Lib Dems welcome Council Tax freeze

The Liberal Democrat Group on Redcar & Cleveland Council is urging the Council’s Labour bosses to accept a freeze in Council Tax next year if it is offered.

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

This came despite the Government’s offer of £1.4 million to the Council if it had frozen its council tax in 2012-13.

At the Conservative Party conference last week, the Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, announced that councils which wish to increase Council Tax by more than 2% will have to hold a referendum.

He also announced that £450m would be available for councils to help offset the freeze, an amount equivalent to a 1% Council Tax increase for local authorities.

Councillor Glyn Nightingale said:

“Local people are facing higher bills, but few are receiving higher incomes. Council Tax is already an unfair tax and any attempt to increase it in Redcar & Cleveland would just magnify the unfairness.

“Labour didn’t accept the Council Tax Freeze last year but we hope that this year they will see sense. Labour Party bosses need to pay attention to peoples’ wishes and circumstances.

“Recent internal and external audits of the Council’s finances have revealed poor economic management – it is not acceptable to make working people pay for the Council’s financial incompetence.”

Labour wasting our waste say Lib Dems

Liberal Democrats in Redcar & Cleveland are asking why the Labour council gives away the cardboard and plastic it collects whilst other councils manage to sell it.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Abbott asked a question about this in July’s council meeting. He was told that the Council gets no money for the plastic and cardboard collected from households in the borough.

It costs the Council £245,950 a year to collect these items. It is then handed over free to a firm in Hartlepool who process and sell it, with no income at all coming back to the Council.

However, the Council has today admitted that other authorities do manage to sell waste cardboard and plastic.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Abbott commented:

“It is ridiculous to give cardboard and plastics away free if they can be processed and sold.

“Once again Labour is wasting taxpayers’ money.

“This year Labour gave local people the highest council tax rise in the land.

“That surely gives them an obligation to use resources in the most effective way possible.

“This is yet another slap in the face to hard working taxpayers.

“Labour clearly finds it easier to just put up council tax rather than run services more efficiently.”

Lib Dems condemn Mayor’s furniture waste

Liberal Democrats  have condemned the spending of over £4000 on new furniture for the Mayor’s Parlour.

Since the council moved out of the old Redcar and Cleveland Town Hall earlier this year the Mayor’s Parlour has been moved to Kirkleatham Museum.

But figures uncovered by Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Abbott show that rather than use the perfectly good furniture from the old Mayor’s Parlour, the council’s Labour bosses have seen fit to spend £4,319 on replacing it.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Abbott commented:

“This is sheer waste of taxpayers’ money.

“Kirkleatham Museum already houses quality furniture which used to be in the Mayor’s Parlour at Redcar. We want to know what has happened to the furniture at the former Eston Town Hall.

“It’s another example of Labour making cuts where it matters and spending where it doesn’t.

“At a time of austerity, this sends out totally the wrong message to the people the council serves.”

Police and Crime Panel members required.

On 15 November, the Cleveland Force Area will be electing its first police and crime commissioner.

This post will be responsible for setting the priorities and resources for Cleveland Police, as well as supporting broader community safety activities across the region.

In addition, a police and crime panel will also be established to scrutinise the work of the Commissioner. The panel will consist of representatives from each of the four local authorities in the Force area and two independent co-opted members.

The panel is looking for at least two committed people who either live or work in the Cleveland Force area to serve as co-opted independent members from autumn 2012 for a four year term. The role of a panel member is a demanding one and will require a commitment of an average of one day every two months.

Meetings will generally be held late afternoon or early evening at varying locations throughout the Force area. Panel members will be able to claim reasonable expenses and will receive induction and other appropriate training.

The closing date for applications is 28 September 2012. For a copy of the application pack, please telephone (01642) 527060 or (01642) 528173.

Get into sport in Redcar

Have you been inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

If so, a special event to highlight the local sport and physical activity opportunities in Redcar will take place on Thursday, August 30.

As well as finding out about local clubs there will be a range of free activities available for you to take part in, including; volleyball, orienteering, archery, hockey and Tees Valley Leisure will be operating a leisure challenge!

