Assurance given that Redcar and Cleveland Council will not charge for emptying green waste bins

As regards the proposal to charge for emptying green waste bins the question was asked at this afternoon’s Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council meeting by my Lib Dem colleague Councillor Glyn Nightingale.

Cabinet Member Councillor Alex Brown accepted that a number of local authorities have started to do this but he gave an assurance that the current administration would not be introducing a charge. This reply will be on the record in the Council minutes and also recorded in the video of the meeting which will appear on the Council’s website very soon.

Landslide victory for Lib Dems in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Ormesby Ward

Redcar Liberal Democrats are delighted to have held on to the Ormesby Ward with a landslide result in a by-election held yesterday. 

Nunthorpe resident Carole Morgan, a former teacher at Nunthorpe School, was comfortably elected as the new councillor in Ormesby, which includes part of Nunthorpe.

The result was: 

Carole Morgan (Lib Dem) 980 

UKIP 138 

Labour 126 

Con 41 

North East Party 15 

The by-election was caused by the resignation of popular Liberal Democrat Councillor Ann Wilson, who sadly died during the campaign. New Lib Dem Councillor Carole Morgan said:

“Naturally I regret the circumstances that led to this by-election. Ann Wilson was a superb representative for the area and was liked by all who knew her.

“I am delighted that the people of Ormesby and Nunthorpe have put their trust in me. I am looking forward to working with fellow Councillors Glyn and Irene Nightingale to serve the local community and protect the area from unsuitable development.

“I will try to be a councillor for all residents, regardless of how they voted.”

Lib Dem council group leader Josh Mason added: “I am delighted with the result and am sure that Carole will be an excellent representative for Ormesby and Nunthorpe.

“The Lib Dem Group on the council will continue to hold the Labour administration to account and fight for the best possible deal for residents across the borough.”

Lib Dems and Inds to pay living wage to Council staff

Liberal Democrats and Independents on Redcar and Cleveland Council today announced a rise in pay for council staff that will ensure all receive a “living wage”.

From 1 April 2015 the Redcar and Cleveland Minimum Wage will be raised to match the National Living Wage, which is £7.85 per hour.

All staff will receive a 2.2% pay rise, except those on £100,000 or more, whose pay will still be frozen.

Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Glyn Nightingale (Ormesby ward) said:

“Labour froze pay for council staff in 2008. Now all except those on over £100,000 will get a 2.2% pay rise. And the Living Wage will be introduced.

“People who work for the Council will continue to be motivated to do their best for local people.”

"Council officers have made a major contribution to bringing change in the organisation through the Shaping Our Future initiative."

Councillor Josh Mason, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the Redcar Constituency and Deputy Leader of the Council, added:

“This move will ensure that all Council staff earn at least a Living Wage. It is also right that those who earn the most do not receive an increase.

“This is part of our commitment to a stronger economy and a fairer society.”

Lib Dems and Inds serve up historic 1%+ Council Tax cut to residents

Since taking control of Redcar & Cleveland Council with Independent partners, Liberal Democrats have found a way to offer residents a cut in Council Tax bills and made it a reality by voting it through at today's budget setting meeting of the Council.

Labour regularly increased Council Tax when in control, and in 2012 gave Redcar and Cleveland residents the biggest Council Tax rise in the country.

This year, local people will get a cut of just over 1%. This has been done without cutting any services. It is believed to be the first ever Council Tax reduction by the Council.

In return for not raising Council Tax, the Council will get £631,000 from Central Government. In addition, the Council will be using surplus savings to pay for the cut, and not accepting the recommended rise in councillors’ allowances.

Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Glyn Nightingale (Ormesby ward) said:

“Labour’s faulty financial planning caused them to make the wrong assumptions about how much money there would be. They hiked up living costs by keeping money in the Council’s coffers and refusing Government money.

“It’s time to start returning the money to residents. And we have found a way to do that without cutting services.”

Councillor Josh Mason (pictured), Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the Redcar Constituency and Deputy Leader of the Council, added:

“This budget will help to deliver a stronger local economy and a fairer deal for Council Tax payers.

“Ed Miliband talks about the cost of living crisis, so why did his party never do anything about it in Redcar & Cleveland?

