As I've seen other councillors around the country doing this, I thought I'd give it a try. As a councillor, I get automatic notification of consultations on planning applications lodged in my ward, so it seems a good idea to share them with my local readers. All the links take you to the full application on the Council's website, where you can read it and comment on it as you wish. I'll likely post these at the weekend to cover all the applications made during that week. Application 120689: Listed building application to repair of damaged tie-beam in loft area ...
Yesterday, the minister in charge of government policy to introduce a lobbying register gave evidence to the House of Commons' political and constitutional reform committee. You can watch the evidence session here: http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/mark-harper-evidence In the meeting, he acknowledged that most of the responses to the recent consultation demanded stronger rules on transparency than the ones he had proposed. This accords with Mark Harper's comments at our own public meeting in Birmingham last month where he admitted that he had united both transparency campaigners and the lobbying industry in demanding the regulations cover a wider range of lobbying activities! The government ...
Yesterday, the minister in charge of government policy to introduce a lobbying register gave evidence to the House of Commons' political and constitutional reform committee. You can watch the evidence session here: http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/mark-harper-evidence In the meeting, he acknowledged that most of the responses to the recent consultation demanded stronger rules on transparency than the ones he had proposed. This accords with Mark Harper's comments at our own public meeting in Birmingham last month where he admitted that he had united both transparency campaigners and the lobbying industry in demanding the regulations cover a wider range of lobbying activities! The government ...
A new session's just kicked off in parliament, and that means another chance to change time! Today 20 MPs have been picked to put forward a bill on any subject they like[?] - and we need one of them to choose clock change. Your MP Julian Huppert wasn't picked this time, but you can still help make sure one of the 20 decides to bring the Daylight Saving Bill back to parliament. Last week an MP called Adrian Sanders tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) supporting clock change. An EDM is like a parliamentary petition - an easy way for ...
I haven't had a day off for ten days, and every one of those I've been awake and on the go from 7am to 7pm, except for the few nights that I got caught up socialising and stayed up until midnight. For the first nine days, I had training in low ropes, archery, initiative exercises and evening entertainments, and then theory classes in first aid, protecting children, customer service and dealing with difficult guests, and passed all my assessments with flying colours. I got a contract to start work on Wednesday morning, when I was thrown straight into a full ...
It was revealed this week that Ealing Councillor (ex Conservative) Benjamin Dennehy has publicly attacked Conservative Leader David Millican over the blog that he wrote making claims about Southall and its residents. My take on the blog was that Councillor Dennehy had clearly overstepped his mark and said things that were very offensive to both Indians and residents in Southall. After taking feedback from friends, some in Ealing and others not in London, I made an official complaint against Councillor Dennehy. This case is still in the process of being heard. I also wrote to David Cameron (yes, the Prime ...
Today SS Great Britain was floated in neon-green jelly and Facebook Floated at a really silly sum of money. Now I must admit I think Google with their operating system etc is a really strong business model, but the above two seem absurd.
The idea that Chelsea have no history has always been nonsense. They were in the FA Cup final during World War I, won the Championship in 1954-5 and won a European trophy before Liverpool did. But it is interesting in that it may represent a folk memory of the fact that Chelsea were formed in 1905 to fill the already-existing Stamford Bridge Stadium, where they have played ever since. I ought to be appalled at the idea of Chelsea leaving the Bridge, but there is something wonderful about the thought of the club reviving the derelict and traduced Battersea Power ...
Cllr Nigel Bell (LD, Ely North and East) Estimates of the potential cuts required to fire services across Cambridgeshire have been increased by £800,000 to a minimum of £5 million with fears this could go even higher if the government grant settlement for the service is low again this year. The news has prompted the Tory-controlled Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority to revise its savings plans and led to reinforced opposition to front-line cuts from the county's Liberal Democrats. They are calling again for the fire authority to review its plans to limit Council Tax rises to 2.5 per cent ...
