Gullies Cleaned in Oak Street

Today all but 3 gullies were cleaned in Oak Street.  These gullies needed a clean badly as they were full of rubbish with restricted water flow which cause flooding every time it rained.  After gully cleaning the road was swept so the whole of the street received a deep clean.

Potholes repairs

After a couple of severe winters the roads are peppered with potholes.  Some the potholes are quite dangerous.  As local Councillors, we have been trying to get these potholes repaired.  The potholes and large patch repairs have been carried out in Branston Road.  The Contractors have now moved to Anglesey Road and repair work is presently ongoing.  This work should be completed in a few days.

Update on Alcohol Free Zone in Anglesey

The legal notice for Alcohol free zone in Anglesey was published in Burton Mail today.  The order will take effect on 1 May 2011.
We are already receiving positive comments from the local residents.

Never Again

During canvassing I have met many people who have said that they voted Tories last year but never again.  We are not surprised by this response given the cuts in:

• Police numbers
• Winter fuel allowance
• Child benefit
• Child trust fund
• bus services

and increase in:

• Tuition fees
• VAT

These changes are profoundly hurting people across East Staffordshire.

Are Tories Flouting Affordable Housing Policy?

In December last year the Tory Cabinet at ESBC approved a Supplementary Planning Document for housing choice in the Borough. Copy of the report can be found here.

In this document the Council stated 30% affordable housing is required to meet the Borough's requirements.  The purpose of this document was to use this as a planning tool to secure the afforable housing requirements from new developments.

However we understand that this policy may not be implemented in all cases.  Please read about a recent planning application where the amount of affordable housing is reduced to 5%.
http://www.burtonlabour.org.uk/jcb.html

Now why are Tories flouting their own policy?  Is this the way to run the Council?

Tory arrogance over Sale of the Crem

I read the following artticle with interest.
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Vicar-says-no-consultation-over-crematorium-sale.htm

I particularly note comments from Tory Councillor, Len Milner.

He stated "You all think you’re getting a loss from the sale but you’re not."
“You’ll be getting an improved crematorium and I don’t see what this has to do with Stretton."
“A consultation has taken place with the relevant people including clergy, councillors and residents — so it’s nonsense that it hasn’t been made public."
“Profit made from the sale cannot be used to regenerate town or council schemes — it will be ploughed back into the crematorium.”

Lets deal with his comments:
1. No one believes that there will be a loss from the sale.  Indeed everyone knows there will be handsome profit from the sale.
2. Improved Crematorium?  The Crematorium offers an excellent and exceptionally high level of service; and actually 99% of users are satisfied or very satisfied.  Suerly it affects all residents  of East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire including those from Stretton.  This shows the residents of Stretton have no voice over issues which matter to them in the ESBC through their Tory Councillors.
3. There has been no consultation with the residents and Councillors.  The residents have overwhelmingly opposed the sale of the Crem.  The ESBC Councillors were not consulted but instead told in a secret Council meeting that the Council is planning to sell the Crematorium.  The Tories should listen to the public and call off the sale. The Tories only made it public after coverage in Burton Mail.
4. Tory Councillor Milner is getting confused regarding utilisation of profit from the sale.  How can you invest in an assett after you have sold it?  Can someone explain this to me? 
The Councillors were told that the profits will be ring-fenced to invest in Uttoxeter Leisure Centre.  Tory Leader, Cllr Grosvenor has stated "The £8 million, Councillor Grosvenor admitted, could be ploughed back into the community on projects such as Derby Road, Robins Cinema and Bargates where cash is currently not available."

This is called "plugging the hole" in your finances.  It's a pitty Tories have to privatise death to achieve this aim.  They are doing so with complete arrogance.

Green Light for Alcohol Free Zone

The Licensing Committee has approved the Alcohol Free Zone in Anglesey.  The order will now be advertised in the press and appropriate signs will be displayed.  We are hoping the all necessary legal process will be completed by end of April and the order will be in place in May.

The area of Alcohol Free Zone is shown here.

Bulky Waste Collection

Today was bulky Waste Collection day in Anglesey.  The weather was great, sunny and warm.

110 residents requested to collect 400 items.  This amounted to 15 tonnes of waste.  We had a great response from the residents and overall it was a big success.

I am sure in these difficult times such schemes are really appreciated by the residents.  The feedback has been very positive too.

Labour Party Candidates for Elections on 5th May

List of Labour Party Candidates for East Staffordshire Borough Council Elections on 5th May.
http://www.burtonlabour.org.uk/esbccandidates2011.html

Changes to Bus Pass Scheme

For all about Labour's campaign to restore bus pass scheme read here.

Changes at ESBC

Over a dozen staff left ESBC last week.  Some of the officers have been there for years.  We have worked with and helped by many of these officers over the years.  They were committed and hard working people. We are not just losing people but their knowledge and experience.
It's a pitty in the Council meeting last week, the Tories did not even acknowledge their contribution.
The Tories are telling us that we shall not feel the difference in our front line services without these people.   Actually from the feedback on the doorstep, people don't believe Tory rhetoric and are already feeling the pain of the cuts.

Blocked Drains in Oak Street

I have reported blocked drains in Oak Street.  I have been advised by the County council that an inspection has taken place and all the gullies in Oak Street will be cleaned.  However it could take up to 4 weeks.
If anyone wishes to follow up the reference number for report is:
16194.2932011.10

Highways Hotline number is: 0300 111 8000

Road Repairs

The Contractors have been out all week to repair pot holes in Branston Road.  The pot holes were getting really dangerous and we are pleased that proper repairs are being done.
However there are many more pot holes in Anglesey which need repairing too especially in Anglesey Road.

Smelling Drains

There appears to be a major problem with the main drain in Anglesey Ward.  The smell in some of the properties in Ash Street is unbearable.  Similarly the sewer in Anglesey Road is causing blockage and there is raw sewage smell.  One resident in Anglesey Road has told me that main sewer in the road may be broken which is causing the blockage.
Severn Trent have been contacted but they appear to be reluctant to come out and cleanse the main sewer.   This problem needs sorting soon as the smell will only get worse in warm weather.