Cllr Victor Chamberlain - Chorlton Liberal Democrat

Guest Blog: A PEEP INTO THE FUTURE

2012-01-25T01:05:00.002Z

Content taken from Matt Gallagher's Blog :

I am sure that there are many people who wonder what it might be like to travel into the future. What looks cool now that will eventually appear dated and inefficient? How will we deal with the most pressing problems of the age? What will change, and what might stay the same?

There are no such things as time machines…yet! However, there is a hidden corner of Chorlton where it is possible to make a journey of sorts into a world that is yet to come. This Sunday Victor Chamberlain and I had the privilege of visiting 3 The Thorns, in Chorltonville, where we met with Kit Knowles and Jonny Allen at the Ecospheric Eco Show Home.

Victor and I went there to congratulate them on receiving a £50k grant from DECC’s Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF), recently announced by Lib Dem Energy and Climate Change Secretary of State Chris Huhne. Their Ecoville project will help Chorltonville residents improve their homes energy efficiency, reduce energy bills and live more sustainably.

Chorltonville was selected for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that the houses there are exactly 100 years old and as such they are not constructed of the latest materials. Their size and location were also considered when the decision was being made.

From the outside the Eco Show Home looks much like its neighbours, but step inside and you are immediately struck by how bright and airy it is, how well-regulated the inner temperature is and how the latest technology can work with a century-old house to create a truly up to date and comfortable home.

Working in partnership with Action for Sustainable Living Kit and Jonny will ensure the grant is targeted at communities to help them understand the potential for improvements in their homes and prepare for new opportunities in sustainable energy arising from the Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentives and Feed-In Tariffs.

Kit and Jonny plan to offer up to £500 worth of products and services FREE to each household to help them reduce their energy bills. This will include;

• An energy monitor for every household and access to an on-line forum where you can ask advice from experts and track savings.

• Energy fitness and retrofit surveys for 40 households

• A series of workshops delivered by Action for Sustainable Living, Ecospheric and Carbon Coop.

• Tours of the Chorlton Eco Show Home.

The project will help to develop positive ways in which these worthy objectives can be rolled out further afield. I recommend checking out www.ecospheric.co.uk/ecoville for further information. If you get the chance arrange to visit the Eco Show House. It is well worth seeing.

Local MP John Leech has endorsed the project and said, ” I am delighted that Ecospheric and AfSL have been awarded a £50,000 grant as part of the Local Energy Assessment Fund, and will be one of the UK’s 82 pioneering energy efficiency projects.”

Post offices saved by Lib Dems

2012-01-25T00:23:00.002Z

Post Offices in Chorlton and Manchester have been saved by Liberal Democrat Business Minister, Ed Davey.

After ending Labour’s shameful Post Office closure programme, which saw more than 7100 Post Offices disappear in their 13 years in office (like the one we used to have on Beech Road), Ed Davey MP has announced a ten-year deal between the Post Office and the Royal Mail has been reached.

The deal gives additional certainty to subpostmasters across the UK and covers the full range of Royal Mail products available at post offices such as first and second class post, parcels, air mail, recorded and special deliveries.

The deal adds to other recent progress for the Post Office, with extra Government cash kicking in, new national and local government contracts won, successful piloting of new models to transform many local post offices and improvements in financial services offered.

After years of Post Office closures under the Labour Government, it is excellent news that Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing by ensuring that the Post Office has a sustainable future ahead of it through investment and by brokering this deal with Royal Mail. Residents and Traders often tell me that they still miss the post office on Beech Road.

Post Offices are a vital part of our communities and are the lynchpin of our towns and villages. More than 20m people visit a Post Office every week to send letters to loved ones, to manage their finances or to renew passports for holidays and hundreds of thousands of pensioners rely on them every day for their pensions.

Labour left Royal Mail in a terrible mess and it is Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government who have stopped closures and put Royal Mail and the Post Office on a secure footing. Our plans mean that we will never see the kind of planned closures that devastated local communities under the previous Government. The 20m people who use the Post Office every week don’t deserve anything less from us.

Commenting further, Ed Davey said: “A year ago I set out a radical plan to transform Post Office’s future, with £1.34bn of Government support and investment but without any closure programmes. Since then the Post Office has made good progress to become more competitive, building on its strengths. While it will take several years to turn round the Post Office’s finances, it’s increasingly clear the reforms are beginning to work. The 10-year deal struck between Royal Mail and the Post Office will give subpostmasters and others greater confidence. The signs are extremely encouraging for the future of the Post Office.”