Local sports clubs will be also be on hand to promote their club and the activities available. The event is being held at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar between 3pm - 6pm. For more information, please contact Sports Development on 01642 496430.

#Pen4Ken Campaign

I have sent Ken Bates a pen in the hope it will encourage him to sign the agreement for new cash investment into Leeds United FC.

Massive backing for Recycling Pilot – 91% support for third bin

An overwhelming 91% are in favour of Redcar & Cleveland Council’s pilot using three bins, according to the local Liberal Democrats’ survey in Nunthorpe.

But residents, by more than four to one, would oppose being charged £20 by the council for the third bin. In addition, eight out of 10 residents say they would not be prepared to have a plastic bag for green waste which has been piloted in part of Guisborough.

The pilot involved using one bin for refuse, one for green waste and the third for recycling materials. 

The local Lib Dem Team thanks those who responded to the doorstep survey or by post - that’s nearly 150 households.

Typical comments from residents included...

“...a much more convenient way to recycle. Having one bin eliminates the hassle...”

“Excellent - one bin for all the recycling - much easier”

“Very Good, should be a permanent feature.”

“Much better idea - cleaner, tidier and much more convenient.”

“...the pilot scheme is good, because when the weather is inclement the paper isn’t exposed and the bottles and cardboard box don’t fill with water and leaves.”

 “Excellent”

“The more recycling that is done in any town the better for the environment.”

“I like the multi-bin - it saves time having to separate items. I also like a bin for green waste because the bags would be heavy and split easily.”

Only two people were openly hostile to the extra bin. Those who opposed the idea were concerned about insufficient storage space or the unsightly appearance of bins outside their homes.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader and ward councillor Glyn Nightingale commented:

“The Lib Dems believe recycling is absolutely vital. We are extremely pleased that residents were so positive about the pilot scheme in Nunthorpe. Their co-operation is crucial to making recycling a success.

"But it is clear from our survey that residents are far less willing to pay to help the Council with recycling, if the Labour council tries to extend its current charging policy from plastic bags to the third bin or to use plastic bags for green waste.”

"Overall, I welcome the Council’s decision to extend the pilot scheme used in Nunthorpe."

Views sought on Redcar junction improvements

Public views are being sought on plans to remove an existing roundabout at the junction of West Dyke, Corporation and Thrush Road in Redcar and replace it with traffic signals.

The planned improvements were highlighted as part of the Tees Valley Bus Network improvement scheme which looks at ways of easing traffic congestion in the area.

A public engagement event will be held in a trailer adjacent to the roundabout on Monday 20 August and Tuesday 21 August and a display will be situated in Redcar Library from 20 – 24 August. The public can also provide their comments by contacting the Engineering Section at Redcar and Cleveland Council on  01642 774774, by email, or by writing to:

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Area Management Directorate
Engineering Section
Redcar and Cleveland House
Kirkleatham Street
Redcar
TS10 1RT

Deadline for comments is 31 August 2012.

Yorkshire Day at Redcar in pictures

There was an excellent attendance at Redcar Town Clock  this morning for the annual reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity. 

Former Bishop Auckland Town Crier and former Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Foote-Wood led the proceedings encouraging people to attend the ceremony and promoting the sale of white roses to raise funds for Redcar Lifeboat. 

After a short speech of welcome by Ian Swales MP, who said he was proud to call himself a Yorkshire MP, Chris Foote-Wood read the Declaration on the stroke of 11.37 am, which is exactly 1137 years since the first recorded reference to the Ridings of Yorkshire in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles of the year 876. A huge cheer followed the words Yorkshire forever. 

The rose girls raising funds for Redcar Lifeboat

Chris Foote-Wood draws the crowds 

Chris Foote-Wood reads the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity 

watched by Redcar MP Ian Swales.

Happy Yorkshire Day

Today is Yorkshire Day and the Yorkshire Ridings Society's annual reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity will take place at Redcar Town Clock at 11.37 a.m.

