Subject: Temporary emergency road closures, Birkdale villageDear CouncillorsPlease be advised that we have been notified that the gable end of the Barclays building on the junction of Liverpool Road and Alma Road in Birkdale village is in imminent danger of collapse.Site inspections have been carried out by the contractor for the building owner and our building control and highways inspectors today, and the decision has been taken to temporarily close both Liverpool Road and Alma Road whilst work is undertaken to stabilise the building.The decision to temporarily close Liverpool Road in particular was not taken lightly. Given the height of ...
From BBC News: A cat owner says he was "put under enormous pressure" to agree to have his pet put down, a claim the RSPCA denies. The cat's owner, Richard Byrnes, from Tring in Hertfordshire, told the Today programme that an RSPCA inspector "tricked" his wife into handing over the cat, named Claude, in May 2013.You can hear the whole interview on that page and also the response of the RSPCA's director of communications David Bowles, who does little to challenge the idea that the charity is mightily pleased with itself these days. (I blame Gavin Grant.) This interview reminds ...
What a difference a month makes. In July, the Guardian's ICM poll – the 'gold standard' – showed a narrow 1% Tory lead over Labour. Fast forward to August and Labour enjoys a solid 7% lead over the Tories, by 38% to 31%. The Lib Dems are in third place, unchanged on 12%, with Ukip trailing on 10%. [IMG: icm poll - aug 2014] Three brief points: 1) Though I have high regard for ICM, that they report only once a month means it's hard to know if this month's score reflects a genuine increase in support for Labour at ...
[IMG: Williams] Yesterday, Robin Williams committed suicide. We don't have all the details yet, at least at the time of writing. But I'll say this now: I hope we find out as little as possible going forward. Because all of the evidence points to suicide being contagious, in the broadest sense of the term, meaning that a major profile figure doing it tends to mean others Xerox the act. Also the means by which said figure carries out the end of their life, which is the crucial bit. I understand the suicidal urge. When I was a teenager, I thought ...
Hopefully you've reached this page through Google, otherwise it's unlikely you'll have reason to read the rest of this blog post. I recently received a new TalkTalk Super Router v3, which is made by Huawei and has the model number HG635. I was interested in getting some kind of Dynamic DNS set up and was pleased to see that it had some settings under Internet->Internet Services. The options available were DynDns.org, TZO and other. As DynDns had just gone down the paid router after many years of being free I was keen to see if I could do something myself ...
Tue 12th
20:05
Ryan Coetzee switches from Clegg's Director of Strategy to Lib Dems' General Election Director of St...
[IMG: Ryan+Coetzee] It's almost two years since Ryan Coetzee was appointed as Nick Clegg's director of strategy, replacing Richard Reeves. His experience as a liberal politician and campaigner with South Africa's Democratic Alliance meant that he was welcomed, even by many of those often sceptical of advisers and their worth. One of his first actions was to start identifying the Lib Dem 'market', those voters who would consider voting for the party. His research, backed up by the party's first major private polling operation about which I wrote here, has informed much of the national party's campaigning since, including its ...
Over the next two years (2015-17) Stockport Council has to reduce it's controllable day-to-day spending by over 20% – savings of £39.5 million. The Liberal Democrats have developed the Investing in Stockport (IIS) programme – rather than cutting existing services, we've turned it around. We started off looking at the outcomes we want to achieve, at the money we'd have left and then looked at how we could develop ways to deliver our outcomes. Some things will be done very differently – in many cases we're looking to work with public sector partners like the NHS, with other councils and ...
As many will be aware, mainstream media outlets ran segments on trans issues yesterday following the news that former boxing promoter Kellie Maloney had transitioned. Trans people were invited to appear on both national and local radio and TV shows, and I know Paris Lees in particular had a very hectic day. In general, coverage was positive and the positivity was often from unexpected sources such as the tabloid press. The BBC did, as is sadly increasingly the case with their coverage of trans issues, fail badly with their use of appropriate terminology and pronouns. The worst offender was Newsnight, ...
Bad news for world chess: Garry Kasparov has failed in his attempt to become president of FIDE - the World Chess Federation (or Fédération Internationale des Échecs). He was defeated by the incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Let the New York Times introduce you to Mr Ilyumzhinov: Mr. Ilyumzhinov, 52, a native of Kalmykia, a poor Russian republic on the Caspian Sea, has led the chess federation since 1995, but not without controversy. He cultivated friendships with Saddam Hussein, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi and Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, and claims that he was abducted by space aliens one night in 1997. He ...
