Last night I attended the  first Street Lighting Working Group meeting at the Town Hall.

The working group arose out of the Tories “turn them off – no turn them back on again” U-turn on a budgeted 1 in 3 street light turn off. I was one of those that opposed the original proposal because I believe the issue needs addressing properly both from a financial perspective but also to address environment issues. Our Street lights emit about 13% of the Council’s Co2 emissions.

Last nights first meeting was a briefing on the issues, the state of our street lights, the technology available in replacement lights and options available for improving street lights in the borough.

We were told we had about 18,500 street lamps and that 1 in 5 of our street lamps (that’s 4000) was over 40 years old – when they have a life expectancy of 25-30 years!  We also learned that we are currently spending the whole of the available street light maintenance budget on replacing unsafe, broken or fallen down street lamps.

In effect we are replacing about 150 lamps a year when we currently have over 4000 that need replacing now. When you add to that the urgency required to get our CO2 emissions down, you will see why the working group were supportive of looking into various options to find the capital to replace street lamps and bring others up to standards now required.

Earlier this month we discovered that it would take to 2084 to repair all of our roads last night we learned that it would take to 2035 to replace our decrepit (over 40 years old) street lamps.

It really does bring home to you how much of our infrastructure has been neglected under successive Conservative and Labour Governments. 

As previously reported, proposals to improve safety at this busy junction have been brought forward by Council Officers and have now been consulted on.

Only one resident raised any concerns and as such the proposed safety scheme is now set to be implemented before the end of the financial year in March 2010.

I attach correspondence and details of the proposal here: heywood-rd-bor-safety-scheme.pdf

MEDIA STATEMENT

Bury’s dole queues have lengthened by over three quarters this year to over 4,000.

Now Bury South Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Vic D’Albert says the Government must act fast to halt the rise in job losses and home repossessions in the borough.

There are now 4,230 people claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance in Bury, an increase of 78.9% compared to this time last year, and an increase of 41.7% in the last three months.

Unemployment in the borough is now at a higher level than before Labour came to power in 1997, after the ravages of 18 years of Tory government.

Commenting, Vic D’Albert said: “Despite some sterling work by local businesses, these figures show that the recession is continuing to hit Bury hard as more jobs and homes are being lost. It is clear to me that the Labour government has failed Bury, and that the Tory Council isn’t doing anything like enough to help.

“It is vital that the Government offers help to the millions who are struggling to keep their heads above water. Income tax should be cut, and the banks must pass on the cuts in interest rates to reduce the cost of borrowing and keep people in their homes, and businesses open.

“The Prime Minister promised to abolish boom and bust, yet for the people of Bury it’s unemployment that’s booming, and their businesses that are going bust.
At the same time, the Tories at the Town Hall are dithering over Lib Dem proposals like our “Park Free After 3″ idea which would be a big boost to jobs.

“The banks have had their bail-out, how much longer must ordinary people wait for theirs?”

(source: Office of National Statistics)

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats has launched this message for anyone who’s ever voted for the Green Party, or is thinking about doing so at the next general election. He’s asking you to lend your vote to the Liberal Democrats in 2010, to stop climate change.

Nick says: “This election is our best chance – it’s probably our last chance – to get a government that acts to cut carbon emissions and protect our planet for our children. This is not a time for people who care about the environment to quarrel between ourselves. This is a time for unity.

I understand completely why people are drawn to the Green Party. Lots of people tell me they know the Greens can’t win, but they want to send a message that the environment matters. I understand that.

But the time for sending messages is over. Climate scientists tell us the next government will be the last one that can stop dangerous climate change. So it’s time for action. Only a party that has real power and influence at the heart of government will be able to make it happen.

There has been too much hot air from Labour and the Conservatives. If either of them is given a free rein in the next Parliament, they will fall short of what’s needed. They will kow-tow to business interests and political pressure. We cannot afford to let that happen.

That’s where the Liberal Democrats come in. We can make the difference.

Already, there are 150 Liberal Democrats MPs and peers in Parliament. Our votes in Parliament got a “feed in tariff” put into law to encourage renewable energy. Our votes forced the government to commit to smart meters in every household. Our votes forced companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions. We are a force for real green change, not just green words.

Just imagine what we could achieve in the next Parliament, with your help. We will demand 10% cuts in emissions in 2010, like the brilliant 10-10 campaign is fighting for. We will demand a real commitment to renewable energy. We will demand Britain be set on course to a zero carbon future. And if – with your help – our voice is strong enough, we will succeed.

Many people vote for the Green Party for good reasons. But time is running out, and a vote for a party that probably won’t win a single MP is a wasted vote. The best bet for all environmentalists is to unite under the banner of the only green party that’s actually got power in Parliament. With your support, the Liberal Democrats will be bigger and stronger than ever, and we will force through the change you want – the change our planet needs.

The clock is ticking. Climate change is worsening. We have one planet, and no second chances. So let us have one voice, too. Lend your vote to the Liberal Democrats, and stop climate change before it is too late.”

