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.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Real Impact of Conservative Cuts
This letter in Burton Mail today shows the real impact of the bus pass cuts. This is truly shameful.
Monday, 29 March 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
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.
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/
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/
http://voteforpolicies.org.uk/
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
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.
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.
Friday, 12 March 2010
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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