Sometimes I read something that I want to blog about so I leave it on a tab on my Google Chrome and it can stay there for days. This time I'm blogging about it within a day. Not too shabby for me. Rich Clare wrote yesterday in an article entitled Nick Clegg to lose Sheffield Hallam? You're having a laugh where he speaks about all the reasons why Nick Clegg will hold on to his seat, despite lots of press stories suggesting this he is at best, in trouble, but at worst set for a slam dunk defeat that would ...
[IMG: Kids For Kids Header] Applications are now invited from young people between the ages of 16-19 for Kids for Kids second BFI Film Academy. The BFI Film Academy (www.bfi.org.uk/filmacademy) aims to help train and inspire the next generation of British filmmakers and offers training for every film industry role, from writing and directing through to production, sound design, editing and camera work, the academy also provides learning around film history and cinematic storytelling to inspire an appreciation of film culture in the round. After completing the BFI Film Academy course, young people are able to progress to a range ...
The Echo has the story – see link above
They say a picture says a thousand words so no screed from me just a photo of what Melling residents think about the potential loss of their precious Green Belt and high grade agricultural land:- [IMG: rsz_photo0839] Click on this photo to enlarge it www.mmaapp.co.uk/ The photo above is amongst my Flickr shots at:- www.flickr.com/photos/86659476@N07/
More comedy genius from Australia's Clarke and Dawe: You can also watch this on YouTube.
Plymouth City Council is apparently introducing a system of fines for householders who fill their bins too full or put out too much rubbish. They become the latest council to say that if you cannot close the lid on your wheelie bin (all households have them in the city) then it will either not be collected or you will be fined. The council also say that they will not collect bags of rubbish put out alongside the wheelie bin. Here in Cornwall our attitude is that so long as you put out your rubbish at the right time and make ...
Tue 12th
16:15LDVideo: Interview with Ben Fearn, "youngest ever Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate"
Ben Fearn, the 21 year-old Manchester University graduate selected earlier this year as Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Derbyshire Dales – seat of the Tory transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin – has been interviewed by Digital Journal (hat-tip Charlotte Henry). You can watch a 3-minute video below, which includes the announcement of his selection, and read a fuller interview with him here. Incidentally he's billed as the "youngest ever Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate", but are there rivals to that title? Let us know below-the-line...
The tectonic plates of the Middle East are shifting. This is maybe not surprising, given the artificial boundaries imposed on the region by the British and French following the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War. In fact, it's quite surprising that carve-up envisaged by the Sykes-Picot Agreement has [...]
[IMG: Depression] A Liberal Democrat government would establish a mental health research fund to support the development of new cutting-edge mental health treatments, Nick Clegg has announced. Nick is calling for Britain to lead the world in understanding and treating mental illness, so that it is put on equal-footing with physical health. In the plans outlined by Nick, Liberal Democrats would increase funding spent on mental health research by £50m, by 2020. The Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy and a fairer society. Research shows that one in four people will suffer from mental health problems at some point ...
So as you might possibly know that Peter Capaldi is shortly taking the helm of the TARDIS. Now this isn't exactly a novel view but I'm expecting he will be awesome. We have a couple of very short clips of him in character: Now of course these are a handful of handpicked scenes lasting a [...]
[IMG: key_awards1] A quick reminder of this message from Tim Farron, originally posted last month... It's that time of year again when members decide who should be in line for an award at Conference. It could be someone who has worked tirelessly in their local area to elect Liberal Democrats or implement our policies or someone who has given years to our cause by working hard as councillors or candidates. Maybe a political assistant to a councillor or someone who has supported a local MP in the hard work that they do. Perhaps even a local party who has worked ...
Forget the ducks. Don't worry about the fake legs. If you spot a pothole, go grab some Barbie dolls: [IMG: Barbie dolls decorate a pothole] Click through on the image for more similar examples – and of course there is a serious point to all this pothole fun.
Tue 12th
10:00Fairer funding for Wales: "Lib Dems will actually do something about it," vows Kirsty Williams
[IMG: rally kirsty williams 1] Yesterday we reported plans from Lib Dem home office minister Norman Baker to restore the public's trust in the police. Another policy within the party's 'pre-manifesto' is reported by BBC News Online – to reform the funding arrangement that has long been criticised for short-changing Wales: Wales could benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds under Lib Dem plans to change the way funds are allocated to devolved nations, it has been claimed. The current system, known as the Barnett formula, is based on population levels and has long been criticised for short-changing Wales. Suggestions ...
