Planning Applications received week ending 23 March 2012

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.


098839/FO/2012/S1 38 High Lane Chorlton Manchester M21 9DZ

Change of use of ground floor shop to one bedroom flat together with elevational
alterations and associated carparking


098890/FH/2012/S1 11 York Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9HP

Erection of dormer at second floor level and balustrading to front bay roof, along with the erection of canopy porch over front entrance


098909/FH/2012/S1 262 Ryebank Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9LJ

Erection of a single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation


098912/FH/2012/S1 26 Finney Drive Chorlton Manchester M21 9DS

Erection of single storey front extension to form additional living accommodation

Licence Application: The Spoon Inn, 364 Barlow Moor Road

I have received notification that an application has been received by the City Council for a new Premises Licence for premises at The Spoon Inn, 364 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, M21 8AZ. A summary of the application is as follows:

Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises only:
Mon to Sun 12midday to 11:00pm

Proposed trading hours for the provision of regulated entertainment
(live music):
Mon to Thur 07:00pm to 11:00pm
Fri 06:00pm to to 11:00pm
Sat 02:00pm to 11:00pm
Sun 02:00pm to 10:00pm

Proposed trading hours for the provision of regulated entertainment
(recorded music):
Mon to Fri 07:30am to 11:00pm
Sat 09:00am to 11:00pm
Sun 09:00 to 10:00pm

Proposed opening hours for the premises:
Mon to Sat 08:00am to 11:00pm
Sat 09:00am to 11:00pm
Sun 09:00am to 10:00pm

If you have any comments, you can make these directly to The Licensing Unit
(e-mail: premises.licensing@manchester.gov.uk) or write to: The Licensing Unit, Regulatory & Enforcement Services, Premises Team, PO Box 271, Manchester, M18 8YU by 15 March 2012. The Licensing Authority may only consider a representation relating to the effect of granting of a licence on the licensing objectives, which are: Prevention of crime and disorder; Public Safety; Prevention of public nuisance and the Protection of children from harm.

As a local Councillor I can make representations to support local residents; as can John Leech MP (leechj@parliament.uk; 434 3334). If you wish for us to do so, please let us know and send us a copy of any representation you may be making.

Council should get on with the job of saving lives

I have previously blogged about Manchester City Council's proposed 20mph speed limit options and my concerns that some Councillors and Officers favour implementing a £42million scheme with traffic calming on every residential road. This is clearly a ridiculous idea and certainly not what the motion we passed called for. It is deeply disappointing that the Council is not taking the lead on this issue and has confirmed it is just waiting for a Government handout before it will roll the scheme out. Other Councils have got on with the job of saving lives.

Some Manchester Councillors seem to misunderstand how 20mph limits are working in other cities; they think the policy should be about rolling out 20mph zones across the city. Effective 20mph limits can be achieved with community ownership alongside establishment endorsement. This can be achieved with an effective public information campaign, and entry and reminder signs which would be much less costly and have been proven to work in many Cities. The Council's own report even acknowledges the successes in Portsmouth which did not need to implement widespread traffic calming.

Yesterday I met with Transport Minister Norman Baker MP (Pictured) who agreed with Manchester Liberal Democrats that this Council does not need to introduce expensive and unnecessary traffic calming on every single road. He said that thanks to the changes the Liberal Democrats have made in Government it will be quicker, cheaper and simpler for this Council to introduce 20mph limits and he looked forward to this happening.

Yesterday I also met with Terry Sweeney the Assistant Chief Constable of GMP. He was very encouraging about the potential 20mph limits could have to reduce accidents and to reclaim streets for all road users. Mr Sweeney also agreed that it was not necessary for every single road to have traffic calming but suggested Manchester should look to introduce a phased scheme so that lessons can be learnt from a pilot in part of the City. At today's Full Council meeting I encouraged the Executive Member to consider this option.

In Islington the Council set up a 20mph board bringing together all the different agencies affected to help implement 20mph limits in their borough. At today's Council meeting I said Council Bosses should now look to follow suit and establish a board so we can get this policy moving in Manchester.

A Liberal Democrat run Council would not hide behind bureaucracy and would get on with introducing 20 mph speed limits and saving lives.

