Free Swimming for under 16’s? Not in Leyland there isn’t

The Labour Government announced a scheme last year to promote healthy activities for young people. They offered Councils across the country financial support if they would throw open the doors of their Leisure Centres to under 16’s. Local Councils in Preston and Chorley have done this willingly and now offer this concession to their residents. South Ribble Tories response ? “Thanks, but No Thanks!”

Joined up thinking?

Tory Councillor Geoff Demack seemed to take pleasure in complaining to the press about the numbers of young people congregating outside Tesco’s. He even used the tired old phrase “Something must be done!” The response of his Tory colleagues……..Suspend all new investment in Playgrounds in Leyland for the foreseeable future. Peter said “ It’s no coincidence that the Tories can find money for playgrounds in Higher Walton and Longton whilst Leyland gets neglected.”

Labours Choice for By Election

The Leyland Labour Party has chosen its candidate for the forthcoming by election in the Leyland Central ward. Caleb Tomlinson, a local man, is the brother of the current Leader of South Ribble Labour Councillors, Matthew Tomlinson.

Caleb said " I am delighted to have been chosen to fight this seat as the Labour candidate. I have seen, first hand, some of the things Matthew has been able to do for people and I would love the chance to do the same. If elected, I would campaign against the Council's planned sale of the green space at West Paddock and would seek to reinstate the Tories cut in investment in children's playgrounds."

The election has been caused by the resignation of the man dubbed 'Leyland's worst ever Councillor', Ray Woodburn. Mr Woodburn, a Conservative, had been criticised by the Labour Group for his poor attendance record.

The by-election will be held on June 4th, the same day as elections for the European Parliament and for Lancashire County Council.

Leading Tory in shock outburst

Cllr Jim Breakell, South Ribble's spokesman for 'Streetscene' issues shocked Councillors and members of the public at a meeting of the Full Council this week. In response to a question from the floor about the increase in Car Parking charges in Leyland (up from 20p to 50p)Councillor Breakell said

"What is wrong with Leyland people? I just don't understand them! Leyland is just as cheap as anywhere else to park, but all people do is moan.."

Hmmm, perhaps Jim doesn't understand Leyland people because he is one of the infamous 'Western Parishes Mafia'!

Health Minister visits Buckshaw Village

Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health paid a visit to Buckshaw Village on Weds 8th of April. Following a visit to Chorley and South Ribble hospital, he called in to officially open the new, state of the art, retirement village at Buckshaw. He also took time to talk to County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson about the new medical facilities (a GP and a Dental surgery) which are being planned for the residents of Buckshaw Village. Mr Johnson said "I have been very impressed by the whole set up at Buckshaw Village and I know how hard Matthew has been working to promote the area. I am sure the new facilities the Government are providing will be well received."

Leyland's Worst Ever Councillor?

Leyland Central Tory Councillor Ray Woodburn has attended just FOUR meetings since April 2008. Councillor Woodburn, who was bottom of the attendance league of councillors last year, has an even worse record for this year.

When he was elected to the Council in 2007 Councillor Woodburn promised several things.

• He wanted to bring back the weekly bin collection

• He said we should have free car parking in Leyland

• He promised to SPEAK UP FOR LEYLAND

Considering his shocking attendance record it is hardly surprising that

• There has been no going back to weekly bin collections

• The cheapest charge for parking in Leyland has just increased to 50p

• Councillor Woodburn has failed to speak at all at any of the meetings he has attended

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Labour leader at South Ribble, says

“It is time for Councillor Woodburn to do the decent thing and resign. He is failing the people of Leyland. Frankly, we believe our residents deserve better.”

Our Environment Matters...

Labour takes action

While our opponents dither, not even sure if there is a problem, the Labour Party acts. As with the threat of climate change, so it is now with the global economic problems. At both national and at local level, Labour is working to protect you from the worst effects of these changes.

Nearly 2 years ago, Lancashire County Council's ruling Labour group decided that it should lead local action to combat climate change. With the news that the large part of South Ribble could find itself under water, unless action was taken, they set out a programme of action which is now well underway.

What has been done so far?

• Switched to the use of sustainable energy to run vehicles and heat buildings
• Reduced the use of energy where possible
• Invested in energy conservation
• Planned the reduction in carbon production. E.g. Wind Turbine at Wellfield Business and Enterprise College
• 43% of the vehicle fleet runs on bio diesel. Home working introduced to reduce car usuage
• More efficient street lighting to reduce energy used by 20%
• Lancashire will only send to landfill 20% of the rubbish previously sent.
• Community groups can apply for grants to help them reduce their carbon footprint
• Also there are plans to respond to climate related disasters in Lancashire
• Given out lots of Hessian bags to remind people of the damage that plastic causes

Waste Management

Lancashire is on course to divert 80% of household waste from landfill.

The whole strategy has been designed to avoid the necessity of building incinerators which are extremely unpopular. Most other councils are now in the process of trying to get planning permission for incinerators.

In Lancashire County and District councils have been more farsighted and whilst the new waste digester at Farington is big, it is not damaging to the environment.

Tory’s deny teenagers chance to swim for free!

Did you know that South Ribble is one of only three areas of Lancashire were young people under 16 still have to pay for the privilege of using Council owned swimming pools? A scheme promoted by the Labour Government offered subsidies to all Councils who were willing to provide this fantastic opportunity. The response from Tory run South Ribble Council…..No Thanks!

LEYLAND LABOUR CHOOSE CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY ELECTIONS

The Leyland Labour Party has announced its candidates for the two Leyland Divisions in forthcoming county elections to be held on the 4th June this year. They are sitting County Councillors Anne Brown and Matthew Tomlinson. Anne Brown will be defending the Leyland South West seat and Matthew Tomlinson Leyland Central. Leyland Labour Spokesperson, Mick Titherington, said

"We are fortunate in Leyland in having two outstanding County Councillors in Anne and Matthew whose abilities have been recognised with their appointments to Key roles in the County Council structure and we are delighted that they will again be standing for Labour this year. We are confident that if the people of Leyland examine their records of service they will see highly capable, talented and committed individuals ideally suited to the task of truly representing their interests.”

Both Cllrs. Mrs.Brown and Tomlinson are currently members of Lancashire County Council’s cabinet, Cllr. Mrs Brown has special responsibility for Adult and Community Services and Cllr. Tomlinson portfolio is Sustainable Development.

County Councillor Mrs. Brown said of her selection

“I have found it an honour to represent the people of Leyland and Lancashire and am grateful to Leyland Labour for once again putting their faith in me by selecting me to fight the Leyland South West Seat. I hope the voters will look at our record in office and see that Labour has been good for Lancashire”

County Councillor Tomlinson commented

“ It has been a privilege for me to serve as a County and District Councillor and I am committed to doing what I can to improve the lives of those I represent and I thank the party for giving me the opportunity of continuing to do that in my role as a County Councillor”

Cllr. Tomlinson is also the Leader of the Labour Group on South Ribble Borough Council County Council Elections will be held on the same day as the European Elections on 4th June 2009.

For Further Information Contact Mick Titherington on 01772 452503 or 07900915722

Tory Cuts Hit Hard

South Ribble Councils Budget for next year is a bitter blow for those most in need. The Tory run council has resorted to desperate measures as it attempts to balance the books

What Tory cuts mean

• No help for homeless

• No help for victim support

• No help for womens refuge

• No grants towards Summer Playschemes

• No jobs for apprentices

• No more investment in playgrounds

And to rub salt in the wound

• £1 to park at the railway station

• Minimum charge on Leyland Car Parks to go from 20p to 50p

• Cuts in money for parks

Labour leader, Matthew Tomlinson said “It is only a few months ago that a Tory Councillor proposed increasing Councillor allowances by a huge 126%! This will come as a real bombshell for many people in the Borough.”

Merry Christmas

Remembrance Sunday

Here is the story behind two of the names on the War Memorial in Church Road, Leyland.

Harry B Jackson, pictured left, was working with the Leyland Paint and Varnish company in South Africa at the outbreak of the war. He served with the 4th Regiment South African Infantry (South African Scottish). Having gone through the war he unfortunately died of Spanish Flu just 4 weeks before the Armistice.

Harry and his brother Will died within a week of each other in barracks down in Woking in October 1918. Here they are together in South Africa around the outbreak of the War.

Many thanks to Paul, grandson of Harry Bowman Jackson, for the information and photos.

Paul's dad grew up in a house on Bow Lane. He went to Liverpool university but left in 1939 to join the army and was a despatch rider with the Border Regiment and escaped from Dunkirk by the skin of his teeth. He then joined the RASC and ended the war in East Africa and then was part of the British Military Mission to Ethiopia until 1947 or so.

Paul was born in Africa and his family remained there until 1972 and eventually settled in Lincolnshire but Paul is proud of his Lancashire and Leyland roots.

You can read an article Paul wrote about his dad's WW2 experience over at the BBC People's War website

Other members of Paul's family also served the Leyland community. One of his grandfather's older brothers was Fred "Pop" Jackson who was headmaster of Balshaw's School in the 1920s -Paul's dad Allan Jackson was a pupil there at the same time.

Great Grandfather, Levi Jackson, also a teacher, taught at St James' School Moss Side and was also a Councillor on Leyland Urban Council at some time-around 1909 representing St James' Ward.

Paul's great grandfather on his grandmother's side was Thomas Williams and he was a chief inspector of police possibly based at Chapel Brow police station.

A big thank you to Paul for providing a slice of Leyland history and to the Jackson family for service to Leyland.

While Remembrance ceremonies and services took place across the Borough and around the county, scenes from Preston's ceremony at the Cenotaph was featured on the North West part of the BBC's Politics Show.

The BBC have a special page at www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance to commemorate 90 years of remembrance where you can read and contribute history and stories of WW1 and the Guardian began a 7 day series of free booklets telling the history of WW1 including original commentary, testimony and photographs. Read Part One and Part Two. Also coming soon on BBC's iplayer, 'A Woman in Love and War: Vera Brittain', a dramatisation of the life of Vera Brittain, a young woman who survived the First World War. She lost many loved ones and worked as a volunteer nurse both at home and at the Front.

Trains of thought

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, appeared on the North West segment of the Politics Show last Sunday. He contributed to a feature on transport links within the North West.

Campaigners have long argued for the re-instatement of the Todmorden Curve a stretch of rail track which would considerably shorten the journey time from Burnley to Manchester. This was the main focus of the Politics Show report but as County Councillor Tomlinson pointed out there are a number of schemes for consideration including a link from Poulton to Fleetwood and the other Curve ...the Burscough Curve each with ardent advocates and only a limited pot of money. The priority is to deliver the best value for money for taxpayers.Top level talks have been taking place on how the Todmorden Curve scheme could be financed.

Leyland Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks Display

South Ribble residents will once again be treated to Leyland Round Table's Bonfire and Fireworks display this November.

Now in its 38th year the event provides a lovely warming bonfire, traditional bonfire night fayre, a spectacular fireworks display and a funfair giving an evening's entertainment for all ages and at affordable prices.

See our photos of last years event here.

November 5th on Worden Park, Leyland - Visit Leyland Round Table's website for more details and find out more about the origins and work of the Round Table.

*Stay safe this bonfire night with Lancashire Fire Service*

Over the summer, Matthew Tomlinson, County Councillor for Leyland Central and South Ribble Borough councillor for Golden Hill ward, in his role as LCC's Cabinet member for Sustainable Development, was pleased to announce an extra £5 million for Lancashire's roads. This was over and above the scheduled spending as a result of sound financial handling.

Matthew said:

“This is great news for communities across Lancashire as the improvements the money makes will be clearly visible.

“I’ve handed the cash to the Lancashire Local committees in each district so that the decisions can be made locally.

“The committees could decide to carry out some extra road resurfacing, grass cutting, sign cleaning or lighting column repainting.

“..the £5 million is over and above what we are already spending on our day-to-day highway maintenance, improvement and safety projects. It will allow the Lancashire Locals to target some of the lower priority issues.

“The money has become available as a result of a review our finances at the end of the 2007/08 financial year. The county council is working hard to make savings, and is now able to invest these savings in our communities.”