WTF, Evolution? - my new favourite tumblr (tags: ) So, boys, this WTF, Evolution? story: is the not-mouse really lucky, or really unlucky? (tags: ) Infographics: Cutting emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change (tags: ) Cutting benefits is vital for economy, says IDS, ignoring fact that most ppl on benefits are IN work (tags: ) Help shape the government's Science and Innovation Strategy 2014 (sorry there's a picture of George Osborne on it) (tags: ) How to Be There for a Depressed Person (for those saying things like "suicide is never the answer") (tags: ) Why Funny ...
Bury Council is currently reviewing a great deal of its adult care services with, we suspect, some very significant changes to come. The review, called 'Future Service Options' is reviewing the delivery of some adult social care services in the future in the light of reducing budgets. There will be a report to the Council's Cabinet in October, but before then staff and 'customers' are being consulted with. The services which are being considered are those which support people with a learning disability and/or physical disability and older people. They deliver supported living, residential care, floating support, day care and ...
The 2014 Crime and Policing Act requires the Police and Crime Commissioner to have a Community Remedy document or strategy in place. This needs to identify a list of actions that victims of certain types of crime and anti-social behaviour will be invited to choose from where a 'community resolution' is considered appropriate. This will give victims a say in the 'out of court' punishment of perpetrators of these types of offences. The Police and Crime commissioner is consulting with members of the public on this issue and would like to here any comments people have by Friday 5 September ...
A planning application has been received – it's just outside of Holyrood Ward, but might be of interest to people as it is quite significant: Application Number: 57796 Registration Date: 21/07/2014 Location: Site of former Claremont Home, Park View Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1FA Proposal: Erection of extra care and retirement living accommodation for the elderly (Class C2 Use – Residential Institutions), landscaping & car parking [IMG: Screenshot 2014-08-12 08.56.16] More information here – let me know if you have any queries.
A new planning application has been received within Holyrood Ward as below: Application Number: 57852 Registration Date: 01/08/2014 Location: Land at 2 Kestrel Close, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6SB Proposal: Erection of new two storey dwelling (Re submission) More details (use the planning applications number to search) are available here. Any problems or questions please just get in touch. Tim
With my renewed Lib Dem membership under my belt, I can now focus on fulfilling the promise that I made to myself on becoming active again. I've got two principle avenues in my sights: the Social Liberal Forum and the Welsh Party's Policy Committee. I must admit, the nominations for the Policy Committee are sooner than I would have liked (this November) and I would have liked the opportunity to rebuild relationships with party members. It remains to be seen what reception I get. No matter, reacquaintances and running for party office will have to happen in parallel. I'm indebted ...
A new planning application has been received within Holyrood Ward as below: Application Number: 57842 Registration Date: 30/07/2014 Location: 125 Simister Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2SA Proposal: Part single storey / part two storey extension at rear More details (use the planning applications number to search) are available here. Any problems or questions please just get in touch. Tim
Back in February, I advised that several residents had contacted me about how difficult they find it to get across the road in the area around the Glamis Road/Drive/Blackness Road roundabout. Thereafter, the council agreed to my request for improvements, and, after a site visit to ascertain the viability of providing a central refuge island and drop kerbs, it was agreed these should be provided. I am now pleased to report that the work to provide this has now commenced - see below:
[IMG: Lucas] Anyone who has sat through all of the Star Wars prequels and knows a little bit about cinema will be able to tell you that not only are they all terrible films, they are all extremely poorly directed. Furthermore, that each subsequent prequel is notably more badly directed than the one that preceded it. At least The Phantom Menace, for all its annoying kids and racist cartoons, had some bits of it that were sort of like a real movie. By the time we get to Revenge of the Sith, the whole thing is shot like a soap ...