The candidates for the 1970 69th IOC congress in Amsterdam hold the unique distinction of being the host Cities for the next series of Games without any new candidates coming forward to try their hand. Montreal, Canada who had lost out on the previous Games only came second in the first round with 25 votes behind the 28 gained by Moscow, Los Angeles the only previous host in the mix came third with 17. When the Californian city was eliminated all but one if its votes went to Montreal giving them 41, the other didn't transfer and Moscow remained on ...
Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert and Liberal Democrat councillors answered a call for more blood platelet donors on Friday, May 18. Julian and the five city and county councillors supported a campaign by the NHS Blood and Transplant service to find more platelet donors for the Cambridge Blood Donor Centre. Cambridge City Councillors, Susannah Kerr, Sarah Brown and Paul Saunders and Cambridgeshire County Councillors, Sarah Whitebread and Ian Manning joined Julian at the mobile blood unit for a one-off testing session at the Star Radio studios in Cambridge's Mercer's Row. They were tested to see if they could donate platelets - ...
Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert and Liberal Democrat councillors answered a call for more blood platelet donors on Friday, May 18. Julian and the five city and county councillors supported a campaign by the NHS Blood and Transplant service to find more platelet donors for the Cambridge Blood Donor Centre. Cambridge City Councillors, Susannah Kerr, Sarah Brown and Paul Saunders and Cambridgeshire County Councillors, Sarah Whitebread and Ian Manning joined Julian at the mobile blood unit for a one-off testing session at the Star Radio studios in Cambridge's Mercer's Row. They were tested to see if they could donate platelets - ...
No sooner has the dust settled on Ken Livingstone's defeat and already some Labourites are talking up former Home Secretary Alan Johnson as the next candidate for London mayor. Haven't we already had enough of old white men seeking to ... Continue reading →
Writing on Liberal Democrat Voice, Tim Farron invites you to send in your nominations for the Liberal Democrats' 2012 Party Awards. A Lanson Boy celebrates the way that Cornwall's Lib Dem MPs have united against the regional variation of public-sector pay. He quotes Stephen Gilbert from St Austell and Newquay: "Local pay threatens to institutionalise the structural problems in the Cornish economy where we have lower than national average wages but have higher than national average costs on housing, water and fuel. We need to work to close this gap and we will not do so by a rush to ...
The local elections are over and it's the time of year to decide which councillors (and others) sit on which committees and perform which roles for the coming year. The parties on the council have all agreed who will be doing what – the roles are traditionally formally approved at the Annual Council Meeting, which for this year is next Tuesday afternoon. The document below has all those proposals. SMBC Council Positions 2012-13
Tomorrow (Saturday 19th May) at the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library at 11 am (doors open and coffee from 10.30am): Bob Turner, piano, and Karen Hannah, fiddle Admission £5 includes coffee and newspapers. Bob Turner (piano) - Bob started his career on accordion but in recent years has switched to piano which has put him in even more demand. He can be heard regularly with the band Ceilidh Minogue, with Brian McAlpine (accordion) in I.C.C.Scotland and has worked with fiddler Bruce MacGregor and with Pete Clark in the Neil Gow Ensemble. Bob works with Gavin Marwick writing music for films ...
Can't upload this video of Lord Ashdown putting Lord Philips in his place over Lords reform earlier this week. So do click on this link. It's a treat.
Last night, I attended a really productive and positive committee meeting of the West End Sports and Heritage Association (WESHA) that is doing great work to improve sport facilities and the environment across the West End. It was great to welcome new groups to the latest meeting - Hillcrest Bowling Club and Dundee City Aquatics - and to also learn that the West End Tennis Association is getting involved. We spent most of the evening planning our contribution to Dundee WestFest's Big Sunday. WestFest's programme was just back from the printers and looks superb! You can read the on-line details ...
Cornwall's Liberal Democrat MPs Andrew George, Stephen Gilbert and Dan Rogerson have made clear their opposition to varying public sector pay in different parts of the country. Andrew, Stephen and Dan were among 22 Lib Dem MPs who wrote to the Guardian on Wednesday to oppose regional public sector pay and to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister's assurance this week that the Government would not enact regional pay variations for the public sector. Commenting, North Cornwall's MP Dan Rogerson, said: "Clearly the Government is doing its job by keeping public sector pay under review. However, I believe the arguments in ...
