Housing benefit changes to hit Leyland residents

If you listened to the media you might think that the Tories changes to Housing Benefit were only going to affect London. Not so. Recent figures suggest that hundreds of thousands of people could be around £9 a week worse of and that over 800 people in South Ribble would be among them.

Tories running scared?

People are asking why the Tories delayed announcing the resignation of Irvine Edwards until it was too late to organise an election for a replacement. Is it because they don’t have another Tory willing to stand? Is it because they think the voters of Earnshaw Bridge won’t give them another chance? Or is it that, in their heart of hearts, they are far more interested in what happens in Penwortham, Longton and Hutton than they are about Leyland?

Tories lose their FIFTH Leyland Councillor

Irvine Edwards’ resignation means that the Tories have now lost five of the councillors who were elected to represent the people of Leyland in 2007. Four have resigned altogether from the Council and one has moved to another party. When you add to that the fact that one of their remaining councillors has missed 12 out of the 19 meetings they should have been to this year, it doesn’t seem as though Leyland is high on the Tory agenda….

Labour speaking out for you

Whilst you may not have the representatives you deserve at the Civic Centre, Labour activists are ‘out & about’ in Earnshaw Bridge. Community activists Bill Evans and Sue Prynne have been delivering leaflets and knocking on doors in recent weeks. Bill, who lives on Leadale Road, said “There is no doubt that the Tory’s have let our area down. I don’t think the residents of my road have seen any of them since the last election!” If you want to contact Bill or Sue, call 07785546396 or email sue.prynne@yahoo.co.uk

Earnshaw Bridge abandoned by Tories!

Former Tory Councillor Irvine Edwards (you may never have met him…) has announced his resignation from the Council. Mr Edwards, who actually lives in Much Hoole resigned due to ‘ill health’. Unfortunately for his residents, Mr Edwards waited to hand his resignation in until the deadline which would allow an election for his replacement had passed. (Local election laws stop you from having a by election so close to the full council elections next May). It can surely be no coincidence that Mr Edwards handed his resignation in ON THE VERY DAY that marked that deadline!!! This means that the people of Earnshaw Bridge will be under represented at the Civic Centre for the next seven months. What a poor ending to your period as a councillor.

A Level Playing Field?

The ConDem government has announced a ‘crack down’ on Benefit Fraud. And quite right too. It is thought that Benefit fraud and accidental overpayment amount to around £5 billion pounds a year. We presume that there will be a similar ‘crack down’ on their friends in big business which, according to EU figures, deliberately underpaid VAT by a staggering £18 BILLION last year alone.

Tory MP in ‘job’ controversy

It seems our new MP has already come to the attention of campaigners who work to make sure everyone is paid the minimum wage. Every councillor at South Ribble received an email stating that an advert that Mrs Fullbrook had issued calling for an unpaid volunteer to work in her London office contravened Minimum wage legislation. With all that has been said in the last few months about MP’s conduct wouldn’t you think they would be very careful not to attract adverse publicity??

More success for Labour campaigners

Councillor Caleb Tomlinson, who represents Leyland Central ward, helped local residents off Chapel Brow who ere concerned about the possible development of yet another takeaway in the area. Caleb was able to provide them with advice and help as they tried to oppose the development. He also brought in the local press to add support to their campaign. The residents were delighted when the plan was dropped.

Residents organise Fun Day & BBQ

Matthew Tomlinson & Mick Titherington, Councillors for the Golden Hill ward attended a family fun day at Northbrook Primary school on Haig Avenue. The event was organised by the Broadfield Residents Association. There was a Brass Band, a BBQ, a chance to learn some circus skills, several other stalls and a guided tour of the Giant Veggie Patch. Mick said “Although I was awful at the circus skills I had a terrific time! Despite the weather plenty of people turned out and the Veggie Patch has really come on in leaps and bounds! Well done to everyone concerned!”

Chief Executive leaves South Ribble

South Ribble Council’s Chief Executive, Jean Hunter has announced her resignation. She will be leaving to join South Cambridgeshire Council in the near future. Labour leader Cllr. Matthew Tomlinson said “Jean will be a huge loss to South Ribble. She has been Chief Executive for a considerable time and the Council has changed so much under her leadership. We in the Labour Group wish her every success in the future.” Meanwhile the Tory leadership of the Council have set up a Committee to decide what do now.

