Secret Society

We have heard a lot about the "Big Society" but is there a "Secret Society" in East Staffordshire.
Labour Members of the Council are excluded from the meeting of their authority according to Burton Mail.

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Labour-members-are-kicked-out-of-town-hall-meeting-by-Tory-rivals.htm

I thought the Councillors did enjoy more privileges as elected representatives and members of the Council than public. 

Item 3Ba of the Constitution of the Council describes the role of the Councillor and states:

"2.1 To participate in the good governance of the area.


2.2 To represent effectively and proactively the interests of the ward/neighbourhood that you are elected to represent.

2.3 To contribute actively to the formation and scrutiny of the authority’s policies, budget, strategies and service delivery."

The Councillors have specific roles and responsibilities. None of these could be fulfilled if the Councillors are not allowed to attend the meetings.

Coalition going South

The approval rating for the Con/Lib Coalition Government has taken a sharp dip.

 http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/10/coalition-falls-approval-fees

Free Electric Blanket Testing

There will be free electric blanket testing on 25 October 2010 in Town Centre between 9.30am - 12.00pm & 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Electric Blankets cause many fires and this is useful check to ensure the blankets are safe to use.

ESBC Communication/Website

The Websites are used to inform and update people. Local Authorities use websites amongst other things to publicise their services, inform customers, make online payments and interact with public. Indeed public are encouraged to use Websites for information and services from organisations.

ESBC also has a website. Sometimes it is inevitable to keep the information updated in real time and there may be some lag in updating the website.

However when something is flagged up then one would expect that the information is updated as soon as possible.

Good and accurate communication reflects upon an organisation’s professionalism, intent, quality, moral, commitments and ethos.  Good communication also engenders trust and confidence.

I was advised that the website in respect of Neighbourhood Wardens will be updated in early March. Over six months later the website shows this information under "Warden Patrols".

"Patrol Timetable
The Community Wardens work 2-shift pattern that rotates over a three-week cycle 0830-1630hrs & 1230-12030hrs Mon-Fri

They undertake duties such as Littering, Anti Social Behaviour, Dog Fouling and are a good point of visible contact in the area."

Now in this information I cannot see the timetable. There are details of Wardens’ working times but upon close scrutiny I don't understand it.

Accurate and up to date information to public is really important!  But this is shoddy communication and unacceptable from a public service provider. As tax payers, we expect better standard of communication.

The Conservative led Council tells us about cost savings but frankly public are struggling to reconcile savings because what we hearing, seeing, feeling and experiencing are cuts in services and quality.
The Council spends around £80,000 on ES News. People are more likely to visit the website for up to date information and services than read ES News.

I leave it to the readers to judge where the priorities are for the Conservative administration.

Tories Cut Child benefit

The Conservative Party Conference has been dominated by the cut in child benefit announcement.
This means that people who work hard and are earning around £44,000 will lose the child benefit.  At this level of income you could hardly say people are rich.  However on the other hand a family could earn £80,000 and keep the child benefit.  So where is fairness in this?
It seems that this is a hasty policy without proper consideration.
This cut was not in Conservative manifesto.  I recall Conservatives were telling us they were going to find savings from the 'waste' is Government departments.

So what's next...???

Update on Chestnut Grange Development

To date the following works have been carried out –


• The new sewer diversion and culvert works are complete and the sewer now runs down Anglesey Road (along the inside of the hoardings)

• The piling works and the piling mat are now complete

• Excavation work and concrete foundations are complete

• Substructure block work and internal drainage are mainly complete.

• The beam and block floors are nearly finished and will be complete by the end of September.

• Brickwork has now begun and more operatives have been on site since late September so the progress with this should be quite rapid.

The completion of new retirement home complex is expected in November 2011.

New Play equipment at Anglesey Park

Work has commenced to install new play equipment at Anglesey Park.  The Council secured circa £44000 for the open space provision from the Heritage Brewery (Burton Village) development through section 106. This money was secured in 2006 but it has taken a long time to design and implement this project. £30,000 from section 106 monies is used for new play equipment.  The equipment was chosen by local youngsters after consultation with local schools.
The remaining money approximately £15k is earmarked for the changing rooms in Anglesey Park.  This will contribute towards a larger project by the Parish Council and to help keep the precept down.  Last year the Parish Council raised the precept from £11000 to £30000.

