Redcar Lib Dems welcome extra money to fix potholes

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council are delighted that the Council is to receive over £300,000 to fix potholes.

The Government has just announced extra funding for councils up and down the country to deal with the problem.

Redcar & Cleveland is set to get £301,123. The Government estimates that each pothole costs £53 to fix on average.

This means that over 5,000 holes can be repaired in the borough.

Lib Dem Highways spokesman, Councillor Mike Carling (pictured right), welcomed the extra money saying:

“This is excellent news for our area.

"Potholes affect all areas of our borough. They damage cars and cause injury to pedestrians and cyclists. It’s an issue that concerns many people and that is why Liberal Democrats in Redcar have campaigned for improvements for many years.

“I am pleased to see that the Coalition Government is taking the issue seriously and providing this much-needed extra funding.”

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale added:

“The Labour Council puts up Council Tax every year yet fails to get the basics right. Now, thanks to the Coalition Government, they have no excuse for failing to fix our roads.”

Redcar Lib Dems name their team

Liberal Democrat councillors at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council have re-elected Councillor Glyn Nightingale as their group leader.

Glyn, a retired teacher, represents the Ormesby ward and has been group leader since 2011. He will also speak for the group on finance.

Deputy Leader will be Cllr Josh Mason from Redcar (Zetland ward), who at 26 is one of the youngest councillors in the country. The Lib Dem Group will be chaired by Cllr Mike Carling, who takes over from Cllr Irene Nightingale.

The Lib Dem Group also elected its Shadow Cabinet for the next year. Cllr Mike Carling will speak on highways, transport and planning, whilst his West Dyke ward colleague Cllr Mary Ovens will cover health and children’s services.

Meanwhile, Cllr Chris Abbott will continue to speak on housing and community safety for the group, and Cllr Ron Harrison takes responsibility for economic development, environment and rural affairs. Deputy Leader Josh Mason will be group spokesperson on culture & leisure.

Cllr Glyn Nightingale said: “I am delighted to be re-elected as leader of the Liberal Democrat group. We have a track record of providing opposition and an alternative to Labour.

“The Tories are very weak in our borough whilst the so-called “Independents” have voted to keep Labour in control.

“Council Tax bills are going up whilst Labour fails to get the basics right. Our Borough needs an effective opposition that can hold Labour to account.”

Lib Dem unites Redcar swimmers

Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Carling has reunited the swimmers, coaches and parents from Redcar Swimming Club for a pre-Christmas swim thanks to the temporary pool at Rye Hills School.

Mike was a swim coach with the club until its closure 10 years ago.

The club had 120 young members and provided a valuable resource for the town. The closure of the baths was a real blow to Redcar.

The British Gas Pools for Schools programme has helped to make this possible, along with Tees Valley Leisure, the Council and the School Sports Partnership.

Cllr Carling said:

"The temporary pool will provided much needed swimming lessons for local children and help them understand water safety."

Fellow Lib Dem Councillor Mary Ovens, who is also a governor at Rye Hills School, added:

“Congratulations are due to all the staff and partners who have made this possible.”

“The new pool has to be seen to be believed. I urge local people to go along and see for themselves how good it is.”

Lib Dems Persuade Redcar Council to Support 10:10 Climate Change Campaign

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council today successfully persuaded the council to back a campaign aimed at driving forward cuts in the authority’s carbon emissions.

Lib Dem Councillor Irene Curr (Coatham Ward) submitted a motion to today’s Council meeting calling on the Labour-run Council to sign up to the “10:10 Campaign” to reduce carbon use.

The 10:10 campaign calls on individuals, businesses and other organisations to work towards a 10% cut in carbon emissions in 2010.

The campaign also aims to show world leaders that there is public support for dramatic cuts in global fuel consumption in the hope of encouraging an international agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which meets in Copenhagen in December.

Councillor Curr said:

“I am pleased that the Council has agreed to give a lead on carbon reduction. 10% will be a tough target to achieve, but if the Council has the will to do it I am sure it will be possible.”

Her colleague, Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Carling, seconded the motion, adding:

“I hope that many local residents and businesses will also sign up to the 10:10 Campaign.”

“In these tough economic times it makes sense, not only for the environment, but in cutting fuel bills too.”

Lib Dems support 10:10 climate change campaign

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council will next week call on councillors to back a campaign aimed at driving forward cuts in the authority’s carbon emissions.

Councillor Irene Curr (Coatham Ward - pictured right) has submitted a motion to the Council meeting on 15 October calling on the Labour-run Council to sign up to the “10:10 Campaign” to reduce carbon use.

The 10:10 campaign calls on individuals, businesses and other organisations to work towards a 10% cut in carbon emissions in 2010.

The campaign also aims to show world leaders that there is public support for dramatic cuts in global fuel consumption in the hope of encouraging an international agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which meets in Copenhagen in December.

Councillor Curr said:

“The Council should be giving a lead on carbon reduction. 10% will be a tough target to achieve, but if the Council has the will to do it I am sure it will be possible.”

Her colleague, Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Carling (West Dyke Ward - pictured right), seconded the motion, adding:

“I hope that many local residents and businesses will also sign up to the 10:10 Campaign.”

“In these tough economic times it makes sense, not only for the environment, but in cutting fuel bills too.”

Lib Dems Demand Better Bus Services for Ings Farm Estate

Liberal Democrat Councillors in West Dyke Ward are demanding a meeting with Arriva bus company bosses to discuss improving bus services to the Ings Farm Estate in Redcar.

Councillors Joyce Benbow, Mike Carling and Mary Ovens recently carried out a survey to every home in the Castle Road area. This follows numerous complaints about unreliability of the 22 service, and the condition of buses.

The survey reinforced the dissatisfaction of many residents, particularly the elderly.

Councillor Mary Ovens said:

“We had a very high number of survey forms returned, and this confirmed the view that the bus service is unsatisfactory in many ways.”

“Many users are unhappy with the number of late and cancelled buses, whilst others are concerned about the condition and cleanliness of the vehicles. On occasions the attitude of some drivers towards elderly customers has been highly questionable.”

Councillor Joyce Benbow added:

“The Arriva Customer Promise refers to a comfortable journey, being helpful and courteous and treating people with respect and says that “we try to run all our buses on time”. It appears that they are falling well short of their own targets.”