Lib Dems celebrate Ormesby housing decision

Redcar Constituency Liberal Democrats are celebrating this week following the rejection of intrusive housing plans at Longbank Farm, Ormesby.

The application for 320 houses received widespread objections from local residents, councillors and business and was refused during a planning meeting on Thursday.

Ian Swales MP commented:

“This is a great result for the residents of Ormesby and for local councillors Glyn and Irene Nightingale and Ann Wilson who have all worked extremely hard to ensure the plans weren’t approved.”

Ormesby Ward Cllr Glyn Nightingale and Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources said:

“Alongside our residents, we’ve worked hard to ensure the decision on this application was the right one. The housing plans were intrusive and the application should never have been considered.

“Irene, Ann and I are delighted with the decision.”

Deputy Leader of the council and prospective MP for the Redcar Constituency, Cllr Josh Mason said:

“I have been behind my colleagues and local residents 100%. Labour made some disastrous choices for housing developments in the borough and we’re now working as hard as we can to put this right.”

Redcar Lib Dems demand an end to Labour budget gobbledegook

Liberal Democrats have slammed Labour Council bosses after it emerged that Redcar and Cleveland Council’s budget reports are by far the hardest to understand in the country.

The study by the Manchester Evening News declared the Council’s budget report more complex than Professor Steven Hawking’s ‘A Brief History of Time’.

According to a recent analysis which used four different measures to determine how difficult the budget report was to read, someone would need 22.5 years of education to understand the council’s papers, making it the equivalent of a university doctorate level text.

Steve Jenner from the Plain English Campaign described the contents as ‘gobbledygook’. Lib Dem Council Group Leader and Finance Spokesman, Councillor Glyn Nightingale, said:

“Professor Hawking will be relieved that his book is less taxing. "I knew something was wrong when, after I had read the budget reports, I picked up a book on nuclear physics for a bit of light relief!

“But there is a serious side to this. It is undemocratic. People should be able to understand what is being done by their elected councillors. Explaining things in a more complicated way than necessary excludes people.

“Labour’s Council bosses really need to get themselves on a Plain English course.

"Or is there some financial mismanagement that they want to hide?"

Plans to build 320 houses in Ormesby refused

The Council’s Regulatory Committee by 6 votes to five has refused planning permission for 320 houses to be built on the Longbank Farm site in Ormesby.

Only Labour Councillors supported the application.

It’s a victory for the campaign by local residents and Lib Dem Councillors to protect green areas.

The Committee only gave three local residents and three councillors three minutes each to support refusal while the case in favour took 45 minutes.

Ormesby Councillor and Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“It’s great that our efforts working local residents has kept our area’s open spaces free from totally inappropriate development. The impact on traffic, local schools and local amenities would have been devastating.”

Prospective Lib Dem MP for the Redcar Constituency Josh Mason commented:

“The Longbank Farm site is just one of the Labour Council’s favoured areas for house building on local green field sites. Residents don’t want this. The Liberal Democrats don’t want this. And I shall work with local residents to make sure this doesn’t happen. The Council should be protecting green field sites not ruining them.”

Pictured left to right: Councillor Ann Wilson, Councillor Irene Nightingasle, Councillor Josh Mason, Councillor Gluyn Nightingale.

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 Dems condemn Labour’s Local Plan

Councillor Glyn Nightingale (left) pictured with
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Councillor Chris Abbott (right).

Liberal Democrats in Redcar and Cleveland Borough have criticised the Labour Council for its poor consultation over its new Local Plan.

 The draft Local Plan includes over 1000 new houses at Marske and over 450 in Ormesby. Labour says that the area needs more houses, even though all the indications are that the population of the borough will continue to fall.

Lib Dems are particularly worried that the proposals will allow building on greenfield sites, increase the risk of flooding, and will massively increase traffic. This is why Lib Dems voted against the Local Plan at Council. It was passed only because of the casting vote of the Labour Mayor.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“Those affected have not been told directly by the Council about houses being built near them. Instead people have found out through rumour and local newspapers that their lives may well be significantly changed by these developments.

“The Council has let people down by not thinking their plans through properly. These proposals will diminish people’s quality of life by increasing traffic and the risk of flooding.”

Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson Cllr Chris Abbott added:

“We have held a series of meetings with the Director of Regeneration aimed at scrutinising aspects of the Draft Local Plan that take away sections of school playing fields, areas that are prone to flooding and green fields in general.

“We have made it very clear that we do not support development on these sites and have called for new housing development on brownfield and clearance sites only. Sites prone to flooding should be avoided at all costs.”

Lowest unemployment since 2009

Liberal Democrats in Redcar and Cleveland Borough are delighted that unemployment in the Area is at its lowest since April 2009, following another fall in October.

Research also shows that unemployment in the area fell each month since February this year.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“It is great to end the year with some good news like this. The fall in unemployment across the year means a happier Christmas for many local families. I am sure that the economic recovery will continue next year.

“There is still more to do, but it shows that the Government’s policies are working to provide growth, prosperity and jobs to our area.

“I am particularly pleased that Wilton-based Applied Graphene Materials are planning to increase their workforce from 10 to over 30 in the near future."

Lib Dems demand a pier at Redcar

Liberal Democrats are asking Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Labour bosses to back local residents who want a pier at Redcar.
At the meeting of the Council on 12 December, Lib Dem Councillor Chris Abbott will ask the Labour Cabinet Member to agree for a  pier to be included in the Local Plan.

Councillor Chris Abbott, who represents Newcomen Ward, said:

“Councillors have been inundated with emails from local residents pressing for a pier to be included in the Local Plan.

“The Council needs to show it is listening.”

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale added:

“Ian Swales MP says that the Council needs to produce a plan for a pier so that he can press the Government for grant funding.

“The Council can help to facilitate this but nothing will happen unless they show some commitment.”

Councillor Josie Crawford, who represents the coastal ward of Coatham, said:

"A  pier will further regenerate Redcar by adding an extra tourist attraction. This will bring more people from outside into the town.

"I know from talking to people in my ward how popular it would be for Redcar to have a pier again."

Pictured left to right Lib Dem Councillors Mary Ovens, Irene Nightingale, Josh Mason, Chris Abbott, Josie Crawford, Ron Harrison, John Earl, Glyn Nightingale.

Redcar Lib Dem councillors oppose Draft Local Plan

Liberal Democrats on Redcar and Cleveland Council backed a motion opposing the Labour Council’s draft Local Plan.

Liberal Democrats together with other opposition councillors produced the closest vote ever seen at the Council when the Labour Mayor, Marske Councillor Vic Jeffries used his casting vote to push through the Plan. 

The draft Local Plan proposes to build major developments on green field sites around the Borough. All around the area people fear losing their green spaces, from Ormesby to Redcar and Marske. 

Lib Dems are also concerned that flooding risks and massively increased traffic flows have not been properly taken into account on the sites earmarked for housing, especially in Redcar, Marske and Nunthorpe. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Glyn Nightingale, said: 

“The Borough needs a Local Plan, but not this one. The Plan claims to protect local green spaces, but proposes building on them. It claims to take into account the impact of development, but fails to deal with flooding and traffic problems it will make worse. Labour has reneged on its manifesto commitment to protect green spaces. The population of the Borough is falling, but the Council has to meet house-building targets set by the previous Labour Government.” 

“The Council should be looking at developing brownfield sites first.” 

“It’s staggering that such a crucial Plan has to rely on the casting vote of the Labour Mayor from Marske when all councillors should be working together to make sure we get a better vision for the future of the Borough.”

Lib Dems vote for new leadership at Redcar and Cleveland Council

Liberal Democrats today proposed a motion of no-confidence in the Labour leadership at Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Labour leader George Dunning survived the no-confidence vote by 27 votes to 13. All the Liberal Democrat members present voted for the motion, but received little support from the other opposition parties.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale, who proposed the motion, said:

“This is not about Cllr Dunning as an individual, it’s the Labour administration that he leads. They are just not listening to the people and have no clear direction for the future of the borough.

“After the wasting of £1.6 million on a vertical pier that no-one wants, the highest council tax increase in the country when most others had a freeze, £125,000 spent refurbishing a Town Hall just before it was demolished and the fiasco of parking charges in Saltburn, surely there is enough reason for Labour to be made to stand aside.

“I am very disappointed that only one Conservative and only one Independent voted to change the administration."

A recorded vote took place and will be published in the minutes of the meeting. 