People's pledge campaign & UKIPs leader Nigel Farage were on the Daily Politics today talking about an EU referendum. Nigel was on longer talking also about the huge Euro crisis/meltdown going on. Nigel made a comment or rather a series of comments that made me think how ridiculous most EU sceptics and nothing embodies the ...
I'm looking forward to the Olympics and delighted that the first day of the torch relay is in Cornwall. It'll do a lot to show off what Cornwall has to offer and the whole event can be inspirational in lots of ways. But could we please lay off the anthropomorphisation of the flame. Yes, the flame is symbolic and the ceremony yesterday in Greece was quite nice. But some of the commentary is going way too far. A few examples: "Last night, the flame spent the night at the British Embassy in Athens." Tucked up in bed with some cocoa? ...
Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make. 098985/FH/2012/S1 30 ...
It's Friday. It's five o'clock. Here's a fistful of lists that sum up the LDV week: 5 most-read stories on LDV this week Opinion: Land Value Tax - an old idea with lots of modern supporters (248 comments) by Joe Bourke Mystery of fake leaflets in North Richmond (19 comments) by Mary Reid Which of the five Lib Dem reshuffle options will Nick Clegg pick? (41 comments) by Mark Pack In praise of Councillor Neil Hughes - 56 Up (8 comments) by Paul Walter Opinion: A letter to a constituent regarding equal marriage (27 comments) by Tom Papworth 5 sample ...
Ever wondered what is up the spiral staircase? Looking for some new friends and to help your exercise programme? Why not try this!
You may not know about the new proposals from Transport for London to allow Oyster card users to check their accounts online and to allow Oyster customers to submit refund applications online. Sounds good but these improvements are welcome and very much long overdue. Last year alone passengers using Oyster Pay As You Go were wrongly charged maximum fares totaling over £66 million. Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, spoke about this recently: "The fact remains that Transport for London are still in denial over the real problems behind Oyster overcharging. They continue to portray Oyster ...
With no principal council by-elections to report on this week, ALDC would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that the election expenses deadline for the May 3rd elections is fast approaching. Here, ALDC's Campaign's Officer John Bridges offers some advice: "We all know that they have to be done but getting round to the election expenses is most activists' least enjoyable election task. Your local authority should supply you with a set of election expenses forms. There are 3 basic forms to be submitted for each candidate: 1. The expenses form - this has changed radically in recent ...
Just seen this Tweet from the Economist: Whoever wrote it either hasn't seen this video - or has a brilliant sense of humour...
Each year at Autumn Conference, the Party President presents three awards to party members who have gone above and beyond for the party for longer than most of us can remember. There are three awards available: President's Award - this is an award for those party members who have been elected to public office at one point or another - for those who have been councillors or council leaders; for ex-MPs and MEPs. It rewards members who have given an overwhelming amount of time, effort, and support to the Liberal Democrats, and was last year won by Doris Ansari who ...
Conway Hall, who have close links with the National Secular Society and British Humanists Association, have landed themselves in a spot of bother over their hosting of the upcoming "RadFem2012" conference in London. For those not in the know, many (Not all!) radical feminists are openly and unapologetic transphobic, using inappropriate pronouns for trans folk and excluding them from gendered spaces when ever possible. Recently, people associated with RadFem2012 have taken to publicly outing Trans people, including writing to potential employers to let them know they're hiring a Trans person. A number of people have been talking about running a ...
The Open University Society of Change Ringers
To complete the build up to the Scottish cup final - which incidently is the oldest football trophy in the world - I have got exclusive and probably impossible coverage of Hibs fans celebrating victory... It's Malta's Hibernians (Hibs) - who sadly have nothing to do with the Edinburgh version. The Reekie version have had a huge influence on the those setting up a variety football teams - including the lesser greens (Celtic), Dundee Utd (Dundee Hibernian) and Aberdeen. And as far as I know Hibs have never played Hibs - but a pre season friendly needs to be organised ...