LABOUR COUNCILLOR SACKED FOR SPEAKING OUT ABOUT FC UNITED

Manchester's Liberal Democrat Leader Coun Marc Ramsbottom slammed the decision by Labour's Town Hall bosses to remove long serving Moston Coun Henry Cooper from the Fire Authority, where he served as Vice Chairman, as spiteful and vindictive. The move comes after Coun Cooper resigned from the Labour Group over the Council's backing for a new stadium for FC United in his Moston ward.

"Coun Cooper has effectively been punished by Manchester Labour leaders for speaking his mind and standing up for local residents. The removal of him from the Fire Authority is a vindictive and spiteful act by Labour Leader Richard Leese and fellow Moston Coun Paul Murphy", said Coun Ramsbottom.

"Local residents living nearby have genuine concerns about the impact this stadium will have on their local area. Local councillors should be entitled to stand up and voice those concerns, even if the Council leadership don't agree, and should not be bullied into silence" he added.

Former Chorlton Police Station

You may have heard that the former Chorlton Police Station has been purchased by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). Please see below the reply I have recieved from Sir Howard Bernstein (Clerk to TfGM and Chief Executive of Manchester City Council) to my enquiry about the building's future use:

"The vacant former Police Station adjacent to Chorlton Bus Station was listed for auction on the 30th November. The property sale was being administered by Salford City Council on behalf of Greater Manchester Police who own the property.

The property lies immediately adjacent to Chorlton Bus Station on Barlow Moor Road and its main frontage is accessed only across the bus station.

There are very limited facilities at the current bus station and the addition of the former Police Station property is an opportunity to provide operator accommodation, information/ticketing facilities and enhanced passenger facilities. Given the constrained nature of the site, without this property we would be unable to do this. In addition, the potential disposal of the property to a third party could compromise the safe operation of the bus station.

Once the property is acquired TfGM will develop proposals for the redevelopment of the site with a clear intention to improve passenger and operator facilities when funds allow.

At the time of writing the acquisition has not yet been completed but we are hopeful that completion will take place soon.

Sir Howard Bernstein
Chief Executive"

Get Knitting for Chorlton's Big Green Festival

How the budget will affect families

This article from the METRO newspaper has an excellent summary of how last week's budget will affect families.

As you can see, it assesses this impact in terms of losses and gains, with most people set to gain.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Planning Applications received week ending 16 March 2012

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.


098847/AO/2012/S1 RBS, 464 Wilbraham Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9AR

Removal of existing signage and installation of 3 x internally illuminated fascia signs and 2 x externally illuminated projecting sign and 1 ATM sign


096646/JO/2011/S1 Loreto High School Nell Lane Chorlton Manchester M21 7SW

Variation of planning conditions 1 and 4 of planning permission 094761/JO/2010/S1 to retain caretakers bungalow bunglalow, including change of use from residential
dwelling (C3) to educational use (D1) and retain amended car parking layout

Litter Pick on Ivy Green

The Friends of Chorlton Meadows are doing a litter pick on Ivy Green this
Sunday (25th March).

Meet: Ivy Green car park (Brookburn Road, opp. Bowling Green pub)

Time: 10:30 am (don't forget that the clocks go forward on Sunday).

Message from Sir Howard Bernstein "City Deal & Broadband Funding: great deals for Manchester"

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of the City Council, sent the following email this morning presumably to all Manchester City Council staff:

When I last wrote to thank staff for their hard work and support, at the end of last year, I promised to keep you informed of new ways we would maximise the impact of public spending to continue delivering the best results for our residents and making the most of the resources available.

So, at a time of significant uncertainty about the resources we will recieve from the Government for 2013/14 and beyond, I'm delighted to share with you two major announcements that will play a vital role in helping our economy realise its potential.

The first is the announcement on Tuesday of the City Deal for Greater Manchester.

This major deal empowers our region to maximise economic growth through a range of agreements between the Government and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, based on the needs and opportunities of the region’s economy.

This ambitious package of measures is geared towards accelerating growth, boosting skills and encouraging local decision-making and increased self-sufficiency. And Greater Manchester, with the only combined authority in the country, is in a unique position to make it work.

