDC training for Campaigners in Harrogate. Below, as promised, are details of our training programme for Councillors. Next week more information on the Local Government fringe programme.

The sessions all take place on the Saturday 7 March 2009, they're all free to attend, but open only to Party members.

Pavement Politics to Strategic Politics 9.15-10.45
Cllrs Gerald Vernon-Jackson and Derek Osbourne look at taking forward ideas strategically.

Making the most of your MyCouncillor Website 11.00-12.30
Cllr Tim Pickstone shows us some of the tricks for better websites!

Scrutinising Finance - Making it work 14.30-15.45
Ed Hammond (IDeA) and Stephanie Ouzman (Lib Dem Support Officer) look at getting the numbers right!

Finding and Recruiting Good Council Candidates 16.00-17.30
Cllrs Laura Willoughby and Steve Hitchins look at getting good and diverse candidates.

Liberal Democrats councillors and local campaigners come together in (Lib Dem run) Sheffield on 19 and 20 June 2009 for the third Liberal Democrat Local Government Conference.

For further information, and for details of exhibition space, please contact Emma Hall on 01422 843 785 emma.hall@aldc.org

This is a great opportunity for Liberal Democrats across the Country to exchange best practice and prepare for the electoral challenges that face us in the coming years. 

Register online now to take advantage of the special "Early Bird" registration fee of £30 (ALDC's Gold Members); £35 (Silver) and £40 (non-ALDC members). ALDC members should "log in" to the website FIRST to receive your members discount - its then applied automatically). 

Why not bring along a group to the Conference? - if you pay for three places at the Conference - then your fourth place is free!

Friday 19 June (daytime) - Satellite events including Leadership Centre programme for Council Leaders.

Friday 19 June (evening) - Lib Dem Local Government Reception and Dinner with Party President Ros Scott. (Tickets for this are £30 on top of the normal registration fee).

Saturday 20 June (daytime) - Local Government Conference - speakers, training, debate, exhibition and policy. We can now confirm that the Party Leader, Nick Clegg MP will be addressing the Conference on Saturday 20 June.