"Labour: from the wrong place to all over the place" - Nick Clegg

2012-01-23T10:19:00.000Z

Message sent by Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, to Liberal Democrat members:

Nearly two years ago, Liberal Democrats chose to do the right thing in the national interest at a time of crisis. We put tribalism aside and the good of the country first.

We didn’t come into politics to make cuts, but with the economy on the verge of collapse we knew we had to take the difficult decisions necessary to get the deficit under control and the country back on track.

And how did the Labour Party react?
They attacked us viciously. They refused to apologise or take responsibility for the mess they created. They opposed every cut and they indulged in cynical scaremongering.

In Sheffield, David Blunkett warned of ‘post-Soviet’ meltdown with people fending for themselves. It was the politics of fear and it was a disgrace.

But now, after nearly two years of opposing every cut, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls say they won’t reverse a single one. Yet they still say they oppose them.
Confused?

They have gone from being in the wrong place to being all over the place. From denial to disarray.

Many of our excellent councillors lost their seats last May because of the vicious attacks of their Labour opponents. We must not let them get away with it again.

Liberal Democrats approach this May’s elections with a track record of proud, progressive achievements in Government:

Lifting a million of the poorest workers out of tax and cutting taxes, not for the rich but for 23m basic rate taxpayers;

Making the well off pay their share by raising Capital Gains Tax, a new £10bn bank levy and keeping the 50p top rate of tax;

The most generous rise in the state pension for a generation;

A revolution in the way we support the children who need help the most when it matters the most, in the crucial early years and throughout their school lives;

More apprenticeships than Britain has ever had before;

And from this April, the Youth Contract, an ambitious £1bn programme to make sure every 18 to 24-year-old has the opportunity to earn or learn.

Clearing up Labour’s mess is not easy, but right.

Guest Blog: Ecoville

2012-01-20T12:58:00.004Z

I was really pleased to find out this week that Chorlton based Ecospheric and Action for Sustainable Livng (AfSL) have been successful in their bid for a £50,000 grant from the Government's Local Energy Assessment Fund. Detals about their Ecoville project taken from Ecospheric website:

Action for Sustainable Living in partnership with Ecospheric have secured Chorltonville funding from the Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) to help promote energy efficiency in all its 262 households. LEAF is a government grant for communities to help them understand the potential for improvements in their homes and prepare for new opportunities in sustainable energy and climate change arising from the Green Deal, Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed in Tariffs. This means we are able to offer up to £500 worth of products and services FREE to each household to help them reduce their bills including:
· An energy monitor for every household with access to an online dashboard and forum. Your private dashboard will allow you to track your energy usage over time, allowing you to see when you might be able to cut down. The community forum will collect anonymous data from all the monitors and give us average and total consumption figures for Chorltonville that we are aiming to reduce as much as possible! It will also give you the opportunity to ask questions to experts and your peers about access to an online forum where you can ask for advice from experts and your peers.

· Ecospheric are offering to provide 40 households with energy fitness and retrofit reports. This consists of a survey using amongst others, thermographic techniques to pinpoint heat loss within a property and produces a report with prioritised recommendations for individual properties. The bespoke report not only contains information about the property surveyed but also a comprehensive range of advice on sustainable living ranging from efficiency measures to occupancy health and behaviour.

· A series of workshops delivered by Action for Sustainable Living, Ecospheric and Carbon Coop aimed at helping every owner of the community. These include:

o AfSL's Energy Academy - Workshops on the importance of behaviour change in conjunction with refurbishment for the most effective energy saving solution. The performance of a house is affected +/- 30% by how the occupier interacts with it.

o Ecospheric's Chorltonville Houses Workshop - Specifically tailored to Chorltonville houses to help those who were not able to secure a full survey and report so that you are aware of what changes you can make and how to do it.

o Carbon Coop Householder Workshop - This will be a large workshop to enable residents to come together and identify their energy usage and discover ways of reducing any unnecessary losses. The Carbon Coop is a community benefit co-operative that promotes the development of carbon reduction measures.

o Ecospheric's Elderly Residents Workshop - This will focus on elderly residents, families, carers and other volunteers to provide specific advice about making homes more comfortable and reduce costs. Chorltonville has a rich heritage and many people have lived here all their lives. We want to ensure that they can continue to do so without worrying about being warm and comfortable in their own homes.