The new City Deal measures include:

Earnback A radical Earnback model where the Government has agreed in principle that up to £1.2billion invested in infrastructure improvements by Greater Manchester will be ‘paid back’ to the combined authority as real economic growth is seen. This is the first tax-increment finance-style scheme in England outside London.

We will reinvest these ‘earned back’ funds in more infrastructure improvements to allow Greater Manchester to reach its economic potential. The first phase will include completion of the Greater Manchester Transport Fund programme, allowing early implementation of schemes, including the Metrolink extension to Trafford Park and the A6-to-Manchester Airport relief road.

Investment framework A major shift towards local decision-making by endorsing the Investment Framework Greater Manchester will use to align funding and assets to prioritise economic growth in the region and cut red tape. This approach, already used in the GM Transport Fund, prioritises projects for investment based on their economic impact. By bringing together different funds into one pot and basing local investment on priorities, we can invest with much greater flexibility.

We also plan to establish a Greater Manchester Housing Investment Board with the Government and the Homes and Communities Agency to use national funding, local investment and public land to boost housing development.

Growth Hub Greater Manchester has already created a business Growth Hub to support local businesses with advice and resources. Three years of transitional funding will enable Manchester to expand this service to deliver targeted programmes, improve access to finance, and strengthen business-to-business mentoring. GM will then use Enterprise Zone revenues from 2015 onwards to ensure the hub is on a sustainable footing.

Skills and the local economy Greater Manchester will deliver an extra 6,000 apprenticeships via small and medium-sized businesses and pilot new incentives for businesses to invest in training. The Government has also agreed a major shift enabling Greater Manchester to link mainstream skills funding with the priorities of the local economy and the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership.

Low-carbon Demonstrator Greater Manchester and UK Green Investments will fund a 50/50 joint venture to create strong, investable low-carbon projects, potentially bringing significant extra funding to Greater Manchester. GM will commit resources and expertise to a low-carbon hub to enable it to be a 'demonstrator' for Government programmes and pilots to reduce carbon emissions.

Inward investment beacon The Government will work with Greater Manchester to develop the city’s role as a beacon for high-value inward investment from China and India in a unique partnership with London. GM will match funding from the Government to work in those markets to generate new jobs in the UK.

These City Deal agreements will have a huge impact – and this is just the first phase. With our partners we are challenging orthodox thinking so we can press forward with much-needed investment that will play a vital role in helping our economy realise its potential.

The second fantastic boost to our city I want to celebrate with you is our successful bid for £12million of Government funding to become a ‘superconnected city'.

This will spread the advantages of ultrafast broadband to 235,000 premises – 224,000 homes and 11,000 businesses –across the city by 2014/15. The plans will complement a Greater Manchester-wide strategy to introduce ultrafast broadband across the city region.

There's additional funding to support small and medium-sized businesses requiring even faster connectivity, including providing support and advice to help them maximise the benefits.

High-speed wireless connections will be installed across key public areas and along major transport corridors, making it easier than ever for people in the city to get online quickly.

The project will also tackle issues of digital exclusion in so-called ‘white’ areas where the private sector has been reluctant to invest. Currently, only 74 per cent of residents can access broadband, with take-up particularly low in Wythenshawe and East Manchester.

Removing this ‘digital divide’ will radically improve the potential to deliver online services to residents.

We aim to be one of the world's top 20 digital cities by 2020 and this funding will help propel us along that path.

We've been working on gaining more powers from central Government for over a decade, and pushing for better connectivity for years. So these two budget announcements provide great news for Manchester, and I'd like to thank all those who have persevered and worked so tenaciously to get us to this day - it is a game-changer for the city.

We will keep you informed as all this work progresses.

Best regards,

Howard.