This year the declaration will be read by Chris Foote-Wood (pictured above).

Chris is the former Town Crier of Bishop Auckland and former LibDem candidate for Mayor of Middlesbrough. He is directly descended from two Whitby sea captains related to Captain Cook.

The Ridings Society's North Riding Group is donating all proceeds from their sales of white roses (£1 each) to Redcar Lifeboat. Each year since 1997 the North Riding Group has raised thousands of pounds for local charities from the sales of white roses on Yorkshire Day.

Summer Schools open in Redcar – Ian Swales MP

In the Redcar Constituency, six of schools will be opening their doors this summer to help some of the most disadvantaged pupils in our area with the big step up from primary to secondary school.

Many pupils find the move to a bigger school and a more challenging curriculum daunting and this can lead to falling results and they often never catch up again. To help pupils who are especially vulnerable to falling behind, those on free school meals (FSM) or looked-after children, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg launched the first Summer Schools programme today.

Commenting, Ian Swales MP said:

“These Summer Schools can be the key to a child’s success in later life. The step from primary to secondary school can be a really daunting one for many children. If your confidence is knocked back at this stage, it is difficult to recover as a child progresses through the school.

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have done the right thing by using these summer schools to prevent people from falling behind rather than trying to help pupils catch-up after the damage has been done.

“By helping children and familiarising them with how a secondary schools looks and works, many of the problems can be tackled and I will be working with schools to make sure pupils get the most out of the Summer School programme.”

Commenting further, Nick Clegg said:

“This is £50m worth of extra brain training giving tens of thousands of disadvantaged pupils a flying start at secondary school.

“It’s two weeks in the summer holidays where pupils can catch up on learning and get to grips with life in secondary school – in short, get in the starting blocks ready for the off in September.

“Those who struggle to make the transition are often among the poorest in society, but two weeks of activities can really help to bridge the gap.

“It’s good news for mums and dads too – no parent wants their child to be left out and fall behind. But not everyone has the luxury of taking long periods off work during the summer break.

“Summer schools will ensure pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds can start secondary school on an equal footing with their peers, setting them up to succeed.“

Redcar Athletic FC an appeal for support

Redcar Athletic FC based at Green Lane, Redcar finished runners up in the Wearside League last season just missing out on the promotion spot to the Northern League, with the ground now furnished with floodlights, this season we want to go one step further and gain that elusive place in the Northern League for the town of Redcar.

With the town of Redcar undergoing a major re- development programme we believe that Redcar Athletic Football Club can do its bit in attracting people to Redcar by putting the town on the Footballing map.

However despite the major works of the floodlights completed we still require financial support to complete the ground development to provide spectator provision, hardstanding and car park improvements.

We are appealing to the businesses in and around Redcar to help us achieve that dream by getting involved with the Club’s Sponsorship packages, we fully understand in the current economic climate that providing financial support is difficult but we have tailored our packages for maximum benefit for minimal outlay, we also have packages available from as little as £30. This is an ideal cheap opportunity to publicise your business details of the available packages are outlined below.

We would also like to encourage the people of Redcar to come along and enjoy the matchday experience at Green Lane, Redcar, entry is only £3 adults, £1 concessions with matchday programmes on sale, snacks and drinks it is a fantastic cheap way to spend your Saturday afternoons  or alternatively save yourself some money and buy a Redcar Athletic season ticket, priced at £50 Adults save £13 on the 21 Home League games plus get free entry into all the Home Cup games as well as one free entry into the club’s 200 club with the chance to win £100 every week . For those who want to attend the fixtures are provided on a monthly basis and updated on the clubs website www.redcarathletic.co.uk

Home Fixtures for August are as follows –

 Weds 15^th August v Wolviston 7.30pm ko

Sat 18^th August v Hartlepool FC 2.30pm ko

Weds 22^nd Aug v Harton & Westoe 7.30pm ko

200 Club

The club also has a relatively cheap way for everybody to support the Club off the pitch by joining the 200 Club for a £1 a week you will be allocated a number and a weekly draw will determine the winning number. Each week you will have the opportunity to win the weekly prize of up to £100, you can join the 100 club simply by e mailing kevfryett@hotmail.com and requesting your number or by following this link on the club website  http://www.redcarathletic.co.uk/club/NoticeBoard

SPONSOR BOARDS

Advertising boards placed around the perimeter of the pitch at a cost of:

6ft x 3ft £250 the first year and £150 per year after that

8ft x 3ft £275 the first year and £175 per year after that

10ft x 3ft £300 the first year and £200 per year after that

In addition receive a free link to your website on the Club’s Website click on the link to view example - http://www.redcarathletic.co.uk/club/138602/Home, 2 free season tickets and 1 free entry into the 200 Club

 AWAY KIT SPONSOR

Sponsor the away shirt at a cost of £400 we will brand the shirt with your company name or logo, in addition you will get a ½ page advert in the matchday programme, 1 x Season Ticket and 1 free entry into the 200 club

MATCHDAY SPONSOR

Sponsor one of our home games at a cost of £100 and receive 4 complimentary tickets for the game, pre match and post match buffet and drinks, advertisement in the match day programme and present the man of the match award after the game

MATCHBALL SPONSOR

Sponsor the match ball at one of home games for £40 and receive a free advert in the matchday programme

PLAYER SPONSOR 

Sponsor a player for £30  per season, recognition of players sponsor on the squad list in the match day programme

ADVERT IN MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Programme printed every home game

Full page advert £100 per season

½ page advert £75 per season

¼ page advert £50 per season

Leeds United win landmark case against charges for Policing outside Elland Road

Mighty Leeds United have won a landmark case against Police charging club the for policing outside of the ground.

Which local Labour MP wants to keep unelected Lords in a job for life?

Cleveland Police to get enquiry costs covered – Ian Swales MP

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, is delighted with the news that the Government have agreed to cover the costs of Operation Sacristy in full.

The costs of this case have been mounting up and have now reached 1.6m, which would mean there would be a significant impact on the forces budget if they had to cover these costs themselves. 

Ian said: ‘I am delighted that the Home Office are paying for the costs of the enquiry of the alleged wrongdoing at Cleveland Police.  At a time when police budgets are under tremendous pressure, it would have been wrong to see the police having to make even bigger savings due to these one-off costs.

‘I have been campaigning hard in Parliament for this to happen and am pleased to have played a part in ensuring that local people continue to get the excellent service that they deserve.’

Ian Swales MP dismayed at Green Howards decision

Ian Swales MP has expressed his dismay at the decision to scrap the 2^nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) that was announced this morning.   The Green Howards have a historic link to the area and are very important to the generations of families whose lives are intertwined with the name. 

The unit can trace its beginnings back to the 17^th Century, and retaining historic links is vital for the local community to feel a sense of belonging and purpose. 

Ian Swales MP commented:

"Sadly the Green Howards regiment was scrapped in 2006 under the previous Government but I was delighted when the name was preserved and attached to the 2^nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards).  I hope that at the very least we can attach this historic name to a reserve battalion and I will be urging the minister to consider this.   

                                                                                              

"The Green Howards have always had a very strong connection to our area.  I know a number of former Green Howards and they have the Freedom of the Borough.  It is always a fantastic sight to see them march through Redcar. 

"I will be challenging this decision in Parliament as our area remains a fertile ground for recruitment regardless of demographic projections, and it is important that we retain the distinct identity that the Green Howards have and their historic link to our area."

Eric Howden, Secretary of Redcar Branch, and Chairman of the Cleveland Group for the British Legion commented:

"I am really saddened to hear the news today.  This area has served the British Army with its sons and daughters for many years, and not too long ago granted the Green Howards freedom of the borough.

"My step-son, Darren, was killed whilst serving with the Green Howards before their amalgamation, and to lose it now will not only be a great loss personally but also a great loss to our communities."

Family links - Our eldest lad Steven Abbott served 9 years in the Green Howards Regiment

Change of date for Ward Surgery

My Ward surgery, due to take place on Tuesday 3rd July, has been postponed and will now take place on Tuesday 10th July at Westmorland Road Day Centre, Westmorland Road, Redcar from 6pm to 7pm.

Labour Controlled Redcar and Cleveland Council in top 20 for Council Tax increases

Official reports have confirmed that no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has increased council tax for their residents. This is unlike both other major parties, many of which are increasing council tax by up to 3.5% this year.

Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils’ record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:

“While Labour and the Tories fight over how many of their councils raised Council Tax, it’s clear that with the Liberal Democrats your money is safest: no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has raised Council Tax."

At every level of government, the Liberal Democrats are cutting taxes for low- and middle-earners and better targeting help to those that need it the most. It is a record of financial responsibility of which we can be proud.

Labour ruled Redcar and Cleveland Council, who once imposed the second highest Council Tax in the land on it's long suffering residents, are, as most would guess, one of those Council's in the top twenty for Council Tax increases this year.

Top 20 Council Tax Increases Council Control Increase Barrow Labour 3.50% Babergh No Overall Control 3.50% Darlington Labour 3.50% Dover Conservative 3.50% East Northamptonshire Conservative 3.50% Gravesham Labour 3.50% Huntingdonshire Conservative 3.50% Leicester Labour 3.50% Preston Labour 3.50% Redcar & Cleveland Labour 3.50% Stockton-on-Tees Labour 3.50% Stoke-on-Trent Labour 3.50% Gedling Labour 3.40% Lichfield Conservative 3.40% Luton Labour 3.40% Middlesborough Labour 3.40% Nottingham Labour 3.40% Tunbridge Wells Conservative 3.30% Cambridgeshire Conservative 3.00% Richmondshire No Overall Control 3.00% Source: Local Government Chronicle

Redcar Labour Council’s Town Hall mismanagement costs taxpayers dearly

Liberal Democrats in the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland have hit out at Labour Council bosses who have needlessly cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands by their mismanagement of the old Town Hall at Eston.

Five years ago it was clear that the Town Hall and neighbouring James Finegan Hall, both on Fabian Road, had had their day. The Lib Dem led coalition which then led the Council was realistic about what needed to happen and proposed demolition. The site needed £4 million spending on back-log maintenance.

But opportunistic Labour Councillors vowed to fight to keep the buildings saying: “Our position is that when we get back control in 2007 we will keep open the James Finegan Hall and refurbish it" (Labour leader George Dunning, Evening Gazette, 8 Sept 2006).

Now Labour has done a complete u-turn and is getting rid of them. This means that for five years the Council has been paying £120,000 a year for scaffolding on James Finegan Hall. Meanwhile, in 2007 Labour also spent £125,000 on refurbishing the Town Hall when it had no long-term future. They have recently wasted £36,000 on alterations to the City Learning Centre including an unnecessary walkway.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Glyn Nightingale commented:

“The Lib Dems realised that the Council had more space than it needed and that the Town Hall and James Finegan Hall were becoming a financial liability.

“Now Labour has been forced into an embarrassing u-turn after finally realising we were right. In the meantime local taxpayers have had to pay out hundreds of thousands of pounds with nothing to show for it.

"It’s a welcome u-turn, but it’s come too late and been too costly."

Newcomen Ward Neighbourhood Action Partnership

Newcomen Ward Neighbourhood Action Partnership

Inaugural Meeting

6pm Tuesday 17 July

Newcomen Methodist Church

Mersey Road

Open to all who live and work in Newcomen ward

Have your say about issues that matter to you

Work together with councillors and agencies on a

Neighbourhood Action Plan setting priorities and

ideas for improvements in Newcomen ward

All will be welcomed: you can be as involved as little

or as much as you like

We look forward to meeting you

Further information:

Julian Feakes on 0774 8933 946

or email julian.feakes@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Emma McLoughlin on 0758 4480 408

or email emma.mcloughlin@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

Neighbourhood team, Roseberry Library Roseberry Shopping Centre