As residents are aware, I have long campaigned to get a permanent and full resolution to the stones problem on the Riverside pitches on the south side of Riverside Drive, following a number of injuries to footballers in the past. In June, the City Council's Environment Committee agreed to the necessary works. I recently visited the site to inspect the works now well-underway - see photo below:
Tue 12th
08:25
Ed Miliband's agenda branded "pathetic", "bland" and "catastrophic" by Labour grassroots
[IMG: Ed Miliband. Photo courtesy of - some rights reserved] So reports the Huffington Post: Ed Miliband's policy agenda has been branded "pathetic", "catastrophic", "mealy-mouthed" and "bland" by the Labour Party's grassroots. The criticism for much of Labour's policy platform came in response to the party's policy review on its "Your Britain" website... The Labour Party in Oxford branded the party's economic proposals "wishy-washy" and full of "anodyne general statements that mean little in practise"... The Labour party in Ulverston, Cumbria, tore into the party's "pathetic" stance on welfare reform... The Labour Party's Aycliffe north-west Branch, in County Durham, ...
The Times reveals that despite continuing poll leads some of Ed Miliband's flagship policies have been derided as catastrophic, pathetic and "wishy-washy" by Labour's own grass roots. They say that party branches have criticised policies on the economy, housing, welfare reform and education, as part of the party's agenda review on the Your Britain website. These concerns, they say, echo remarks by Jon Cruddas, who is overseeing Labour's policy review, who said this year that the party was focusing on "cynical" policies that "chime with focus groups": Labour's economic proposals were described as "wishy-washy" by members in Oxford. They said ...
Today is the "Glorious Twelfth" which is the start of the shooting season, especially of Grouse. I would suggest today, of all days, is a good day to look at the issue of why people who own guns are actually subsidised by the taxpayer. From the outset, let me put a few points on record, on what I know is an incredibly emotive issue. Firstly, I don't shoot or have any desire to do so, but secondly I understand just how important shooting is throughout the UK for some people, with a recent report suggesting that at least 600,000 people ...
Tue 12th
08:09
Maghull TC – Lib Dem Opposition Group's response to 'additional sites' consultation – Se...
Here is our submission regarding the 'additional sites' as they affect the Civil Parish of Maghull. Informed readers may wonder about the first paragraph of our submission as an article on this very blog site from last Saturday indicated that Maghull Town Council was indeed trying to cobble together a submission on the very last day of the consultation (8th August). Whether anything was sent in by the Town Council your guess is as good as mine but this submission was was sent off on the 6th August whilst the Labour-run Town Council was seemingly asleep on the job you ...
[IMG: image] It was standing room only last night, as Richard Benyon MP held a public meeting on Gaza in Newbury Town Hall. Of about 20 speakers, 18 spoke up for the Palestinian cause with great passion and knowledge. There were a surprising number of people with a declared personal interest to some extent or another. That well known Israeli government spokesman, Hans Christian Andersen, was remarkably absent. Two people made brief comments in support of Israel. I'm afraid to say that one gentleman was cut off/shouted down as he spoke in support of Israel. The shouting down came from ...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-28740152 The BBC has the story – see link above. A very positive move indeed.
It may be late in the night here in the UK but the breaking news of the death of Robin Williams at the age of 63 takes me back to the cinema in Richmond where along with a group of friends from Kingston Polytechnic we watched Dead Poets Society. I sat there in the dark and really recognised with the character of Neil Perry (played by Robert Sean Leonard). For those who have seen the film but can't place him, he was the artistic one who wanted to be an actor and on the night of his Puck in A ...
Stumbled across one of those regular email rants from IMS who send out regular publicity for local demos and Thanet Watch Magazine and also promote Videos produced by Christine Tongue EMAIL From I assume Christine Tongue THANET STAND UP TO UKIP Tel: 07947 424505 PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 2014 "STOP FARAGE" CAMPAIGN IS LAUNCHED A campaign has been launched to stop UKIP leader Nigel Farage being elected as MP for Thanet South. Thanet Stand Up To UKIP is a broadbased campaign supported by trade unions, local people, Labour and the Green Party, LGBT and disabled activists. The campaign has been launched ...
I was about to type up a linkblog and go to bed when I saw that the actor and comedian Robin Williams had died, and that the cause of death is apparently suicide (I'm not linking to any news articles, because everything I've seen has talked about the method, and that goes against the Samaritans [...]
[IMG: DixonsGapBridgeBarriersBlogsmall] This canal bridge is at Dixons Gap, between Tring and Long Marston, over the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal near Wilstone. The road approaching the bridge is straight on either side and subject only to the national speed limit of 60 mph for a single carriageway road. You cannot see over this bridge, so you do not know if a vehicle may be coming towards you from the other direction. There is only enough width on the bridge for one vehicle. It is not protected by lights like the bridges in Buckinghamshire. It is on a ...