Back again

I have not blogged for a while but I am back again and will be posting bloggs regularly.

Thank You

Thank you to all the people of  Burton & Uttoxeter who supported and voted for Ruth Smeeth & Labour Party.
No doubt we'll be in touch through our leaflets & on the door step.

Your Future Vote for it

http://www2.labour.org.uk/60seconds

This is why you should vote LABOUR....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BA2Jz7xIXw&feature=player_embedded

The road ahead...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p2bmyspD4s&feature=player_embedded

Tories have real problem with numbers ...

This time the Tories are targeting benefit cheats to reduce deficit but how much?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/parties_and_issues/8611173.stm

Sign the Petition, Save the Bus Pass

Well done to Mrs Collier for supporting "Save the Bus Pass" petition initiated by Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Ruth Smeeth.

Please join in the campaign to save the bus pass here.

Real Impact of Conservative Cuts

This letter in Burton Mail today shows the real impact of the bus pass cuts.  This is truly shameful.

Scrutiny in turmoil; Tories in disarray

The Conservatives in East Staffordshire Borough Council have killed the scrutiny over the last seven years so much so that they don’t even know it works.

In February, the Chief Executive, produced the revised Scrutiny arrangements as the old system was simply a failure. The new system was intended to improve functioning of the Scrutiny, be more inclusive and effective. It would have given all members of the Council opportunity to participate and engage in the working of the Council.

In the last Scrutiny Programme Board (SPB) Meeting on 1 March 2010, the membership of the new committees was agreed. This was done to commence the scrutiny work in earnest and to complete many outstanding reviews from previous system without further delay.

However, today, in the Scrutiny Programme Board (SPB) Meeting we have learned that at least 3 Labour Councillors cannot take part in the new Scrutiny system as proposed by the Chief Executive due to constitutional requirement for political balance.

The Labour Group rightly does not want to disenfranchise any of its elected members from taking part in the Scrutiny process. For many, it is the only way to take part and challenge the ruling Conservative administration.

So today SPB had no other option but to suspend the Committee membership until all members of the Council can take part in the Scrutiny. This means NO SCRUTINY work until further notice!

We have gone from improving and reviving the system to total collapse.  This is utter chaos, shambles and incompetence.

This is a damning indictment of the Conservative administration which does not know how to run the Council. Their priorities are to target and penalise elderly and disabled people by cutting bus pass scheme.

Tories are untrustworthy

David Cameron has said today that Tories will protect free bus travel.  But from the recent cut in free bus travel in East Stafforshire we know Tories are lying.

He said "I understand many, many pensioners live on incredibly tight budgets and so increases in electricity prices, or gas prices, or council tax, put incredible pressure on.
And what I want to see is the ability to give people the chance to have dignity and security in old age."

He obviously does not mean it as Conservatives in East Staffordshire Borough Council heeded his message to freeze Council Tax at the expense of elderly and disabled by cutting free bus pass scheme.

Thanks to Labour's PPC, Ruth Smeeth, Labour is leading a high profile protest and petition to save the bus pass scheme.

It is interesting to note that Conservative PPC has not condemed this decision by local Tories which confirms it is Conservative policy.

Tory Propaganda

The Tories are spreading the propaganda regarding bus pass cuts by asking people to write in to Burton Mail and accusing Labour of two-faced.
The Labour Group voted against the budget. 
The budget item was discussed late into the night because Conservative Deputy Leaders wanted to read their lengthy but largely useless reports.
No one was in the public gallery when budget was discusssed or shall I say not discussed as the Tory Mayor was getting tired and it was well past his bed time.  He actually curtailed the debate and denied many Labour Councillors opportunity to speak.
Conservatives are targeting elderly and disabled people.  This is the taste of things to come if they get elected in General election.

Click on the link below to sign Ruth Smeeth's petition to Save Bus Pass Scheme.
http://www.saveourbuspasses.com/

Vote for Policies...

