Fortune Green and WestHampstead Area Action GroupTuesday 2nd July, Hampstead SynagogueCommunity Hall, 1 Dennington Park Road, NW6 1AX,from 7.30-9.30, (7pm to meet councillors for light refreshments).This area action group meeting is your local forum and gives you the opportunity to have your say on the issues that matter to you locally. Agenda: 7.30 Start of meeting and introductions: • Thames Water provision and maintenance in the localarea a subject of particular relevance to those in theWest Hampstead area who have had water shortagesand a burst water main recently; • Potential S106 funds for community development • Neighbourhood Planning Forum update ...
BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs today featured actor and comedian Hugh Laurie. His selection of music was intelligent and heavily biased to the blues. However, the reason for drawing this programme to your attention is an interesting observation he made: I heard the other day that there have been more photographs taken in the last twelve months than there have ever been taken, in the world, ever. Because people are now photographing - I shudder to think what they are photographing - everything and nothing. No interaction is deemed to have actually happened unless somebody has a picture of ...
300+ kids, five day a week volunteers, everyone should hear about them. Consett ASC. Tonight I went to meet Consett Swimming Club, and given my fear of water and the way I look in trunks it never crossed my mind I'd come home totally blown away by the evening. The baths were humming with children and parents – though apparently it was a quiet night! – and I was able to watch the whole range from beginners launching themselves across the training pool to very accomplished young people whose style even my untutored eye could recognise. And what I loved ...
This is another large and unexpected building from my explorations last Saturday. Today it is the Piccadilly Cinema, showing the latest Bollywood blockbusters, but (says the invaluable Cinema Treasures site) it began life as the North Evington Working Men's Club and Institute, becoming a cinema in 2000. It is hard not to think of it as another expression of the lost white working-class culture of the area that I wrote about the other day. Somewhere nearby, and also closed now, is Spinney Hill Working Men's Club, where I drew with Nigel Short when (aged only 14, I have to confess) ...
Over many years people have been concerned that the allotment site established by Birkdale UDC would be sold. That fear grew last year when West Lancs were identifying land on the Birkdale boundary for inclusion in their Development Plan. A little homework was called for. It was clear that the allotment site was a statutory site established by the 1906 government and as such would need the Sec of State's permission to release it. (We owe the site to Ebeneezer Baxendale of this Parish who tirelessly campaigned to force Birkdale Council to provide a site in accordance with the legislation) ...
Southport Town Hall has been effectively empty for too long. You can walk around passed empty offices all in the council ownership. So I got to thinking how much were the Council spending renting accommodation whilst keeping all this empty office space unoccupied. Answer over £1.1m! Download the table below for details. I couldn't possibly say if the good news that the coroner has been offered the accommodation he wanted after a long delay and (what some may consider) and a protracted period of being fobbed off, was anything to do with all my queries but certainly things have started ...
It's that time of year again, kids. The cagoules are sold out, Points West have their news story of the year and if you want to get to Evercreech this week, it's going to take at least forty minutes. That's right, Glastonbury Festival is upon us. I've grown up with the festival being a part of my consciousness. It's just something that happens around here. I turned up to one of my GCSE exams to find that only three of us had arrived - where were the others? Yep, you guessed it, they'd been gurning away to the Arctic Monkeys ...
Stockport Council, in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), is launching an ambitious '100:100' Apprenticeship Scheme to encourage Stockport employers to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days. This follows the success of the Council's 50:50 Apprenticeship and Higher Apprenticeship Grant Schemes in the last three years. The schemes provide grants of between £1,000 and £2,000 to local employers who take on a 16-24 year-old Stockport resident. The 100:100 scheme will be launched at leading supermarket chain Aldi in Romiley, Stockport, on Friday June 28th at 3pm. Attending will be Sir Andrew Stunell OBE MP for Hazel Grove, Councillor ...
Stockport is set to receive £508,000 of government funding to bring empty homes back into use. The government announced that £91 million – including £8m in Greater Manchester – is being invested in England to refurbish and bring back into use over 6,000 empty and derelict homes and commercial premises. The funding in Stockport will be spent on purchasing and refurbishing empty homes which are found across the borough. Stockport Council, working closely with Stockport Homes and Equity Housing Group, has already brought 16 homes back into use through the first phase of this programme. Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of ...
Anyone visiting Stockport Borough, including all the towns and villages, can now see all our council car parks on our online mapping system. [IMG: car park] The map allows you to easily see the car parks for any part of the borough, including Cheadle and Gatley of course, and click to find more information about them, like how many standard and disabled spaces they have. Click on the "RingGo zone website" cashless parking link to see how much parking costs and even book your parking online if you want to.