Rented houses under threat

The Prime Minister’s latest ‘off the cuff’ announcement that people who live in rented houses shouldn’t expect to be able to live there forever has got their LibDem partners in a tizz. Mr Cameron’s bright idea could lead to an elderly couple who have paid their rent for 20 years or more and brought up a family in ‘their home’ being forcibly evicted when it was decided the house was now to big for them. The LibDem Deputy Leader was quick to point out that “This is not LibDem policy” Maybe Nick should be having a word with his new best friend.

We’re all in this together

This seems to be the rallying cry of the Tory millionaires who dominate Cabinet at the moment. We can’t help but think that ideas such as scrapping the Child Trust Fund, raising the retirement age, abolishing free swimming for pensioners, scrapping free milk for children at nursery, reducing access to Sure Start and raising the age at which you can claim a free bus pass will have more impact on the less well off than it will on any millionaire! Perhaps what they should be saying is “We’re all in this together….it’s just that you will be in it deeper than we will!!!

Something must be done!!!

Our new Tory mp has wasted no time in calling for ‘something’ to be done to reduce the number of accidents on South Ribble’s roads. “Hear, Hear.” that’s what we say. Now that her Party controls Parliament, the County Council and the District Council, surely decisive action can’t be far away. We’re not sure that announcing the beginning of the end of speed cameras is a great start though.

Why would you trust these men?

In the run up to the General Election, the Tories denied ‘scare stories’ that claimed they were planning to put VAT up. Both David Cameron and William Hague made categorical promises that a rise in VAT was not in their plans. Indeed, David Cameron explained to Jeremy Paxman why they were not going to do this. “I think you’ll find that it (VAT) is a regressive tax in that it hurts the poorest the most….” Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who spent the entire election talking about the Tory tax bombshell went even further when he said, just three weeks before the election, “The LibDems will vote against any proposed rise in VAT” It appears that hurting the poorest the most seemed more attractive once they were in power!! Shame on them.

Health Secretary to visit Leyland

The Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP, is to visit leyland on Saturday 13th March. He will be opening David Borrow MP's campaign offices in Towngate at 2pm and will be speaking to local residents about Labour's plans for the NHS.

Towngate? Where's that?

Tory Councillor Jim Hothersall admitted his lack of local knowledge at a recent Council meeting. Labour Councillor Tony Kelly expressed concern that the new parking arrangements would adversely affect residents whose houses on Towngate back out onto Sumner St car park. Jim Hothersall's reply...."I'm sorry, I am not familiar with the area!" Priceless!!! Cllr Hothersall lives in Middleforth.

Can you Dig it? No, you can't!!

Residents of Fox Lane were given a flat "No" when they asked the Tory Council to release land behind their houses for allotments. Local resident Tony Chetwin addressed the Council directly and asked that the former allotment site, which was mothballed when the Tesco store was being developed, be put back to use instead of lying derelict. Tory leisure supremo Phil Smith was having none of it. "It would be to difficult." seemed to be his main objection to the idea. Cllr Smith lives in New Longton.

'Smoke and Mirrors' masks reduction in free car parking spaces

Labour Councillor Caleb Tomlinson has revealed that the latest pilot scheme for parking in Leyland will result in a LOSS of 26 free car parking spaces. "There are currently 35 free spaces on Sumner St and 26 free spaces behind the Market. The new scheme only gives 35 spaces spread across Leyland. It's typical of the Tories to try and cover up this reduction in free car parking spaces. The launch a new scheme to great fanfare, but when the smoke and mirrors are removed it reveals another attempt to con the public."

Call for a lot more allotments!

The waiting list for allotments in South Ribble has over 100 names on it. At a recent Council meeting Councillor Matthew Tomlinson proposed a motion that forces the Council to take a more proactive role in seeking out new sites that could been used as allotments. “Allotments are growing in popularity, especially as people become more interested in where their food comes from. I think the Council needs to try harder to address this ‘growing’ need!”