· Tours of the Chorlton Eco Show Home to show a practical example of a successful energy efficient refurbishment of a Chorltonville property.www.facebook.com/chorltonecoshowhome

We want to arm every resident in Chorltonville with the knowledge and desire to reduce their energy bills and enable them to live in a comfortable and sustainable house. We hope that this project will inspire on-going community lead action and generate awareness for other communities to initiate their path to sustainable living. UK building stock contributes to 43% total UK emissions and by 2050, 85% of our current stock will still be in existence. The importance of energy efficiency in refurbishment has never been greater. Helping communities with the knowledge and willingness to create a more sustainable future is the best way to help us meet our Kyoto agreements and reduce waste energy consumption. For individual homeowners, fuel costs have never been higher and are only set to rise over time as resources become scarcer. By reducing your reliance on energy, you’re helping everyone, not just your wallet

"I am delighted that Ecospheric and AfSL have been awarded a £50,000 grant as part of the Local Energy Assessment Fund, and will be one of the UK’s 82 pioneering energy efficiency projects. My Colleague, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne MP set up the £10m Local Energy Assessment Fund to raise understanding of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation issues at a local level. LEAF is intended to be a precursor to the Government’s Green Deal later this year which will overhaul the energy efficiency of millions of homes across the UK. It’s great that Kit and Jonny are leading the way in Chorltonville.

I think the project in Chorltonville is fantastic because it will help residents to understand how they can improve their home's energy efficiency and reduce their energy bills, whilst also helping to make their homes more comfortable and sustainable. The activities and services that Kit and Jonny have put together will have a lasting benefit because they are helping all residents to be more conscious of their energy use and live more sustainably in Chorltonville. I really enjoyed joining residents in celebrating Chorltonville’s centenary last year; I hope this project will help ensure Chorlonville’s homes are sustainable for another 100 years."

- John Leech MP for Manchester Withington. (Chorlton, Didsbury East& West, Withington, Burnage, Old Moat & Chorlton Park)

Ecospheric is a sustainability consultancy based in Chorltonville specialising in domestic retrofit. I will post more details about this brilliant project when they are available. In the meantime please visit Ecospheric's website: http://www.ecospheric.co.uk/; their Chorlton Eco Show Home Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Chorltonecoshowhome and follow them on twitter at @ecospheric.

Natural Play Facilities in Beech Rd Park

2012-01-18T12:02:00.002Z

When I have spoken to parents and children about the facilities in Beech Road Park they have often told me that they wished there were more natural play facilities in the park.

As a result I have been trying for about a year to get the Council to move a tree into the park for natural play.

When A sixty year old Lime tree that once stood proudly on Chorlton Green (on the corner of Chorlton Green and St Clements Road) was blown down during recent gales I asked the Council to move the 15 meter tree 300 meters down the road into Beech Road Park; so that it can become a natural play facility and provide additional seating.

I was very pleased to join the Tree team from the Council this morning to watch them move the tree into the Children’s play area (pictured). The Council carried out work on the tree’s crown to make it safe so that it can become a natural climbing frame. At the weekend I saw children were already enjoying their new climbing frame whilst it waited to be moved from Chorlton Green. The Council have detached the tree trunk so that it can become a bench.

When I saw the fallen tree on Chorlton Green I knew it was the tree we had been waiting for! The tree will be a fantastic addition to Beech Rd Park and I am sure it will be popular with local children and parents; it will certainly be good for the biodiversity. It looks great in it's new home. Thanks to everyone that helped make this happen.

I remember Beech Road Park used to have a number of tree trunks around the boundary of the park. The trunks were well used as play equipment and seating, but also provided a home to mosses, insects and other biodiversity. The trees were left to naturally decompose which also helped to teach children about nature.

Information on Natural Play from the Forestry Commission is available at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7LSEHW

Developments in Chorlton Centre

2012-01-15T19:06:00.005Z

You may have recently heard that the Council has proposed to replace Chorlton Leisure Centre (Chorlton Baths) and Chorlton Library with a new joint service centre (http://bit.ly/yU9z5q). The Council is proposing to build a new Joint Service Centre, which is expected to cost around £5.7million and be located in Chorlton District Centre, in order to save approximately £190,000-a-year in running costs.