According to the Guardian... It's a tough job working for a bailed-out bank that owes the taxpayer about £20bn - so exhausting, indeed, that Lloyds Banking Group dispatched a dozen top bosses on a luxury spa break at Champneys designed to teach them to eat like an executive and learn how to be more effective "hunter-gatherers in the corporate jungle". The celebrity spa resort created a "bespoke programme" to prevent the executives from "bail out, burn out or being booted out". The bank is just under 40% owned by the UK taxpayer.Now, there are two lines on this and who ...
Here are my recommendations for stuff on t'internet you should check out:Solo Blogger - Colin Baker (syndicated to DW as [IMG: [syndicated profile] ] colinbaker_opinion_feed). Yes, yes, I know, I'm biased. Also available on twitter as @SawbonesHex. Group Blog - Who Daily (syndicated to DW as [IMG: [syndicated profile] ] who_daily_feed) - a comprehensive daily list of pretty much all of the Doctor Who related activity on the internet. Twitterer - FEMINIST HULK, who doesn't post as often as he used to, due to the arrival of HULK BABY, but each tweet is still either entertaining or enlightening or both. ...
I'm not always the most prepared person in the world, especially when it comes to meetings. Usually, that doesn't matter, because I'm surrounded by people who are prepared. But what happens if they don't turn up on time? The sun was shining in Armenia's capital, in the shadow of Mount Ararat, and whilst one of the delegation's Parliamentarians was meeting 'Our Man in Yerevan', I was off to attend the Resolution Working Group, where resolutions on a Common Consolidated Corporate tax base for Europe and on Cyprus were to be debated. On arrival at the Congress Hotel, our venue for ...
Olympic Torch Relay – Sunday 24 June 2012 Volunteers Required The Olympic Torch will be passing through Stockport on Sunday 24 June 2012 between 8:30-10am. 8,000 inspirational people will carry the Olympic Flame on its 70 day journey across the UK. Nominated by someone they know, they will inspire millions of people that are watching the Torch Relay in their community, in the UK and worldwide. You can be part of Stockport's celebrations to welcome the Flame to the town by supporting a local Torchbearer and the celebration events. Stockport will host 15 Torchbearers, each carrying the Flame approximately 300m. ...
This morning, during his visit to Cornwall, together with Mark Muncey of the Cornish Pasty Association and Steve Gilbert MP, I had a discussion with Nick Clegg about the pasty tax. We explained the threat to Cornish businesses of the proposed tax including the likely loss of up to 1100 jobs in the pasty industry itself and the wider supply chain as well as more than £35 million from the Cornish economy. We also explained that the current proposal is unworkable and would lead to huge confusion. This wasn't a plea just for the pasty industry, but for bakers across ...
Tomorrow sees a significant fraction of Edinburgh descend on Hampden park for the first all Edinburgh cup final since 1896. By some miracle I find myself with a ticket for a game which will be an emotional roller-coaster for all involved. The stakes are so high both teams having had mediocre seasons and neither will want to lose to their bitter local rivals. For the Hibs players if they manage to pull off the first cup win in 110 years then they will become legends in Leith. The image of the oldest trophy in world football being hoisted aloft to ...
I don't know. Am I being petty now? I think I probably am. But I do find it irritating when elected politicians choose to make public statements, and in doing do make mistakes that betray the fact that they don't know what they are talking about. For example Louise Mensch tweeted this earlier... ...and of course, there isn't an interim Greek president. The President is the Head of State, he is currently called Karolos Papoulias, and it is he who has been trying to get the elected politicians to form a new government. I think she almost certainly meant the ...
Crime in Stockport has been reduced by 5% over the last year – the 8th year in succession that all crime has fallen in Stockport. Fewer people are becoming victims of crime. · Serious Violent crime has been reduced by 14% · Acquisitive crime (robbery / burglary / vehicle crime) - has been reduced by 9%. · Burglary dwelling - a predicted threat at the start of the year - reduced by 16% or 260 victims, largely down to an intensive 12 month programme of awareness raising with the public and target hardening vulnerable localities – helped by £50,000 from ...
Haven't really looked at this project since 2009, so here's what there is so far~ Musical themes for The Willow Tree (long poem) ~ Moonlight over the promontory, Sunrise, Looking at the beach below and Wedding scene.
