Michelle Lowe: Local government has an important role in helping us beat obesity

Councils can promote allotments, tennis courts, walkways and cycling paths. It’s about social prescribing and understanding community needs.

Anna Firth: After the crisis, what can councils do to reset the environmental dial?

We need to install more electric vehicle charging points, plant kelp farms, and offer Council Tax discounts for environmentally-friendly gardening.

Michelle Lowe: We need to shift away from care homes towards retirement villages

A more flexible approach would also make independent living easier and let the elderly stay close to their friends and families.

Anna Firth: Why I am standing to be Voluntary Director of the Conservative Policy Forum

An 80-seat majority is a fabulous opportunity, but we need practical, effective and popular policies to deliver on our manifesto.

New: Shortlists for the Aberconwy and Sevenoaks candidate selection races

Two very different Tory-held seats have an important choice to make.

Anna Firth: Local Government, not central Government, has the power and the tools to combat loneliness

In Sevenoaks, we are using public health funding to pay for advisors working in GP surgeries to help tackle the non-medical causes why people visit their doctor.

Anna Firth: Holding back the tide in Kent during last week’s local elections

In Sevenoaks we ran an uber-local campaign. I am pleased to report that this was a successful strategy.

Anna Firth: How we are helping to protect children in Sevenoaks from digital harm

Using our extensive links with schools, charities and parents, we have designed an array of internet safety measures.

Michelle Lowe: How local government can ease the pressure on the NHS

In Sevenoaks District Council we contact people that regularly miss appointments to find out why and how we can help.