This in an interesting website to decide your vote on policies not personalities.

http://voteforpolicies.org.uk/

Chilling reminder of life under Tories...

http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/page/invite/IRememberVideo?source=email20100322&utm_source=full%2Blist&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2010_03_22

Public Service Cuts...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGeZ6Z9hTcE&feature=player_embedded

Tory Cut or Saving??

The Conservatives at ESBC stated £73k savings in the budget.  But in fact it is a cut in service as there will be no free bus travel before 9.30am.
This means that the Tories have withdrawn the Labour's flagship free bus pass scheme introduced before the national scheme.
The scheme provided now is national consessionary travel scheme funded by Labour central Government.

So the Tories are targeting the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Tories hit elderly in ESBC

The Burton Mail has reported that ESBC is cutting Bus pass scheme for over 60's by restricting travel before 9.30am.

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=487141

This is unacceptable and Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Ruth Smeeth, has started a petition to stop this cut which is directed at the most vulnerable people by the Tory party in ESBC.

Please click on the link below to support Ruth's petition and help us to save our bus pass scheme.
http://www.saveourbuspasses.com/

The real impacts of headline grabbing 0% council tax increase by the Tories are unfolding.

Chestnut Grange Development

The Contractors have moved in and work on Chestnut Grange project (Anglesey Court /Horrace Pritchard) has commenced.  The first tree has come down and some of the residents are sad to see the tree taken down.  However they are also encouraged that the new development will lift the area.
There will be regular updates on my blog.

Shouting Match

In the Anglesey Parish Council meeting last night, Councillor Tariq Hussain, asked if the budget update document could be circulated with the agenda & minutes to allow Councillors more time to consider instead of presenting the document at the meeting.
This appeared to be a reasonable request but Cllr Marbrow disagreed with this suggestion and stated that budget update is made available from 6.30pm i.e. half an hour before the meeting.  Councillor Hussain cited work commitments for not being able to arrive earlier i.e 6.30pm.
She then laid into Councillor Hussain accusing him of being late to meetings or not attending.
I thought this was extraordinary and unjustified personal attack on Councillor Hussain by the Chair and out of context in front of other Councillors and public.
As an observer I could not undertstand why this crucial information could not be provided a few days earlier.  It simply raises more suspecions on working of the Council.

Residents storm out of the Anglesey Parish Council Meeting

Third month in a row residents have attended Parish Council meeting to protest against 176% precept increase. The residents are outraged by Anglesey Parish Council’s attitude towards them despite vociferous protests, cogent arguments and a petition supported by over 350 people.


Last night the chair, Cllr Sue Marbrow, refused any discussion in open forum where residents can raise their concerns.

The residents are getting frustrated as the meetings appear to be dictated by 1 or 2 people. The other Councillors feel frightened to even make comments. Most of the Councillors simply site through the meetings without making any comments.

One of the residents was so frustrated by the Councillors not speaking for the residents; He asked “Is this Council representing residents of Anglesey?” What is it doing for us?” He then stormed out of the meeting.

The public also said that no one knows about Anglesey Parish Council.

I think the Parish Council has serious issues and rather than imposing financial liability on the residents, it should try to consult and engage with the residents. They should also take note of the public feedback that their plan for taking out a loan is utterly rejected.

Helping our Communities

As Anglesey Borough Councillors, Mick & I, are pleased to award £550 from our WASP (Ward ACtion Service Plan) funding to Pakistani Community Centre for replacement double glazed windows.
The Community Centre is located in the heart of the Community and seen as an important venue and facility to reach and engage with the local community.
The centre is preparing a relaxation and entertainment room for the youth in the area.  This project is initiated by the young people themselves and supported by Staffordshire County Council Youth Service.
We hope this will create an attractive and enjoyable meeting place for youth in the area where they can engage in a variarty of educational, entertainment and physical activities in a secure and supervised environment.

Trip for local School children

We are pleased to provide £500 from our WASP funding for a trip from Anglesey School which involves 73 children and 12 helpers to the Farm at Chatsworth House.  The trip is organised by Bretby Roatry Club.