[IMG: Lib Dem News cartoon] By Howard of Lib Dem News * Mary Reid is one of the Day Editors on Lib Dem Voice.
Sorry: been away on Business. This is where I have been. Do feel free to play 'Guess the City' Now it is currently fashionable to mention 'how was the Border service?' when you re enter the country. I have to say ta Terminal 4 on Weds evening, the queue for EU citizens was not onerous (15 minutes) and the man at the desk was efficient. But...I would have walked through the automatic chip recognition exits with no queue at all if it wasn't for the fact... They were all shut :-)
Stockport Council supported the fourth annual International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on Thursday 17th May. Councillors and employees dressed in the spectrum of colours represented on rainbow flag which symbolises IDAHO. The IDAHO flag was flying from Stockport Town Hall on the day. Councillor Stuart Bodsworth, champion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, said: "I am proud that Stockport is flying the Rainbow Flag against homophobic and transphobic bullying and discrimination. I'd like to thank everybody who showed their support for equality. Tackling inequalities is important for Stockport and we should all take a clear stand against ...
Over at Huffington Post's UK site, I have blogged about some interesting goings on in Kenya. Worth a look if you care about Kenya, the Commonwealth or the International Criminal Court:
The Pupil Premium (PP) is great politics. As a way of increasing funding for schools with more pupils from poorer backgrounds, with all the incentives that implies, is has laudable political features. It contrasts us well as 'pro-poor' relative to the Conservatives. It is a kind of remedy for the 'student fees' debacle. And it is simple – easy to understand and to implement. It is worth having a closer look at its features and context. Are there any broader lessons for the Lib Dems? First, what is it? In effect PP is an additional dimension to the way that ...
Yesterday at full Council the Leader, Cllr Dilwyn Roberts announced that I would have the Cabinet position with responsibility for Highways and Property. Below is what I said regarding my new appointment. "I'm taking on a new portfolio and I'm looking forward to the challenge of a new set of responsibilities. Investment in roads and infrastructure is vital to Conwy's future prosperity and I'm determined to be involved in delivering services in an innovative way and securing quality and the best value for the people of Conwy."
London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon writes, [IMG: Caroline Pidgeon, Lynne Featherstone, Martin Newton and Oyster cards] Let's be clear: there will obviously be delays and disruption, especially on some of the busiest days. But some perspective is also needed... Across London there are hundreds of thousands of people who have yet to discover that it's often possible get to work by using a different form of public transport. Many of us are surprisingly conservative in our transport habits. There are still large numbers of people living or working in London who have yet to discover the benefits of the bike ...
Iain Brodie Browne was elected last night (14 May 2012) as the new Leader of the Lib Dem Group on Sefton Council. The Birkdale Councillor had acted as Deputy Leader for the past 5 years. Iain told the Lib Dem Councillors that their job was to robustly challenge the actions of the ruling Bootle group of Labour councillors and to hold them publicly to account for the decisions they take. "I met with Southport's Lib Dem MP John Pugh yesterday to discuss the tough decisions that lie ahead - for example on Libraries, Tourism investment and the Green Belt. Lib ...
When publishing goes wrong...Starring Undead Press Nightmare experience for writer's first publication. (tags: writing ) Two dangerous myths about a 'Grexit' Myth 1) Greece faces disaster; Myth 2) the remaining Eu doesn't. (tags: euro eu ) Brussels Express A documentary about bike messengers in Brussels, the most congested city in Europe with only 4% cycling traffic. (tags: cycling belgium ) How John Roberts Orchestrated Citizens United The inside story of the death of US democracy. (tags: elections uspolitics ) Fascism on the Farm: Freddy the Politician The talking pig goes political, seven years before "Animal Farm". (tags: uspolitics books ) ...
[IMG: Kamchatak] One of my first oil paintings.
"In Bekoji, running is a way of life" Well worth watching, a good documentary. It is actually less about running and more about life in Ethiopia. I think I was naive going into the film. Over the last year I have come to a much clearer understanding of my running, and for me it is like Scott Jurek says in the previous blog post, it is about joy and it is the ultimate expression of "this is what I am for". Maybe the runners in Ethiopia do have a similar love of running, but as the director explained in a ...