Chorlton Liberal Democrats have welcomed these proposals which are long overdue. Chorlton Library and Leisure Centre are both very popular and well used but are outdated and need investment to match our community’s needs in the 21st Century. I have asked Council bosses for an assurance that that our Leisure Centre and Library won’t be closed until the new ones open. I have also asked the Council to outline where they plan to site the new centre, and to consider integrating ‘Green’ and high energy efficiency standards into plans at this stage as this is important for sustainability and another area where savings can be made. I will be joining my colleagues, Matt Gallagher and John Leech MP, in calling for a proper public consultation on these plans so local residents wishes are integrated into the plans. You can read the Council’s report on the proposals at http://bit.ly/vZh92Q.

You may also have heard about the plans to redevelop the Chorlton Precinct and Car Park site (http://bit.ly/AECe0j). Plans have still not been submitted for approval and I understand it may still be three months before they are. This is because NHS Manchester still has to confirm their involvement in the project. Like many local people I am concerned that the redevelopment will see a new supermarket built on the site which could harm local independent shops. A few years ago the Council held a consultation about the future of Chorlton District Centre, which said that 2/3 of local residents don’t want an additional supermarket in Chorlton. I will be working with my Chorlton Liberal Democrat colleagues, Matt and John, to ensure that any redevelopment helps protect, promote and enhance Chorlton Independent Shops and brings back free parking. We will also be calling for the Council to make a determined effort to Consult widely on the proposals so that the local community's needs and wishes are central to any redevelopment; and so that a new supermarket is not thrust upon us. Having grown up in Chorlton and as a shareholder in the Busy Bee Toy Shop co-op I know how valuable our local shops are and don’t want to see the Council make a mistake which could harm Chorlton Centre.

Please get in touch with me (cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk; 07947240568) if you have any concerns, comments or questions.

Youth Action Grants

2012-01-09T20:24:00.002Z

In partnership with Starbucks, UK Youth has launched Youth Action, a project that supports young people to improve their own communities.

Starbucks Youth Action aims to encourage and inspire a generation of young people to take action and create positive local change. Starbucks has joined up with UK Youth and the Irish Youth Foundation to provide training, support and funding to young people from 10 cities in the UK and Ireland.

The grants offer 16 to 24 year-olds from Manchester and nine other cities across the UK, the chance to receive grants of up to £2,000 to run a community change project in their local area.

For further information and to apply: visit: http://www.ukyouth.org/our-work-with-young-people/corporate-responsibility/youth-action.html or contact Liz Ablett, on 0787 241 5351, or email: Elizabeth@ukyouth.org.

Deadline: Monday 5 March 2012

Manchester Labour's Attack on the Pupil Premium raised in Parliament

2011-12-21T18:52:00.004Z

At the last Manchester City Council meeting, the Labour Administration voted to scrap the pupil premium, describing it as a "sham" - even though it brings around £11 million extra to Manchester this year (over £500k to the Chorlton area alone) with the promise of yet more to follow. It is really depressing that our Labour Council which has for over 40 years had such a poor record of Education attainment and attendance, REJECTED huge levels of funding aimed directly at disadvantaged pupils!

The Labour Council's decision was critcised at Deputy Prime Minister's Questions yesterday. This is the transcript of the session:

[87269] Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Wiltshire schools have long felt short-changed by funding allocations for education, so they will welcome the doubling of pupil premium moneys for our schools in Wiltshire to more than £5 million next year. Now that Labour councillors in Manchester have voted for the pupil premium to be scrapped, will the Deputy Prime Minister consider giving our schools next year some of the more than £18 million of pupil premium that their council has rejected?

Nick Clegg, The Deputy Prime Minister: The pupil premium, which by the end of this Parliament will be £2.5 billion of extra money to help schools that are educating children from the most challenging backgrounds, is a very powerful, progressive policy, and I am very proud that we have delivered it, as a coalition Government. We have been searching in vain for months to find out what the Labour party would actually cut in public expenditure. Now, we have the answer: Labour councillors want to cut the pupil premium that benefits some of the most deprived children in this country. That is progressive politics for you!

Guest Blog: Happy Indie Christmas and New Year from Tag!

2011-12-13T17:49:00.005Z

TAG! (Pass it on) is part of a growing ‘Shop Local’ movement which helps support local shops and services; a movement which is, in large part, rooted in a person’s attachment to where they live and their desire to see their area flourish.

In 2010 in the UK, £76 billion was spent on groceries; 80% in supermarkets. Supermarket ‘local’ shops are springing up everywhere as the major chains fight for an ever higher share of our spending in the current circumstances of higher grocery inflation and reduced disposable income. The result is an independent sector under siege.