Take one news hook, add a dash of familiar internet meme and you get this: [IMG: Twitter - WelshConserv- If you're bored this weekend] Result? #LabourFilms trending on Twitter in the UK with lots of people spreading negative messages about the Labour Party. (If you're not familiar with the #...films meme, it's a fairly common one on Twitter. Take a topic and then come up with – hopefully – humorous versions of famous film names based on the topic.)
Fri 28th
16:58
Sefton's Green Belt - Labour push ahead with consultation on a Local Plan that is simply not robust ...
Near three hours of debating last night failed to persuade Labour run Sefton Council to seriously think again with regard to their draft Local Plan. FRAGOFF PUT POWERFULL CASE BEFORE COUNCIL The evening started with an excellent and in depth presentation from Fragoff the once Formby but now Borough-wide environmental campaign group. This was in support of their petition to the Council and I suppose the real thrust of their message was that the Council is working on flawed and potentially inaccurate information – A view that I share. We then moved on to the main debate of the night ...
I'm a pupil at Chorlton High School and I am doing work experience this week for John Leech MP. Part of my placement involves writing a blog for John's website [...]
The Street Scene -soon to be back on display at The Atkinson Southport What has Clem Davies got to do with the new exhibition at The Tate and how is it related to the 1950 election in Finchley? Well I was waiting for a meeting and with a couple of hours to kill I went to see if I could get into the much publicised new retrospective of Lowry's work opening at The Tate this Tuesday. The placed was packed, but I got a ticket. Lots has been written about Lowry and I have nothing new or original to add ...
This week's spending review settlement again guaranteed funding for the NHS with another increase in funding by £2.1bn in cash terms for 2015-16. But we know these are challenging times for the NHS and for care services. A&E departments are facing rising demand and local authorities are having to make tough decisions on care. That is why as part of the settlement we announced a £3.8bn pooled health and social care budget to join up care around people's lives. It doesn't matter who provides the care - what matters is that people get the care they need and they don't ...
Labour MP and deputy chairman Tom Watson, is the most followed MP by journalists, while BBC News Political Editor Nick Robinson is the most followed journalist by MPs. Portland Communications have assembled the data, which Paul Waugh (the third most followed journalist by MPs) analyses for his WaughRoom blog. Four of the top five most ...
Last night, I attended the latest committee meeting of the West End Community and Sports Hub (WECSH) We had a very productive meeting and we are finalising plans for an official re-opening of the Riverside Pavilion following its recent improvement work. We are aiming to have the opening immediately after the school holidays. For more information about WECSH go to www.wecsh.com.
Listening to the Commons debate, secured by Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather, I felt relieved that I live in Scotland where the measures don't apply. The big issue that's hit the headlines is the withdrawal of choice of solicitor, but there are many more problems with it including the one year residence test. As Sarah Teather pointed out, how would representation be secured for a baby who is the subject of care proceedings. Sarah talked about the effect of the measures on refugees: Were it not for the intervention of lawyers, many refugees would be homeless at the very time ...
I don't usually get involved in legal blogging. I am not a lawyer, and I find the finicky details somewhat hard to follow. That said, I do appreciate how (most) judges in the UK write their judgements in a relatively clear and unambiguous manner. Jack of Kent today pointed out the recent judgement on Operation Weeting - which is looking into the alleged illegal interception of voicemail messages. There was a problem connecting to Twitter. There was a problem connecting to Twitter. The full text of the judgement is fairly simple to understand - although one curious part caught my ...
To get beyond hackneyed pro/anti tropes, we need to reflect more upon the importance of power Amid the apocalyptic scare-stories, animated name-calling and heavy-handed orchestration surrounding last week's GM debate, the real issues seem ever more deeply buried. Why all this sudden high-profile fuss about GM? In particular, why are so many British politicians getting so simultaneously publicly excited about such a specific technology? GM is, after all, only one among many different options for innovation towards more sustainable world agriculture. There are plenty of other ways - technological and organisational - for addressing the many serious problems of world ...
Government guidance says councils should allow social media reporting of meetings and even filming. But a survey of its local authorities by the Rutland & Stamford Mercury suggests that this is not always what happens in practice: Town councils in the area are not allowing reporters and members of the public to tweet live updates from their meetings even though the Government is urging authorities to be more open to the idea. Lincolnshire and Rutland County Councils and South Kesteven District Council do allow tweets. But only one local town council - Market Deeping - says it is currently OK ...
After the recent defection to it of the three Rutland councillors, UKIP must have had high hopes of last night's by-election in the Ketton ward. In the event they came third. The result: Gary Conde (Conservative) 330 Andrew McGilvray (Independent) 260 Liam Powell (UKIP) 130 Martin Brookes (Independent) 24 Yes, that is Martin Brookes the blogger. It is a shame there was no Lib Dem candidate, but I believe this was the first time there had been a contested election in Ketton for 12 years.
