Wednesday 20th November – Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has today voted in favour of forcing large companies to have more women directors on their boards. A proposed new EU law, backed by the European Parliament, would require public companies employing more than 250 people to have at least 40% of their non-executive directors from each gender.The proposals will now be considered by EU governments.Ms Bowles, who also chairs the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, said: “Less than 20% of non-executive directors in Britain are women and this is a problem. The banking crisis showed us what happens when the people running our economy are drawn from a tiny pool of men who all know each other and protect each other’s interests. We need legislation to change the culture of big business and make sure we are using all of the talent in our workforce. You cannot build a stronger economy if only half of the population gets considered for the top jobs at FTSE 100 companies.” (Sharon Bowles Press Release)

Wednesday 20th November – MEPs meeting in Strasbourg have voted overwhelmingly in favour of never going back to the French city ever again. While Brussels is the main place of work for Euro-MPs, an international treaty requires the European Parliament to meet in Strasbourg for twelve sessions a year. A fleet of lorries packed with paperwork and office equipment makes the journey every month as part of a move said to cost EU taxpayers more than €200 million each year. MEPs voted by 483 to 141 in favour of the Parliament having a single seat, and for their demand to be included within treaty negotiations. Local Lib Dem MEPs, Catherine Bearder and Sharon Bowles both voted to scrap the trips to Strasbourg. A change to the EU treaty requires the consent of every parliament in Europe. With France expected to oppose the measure, MEPs want governments to consider the steps necessary to promote an alternative.Catherine said: “Travelling to Strasbourg every month is bonkers when most of the EU’s work gets done in Brussels. We have sent our message to the French parliament. The amount of money, time, and energy wasted on this is scandalous. This travelling circus has to stop.”Sharon added: “Strasbourg is a beautiful city, and its history is a reminder of the partnership between France and Germany after so many years of war, but the arrangements are not practical or relevant in a Europe of 28 nations. When MPs at Westminster criticise the waste of money involved I remind them that the House of Commons, along with other national parliaments, voted to ratify the treaty that put these arrangements in place.” (Catherine Bearder Press Release)

Friday 22nd November – Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder today hailed a major victory for the South East as the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the EU’s new £64 billion research and innovation programme. The new programme, Horizon 2020, will be the largest of its kind in the world and will see an increase of funding of almost a third compared to the current period. That means the region’s universities could be in line for almost £1 billion worth of science funding based on what they currently receive.The new research framework includes a separate £2.2 billion budget line, pushed for by Liberal Democrat MEPs, which will be specifically earmarked for small businesses. Universities in the UK have received almost £3 billion under the current research programme, more than those in any other EU country. Catherine recently visited Oxford University’s Jenner Institute to see European collaboration in action on the Multimalvax project. Professor Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute, described European Commission funding as “extremely important” for research and development of leading health technologies right across Europe.South East MEP, Catherine Bearder, commented: “Today marks a historic shift in EU spending towards boosting innovation, creating jobs and helping small businesses. Universities and companies across the South East are now in line for millions of pounds worth of funding, enabling them to create thousands of new jobs and develop the technologies of the future. Being part of the world’s largest research programme will also allow our universities and scientists to partake in exciting international projects such as ‘Multimalvax’ a project led by Oxford University working on a multi-stage malaria vaccine. Very importantly, smaller businesses and entrepreneurs will now find it easier to apply for EU funding to help them get new products off the ground, through simpler rules and a separate budget line. This package shows the importance of the EU for local jobs and the economy. However, it also shows that by getting stuck in we can play a leading role in reforming the EU for the better. From the outset, Liberal Democrats have fought for a smaller EU budget that prioritises jobs and innovation. That is exactly what this deal will deliver.”Professor Hill said: “Multimalvax is an example of a major European collabora tion on new malaria vaccine development that could not have been supported by any other means. Today’s announcement is excellent news for patients, researchers and those trying to control globally important diseases.” (Catherine Bearder Press Release)

Tuesday 26th November – WSCC Cabinet – County Hall, Chichester at 11.00 amWednesday 27th November – WSCC Children & Young People’s Services Select Committee – County Hall, Chichester at 10.30 amWednesday 27th November – WBC Planning Committee – Gordon Room, Town Hall at 6.00 pm