South Manchester Environmental Forum

SOUTH MANCHESTER ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM are hosting Chorlton Big Green Festival’s ‘WHAT NEXT 2012’ on Thursday 29th March at St Clement’s Church, Edge Lane in Chorlton, at 6.30pm

Register at event-brite: http://smefchorlton.eventbrite.com

Speakers and community leaders from South Manchester’s most vibrant projects will explore the BIODIVERSITY theme ‘Plants and Plans’

Find out about ‘The Local Nature Partnership for Manchester’
from Partnership Chair, Paul Burroughs, Red Rose Forest

Choose discussion and activities to get involved in:

‘Wildlife is Everywhere– It’s Even Here, Where You Live with Dave Bishop (Friends of Chorlton Meadows)

‘Pop-up Farms schools project’with Matt Rowe (Transition Chorlton)

EM and Bokashi Save the World?with Giles Bradley

‘The Manchester Peregrine Falcon project’by Jenni Bailey (RSPB)

‘The Urban Beekeeper’by Dave Rome

‘South Manchester Environmental Forum – the future’with Joe Hulme (SMEF Development Group member)

Arrive 6.30pm for refreshments and networking.
Prompt start at 7pm
Finish at 9pm

Organised by Green Chorlton, the What Next? Forum traditionally takes place a few days before Chorlton's Big Green Festival. It puts environmental issues and sustainable living centre stage by combining expert talks with Q&As and an open forum in which members of the public can discuss ways to encourage eco-living in south Manchester. In the first year we tried to make this part of the main festival but we just couldn't make it work, too noisy and too many things going on.

For The Many, Not The Few: Budget Message from Nick Clegg

We can be proud that the biggest tax cuts in today’s Budget go to millions of working families.

As a result of this Budget, someone working a full week on minimum wage will see their income tax bill cut by over 50% compared to under Labour.

Increasing the personal allowance to £9,205 takes us within touching distance of our number one manifesto pledge – ensuring no one pays any tax on the first £10,000 they earn.

Thanks to our changes, a basic rate taxpayer will be paying £45 a month less in tax than they would have been under Labour.

We can be proud that we’ve ensured the richest in our society will be paying more, much more.

The Tycoon Tax, an increase in stamp duty for high value properties and other new taxes on wealth will raise five times as much as the 50p tax rate. Those with annual incomes of more than £150,000 a year will be paying on average an additional £1,300 a year in tax, as a result of this Budget.

Of course, this is a Coalition Budget and we did not get our own way on everything. Conservative priorities are not ours. But as on so many other issues, we have made sure that there is a real Liberal Democrat stamp on this Budget.

Lower taxes for more than 20 million working people; effective new taxes on the rich.

This is a Budget we can be proud of – a Budget for the many, not the few.

Best wishes,

Melanie James, 109 Beech Road

This amazing new Bridal Shop opened on Beech Road in early February 2012 and the majority of Melanie's wedding gowns are her own label, totally unique and haute couture. Melanie also stocks bridal accessories, children celebration wear and prom/evening wear. You can visit the shop at 109 Beech Road, M21 9EQ. You can follow Melanie and the shop on Twitter @MelanieJamesB

An extra £45.50 in your back pocket every month thanks to Lib Dems

I've just been watching the Budget and really welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of the raising of the personal allowance tax threshold today.

The Chancellor announced that the tax threshold will be raised to £9,205 from April 2013 meaning that millions of lower-income hard-working people will be taken out of tax altogether.

Comparing the personal tax for 2010/11 of £6,475 to the announcement made today for 2013/2014 of £9,205 will mean that tax payers will be £45.50 better off each month.

The increase of £1100 is worth £220 to 21 million working people –taking the total income tax cut for working people delivered over 3 years by the coalition to nearly £550 a year.

When times are tough, it’s only fair to ease the burden on low-earners by increasing the amount paid by the richest.

This was a key Liberal Democrat manifesto pledge which the Liberal Democrats fought hard for in the Coalition negotiations and a policy which will make a real difference to working families and young people around the country.

The announcement made by George Osborne to reduce the 50p tax rate to 45p will raise five times as much as the 50% rate did, according to the Office of Budget Responsibility.

Over 20 million working people will be better off next year after Liberal Democrats in the coalition government delivered the biggest ever increase in the income tax personal allowance in the Budget, with two million people will pay no income tax at all.

Leech welcomes Budget boost for Greater Manchester

Following questioning from South Manchester MP John Leech, Deputy PM Nick Clegg yesterday announced a package of measures that will mean an extra £35m for Greater Manchester Councils. According to AGMA, this deal will create 6,000 new apprenticeships, strengthen Greater Manchester’s business growth hub, create 3,800 new jobs, and commit the government to funding a package of transport measures.