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... Bagehot: The little party behind the throne | The Economist Economist's Bagehot on Lib Dems' enduring importance: "The little party behind the throne" http://econ.st/11N4Jr2 Carl Minns – Thoughts from Hull: The day the body politic disappeared up its own rectum A post all political journos shd read » The day the body politic disappeared up its own rectum http://bit.ly/19G0I9p Comprehensive spending review: Osborne appeals to the many, Ed Balls the few | Martin Kettle | Comment is free | The Guardian "An economic failure, a political success" – Martin Kettle's verdict on ...
More comedy genius from Australia's Clarke and Dawe: Also on YouTube.
It's not often that we at Liberal Democrat Voice have cause to link to the Daily Star, but we feel the need to inject some facts into that publication's headline which screams: Liberal Democrats impose sex ban on randy activists This concerns this weekend's Liberal Youth's Activate conference being held in Oxfordshire and it suggests that sexual activity has been banned from the shared sleeping accommodation. So, now for the facts. It is common, because young people don't often have huge amounts of money, for activists to sleep on the floor of a village hall or the like. In my ...
Fri 28th
11:55
Protecting children, nuisance calls, delivery charges and supporting deaf people - the Liberal Democ...
Stephen Tall told us all about the private members' bills brought in by Tory MPs in their "alternative Queen's Speech" – everything from burka banning to reintroducing the death penalty to naming the August Bank Holiday after Margaret Thatcher. I thought I'd look into the measures the Liberal Democrats who were successful in the Great Parliamentary Raffle are hoping to bring into law. As you might expect, they're a bit more practical and relevant. Sir Malcolm Bruce's Bill is all about improving communications support for deaf people. Signature has more details: Sir Malcolm is a tireless advocate for the deaf ...
The relationship between economists and politicians is often strained. It's easy to think that economists are taking a detached view of public policy and its long term effects, while politicians simply jockey for advantage at the next election. But, strangely, that doesn't seem to be the pattern right now. It's the politicians who are urging short term pain for long term gain, while the economists say it can all be left for another day. It is the politicians who have a better grip on reality. The nature of the relationship between political leaders and economists has changed as economics has ...
Fri 28th
11:00
Protecting children, delivery charges, nuisance calls and better comms support for deaf people - Lib...
Stephen Tall told us all about the private members' bills brought in by Tory MPs in their "alternative Queen's Speech" - everything from burka banning to reintroducing the death penalty to naming the August Bank Holiday after Margaret Thatcher. I thought I'd look into the measures the Liberal Democrats who were successful in the Great Parliamentary Raffle are hoping to bring into law. As you might expect, they're a bit more practical and relevant. Sir Malcolm Bruce's Bill is all about improving communications support for deaf people. Signature has more details:Sir Malcolm is a tireless advocate for the deaf community ...
Fri 28th
10:55LibLink | Nick Clegg: Celebrate Pride but don't forget the countries that discriminate against LGBT ...
[IMG: lds_pride] Nick Clegg has an article over at PinkNews.co.uk, in which he highlights how the forthcoming same-sex marriage legislation means this weekend's Pride in London celebrations will be a "landmark" event. However, he contrasts the strides of progress made here with continuing repression against LGBT people around the world. Here's an excerpt: Civil partnerships were a huge stride forward, but only the right to marry - if you choose - is real equality. This isn't just a 'gay issue'. It's about the kind of society we want to be. This year we are flying rainbow flags high above more ...
A useful briefing from the European Movement about the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy, which has shrunk from about 70% of the EU budget in 1985 to about 30% today: Agriculture is the only sector entirely funded from the EU budget, imposing no further burden on national budgets. In 1985 70% of the EU budget [...]
"The valley is gone and now every fool in Buxton can be in Bakewell in half an hour and every fool in Bakewell in Buxton," said John Ruskin when the viaduct across Monsal Dale in Derbyshire was planned. Now the viaduct is preserved and I walked over it myself only last month, so Ruskin perhaps misjudged the situation. But I did think of his words again when I heard details of the infrastructure spending planned by the government yesterday. The investment in public transport and green energy is tremendously important, partly because it will create local livelihoods for people long ...
Good news! See below for story.
The world was rocked to its foundations by news that Liberal Youth has banned shagging at its conference this weekend. The story was published yesterday by the Blue Guerilla blog under a sensational headline: EXCLUSIVE: Lib Dem Youth Leaders Impose Shagging Ban.It was rehashed in this morning's Daily Star under the salacious headline: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS IMPOSE SEX BAN ON RANDY ACTIVISTSThe Star suggests that Liberal Youth has split into two factions, between "budding politicians hoping for an early night kept awake by their randy colleagues" and those who regard the LY conference as "the one and only pulling event in ...