Neither government legislation nor local issues such as increasing rents and parking price-hikes are doing anything to alter this situation. If we wish to save this vital part of our communities it’s up to us to make the necessary difference.
Independents are one-of-a kind, distinctive businesses; they’ve got character. It’s this character which helps attract other new businesses, residents, visitors and investment to the area.

Walk into a local Chorlton business and more often than not you are greeted and served by the owner, someone with a unique passion and knowledge of the products they are selling and the community they are serving.

When local community projects need support, our independents often come together to offer it and get things done. They are part of the very fabric of Chorlton and have a personal stake in its well being, guaranteeing that they act in the interests of the wider community.

On top of that, they bring disproportionate benefits to the local economy and job-creation. Simply put, money spent locally stays local: it will be used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, local professionals and suppliers.

If we are to have any hope of creating a resilient, green economy – a ‘network of local sustainable economies, providing social contact and inclusion with responsible local production and exchange of goods and services’ we will need a strong independent sector, accountable to the local area.

TAG! (Pass it on) is a not-for-profit CIC (Community Interest Company) which aims to encourage us to change our spending habits. For all of the reasons given above we created the TAG! card; for £5 you are rewarded with a huge range of deals and discounts when you shop with independents.

The variety and quality of the 50 (and counting) local independents in our scheme – as well as the 300 or so to be found in other areas of South Manchester - is amazing and the savings on offer from using your card and supporting them are HUGE; from essentials such as groceries, eyecare and cakes to fine dining, fashion, furniture, party items, flowers, toys, plumbing and even (clay pigeon) shooting.

Chorlton’s charities and community groups can make use of the Tagpassiton scheme to sell cards to raise money for their own causes. It’s a fantastic hyperlocal and community-focused way of raising money. Groups such as the Big Green Festival and St John’s Primary keep 50% of the proceeds when they actively promote shopping locally and independently to their supporters.

For more details about what we do, how we help and what you get please visit the TAG! website at www.tagpassiton.com. New TAG! cards can be bought online or locally at Village Dry Cleaners, A J Adams, Khawaja Bros, Chorlton Wholefoods and most other scheme members. If you register a new card before the end of the year you’ll be entered into our prize draw to win a bottle of fine wine from Village Dry Cleaners, a meal for 2 at Saray, and a fantastic Moroccan themed spa package from Creative Hairdressing. We hope you will want to join in, save money and show your support for all the local shops with your TAG! card.And since we’re entering the festive season let’s try and make this an Independent Christmas!

Carol Thompson is the Co-founder of TAG! You can follow her on Twitter at @tagpassiton or email her at carol@tagpassiton.com. Tagpassiton is a registered not-for-profit Community Interest Company that rewards for shopping smart, local and independent. More information can be found at www.tagpassiton.com . Image from Chorlton Community Index (http://issuu.com/communityindex/docs/ci_chorlton_dec_2011/27#share).

Excel Parking's management of Chorlton Precinct under the spot light on BBC's Rip Off Britain

2011-12-06T22:53:00.004Z

This morning BBC One's Rip off Britain programme had an item about Excel Parking's management of Chorlton Precinct Car Park. I was featured briefly discussing the action I have taken to support residents in fighting unfair parking charges and trying to get Manchester City Council to recognise the established right of way.

You can view the programme at http://bbc.in/rNBsAo the item about Chorlton is available from 09:18. You can watch it on BBC iPlayer until 23 December.

Please let me know if you are affected by the unfair parking charges or if you can support our campaign to reestablish the right of way.

Latest on Manchester's School Crossing Patrols

2011-12-05T18:33:00.004Z

I have just spoken to Vicky Rosin, Manchester City Council's Deputy Chief Executive. She has told me that this morning an announcement was made that that the Council has found the money to save the High Risk (Red) School Crossing Patrols. This means 38 Crossings across Manchester are safe including the crossings on Manchester Road / Longford Road, Oswald Road / Nicolas Road, Longford Road / Oswald Road, and Oswald Road / Longford Road. Unfortunately the future of the crossing on St Clements Road/Vicars Road which primarily serves Chorlton CoE school is still in doubt. At Manchester's City Council meeting on Wednesday morning I will continue to press the Council to save all of Manchester's crossings including the one on St Clements Road corner. I have been told that further announcement would be made in the New Year regarding the Yellow and Green Crossings.

Today's news is thanks to the thousands of Parents, Guardians, Grandparents, Teachers and other residents that signed petitions to stop the cuts to this vital service. You can still sign the petition to Save ALL of Manchester's crossings at bit.ly/savemcrcrossings.

I also understand that Chorlton MP John Leech has raised this issue in Parliament. He has put down an Early Day Motion (http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2498) and urged local government minister Andrew Stunell to bring forward plans to require local authorities to provide safety crossing patrols. The Minister said Manchester City Council should look very carefully at its spending priorities before it sought to offload duties onto others.

Chorlton Christmas Lights Switch On

2011-12-02T08:24:00.001Z

Last night I attended the Chorlton Christmas lights 'switch on' at Chorlton Green with John Leech MP and Matt Gallagher. It was a really lovely event with hundreds of residents coming together to celebrate our community and the festive period. The Choir from St John's got everyone in a festive mood with their fantastic Carol Service. I would like to thank Mary Paul and the Beech Rd Traders for organizing a very successful event. Shops on Beech Rd will remain open late on every Thursday evening leading upto Christmas. Here's to a very Indie Christmas!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Guest Blog from John Leech MP: We need a Minister for Older People

2011-11-29T19:46:00.004Z

Yesterday I went to support the Anchor Grey Pride Campaign in Parliament, aimed at having a designated Minister for Older People. I’ve already signed an Early Day Motion calling for the same thing.

What I found staggering was that today more people are over 65 than under 60, and in forty to fifty years half a million people will be over 100: yet there isn’t any – or any plans – to have a person specifically representing their needs in government.

The people I spoke to yesterday were very interesting and raised valid arguments for a Minister for Older People. They need a port of call to raise concerns with – non of this being passed from one department to the next. There should be someone there coordinating departments – this would end up saving the Government huge amounts of money. Finally, someone should be there to ask the Chancellor for money, and to fight their corner when needs be. If we can have a Minister for Equalities, a Minister for Women, and a Minister for Pubs, then we can surely have a Minister for Older People.

This is not an issue that I think anyone should let rest, and I personally will be bringing this up with the relevant Ministers.

John Leech is the Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington which includes Chorlton. You can read more from John at: http://johnleechmp.wordpress.com/ and follow him on twitter at @johnleechmcr

Latest on Mega Traffic Jams in Chorlton

2011-11-29T16:48:00.002Z

This afternoon I have spoken with the Highways Manager in charge of the Barlow Moor Rd and Mauldeth Rd West crossroads. I discussed the serious problems that occurred there yesterday and expressed the anger of many residents.

Further to my previous Blog post the transmitter was faulty and this had a serious impact on the temporary traffic lights. As a result people on site had to direct traffic themselves for 3-4 hours whilst the traffic light and transmitter problems were fixed. The Council's Highways Department have told me that they expect delays until 9 December because of the Chicane in operation. However all these problems combined led to mayhem yesterday.

I am told a Highways inspector has visited the site many times today and tested the equipment and impact for residents and motorists. He has informed me that in future someone will operate the traffic lights manually so that they are more responsive to traffic congestion. I expressed my concern that this was due to stop at 4.30 every day. the Highways Department have agreed to my request to operate the lights manually at this point until at least 6pm so that rush hour traffic is not as badly hit as it was yesterday. I have also checked that there are sufficient measures in place to report the problem if it occurs again.

The current restrictions will be in place until 9 December but hopefully the traffic jams and disruption will not be as horrendous as yesterday. Please let me know if I can be of any help. You can contact me on 07947383740 or at cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk

Severe Traffic Jam at Barlow Moor Rd junction

2011-11-28T18:00:00.005Z

This morning a number of residents contacted me after they experienced horrendous traffic jams at the Barlow Moor Rd, Hardy Lane and Mauldeth Rd W crossroad. Some reports were that the traffic jam was stretching as long as one mile in all directions. I, like hundreds of Chorlton residents had the misfortune of getting stuck in this traffic on the way to work. I reported this to the Council and asked them to investigate urgently why these delays had occurred and requested urgent action to ensure they did not recur.