West Paddock development dropped

Your Labour Councillors are delighted by the fact that the County Council has pulled out of a deal to buy the green space next to the Civic Centre on West Paddock. Cllr Matthew Tomlinson said “Although the land is set aside for development, there are many local residents who view this green space as a valuable asset. We always had reservations about the deal which would have seen South Ribble simply sell the land to the County Council. We would suggest that, in the current economic climate, the Council drops all plans so sell off this land.”

Residents succeed - with Labour Councillors help!

Residents of Bretherton Terrace were dismayed when planning permission was sought to build three storey houses on a patch of green land opposite their homes. However, with the help of Cllr Caleb Tomlinson and local Labour activist Cheryl Ledward Lee, a campaign was launched to enable local people to voice their concerns. Caleb and Cheryl spoke to residents and help organise a letter writing campaign to let the Council know what they thought. The Council decide to oppose the plans and they were withdrawn.

Giant Veggie Patch up and growing!

Plans to convert a plot of disused land off Bannister Drive into a community asset have come to fruition. Thanks to the efforts of local people, the local Health Service and the Council a patch of derelict land has been cleared and planted ready for the growing season. Cllr Mick Titherington said “This is a great example of local residents working with the authorities to develop a really exciting project. I will be doing all I can to encourage the success of this scheme.”

Tory Council to write off £1m of Icelandic investments?

Your Labour Councillors have been trying to assess the damage caused to the Council by the decision to invest £5 million of taxpayers money in Icelandic banks. The latest news would appear to suggest that the Council could ‘write off’ almost £1m of that investment in the coming year. Councillor Matthew Tomlinson says “Many people will find it hard to understand that a Council who had £5m invested in foreign banks could’nt afford to give the Women’s Refuge a grant of £9,000. Now to add insult to injury, it would seem that almost £1 million of that money will be lost altogether.”

Shock as Turpin Green plan gets the Go Ahead

Councillor Caleb Tomlinson has told of his shock as a plan to build a convenience store on the old petrol station on Turpin Green was passed by Council staff. Caleb said “I handed in a petition of over 200 names objecting to the plan and was intending to stage a protest at the Planning Committee. However it would appear that no-one on the Committee thought it important enough for them to consider. The plan was passed on the say so of a member of staff without even being discussed in public. I am bitterly disappointed.” Two Leyland East Tories are on the Planning Committee, Cllr Mary Green and Cllr Michael McNulty

Two Tories found guilty of rule breaking

Two South Ribble Tories have been found guilty of failing to declare an interest in items on which their votes were crucial. Cllr Jim Marsh and Cllr Barry Yates (a former Mayor) were both found guilty of voting through a Council grant to a club which they were involved with. This was the second time that Cllr Marsh has been found guilty of an offence against the Members code of conduct.

Parking Fiasco

It seems that the Tories are in total confusion about what to do with parking in Leyland. They were elected on a promise to bring back free parking to the Town. When elected they made parking free on one car park, but not the others. Then they hiked the price up from 20p to 50p. Then, after a massive campaign supported by Labour Councillors, they introduced some more free spaces behind the market. Now they want to introduce some more changes, but wont tell anyone what they are!! Confused? You’re not the only one. Labour Leader Councillor Matthew Tomlinson says “No-one likes paying for parking, but what is even more annoying is being fined because the rules are not clear or constantly changing.”

Leyland kids forced to Chorley baths

As South Ribble Tories refuse to join the Governments free swims for under 16’s scheme, it would appear that local children are voting with their pockets and choosing to go swimming in Chorley where the scheme has been enthusiastically adopted. Whilst Chorley Council announced a huge increase in the numbers of people using their swimming baths, South Ribble were admitting that sales were down. Surprise, Surprise!

Council loses ‘Excellent’ Tag

South Ribble Council, rated ‘excellent’ when last under Labour control, has just been told that it is no longer up to the standard required to retain that rating. Just over two years of Tory control has seen the Council fall off the list of the best run Local Authorities. Interestingly, Chorley retained its place as an excellent Council.