Whilst Labour Councillors were whipped to vote against the motion on no-confidence in the Leader, it was interesting to see some of the Labour members falling out amongst themselves during the debate and hear others criticise their own administration.

The vote of no-confidence in the Leader was the only way to change the Leadership of the Council after Labour had lost its overall majority following the defection of two Labour Councillors to Independent. Clearly only the Liberal Democrats were prepared to take on the challenge of running the Council after the Conservatives and Independents failed to answer the call to take responsibility and help make the Council more stable, effective and responsive to the public.

UPDATE 06/09/2013:

The recorded vote for the vote of no confidence was as follows:

For: Cllrs Abbott (Lib Dem), Carling (Lib Dem), Curr (Lib Dem), Earl (Lib Dem), Harrison (Lib Dem), Howden (Lib Dem), Kay (Ind), Mason (Lib Dem), Moses (Lib Dem), G Nightingale (Lib Dem), I Nightingale (Lib Dem), Ovens (Lib Dem) and Thomson (Con). Total = 13

Against: Cllrs Ayre (Lab), Bunn (Lab), Clarke (Lab), Dunlop (Lab), Dunning (Lab), Forster (Lab), Goddard (Lab), Goldswain (Lab), Guy (Lab), JP Hannon (IND), M Hannon (Lab), Hunt (IND), Jackson (Lab), S Jeffrey (Lab), V Jeffries (Lab), Lanigan (IND), Massey (Lab), McLuckie (Lab), Pallister (Lab), Peters (Lab), Pickthall (Lab), Reyer (IND), Rudland (Lab), Simms (Lab), Wall (Lab), Walsh (Lab) and Williams (IND). Total = 27

Abstain: Cllrs Fitzpatrick (Ind), Halton (Con), C Jeffery (Con), G Jeffery (Con), I Jeffrey (Lab), Pryce (IND), Quigley (Lab), Spencer (Con) and Szintai (Lab). Total = 9

Absent: The Councillors who were not there to vote were: Cllrs Briggs (Lab), Cooney (Con), Crawford (Lib Dem), Helm (Ind), Hogg (Lab), Keenan (Lab), Learoyd (IND), Smith (IND), Suthers (Lab) and Wilson (Lib Dem). Total = 10

Redcar Lib Dems welcome new jobs

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Council have welcomed the news that over 500 jobs were created in the sub region in July 2013.

Lib Dems are particularly pleased that most of the new jobs are in engineering, technology and manufacturing, including a forecast of 40 new posts with CPI in Redcar.

Also welcome is the news that unemployment in the area fell during July and is now at its lowest rate since autumn 2011.

Lib Dem Council Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said:

“This is excellent news and shows that the similarly good figures for April, May and June were no flash in the pan.

“The recovery is clearly under way, although there is a long way to go. Jobs are the only thing that can really regenerate an area.

“Lib Dem influence in Government means that we are giving employers £2000 cash back on the tax they pay on their employees. This is a real incentive to create the jobs that Redcar & Cleveland needs.”

It's time for Labour to go - Lib Dems propose vote of no confidence in George Dunning's Labour Party.

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Liberal Democrats propose a Council motion of “No Confidence” in Council Leader George Dunning (pictured right).

Calling on George Dunning to step down as Council Leader, the Lib Dem motion to the Council says “That the Council has no confidence in George Dunning as Leader of the Council.”

Commenting Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale (pictured below) who is proposing the motion said, “It is time for Labour to go. George Dunning’s Labour Group has lost the confidence of the public and he has lost the support of his own party and of local Councillors  and, more importantly, of local people. No wonder George Dunning has lost his majority on the Council.

“It's time to stop Labour wasting public money on unessentials. It's time to give top priority to getting the basics right, like freezing Council Tax, making the area cleaner and green and attracting more jobs and  business into the area. The Council needs greater stability and the confidence of local people.

 “That's the Liberal Democrats' top priority both locally and in Government.”

Seconding the motion, Councillor Josh Mason, Lib Dem Constituency Chairman, said, “After a series bungled Labour policies on raising Council Tax, parking charges in Saltburn and saying ‘No’ to a theatre in Guisborough, it is clear that Councillor Dunning is bad for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.”

“The Liberal Democrats call for him to resign immediately.”