Nick Clegg
Leader of the Liberal Democrats

How & Why We Can Do This

I was delighted to be on hand to join in the presentation to Zack Hipps for winning the Prestwich Festival, “Prestwich has Junior Talent competition”.

Zack was presented with a framed canvass photo of himself with his sister – whom he beat in the competition, and a certificate of achievement.

I remember the competition very well. It was a lovely (rare) summers evening and there were some great performances from the young people. To me the whole event epitomised what the festival was all about. Hopefully next years event will be even bigger and better, but in the meantime congratulations to Zack, his sister and undoubtedly their very proud parents.

I was delighted to be able to take a tour of St.Michael’s RC Primary School in Whitefield today.

I had asked for an opportunity to go round the school in order that I may get to know the school a bit better. I was recently appointed to the school as a school Governor on behalf of the Local Education Authority. As I explained to Norman Duffin, the head teacher, I like to try and understand the school and be able to picture staff and the various parts of the building – I think that helps when I attend Governing Body meetings.

I was extremely impressed with the school, there seems to be a great atmosphere - a very happy school, and classrooms are bright and airy with tremendous displays on the walls.

Norman took the opportunity to outline some of the planned improvements for the school, which are quite exciting and will only enhance and improve the learning environment.

 I really enjoyed the opportunity and look forwad to forthcoming Governors meetings.

Once again Labour are both slow to react and when they do, they get it wrong. Baroness Scotland should resign over the error in employing an immigrant worker without the proper paperwork, not because of any political malice or opportunist “knifing” on my part, but because of her status and position.

As Attorney General she is the countries chief legal officer and advisor to the Government. She herself brought in the law that she has now broken (accidentally or otherwise). And remember ignorance of the law is no defence – and surely to goodness she cannot claim ignorance from where she stands.

No, the key reason is the fact that she holds one of the highest offices in the land and the top legal position at that. There is a real danger that she will be bringing her office into disrepute and certainly damaging its status and credibility. If she values the  position of attorney general and its reputation she will go.

But of course the amazing thing in all this is that Gordon Brown appears unable to see that or is at least prepared to see the office of Attorney general diminished in the public eye in order that one of his friends can keep their job. That is a bad decision and plain wrong.

You can read the full speech here:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/news_detail.aspx?title=Speech%3a_Nick_Clegg_delivers_his_speech_to_Autumn_Conference&pPK=8751593d-e92b-47fa-b6d3-61cd48e7d55d

Conservative Chairman , Eric Pickles has today said it’s time for Lib Dem voters to come home to the Tory party and told senior Lib Dem, Chris Huhne he is “playing hard to get”.

If we are really so close to the Tories why don’t they join the Lib Dems. In fact if any Conservatives want to drop me a line I’ll happily pop round and sign them up.

Of course Mr Pickles is in wind up mode and is just trying to undermine Lib Dem fortunes. The fact remains we are miles apart on many key issues. For instance while David Cameron proposes sweeping cuts to the salad counter at the House of Commons the Lib Dems are looking at savage cuts to Government expenditure in an attempt to find ways of safeguarding crucial front line services. 

While David Cameron goes on jollys to the North Pole to show us his green credentials the Lib Dems have been putting together real policies to deal with much needed cuts to Co2 etc including scrapping nuclear power and developing alternative sustainable energy.

While Cameron has huffed and puffed about the state of our democracy only the Lib Dems have proposed real reforms that include fair votes for our people.

Then there is civil liberties – more rhetoric about rolling back the state from Cameron, proposed legislation to scrap hundreds of illiberal laws from the Lib Dems.

Pickles, Cameron and co. are no liberals, but they are opportunists that are determined not to let ideology and real policies get in the way of a grab for power next year. And we have all seen what that approach has done to New Labour since ’97   

BT is warning customers to be on their guard after a series of phone scams involving people claiming to be calling from the company.

The scammers call up their victim and warn them that their account is in arrears.
They then ask for card or bank details in order to settle the account.
If the person refuses or asks for proof, the fraudsters then offer to prove who they are by disconnecting the phone line then and there.

Once the victim puts the phone down, the scammer stays connected to their line, thus giving the impression that the customer’s line no longer works.

Evidence shows this type of phone scam has been happening all over the country.
Last weekend a number of elderly people in Suffolk fell victim to the scam; there have also been cases in the past year all over England and Wales.

Graham Preston, the lead officer for scams at Trading Standards, admits this type of phone fraud is around.
“Scams sadly are very common, they are variations of a theme and this particular scam seems to be prevalent at the moment,” he said.

He warns people to be on guard.
“In terms of advising people, keep your wits about you, be cynical. If somebody calls you, mistrust them if you have to, or don’t trust them,” he said.

“Particularly if they are asking for money, if they want your credit card details don’t be afraid to say no,” he added.

BT says it does sometimes make calls to customers about debt – but stresses that it never carries out disconnections during the call.

It advises customers not to give out any banking details over the phone unless they are absolutely certain who they are dealing with.