Road safety campaign success - Zebra crossings to be raised at Marske.

Following a campaign by Redcar MP Ian Swales, Councillor Madge Moses (pictured right), Parish Councillor Margaret Wilson (pictured left) and local residents, the zebra crossings in Marske are to be raised, acting as a traffic-calming measure and improving pedestrian safety.

 

Following a series of accidents in the area around Marske High Street, the MP received a number of cases from residents concerned about pedestrian safety. He raised the issue with the Council who have confirmed that a consultation will be undertaken, with work planned for the next financial year, pending the consultation’s outcome. The crossing on Redcar Road and the two on the High Street are all expected to be raised.

 

Ian Swales MP said:

 

“This is very good news for the people of Marske. The new, raised crossings will make drivers slow down and improve pedestrian safety in the village. It is a very busy thoroughfare and I’m glad the Council agree that improvements should be made.”

Lib Dems demand Surestart swimming for Redcar, Marske & New Marske

A Liberal Democrat councillor is demanding access to swimming through Surestart for families in the Marske, New Marske and Redcar areas.

Councillor Margaret Wilson, who represents St Germains ward in Marske, raised the issue at last Thursday’s meeting of Redcar & Cleveland Council. She feels that children from Marske, New Marske and Redcar are not getting a fair deal.

Local children in these areas qualify for free swimming sessions via Surestart, but cannot get them because of the booking system at Saltburn baths. This gives priority to families from Saltburn and other eastern parts of the borough.

Margaret Wilson said:

“Above all this highlights the need for a pool at Redcar. But until that time we need an arrangement which does not deprive children from Marske, New Marske and Redcar of free swimming.

"I hope a solution can be found so that our children are not deprived of swimming. We are after all a coastal borough, which makes learning to swim all the more important.

“The Council could look at providing sessions at Kirkleatham Hall School baths as a short-term measure. This happened in the past so why not again?”

Yorkshire Day at Guisborough

Who is that guy behind the Mayor? Could it be George Dunning Labour Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council wearing a white rose? Wonders will never cease. Picture by Cllr Val Halton.

Lib Dems on parade. Third right. Cllr Margaret Wilson, Cllr Irene Curr, Cllr Mary Ovens. Centre, in front of flag, Cllr Madge Moses, flanked by her son and daughter-in-law. Picture by Cllr Val Halton.


Chris and Glynis carry the flag. Picture by Cllr Val Halton.

The Lib Dem Chain Gang. Just some of the Lib Dem Mayors, Mayoresses and former Mayors pictured in the grounds of Guisborough Priory.

The largest gathering of Civic Heads in the world at Guisborough today to celebrate Yorkshire Day.

Lib Dems Call for Support for Seaside Towns

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council are calling on the borough’s MPs to support a campaign to promote British seaside holidays.

Travelodge, the hotel chain, has launched a “Save Our Seaside” campaign. They hope to open 55 new hotels in seaside locations, and claim this will create 1000 new jobs.

Two Lib Dem MPs from coastal constituencies, John Pugh (Southport) and Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) have submitted an Early Day Motion (EDM 2122) to Parliament congratulating Travelodge on its scheme.

Marske Lib Dem Councillor Margaret Wilson (pictured) is urging Redcar & Cleveland’s two MPs to sign the EDM

Cllr Wilson said:

“Travelodge have realised that reviving our seaside towns will require a partnership of businesses, central and local government and individuals as consumers.

"The Borough Redcar and Cleveland has a terrific coastline and a number of friendly seaside towns and villages. We need to improve and promote them.

“Even the Prime Minister is taking a holiday on the Suffolk coast this year, so I hope the local Labour MPs will at least be able to support this initiative.”

Bid to broadcast Council meetings - update

Posted by Chris:

I see that we have been receiving dozens of links from redcar.net to the item, posted in August, about the Lib Dem bid to broadcast Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council meetings, proposed by Councillor Margaret Wilson.

In view of the interest here is an update:

The Council referred the matter to the new Democracy Commission, which is currently in the process of being set up. It is one of a list of items that will be investigated, hopefully quickly, though the majority Labour Group do not seem very keen on the idea. Myself and the other Lib Dem members of the Democracy Commission will do our best to ensure that the idea comes to fruition as soon as possible.

Lib Dems Demand Recording of Council Meetings

Liberal Democrat Councillors on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council today struck a blow for political openness by calling for meetings to be recorded and broadcast on the Council website.

This follows the highly successful introduction of a similar scheme at neighbouring North Yorkshire County Council earlier this year.

However, the ruling Labour group stopped short of agreeing to the proposal, and instead argued for the matter to be referred to the Council’s “Democracy Commission”.

Marske Councillor Margaret Wilson proposed the motion, saying:

“The Council already has the technology to do this and it will give the public the opportunity to see the Councillors they elected in action. It will also provide an accurate record of the proceedings.”

“I am pleased that the Labour Party half-supported my motion. We will now have to see what the Democratic Commission is all about, and whether it has any real power to change the Council in ways which allow public access.”

Redcar Lib Dem Councillor Joyce Benbow seconded the motion, adding:

“Few people are able to attend Council meetings, as they take place during the day. Access to the Town Hall Chamber is also difficult for people with disabilities. But if people could watch proceedings at home at a time of their own choosing, many more would get the chance to see and hear what goes on.”

Bid to broadcast Council meetings

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council have submitted a motion calling on the Council to broadcast meetings of Full Council on the Authority's website.

Councillor Margaret Wilson (pictured), the proposer of the motion, said: "The Council already has the technology to do this and it will give the public the opportunity to see the Councillors they elected in action. It will also provide an accurate record of the proceedings."

Seconder of the motion, Councillor Joyce Benbow, said: "We want the Council to be open and transparent. Most people are not able to attend Council meetings but will be interested to follow the debates on their PC in the comfort of their own home."

Ian Swales, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar said: "I am delighted that the Lib Dem Councillors are proposing the live recording of Council meetings. It is already done by Parliament and a number of other Councils. It is a step in the right direction."

Yorkshire Day at Redcar

Ian Swales Lib Dem PPC for Redcar recites a special North Riding version of the Cliff Young poem "God's own County."

Left of Ian is Lib Dem Councillor Madge Moses and to the right is Councillor Margaret Wilson.

Stewart MacFarlane MBE reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity at precisely 11.32am on Redcar High Street.

White roses were sold at a £1 each and all the proceeds will go to Redcar Lifeboat. Local people were queuing up to buy them and we sold out this year's stock.

A Viking reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity in Old Norse

Left to right: Cllr Dave Fitzpatrick, Eric Howden,

Radio Cleveland's Stewart MacFarlane, Cllr Madge Moses,

Cllr Margaret Wilson, Cllr Glynis Abbott and Daniel.