At the recent Lib Dem spring conference in Harrogate the Cambridgeshire County Council Lib Dem group was named ‘highly commended’ in the Local Governement Association (LGA) Lib Dem group of the year awards.

The winner of the award was the group on Newcastle City Council which is the ruling group with a fine record. There were just two highly commended awards, one for Waltham Forest, another ruling group, and one for Cambridgeshire. Senior party hacks said that it was very unusual for an opposition group to get such an award but it recognised the work which the Cambridgeshire group is doing, both within and outside the council.

In announcing the award LGA Lib Dem Group Leader, Richard Kemp, highlighted the role of the Cambridgeshire group in scrutiny, for which it received a national award. The award also noted the work which the group had done through its presentation of an alternative budget, its successes in recent by-elections and its leadership across the county.

Cambridgeshire Lib Dem Group Leader, David Jenkins, accepted the award from Julia Goldsworthy MP and said: ‘The Cambridgeshire Lib Dem group is a privilege to lead. It is strong and diverse. It is never afraid to challenge, both the Tory administration within the Council and its own leadership which includes me’.