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.”

Redcar Lib Dems urge visitors not to get caught short in the town

At yesterday’s meeting of the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Lib Dem Councillor Mary Ovens highlighted a serious flaw in the Council’s tourist plan for Redcar.

Questioning the Labour Cabinet Member Olwyn Peters, Cllr Ovens criticised the shortage of public toilets available or planned in Redcar.The great need is at the west end of the beach in the area of Majuba Car Park.

Cllr Ovens’ comments come after a sustained campaign by Coatham ward Lib Dem councillors Irene Curr and Josie Crawford.

Councillor Mary Ovens said:

"The oversight of Labour in Redcar is appalling. There is a clear need for additional facilities.

Redcar Lib Dem Councillor Josh Mason added:

Last week I heard of a pregnant woman being refused access to toilets in the “Vertical Pier” because she was not using other parts of the facility. This is nothing short of scandalous.”

LIB DEMS CALL FOR URGENT REVIEW OF CUTS TO HOMECALL

The Liberal Democrat Group on Redcar and Cleveland Council have called on the ruling Labour Group to review cuts to services for elderly and vulnerable people.

The withdrawal of the ‘Homecall’ contract, currently worth £680,000 to social housing provider Coast and Country, will see thousands of residents charged for the crucial pull-cord lifeline which allows them to live independently.  Liberal Democrats fear that removing the subsidy will endanger the freedom and security of the Borough’s most vulnerable and could bring an end to the service altogether.

Cllr Mary Ovens, Liberal Democrat Group Deputy Leader and Shadow Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, has today written to Council Leader George Dunning and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Sheelagh Clarke, imploring them to reconsider this potentially damaging decision.

In March this year Grant Shapps, Minister for Housing and Local Government, wrote to council leaders to inform them that although funding was no longer ring-fenced, the budget for Supporting People had not been significantly reduced and that councils were still expected to invest in housing-related support services.

Cllr Ovens commented:

“This decision by the Labour Group will leave vulnerable people isolated and alone; at risk of losing their independence.

“The policy could see thousands of vulnerable people abandoned by the Council they rely on for support.

“I urge the Council to think again on this.”

Ian Swales, MP for Redcar added:

“It seems counterproductive to remove a service that enables people to continue living independently in their own homes particularly in light of the Council’s long term social care policy.

“I hope the Council will reconsider this decision in light of the letter from Housing Minister Grant Shapps, which established the maintenance of budgets for this area."

Ian has set up a petition on line. Please take the time to have a look and sign the petition.  The more pressure we put on the council to protect this vital service for our community the more likely it is to succeed. 

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 REFUTE LABOUR'S £4 MILLION ICELAND SAGA WHITE WASH

Liberal Democrat members of Redcar & Cleveland Council's Audit Committee are concerned that the Labour Council is failing to address the serious issues raised by their investment of £4 millions in Icelandic banks last October. Public money was deposited in an Iceland bank ignoring warnings about its poor financial standing.

The Council's claimed investigation was far from independent. It was merely a report from a finance officer to the Audit Committee. Until a more independent enquiry takes place, the only judgment that can be seen as impartial is that of the Audit Commission.

It was only Labour members of the Council's Audit Committee who voted to dispute Government inspectors' judgment of negligence on the Council's £4 million investment.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale said: "The Labour Council has a duty to take care of the public's money. This was breached when they ignored clear warnings about Icelandic banks. The writing was on the wall months earlier. In May 2008 the outlook of Icelandic banks was rated as "negative". Labour has damaged the Council's financial position with the potential loss of £4 million of public money and the actual loss of interest earnings.

If Labour believe this is not negligence, what is it? It is far from prudent. Local people would be right not to trust Labour with their money. They will pay for Labour's mistakes and mismanagement."

Councillor Mary Ovens said: "For the sake of losing interest they rushed to plough a massive amount of money into a bank which they should have known was on the brink. Common sense should have told them not to go ahead in what Council officers admit were 'turbulent' times."

Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Ian Swales said: "We can hardly be surprised that Labour Councillors have decided that they were not negligent in their handling of Icelandic bank deposits. This latest judgement by them means little and until a full independent enquiry takes place the Audit Commission judgement of "negligent" must be the most accurate assessment."

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 Concerned Over Take-Away Food Plans

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council are concerned that attempts to limit the number of hot food takeaways will not apply to smaller parades of shops.

The Labour-run Council today voted for an interim policy of restricting the number of hot food takeaways on main shopping streets.

Redcar Lib Dem Councillor Mary Ovens (pictured) is concerned that smaller parades of shops will not be included.

Cllr Ovens said:

“I fully accept that hot food takeaways have their place and that there is demand for them.

“But there is a danger that some shopping areas get dominated by them. Many are closed in the daytime and make shopping areas appear dead.

“I hope the interim policy is accepted by planning inspectors. Unfortunately it does not extend to small parades of shops where there can be a real danger of the majority of shops being takeaways. Maybe the policy can be improved in the future, but I fear it will be too late for some shopping areas."

Government 'smash and grab' plan on local schools is slammed by Lib Dems

Liberal Democrats have warned that a proposal by the government to take away cash reserves that local schools have built up will damage children’s education.

The government have put out for consultation a proposal to take 5% of the cash held in reserve in school budgets. Many schools build up reserves to invest in new equipment and facilities or as cover for a rainy day.

Liberal Democrat Councillor and local school governor, Mary Ovens (pictured), said: “Frankly, I am amazed the government can even think of doing this. We have a scheme in Redcar & Cleveland for planned expenses but taking money from school budgets in this way is little more than a smash and grab on schools that have carefully planned for the future. The effect could be felt by school children all over the Borough. I will be raising a question in the November meeting of the Council to ask them what the impact on local school budgets is likely to be."

Amongst the worst hit schools would be Beech Grove primary South Bank, Pathways special school Grangetown and St. Dominics Catholic primary Redcar.

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman, Ian Swales said: “What will they think of next? Taxing schools who manage their money well is an outrage. Once again central Government is meddling in local matters and showing that they are desperate to raise money from just about anywhere."

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.”

Lib Dems re-elect Chris

Chris Abbott
Irene Nightingale
Mary Ovens

The 13 Liberal Democrat councillors at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council have unanimously re-elected Councillor Chris Abbott as their Group Leader.

Chris has been Group Leader since 1999. He and his wife Glynis both represent the Newcomen ward in Redcar, and comfortably held their seats at the elections last week.

Chris’s Deputy will be Councillor Mary Ovens, also from Redcar (West Dyke ward) who is coming to the end of her term as Mayor of the Borough.

The Lib Dem Group will be chaired by Councillor Irene Nightingale, who represents Ormesby ward. She takes over from former Guisborough Councillor Keith Pudney, who did not seek re-election this year.

Cllr Chris Abbott, said:

“It looks as though Labour will now be running the Council. I look forward to making sure that they do not undo the good work that the Lib Dems have done as part of the ruling Coalition over the past four years.”

“We have some very experienced councillors and some talented new ones. I am sure we will be a better opposition than Labour were.”

Mayor's Charity Ball

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Mayor, Councillor Mary Ovens, hosts the main fund-raising event of her civic year with the Mayor's Charity Ball at Gisborough Hall on Thursday, April 26.

Proceeds from the black tie/evening wear occasion will be shared between her two charity choices, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Redcar-based young people's project, The Junction.

After a drinks reception, and a three-course meal with wine, the evening, hosted by Stewart McFarlane, will feature live music from Gene Jarred's Swing Eight Band, a charity auction, tombola and raffle.

Tickets are priced £35 and available from the Mayor's Secretary Jane Holmes on 01642 444501.

Community Achievement Award winners announced

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Mayor, Councillor Mary Ovens, is holding a civic reception for the latest winners of the annual Mayor's Community Achievement Awards on Wednesday, March 14.

Councillors have nominated 15 individuals and groups from across the Borough for the awards in recognition of their voluntary work.