The Chancellor has also announced details of further funding towards the Northern Hub.

John Leech MP said today,

“3,800 new jobs, 6,000 new apprenticeship and more funding for the Northern Hub. This is good news for Greater Manchester.”

Planning Applications received week ending 9 March 2012

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.


098559/FO/2012/S1 466 Wilbraham Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9AS

Change of use of part of ground floor from retail (class A1) to cafe/leisure/retail use (Sui generis) creation of an outside seating area, installation of a new shop front and security grills, elevational alterations to side and rear and installation of externally mounted plant


098742/FH/2012/S1 38A Edge Lane Chorlton Manchester M21 9JW

Erection of part single/part 2 storey side and rear extensions and installation of new roof with increased ridge height and rear dormer

Guest Blog by Matt Gallagher: LABOUR AND THE TORIES; TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

In 1997, after a string of election defeats, Tony Blair led the Labour Party to a landslide victory. He did so by unashamedly stealing a raft of Tory policies and putting a New Labour spin on them.

In 2010, after three election defeats, David Cameron led the Tories to victory. He did so by unashamedly stealing a raft of Labour Party policies and putting a Tory spin on them.

Almost ALL of the current Tory policies originated from Labour. No wonder Labour are angry and confused. To have Cameron do to them what Blair did to the Tories must be galling in the extreme.

What this tells us is that once you cut through the personalities and the rhetoric, the Labour Party and the Conservatives are two sides of the same establishment coin.

In the middle of these two Goliaths stand the Liberal Democrats, fighting both of them simultaneously and trying to bring fairness and compassion to policies that both the main parties have, in their own way, developed and promoted.

It was Labour who promised, in their 2010 manifesto, to reform the NHS. Cameron was happy to steal what was initially their idea. Introducing an element of privatisation to the NHS was another Labour policy willingly stolen by the Tories.

Tuition fees for university students was a Labour policy, introduced by Tony Blair (after promising he wouldn’t) and it was Labour who commissioned the Browne report to decide how much to increase them by. Cameron was only too happy to steal that idea too. Outnumbered by the two big parties the Lib Dems had no real alternative than to accept Browne’s report, but only after they had wrung major concessions to make it as fair as possible, and agreement to spend a considerable amount of money on the poorest and most under-privileged children in our country.

Cutting the number of people receiving Disability Living Allowance was a Labour idea. They had already passed the necessary law in 2009 so Cameron could steal that idea without having to pass the legislation.

Getting rid of the EMA was a Labour idea that Cameron was also happy to steal. Labour’s Education Minister had bragged that he would get rid of it by raising the school leaving age to 18, thereby forcing children to attend school without the need to pay them. At least those pesky Lib Dems forced the Government to set up an £180 million bursary scheme to support those low-income students who need it in order to continue further education.

Academy Schools were a Labour idea, and they opened hundreds of them across the country. Cameron stole that policy too and is happy to continue what they started.

It was Labour policy to keep tax for the rich as low as possible. The Labour Government was in power for 4,757 days. The top rate of tax was raised to 50p for just 35 of those days. One might think that they can hardly complain that Cameron stole that policy too, but they do!

Raising VAT was a Labour idea that the Tory’s also stole. You may recall that Labour cut VAT to 15% on 1st December 2008 to stimulate growth. It didn’t work so they raised it to 17.5% on 1st January 2010. Indeed, the press reported that Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling was proposing to raise it to 20% before Labour lost the election. Yet another Labour proposal that Cameron latched onto.

It was Labour policy to suck up to the Murdoch media empire and exploit his undoubted influence. Cameron stole that from them too, just as Blair had done. Only the Lib Dems were brave enough to ‘declare war’ on Murdoch, and are still paying the price.

Both Labour and the Tories stood side by side in the decision to attack and invade Iraq. They campaigned side by side against reform of the voting system; they intend to campaign side by side against Scottish Independence and will always work together when any proposal threatens the cosy establishment they both benefit from. To both parties the Lib Dems are a nuisance they would each like to be rid of.

Labour supporters planning to vote for the party in May’s election should ask themselves if they are voting against Tory policies, or Labour policies that have been stolen by the Tories?