You know something has nailed the zeitgeist when 2 different people send you a link to it, and James Somers really attracted some attention with his article: Are coders worth it? The article is a distillation of Somers' experience in the web development industry. From the UK perspective he makes the development job market in the US seem very appealing; signing bonus? Perks? Freedom? Respect? Somers' remarkable - and wonderfully written - article does highlight issues around the perceived value of a development team. There seems to me to be a difference between what something - or someone - costs, ...
The Council has received an application for Planning Permission for a new hot food takeaway at 20 Old Rectory Gardens, Cheadle. You can see the application here – and also register your comments against or in favour. 20 Old Rectory Gardens is the last unit in the parade as you come out of Cheadle along Wilmslow Road. As ever with planning applications, the final decision has to be made on whether the application complies with planning policy, but having your say is important in making sure the issues that concern you are properly considered.
Fri 28th
09:39
With no real boost to capital spending, cuts alone won't solve our economic challenges
Danny Alexander MP has announced details of the government's capital spending plans, which are a welcome indication of the long-term investment planned over the coming decade - a Liberal Democrat strategy. With no new money committed to capital spending over...Read more ›
[IMG: Larks] Chris White (St Albans Central Division) has allocated £500 from his county council 'localities budget' to help this event take place. The organisers, Friends of the Victoria Playing Field, were able to purchase a juggling act, a Punch and Judy, a generator to run the PA for the free bands, a face painter and a stage tent. Chris comments: 'This is a brilliant family event – I do hope as many as possible will attend.' Please see flyer below: Larks-in-the-parks-web 2 VPF 2013
[IMG: philip hammond house magazine] There's an interesting interview with Tory defence secretary Philip Hammond in this week's House magazine. Two snippets in particular will be of interest to Lib Dem readers. Let's start with the defence department and horses. In the lead-up to the spending review when tensions were spilling over between the treasury and the spending departments, Danny Alexander remarked in an interview: "Of course, in a department that has more horses than it has tanks, there are room for efficiency savings without affecting our overall military output." Danny's jibe stung the MoD (which does indeed have over ...
Whilst we are on the Western Mail, I note that somebody has written in to complain that a cup of tea costs £2.90 at Cardiff Wales airport. They argue that as the airport is now owned by the taxpayer then the tea should be cheaper. Has the Welsh Government's freebie culture finally rebounded on them?
I note from today's Western Mail that the Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr is claiming victory following news that the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Scheme, which has seen over £1bn of Welsh Council rent money paid to the UK Government, will be reformed. This will mean that the eleven councils who still retain housing stock will share an extra £33m each year to repair and build new homes. The MP's claim is based on the fact that he tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling for reform and to be fair, a number of press ...
The Southport Visiter has the story. MERSEYSIDE Police Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy has come under fire after making just six decisions in five months. The figures released in a national survey led two Southport councillors to question the role of the woman charged with tackling local crime. Simon Shaw, a member of Merseyside Police and Crime Panel and a Birkdale councillor, led the criticisms at Southport's Area Committee meeting last Wednesday. The complaints stemmed from an article written by Lib Dem leader Iain Brodie-Browne based on the survey's findings, which posed the question 'what does our Police Crime Commissioner ...
There is only one meeting scheduled for next week Tuesday 2nd July, 6:30 Events Committee at Arms Evertyne House The Planning & Development Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 4th July has been cancelled, although it still appears on the council website ( as of Friday 28th, 8:20 am)
Fri 28th
08:05Kirsty Williams AM writes: Why Welsh Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru have joined forces
[IMG: welsh-liberal-democrats] This week, and much to the surprise of many political commentators in Wales, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and I held a joint press conference announcing that we are to join forces to negotiate with the Welsh Labour Government on next year's budget settlement. In the National Assembly, the Welsh Government has exactly half of the Assembly Members. Therefore, each year the Welsh Government needs the support of at least one of the opposition parties to pass their annual budget. In the past, this has given the Welsh Government the opportunity to encourage opposition parties to compete against ...
On Wednesday in the debate on the Standards Committee's report on Lobbying and Cross Party Groups, I called for a review of the policing of the Ministerial Code as the current system lacks democratic accountability and impartiality. The Standards Committee recommended that the First Minister looks at establishing a formal mechanism for the independent investigations of alleged breaches of the ministerial code and that the reports of any such investigations should be made publicly available. The Commissioner for Standards and the Assembly's Standards Committee have previously raised concerns about the impartiality of Ministerial scrutiny. While allegations of misconduct of Assembly ...
The county council documents are listed below. Please let them (and us) have any comments. Maple School Public Consultation Final Maple School- Questionnaire Final Maple map