The ceremony is being held in the Mayors Parlour at 7pm.

Councillor Ovens said: "The work these people do is simply fantastic and I'm delighted to be able to officially give them the recognition they deserve".

The full list is:

# Carol Anderson & Sue Franks: Are guide leaders of the Marske and New Marske Girl Guides. This nomination is fully supported by past and present members of the movement and especially parents, who appreciate their devotion to the care and development of their children.

# Wendy Arundale of Teesville: Puts much of her own time and effort into helping all areas of the community and arranges fundraising activities for many charity groups raising lots of money.

# Brotton Village Hall Committee: This group of local people have improved the hall by refurbishing the toilets and kitchen area, as well as fundraising to keep the important community facility from closing.

# Barbara Brown & Carol Waller: Are part of a group of volunteers helping to raise funds for the Parish of Kirkleatham, via the Church Charity Shop in Roseberry Square, Redcar. This award is for the group's many years of service to their local community.

# Geoff Frewin: Currently the District Commissioner for Redcar and Eston Scout District, he continues to contribute to the grass roots of youth community work, running cub packs and scout troops that would otherwise close because of a shortage of volunteers in the area.

# Susan Jacklin: Is a countryside warden volunteer at Guisborough Forest and Walkway, she gives her time freely at Christmas and events organised throughout the year, going above and beyond the call of duty.

# Lazenby Environmental Group (LEG): This group formed in 1990 and meets every couple of months with representatives from all the companies on the Wilton International Site, leading to an excellent working relationship between the village and their industrial neighbours, ensuring any environmental problems are dealt with.

# Lingdale Lift-Off: In little more than a year this group has done much to improve the village. They help keep it tidy and brighten it with flowers and Christmas Lights. They have worked to build community spirit, optimism and self-help, as well as pride in Lingdale.

# The Loftus Community Forum: Is a shining example of community involvement. They draw in thousands of pounds in outside funding helping Loftus improve as a whole, making the town a better place with their help, support and commitment.

# Peter Brian Maidens and Joy Simpson: Have worked over many years giving their time to community projects in Saltburn, including the annual In-Bloom competitions and Christmas Lights as well as other community events.

# The Marske Leisure Centre Committee: Took over running the centre in 1984 and the community of Marske is indebted to them for their time, effort and commitment in keeping the centre going for the benefit of the people of Marske.

# The North Skelton Belles: Have for many years organised flowers and Christmas decorations for the village on an annual basis and through fundraising and getting involved in local events they are an asset to their local community.

# The Friends of Redcar Cemetery: This group’s efforts have enabled partnership working and funding to be found for the restoration of the entrance gates and new fencing. Other work they do includes general tidying up, litter picking, bulb planting and bird boxes. The meet regularly and produce a quarter newsletter.

# George Rowden: This 77 year old has every day for the last four years, including Christmas Day, visited Zetland Park and cleaned up all the litter and bagged it for collection, he maintains the park to a high degree and all the park users and the Friends Group much appreciate his efforts.

# The Friends of Zetland Park: This group works hard in fundraising and obtaining grants and forming partnerships to improve the appearance and increase the usage of the park.

Mayor plans fund raisers

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Mayor Councillor Mary Ovens is planning two major fund-raisers for her civic charities, the Marie Curie Cancer Care and the young people's Redcar support base, The Junction.

There will be a concert featuring the Marske Fishermen's Choir and the talented youth choir, the Topline Community Arts Project, on Friday, March 30, in Redcar's Christ Church, Coatham Road, starting at 7pm. Tickets are £3.

The annual Mayor's Charity Ball is at Gisborough Hall on Thursday, April 26 from 7pm. Tickets are £35 which includes a reception drink,three-course meal with wine and live entertainment. There will also be a raffle/tombola and auction.

Christmas lights ceremony now on Friday

The Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland, Councillor Mary Ovens, will get her Christmas wish granted - and switch on Redcar's festive lights in a rearranged ceremony on Friday, December 8.