It's not just George Dunning that's the problem - say Liberal Democrats

Responding to Redcar and Cleveland Council Leader George Dunning’s “I won’t resign” statement, the local Liberal Democrats believe the Labour party is making him a scapegoat for losing its Council majority.

Lib Dem Group Leader Glyn Nightingale said: “Labour’s internal squabbling and call for George Dunning’s resignation disguises what’s wrong with the way Labour run our area. George Dunning isn’t the problem. It’s the Labour party itself. He’s just their front man.

"Labour keeps wasting public money on schemes few people want like the vertical pier. They neglect essential work needed to make the area clean, green and tidy.

"Typical is the Labour’s decision – kept confidential – to sell of 88 Westgate to a pub chain. They put profit before community interest. Labour councillors could have defied the Labour whip and joined Lib Dems and others to stop the sell off. But for Labour councillors keeping the whip beats the public interest. It’s the way they are.

“On top of all this, Labour is launching yet another reorganisation of the Council’s administration. There’s no guarantee top heavy management will end.

“And just as bad, Labour wants to change the way the Council is run to give even more power to Councillor Dunning and his Cabinet. All this while being a minority in Council.

 “Local people need a Council that represents their needs, listens to what the public say and stops wasting their money. It’s time to get the basics right.”

Lib Dems call for a united opposition to Labour on Redcar and Cleveland Council

As the largest opposition group on Redcar & Cleveland Council, Liberal Democrats are concerned that the insecurity of Labour’s grip on power caused by recent defections will be disastrous for the borough. Labour have now lost their overall majority.

Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Glyn Nightingale (pictured), said:

“The Liberal Democrats are opening talks with other opposition councillors to explore ways of steering the Council to more stable ground. The Council should be listening to what the public say and putting people’s needs before politics.

 “I hope that opposition groups can come to an agreement which will work for the benefit of the wider community.”

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Labour Leader should explain walk-out

Labour Council Leader George Dunning walked out of a vital meeting with Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, yesterday.

He claims he had another meeting to go to. It is inconceivable that the Leader of a Council that desperately needs to attract business and get more jobs for its people could have a more important event to attend.

“Cllr Dunning needs to justify his behaviour and unwillingness to use this key opportunity to promote the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland to the Government.

“The Minister has already shown that the Government is prepared to help local business to bring jobs to Teesside and announce major assistance to a North East company yesterday.

“If Cllr Dunning is not prepared to bang the drum for our area, he should move over and let someone else do the job.”

Labour dodging democracy on Council Tax say Redcar Lib Dems

Redcar and Cleveland Liberal Democrats have condemned the Labour Council for proposing for a 1.97% increase in Council Tax.

If the rise was above 2% the Council would have to call a referendum in which the people would decide. The rise will give the Council an extra £1.1 million.

Central Government has offered the Council well over half a million pounds if it freezes Council Tax this year. This is the third time Labour bosses have refused Government money to help keep Council Tax frozen.

Last year Labour raised Council Tax by 3.5%, the highest in the country.

Despite this the Labour council has managed to spend: over £4,319 on new furniture for the Mayor’s Parlour; £168,000 hiring a temporary officer; £95,000 on equipment it already had; £37,600 on bird monitoring; £36k on a temporary civic building; £78,000 on a legal case it had no chance of winning and was prepared to spend £20,000 on hiring a consultant to find out what everybody already knew about opposition to parking charges in Saltburn!

The Government has offered councils the equivalent of a 1% Council Tax increase if they freeze Council Tax. Liberal Democrats say Redcar & Cleveland Council should accept this offer which amounts to £585,000. Lib Dems think the extra money the Council says it needs could be found through savings and, at last, making a real effort to eliminate inessential and wasteful expenditure.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, Lib Dem Group Leader, said:

"I am appalled at Labour cynically keeping the Council Tax rise just below 2% to avoid a public referendum.

“The 1.97% rise will raise an extra £1.1 million. By freezing Council Tax the Government will give the Council £585,000. The gap of £579,000 exactly matches all the wasteful schemes Labour didn’t need to pour money into plus the £200k unspent from this year. There is plenty of wasted money spent on things they can scrap if they have the will to do it. It’s not difficult.

“But instead they seem to want to organise yet another raid on people’s wallets.

“If they want 2% more they should have the guts to say so and let the people decide.”