Matt Gallagher is the prospective Liberal Democrat Candidate for Chorlton Ward for the local elections on 3 May 2012. Matt's blog is available at: http://mattgallagher.mycouncillor.org.uk/. You can follow Matt on Twitter @mathewgallagher

Twenty's Plenty in Manchester

You may remember that in February I blogged about a successful motion I put forward to reduce the default speed limit on Manchester's Roads to 20mph. This morning I attended the Council's Executive where they were considering a report about how to implement the policy.

The report proposes three options to implement the policy. The basic and my preferred option would cost £2.8 million and would involve an extensive consultation and education campaign and entry signs into 20mph areas (as pictured for Chorlton ward) and reminder 20mph signs every 500m. Another option would cost £41million and in addition to the basic model would involve introducing traffic calming on all unmarked and C Roads. I think this option is ridiculous and certainly not what the motion I put forward asked for. A third middle option would cost £9.2million and would involve the basic model with traffic calming on C Roads.

I was delighted that both Liberal Democrat and Labour Councillors still supported the policy and that it was confirmed that the £2.8million plan will save lives. However I was disappointed that the Council have confirmed they will not be putting any money up until the Government confirms how much they will be able to offer in support. Last week at the Budget Council Meeting the Manchester Liberal Democrats put forward an alternative budget which included £200,000 for Twenty's Plenty. Sadly this motion was voted down and the Labour budget included nothing for implementing the policy. Following the successful Council motion John Leech MP asked Transport Minister Norman Baker MP what support may be available. At that point the Minister said that the Transport Department (DfT) had money available that it needed to spend before the end of financial year but would need to know the cost of implementing the scheme to know what support the Government could offer. John and I immediately got on to the Council and asked them for an estimate. We were denied an estimate despite telling the Council that it would be in their interests. As a result the DfT has spent its budget for the year and MCC has lost out. My colleague Cllr Paul Shannon at the Executive today questioned why they have not approached the Government for support at a much earlier stage. I believe the Council officers should have spoken with DfT straight after the motion passed (as John did) as this could have helped to influence the plans being proposed. As a result of inaction the Council will now have to wait and see if DfT have any available cash in next year's budget.

I am concerned that the Council seem to misunderstand how 20mph limits are working in other cities; they think the policy should be about rolling out 20mph zones across the city. Despite what the Council report suggests I think 20mph zones are not the most effective ways of reducing speed (because drivers speed up between calming measures) and you do not need to introduce copious amounts of expensive traffic calming. I believe Twenty's Plenty is about an effective public information campaign and reminder signs which would be much less costly and have been proven to work in many Cities. The Council's own report even acknowledges the successes in Portsmouth which did not need to implement widespread traffic calming.

I am concerned about why the Council considers that it is going to cost so much to introduce 20mph speed limits (£2.8m). 20's Plenty For Us, the national campaign group, estimates the cost of introducing the policy is £3 per head of population. Surely Manchester should be looking to introduce this for about £1.5million? I will be raising these concerns when I meet with the Minister later in the month; and will be calling on the Government to find money to support this worthwhile policy that will save lives!

I would be interested to know your thoughts and any suggestions you may have. Please let me know if you would like me to send you a better quality image of the proposed 20mph areas within Chorlton Ward or any other area in Manchester. The 20mph signs on the map indicate proposed 20mph entrance signs.

Lib Dem Achievements in Government

Click on picture to enlarge and zoom.

From Mark Pack's Blog: http://www.markpack.org.uk

Leech rebels on NHS vote over Government risk register secrecy

Chorlton MP John Leech has today voted in favour of a backbench Lib Dem rebel amendment, following the decision of the Secretary of State for Health not to publish the risk register in contravention of the tribunal judgement that it should be released.

John joined other backbench Lib Dems voting for the amendment put forward by five Lib Dem MPs: Andrew George, John Pugh, Adrian Sanders, Greg Mulholland and David Ward.

John Leech said, "I voted with my Lib Dem backbench colleagues because I have consistently called for the Government to release the risk register. By failing to release it after the tribunal decision, there is little wonder that concerns remain over the Health Bill. The risk register needs to be published immediately so that the Government can reassure the public and health professionals. The vote this evening was never going to change the Bill, but I wanted to send a clear message to the Secretary of State that it is not acceptable to keep the risk register a secret after the tribunal decision."