The Farm is both educational and entertaining, their guides are chosen to give conducted tours of the farm. The children find the animals facinating, they are told about life on the farm. They ask all sorts of questions, the guides tell them about animal husbandry and aspects of farming! The day is split into two parts, on arrival,a party are taken around the farm while the other go to the adventure playground and after lunch they change over. The farm has its own risk assessment and is very strict on cleanliness.

This will be a really good and enjoyable opportunity for the children.

Angry residents storm the Parish Council Meeting

Many local residents attended the Anglesey Parish Council meeting yesterday evening to register their protest and deep anger against massive hike in the precept and potential loan.

The meeting was packed by the local residents and there was not even standing room as some of the residents had to stand in the corridor.

A petition signed by 311 residents was also presented to the Parish Council.  The residents are totally horrified by the increase in precept which represents nearly 3 times the amount levied last year.

Residents protested that they were not consulted and were unaware of this increase which they cannot afford.

The Anglesey Parish Council should take notice of comments and strength of the feeling by the public. The local residents are rasing numerous question particulary the way the Parish Council is run and its arrogant and dismissive attitude towards local residents.  The residents are treated with utter contempt.

Cancer waiting time comparison

Here is a difference between Tory & Labour.  This is an interesting & informative comparison of waiting times for Cancer patients.

http://www.votenhs.com/

Anglesey Parish Council - Why is the increase in precept so high?

The Anglesey Parish Council has decided to increase the Council tax by a massive 276% from £11000 to £30400. I feel that before embarking on this major project at the expense of local residents in one of the most deprived areas, the Parish Council should undertake a comprehensive consultation. Furthermore such massive increase in the present climate when people are worried about their jobs, houses, bills and feeding their family is totally unjustified.


The reason given for this increase is that Parish Council wishes to take out a loan for £80000 to pay for construction of changing rooms at Anglesey Park. We support changing rooms but believe that, like other Parish Councils in Burton, the money should be raised through grant aid.

There are number of crucial questions which the Anglesey Parish Council must address:

We are also told that repayment for the loan will be around £10,000. At this rate the residents of Anglesey will be paying for the loan for the next 10 to 15 years.

If the tax increase is to fund changing rooms and loan repayment is £10,000 per year then why has the tax increased by nearly £20,000? Is there another reason for the tax increase which the Parish Council has not stated? The numbers simply don’t add up!!

Who will use the changing rooms? As the residents of Anglesey are paying for them, will they have exclusive use?

What will be the charging policy? How will the financial contribution of Anglesey residents be recognised? Will Anglesey residents be able to use them free or at discounted rate?

Alma Street Development

The work at the old Keepmere Engineering site in Alma Street/Uxbridge Street is progressing at a brisk pace.  The buildings are taking shape with roofs going up for building fronting Alma Street.

There are works undertaken on the road/footpath in Uxbridge Street but temporary footpath diversion is a bit precarious at busy Evesrshed Way junction.  I hope this work is completed quickly and footpath reinstated.

New Street Lights in Wood Street

New street lights and lamp posts have been installed in Wood Street.  This has come about after long campaign by our County Councillor Peter Davies.

It shows that Labour team is working in Anglesey.

ESBC response to massive tax hike

ESBC has responded hrough a letter in Burton Mail to the claim by the Anglesey Parish Council that reason for 276% increase in council tax is due to non co-operation of ESBC.

Apparently ESBC are still awaiting full cost estimate for the changing rooms.  If this is the case, then how can Anglesey Parish Council justify such a massive increase in the Council Tax.

The Parish Council needs to explain the situation to its residents why they are made to pay such increase in the current economic climate.

176% increase in Council Tax

Anglesey Parish Council has decided in its meeting last Thursday to increase the Parish precept by 176%.

This decision is utterly unjustified in the current economic climate and in one of the most impovrished wards in the Country.  People are really concerned about their jobs, bills and livelihoods.  No one needs extra tax burden and certainly not to such a ridiculous extent.

There was strong public opposition to this decision after Burton Mail highlighted the issue after last months meeting.  However public out cry went unnoticed as Parish Councillors had no intention to change their mind.