The capital of Europe is not exactly what a visitor from an alien civilisation would expect. There is little in the way of grand boulevards, monumental buildings, overblown statuary. Indeed, it all seems a little down at heel. I've always suspected that Belgians don't waste money maintaining facades on the basis that, soon enough, someone will invade and do it for them. In Howard Blake's 'New National Songbook', he writes, ""Good heavens, look at that Empire!", we thought. Most of us were thinking about trees and birds all the while.". He could have been writing about the relationship between the ...
The tie of the University College of Ripon & York St John. Filed under: Blogging
Are Twitter and Facebook changing the way we complain? (tags: ) First Look at Elementary | The Mary Sue (tags: ) Angie Harmon wants to play She-Hulk OMG Rizzoli as SheHulk? I would be there with bells on! (tags: ) 10 Things You Shouldn't Say To An Eating Disorder Sufferer (tags: ) [IMG: comment count unavailable] comments
My first collection of poetry, Fragments of Urban Life: a kind mess is now complete and submitted to the university – finally! Definitely in for an exciting and equally disappointing road ahead. But to celebrate the mild achievement of completion ... Continue reading →
Prior to the advent of the Euro, I lived in the Netherlands and then Belgium. I clearly recall how the money looked: the Dutch Guilder was always emblazoned on beautiful banknotes, each denomination a magnificent manifestation of national probity and pride. My mind's eye is particularly drawn to the 50 guilder note, notable for featuring ...
This is the second of three articles, based on interviews with Lib Dem MEPs Phil Bennion and George Lyon, covering the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This article addresses the specific changes they want made to current EU plans for reform. When I spoke to him, Phil Bennion explained to me that, while Lib Dem MEPs are broadly supportive of the Commissioner's plans for reform (the key idea being to start spending 30% of 'pillar one' payments on environmental elements), they have serious concerns with the detail. An example he gave was the proposal for farmers to have ...
From @libdemvoice > More election fraud claims and the TV show which set up a fake polling station http://t.co/NkQNuqK8 # From @libdemvoice > Enjoy Europe Day? Churchill would have done http://t.co/rv3Cl2YT # From @libdemvoice > Opinion: Lessons from the Rochdale sex abuse scandal http://t.co/iSwFXOvU # From @libdemvoice > From today's Lib Dem News – * Mary Reid is one of the Day Editors on Lib Dem Voice. http://t.co/LC2twyzM # Fab visit today to @EGA_School, London: great school (head, teachers, pupils) achieving terrific things for their community. #perkofmyjob # From @libdemvoice > Opinion: The future of the CAP general Liberal Democrat ...
As Facebook floats its shares on the stock market, an equally as significant landmark event prepares to get underway on the interweb. ABC news 10, which rather bizarrely appears to be reporting from London, says that the Welsh town of Momouth, birthplace of Henry V and historical market town, is about to become the world's first "Wikipedia town.": Wikimedia UK, which works to support, develop and promote Wikimedia Foundation projects such as Wikipedia, says that when it launches its experiment in Monmouth on Saturday, hundreds of articles about the life and history of the town in southeast Wales will be ...
Maybe it was me, but at last nights Annual Council meeting, I thought that Labour members were a little subdued, sheepish perhaps plain embarrassed at the odd decision to give every member of the Thanet Independent Group a job. Clive Hart looked a bit quiet himself and was quickly upset by a bit of banter. Nothing in politics changes, reflecting on events last night as I travel home from work after toiling overnight on improving the countries transport infrastructure, I cannot help but wonder what Clive Hart's administration is actually doing to improve the area. My conclusion is that, the ...
Facebook has no real value. There is a world crisis in stock markets because of real problems in the real economy - ie people getting out of their bedrooms, having a shower and going out to paid work. And the problem is there's not enough of them at the moment. The idea that the virtual economy can suck out of the real economy a billion dollars is ludicrous. Anyone foolish enough to pay $38 per facebook share will struggle to see a return. In the UK they should take their $38 or £25 and spend it in their local pub, ...