The amendment read as follows: "leave out from 'Bill;' to end and add 'declines to support the Bill in its current form; and calls for an urgent summit of the Royal Colleges, professional bodies, patients' organisations and the Government to plan health reforms based on the Coalition Agreement."

Footpath 181 VICTORY

You may remember that last September I blogged about the Council's plans to reopen Footpath 181 which runs from Claude Road (at the side of Meade Manor), behind South Drive and alongside Chorlton Brook onto Oakhouse Drive. This historic path has not been in use for 65 years, however following pressure from the Ramblers Association, Manchester City Council made it a top priority to reopen the route. I was deeply concerned by this action and encouraged the Council to reconsider. I opposed the reopening of the historic path because many people told me they didn’t want it reopened, it would be a disgraceful waste of public money (estimates said £40,000 to £50,000) and I was concerned that a reopened path could result in more criminal activity particularly burglaries, vandalism, anti social behaviour and gangs loitering.

Many local residents joined me and my Chorlton Lib Dem colleagues in raising their objections with the Council. Following a concerted campaign I am pleased to let you know that the Council have finally seen sense. Yesterday Council Bosses told us that having assessed the situation at great length they have decided to stop up the full length of Footpath 181 as provided by Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980. The Council will be advertising the stopping up order and making application to the courts.

I would like to thank all the residents that joined us in opposing the reopening; it shows how powerful the community can be when we work together.

EMERGE 3Rs: Zero Waste Celebration

EMERGE is a Manchester - based social enterprise promoting the idea and practice of the 3Rs: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Free Event: EMERGE 3Rs: Zero Waste Celebration

Join them from 5.30-7pm on Monday 19th March 2012 at Brazennose House West, Brazennose Street, Manchester, M2 5AS

· Yummy Love Food Hate Waste Cookery Demonstration...
· Zero Waste Exhibition
· Reduce Reuse Recycle Tips & Info
· EMERGE & FareShare showcase

Come and have your say on what EMERGE should be doing to help the community reduce waste!

Refreshments provided. If you have any questions, please contact Nicola on 0161 223 8200.

RSVP FREE WALKERS - A New Free Over 50s walking Group

The new Community Service Volunteers, Retired & Senior Volunteer Programme Manchester (RSVP) over 50s friendship walking group called " RSVP Free Walkers" had an excellent first walk this week.

The group has walks planned on the last Wednesday of the each month at 2pm for the next few months - 28th March, 25th April, 30th May, 27th June. Each walk will be between 3 and 3 and a half miles and will take about 2 hours. All start and finish points are planned near public transport and the group wishes to encourage people over 60 who have free travel passes to use these to attend. Walks will mainly be in the South Manchester area, around the Mersey valley.

The next walk will be on Wednesday 28th March 2012; 1.45pm for 2pm start; Meet in Chorlton Water Park car park (Outside the building on your left hand side as you enter the car park. Maitland Avenue entrance). The walk will start from Chorlton Water Park and end at Fletcher Moss Park, Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury.

The walk is 3 miles and will take 2 hours. The group will walk through Kenworthy Woods and along the river before arriving in Fletcher Moss Park. Refreshments stop at the end of the walk if you wish to purchase food or drink.

WEAR FLAT SHOES SUCH AS WALKING BOOTS OR TRAINERS, BRING A BOTTLE OF WATER, WATERPROOFS/UMBRELLA AND ENOUGH WARM CLOTHING

Buses 276, 23/23A and 15 stop near Maitland Avenue and 101/4/5/9 stop on Princes Rd/ Merseybank Avenue. Buses from Wilmslow Road include 23; 42; 142; 157; 171 and 196. East Didsbury Train Station is 0.4 miles away on Wilmslow Road.

For more information please contact Will Peters on 0161 226 2454

Planning Applications received week ending 24 February 2012

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.


097355/FH/2011/S1 - 513 Barlow Moor Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8AQ

Construction of a new entrance porch at the front of the house, cladding and elevational alterations to part of front and side elevation and installation of a three storey spiral stair at rear of property.


098620/FH/2012/S1 - 41 South Drive Chorlton Manchester M21 8DZ

Erection of single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation