Labour vote UP, Tory vote DOWN.

As results were announced for the recent by-election in Leyland St Mary's ward, Labour candidate Peter Holker reflected on a 'job well done'. Although the seat is a traditional Tory stronghold, Labour saw a small increase on the vote in 2007 and the Tory vote was down. Peter said "There is no doubt that the longer this Tory administration is in power, the less popular they become. I am grateful to all those people who took the trouble to go out and Vote Labour." The Lib Dems failed to even field a candidate.

Council is told to start “writing off” money invested in Iceland

The effects of having £5million invested in Icelandic banks are about to start hitting the finances of the Borough Council. Up until now, Government advice has been for Councils to assume they would get the money back at some stage. However, that advice has now changed and the Council has been told to start writing the money off in order to balance the books. Labour Councillors have been asking for months for the Tory Cabinet member to share his ideas for how this will affect Council Tax payers. As yet, we have received no answer.

New Councillor hits the ground running

New Labour Councillor Caleb Tomlinson has been showing the residents of Leyland Central how a really active Councillor can make a difference.

“ Since I was elected on June 4th, I have attended Two meetings of the Full Council and I asked questions of the Tory leadership at both meetings. I have also attended two Leyland East Area Committees, three Pact (Police and Communities Together) meetings, two Scrutiny meetings, one licensing committee and one meeting of the Leyland Working Group.” In fact, by our reckoning, Caleb has already attended more meetings in three months, than former Tory councillor Ray Woodburn (“Leyland’s Worst Ever Councillor”) attended in the last two years.

Council ‘loses’ £100k of taxpayers money

South Ribble Borough Councils planning committee seems to be making decisions that contravene planning law. The Planning Inspector has accused the Council of “acting unreasonably” as it turned down a series of planning applications for new housing in the borough. Of six applications which were originally rejected by the Planning Committee, the Planning Inspector found, after an appeal, that FIVE of them should in fact have been granted. Furthermore the Council was ordered to pay, not only for its own legal fees, but also for the costs of the applicants. The total cost of all this to the taxpayer of South Ribble? Around £100,000!!! Which seems a bit rich when we cant afford to support the Women’s Refuge to the tune of £9,000.

What now for Hulmes Mill land?

Following the withdrawal of the plans to build houses and a restaurant on the empty plot in front of Body Logic, it seems the Council have no new ideas for the use of the derelict site. However, they seem intent on selling off the green space on West Paddock. Labour Candidate Peter Holker is against the sale of the field on West Paddock. “Surely, the Council should be concentrating on developing a derelict Town Centre site rather than disposing of valuable green space?”

Shock as Tory comes up with “new solution”

The Tories new County Councillor for the Area has had his thinking cap on as he tries to solve the problem of student parking on the Mayfield Estate. “Lets make the estate ‘Access Only’ he says. He obviously hasn’t spoken to local police who have said “ Access Only restrictions are incredibly difficult to police and frankly are not high on our list of priorities.” Time to think again Councillor!!!

Money down the drain?

The Tory Cabinet recently spent £85 000 on consultants to draw up a bid for a Lottery Grant to spend on Worden Park. Unfortunately the bid was turned down, FOR THE THIRD TIME. Peter Holker says “ Just think what could have been done on the Park with £85,000. Why spend money on consultants when you could be spending it on our Park?”

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!