Galeforce winds forced organisers to abandon Sunday afternoon's planned programme of entertainment in the build-up to a switch-on.

But now, even though the illuminations have been glowing for shoppers throughout the week, Councillor Ovens and Father Christmas, who moved into his grotto on Monday, will team up for another ceremony.

They will be helped by one of the Talent 2006 competition winners, nine-year-old Nicole Taylor from Coatham Primary School.

Councillor Ovens said: "I was so disappointed the weather ruined all the hard work that had gone into Sunday's ceremony, but I'm delighted we can reorganise another switch-on."

The planned switch-on is now set for 4.30pm on Friday by the Town Clock as Councillor Ovens tours the town to judge its Best Window Display.

High Street lights switch-on is victim of galeforce winds

The switch-on of Redcar High Street's Christmas lights was a victim of yesterday's galeforce storms.

Redcar's Town Centre Manager John Partridge took the decision to cancel the event, which included performances from talent contest winners and Santa's parade, at lunchtime when the high winds prevented organisers from erecting the main stage in front of the Town Clock.

He explained: "We were concerned about the safety of people gathering in the High Street and bringing the parade down to an area that was getting increasingly stormy. It seemed to be the focus of very strong winds."

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Mayor Councillor Mary Ovens had been looking forward to her civic duty of switching on the illuminations. She said: "I'm extremely disappointed, but given the dreadful weather, it would have been completely unsafe."

Mr Partridge added: "A lot of people had put a lot of time and effort into planning the afternoon and we're particularly disappointed for the winners of our Talent 2006 competition who have been prevented from performing."

The lights are now in operation and Santa's Grotto, open for the first time today, Monday, December 4, will now be open every weekday afternoon from 12.30pm-2.30pm, Saturdays from 10.30am-3.30pm and Sundays from 1pm-3pm. Admission, which includes a gift from Santa, is £1.

Redcar Town Clock restoration is complete

The time is right for Redcar's Town Clock to come under the spotlight when a £230,000 refurbishment of the 93-year-old building is officially unveiled on Thursday, November 16.

Children from the town's primary and secondary schools will tell the story of the King Edward VII Memorial Clock in a performance of music and dance in the High Street, starting at 4pm.

Then Redcar and Cleveland Council's Mayor Councillor Mary Ovens and the chairman of the Friends of Redcar Town Clock Vera Robinson MBE will switch on the lights at around 5pm to illuminate the clock from dusk to dawn.

The town's most famous landmark now has a fully-restored clock tower and clock mechanism as well as the return of its chimes with the fitting of a bell, discovered in store at Redcar's Kirkleatham Museum.

Panels, created by children from four primary schools - Coatham, Ings Farm, Zetland and Wheatlands - have told the history of the clock tower, erected by public subscription in 1913 as weeks of specialist work has been carried out. The panels will now form a mobile exhibition, touring libraries.

A leaflet, telling the clock's history and the project's story, is now being produced, along with interpretative panels to be erected in two of the tower's four arches.

The involvement of children in the work was a key element of levering the majority of funding, £148,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, while the Northern Rock Foundation supplied £20,000 with the Council providing a total of £40,000 after matching the Friends' £10,000 starter from its public appeal three years ago.

The Mayor said: "‘It is wonderful we have been able to restore this lovely building which has stood at the heart of the town for so many years.

"The clock is Redcar’s most famous landmark and I know the town’s residents will be delighted it has been enhanced and conserved for many years to come."

The Friends' chairman Vera Robinson said: "When the Friends of Redcar Town Clock undertook to save this listed building I had no idea of the tremendous support we would get from the townspeople.

"Now, four years after the public appeal was launched, the restoration is complete, signalling that Redcar people do indeed care about their heritage and the clock’s future is now secure."

Who's got the Redcar X-Factor?

Young people across the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland are being urged to bring their own cheerleaders to auditions that offer them the chance to show off their talents when Redcar's Christmas lights are switched on next month.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Mayor Councillor Mary Ovens will be chairman of the judging panel in the church hall at Christ Church, Coatham on Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11, in X-Factor style auditions, when entries are invited to bring along family and friends for support.

Councillor Ovens said: "It's going to be a busy couple of days and I'm really looking forward to it, maybe I'll turn into the new Sharon Osbourne!"

There will be rehearsals for Key Stage 4 pupils and college and university students on Friday from 5pm-7pm, then a talent show, starting at 7.30pm.

On Saturday, the day starts with rehearsals for Key Stage 2 students, from noon-2pm, then their talent show from 2pm-4pm, before rehearsals start for Key Stage 3 students, from 5pm-7pm, then their talent show, from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

The winners from each age group will be part of the lights switch-on on Sunday, December 3, when they perform on the High Street stage, starting at 2pm.

Heather wins the Flat Cap Fling

Posted by Chris:

A packed Redcar High Street was the venue for the Council's Yorkshire celebrations on Saturday 29th July and there were lots of activities going on to suit all ages.

As part of this the Yorkshire Ridings Society (YRS) organised a, free to enter, Flat Cap Fling for the first time. It was won by teenager Heather Brinsley of Redcar.

David Tucker, Managing Director of D.J. Tucker Ltd, kindly sponsored the event with a nice cup for the winner.

We set up a stall in front of the Council's Event cabin and sold white roses, duck race entries and handed out leaflets. It also turned out to be a bit of a Councillors surgery as people wanted to raise Council issues with us.

I was delighted that the Mayor, Councillor Mary Ovens, came to help along with Glynis, our grandaughter Charlotte, who handed out leaflets, Councillor Val Miller and YRS Secretary Nancy Hudson.

Trying to get blokes to enter was like pulling teeth. In the end it was almost exclusively lasses who entered. With a light breeze behind them, and long waits for people to move out of the way, three local teenage girls competed for the first three places. The winners were as follows:

First Place and winner of the D.J. Tucker Ltd Cup:
Heather Brinsley of Langley Close, Redcar.
Second Place:
Rebecca Ball of Broadway West, Redcar.
Third Place:
Elizabeth Williams of Victoria Avenue, Redcar.

All three received £5 vouchers for WH Smiths.

Council to probe fish oil benefits

Posted by Chris

The dreaded part of our regular Saturday visits to my Grandma, for my brother and I, when we were kids, were the doses of cod liver oil she gave us before we set off for the bus home. Yuc!!! I can still taste it now. As soon as we got out of the door we were into the bag of sweets, she always gave us to share with our other brothers and sisters, to take the taste away.

The practice seemed to have gone out of fashion, though Glynis used to give our kids a cod liver oil and malt mixture. It seems to be now back in fashion and the Council has issued the following statement today:

The possibility of using fish oil supplements to improve pupil performances in more schools across Redcar and Cleveland is set to be investigated.

Two projects have already been carried out at Loftus Junior School and Eston Park Comprehensive with 'potentially significant benefits', councillors have been told.

Now the Council's Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee wants more wide-ranging consultation on the options for the promotion of fish-oil supplements and is urging more schools to take part in trials.

Our Lib Dem colleague and Committee chair Councillor Mary Ovens said: "We're not saying this is some sort of magic formula, but there's no doubt that the results have been very encouraging in some cases and the scrutiny committee felt everyone would benefit from more consultation.

"We would also like more schools to consider taking part in these trials because of the possible benefits and so we can look and compare more data."

In a report to councillors, the Council's principal educational psychologist Alastair Robertson said: "On the basis of the evidence available, the use of fish oil supplements appears to hold some significant potential benefits for some pupils with little evidence of disadvantage. Should any pupil not respond positively, cessation of the supplements would be a simple solution.

"We would advise schools and parents wishing to try supplements that they should do so, but to monitor the effects for their individual children. Such monitoring need not be elaborate but should include learning and behaviour."

The benefits of taking fish oils is thought to relate to the high Omega 3 and Omega 6 content. These fatty acids are essential to the functioning of the brain, but cannot be made by the body and have to be ingested.