I am told that the junction currently has temporary lights because of works to water and gas mains. Unfortunately, today the lights have suffered a failure caused by a faulty transmitter, I am told this has now been repaired. The agreement with the use of these lights is that they will be manually operated during both the AM and PM peak periods

This is the response I have received from the Council:

----- Original Message -----
From: Vicky Rosin
Sent: 28/11/2011 17:36 GMT
To: Councillor Victor Chamberlain
Cc: Councillor Bernie Ryan; Councillor Norman Lewis; "John Leech"
Subject: Re: Hardy Lane, Mauldeth Rd W, Barlow Moor Rd junction

Dear Councillor Chamberlain

I am advised by my officers that we are currently using 3-way temporary lights at this junction, until the 9th December 2011, during the installation of a new water main in the centre of the junction. In addition, to reduce the period works are being undertaken at this strategic junction, Enterprise Gas are also completing their diversion works. The temporary lights were switched on yesterday morning, our officers were on site during the switch on and the lights were operating as intended when they left site.

Unfortunately, today the lights have suffered a failure caused by a faulty transmitter, this has been repaired, ( the engineer is still on site monitoring the repair). The agreement with the use of these lights is that they are manually operated during both the AM and PM peak periods. Due to the nature of the diversions at this junction, there was always envisaged to be delays to motorists as a result of the works. To inform motorists of this, advanced warning signs have been erected at key junctions to encourage the use alternative routes. As you will appreciate the faulty transmitter has resulted in significant delays this morning that were not anticipated and I can only offer my apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.

We have developed close working relationships with bus operators through TfGM. This relationship enables bus drivers to highlight locations where significant delays are being experienced as a result of temporary works. We use this relationship to monitor the operation of the lights during the periods they are not manually operated as well as reports from our contractors on site.

Should there be any further problems with the signals a review of the Traffic Management against work completed will be undertaken to determine if the Traffic Management can be improved to the benefit of motorists.

Kind regards

Vicky Rosin

Deputy Chief Executive (Neighbourhoods)
Manchester City Council
Town Hall ( Room 219)
Manchester M60 2LA

I have told the Council that delays this long are not acceptable and have sought their reassurance that lessons will be learnt and this won’t happen again. Please let me know if you would like more information or if I can do anything to help.

UPDATE: Latest on Chorlton Mega Traffic Jam: http://victorchamberlain.blogspot.com/2011/11/latest-on-mega-traffic-jams-in-chorlton.html

Save our Crossings Petition

2011-11-23T19:02:00.005Z

Please print off this petition, Sign it, ask friends and family to sign it, put it in an envelope and return for free (no stamp required) to Matt Gallagher, Chorlton Liberal Democrats, FREEPOST, RSHA-AKBC-UXTU, Manchester, M20 5NF.

You can also sign up the petition online at bit.ly/savemcrcrossings

It would be fantastic if we could get as many parents and suporters as possible to sign this petition to Save all the Crossing in Manchester as this would show the Council how strongly parents and local residents feel.

Thanks very much!

THREAT TO SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL FUNDING

2011-11-23T12:42:00.004Z

The safety of our children travelling to and from school is PARAMOUNT and school crossings are a vital road safety service.

I was appalled to learn recently that Manchester City Council plan to cut the School Crossing Patrol service. When my colleague Matt Gallagher and I learned about this we contacted the Manchester Evening News who have joined us in asking the City Council to think again. I’m joining the Manchester Liberal Democrats in calling on the Council to change their mind at the next City Council and I am proposing the motion that funding is found for this vital service.

Manchester City Council has cut the budget for the School Crossing Service by 80%; much higher than the City Council’s overall 15% budget reductions. They are now asking local schools to fund this service themselves. As you know schools are already under enormous financial pressure.

The Liberal Democrats in Government have obtained extra money through the Pupil Premium (over £500k for Chorlton alone) to ensure all children have an equally good start to their education. This money cannot be used to fund the School Crossing service. We are concerned that Heads may be forced to find the money by cutting other essential school programmes or staff. We don’t think this is acceptable and we believe there are other ways to fund this vital service.

We think there is so much Council waste and confused priorities that should be addressed in order to save our lollipop men and women. Just last week the Manchester Evening News reported that the City Council was paying almost £7,000 a WEEK to NCP to allow their staff to have free parking. £7000 would pay the salary of a crossing warden for MORE THAN A YEAR. The City Council has to decide what they feel is more important; the safety of our children or parking for their staff.

Please join me in calling on the City Council to drop this dreadful proposal. If you agree that the Council should think again please sign this petition (bit.ly/savemcrcrossings) or contact me (victor.libdem@ymail.com) for a hard copy of our freepost return petition.

Lib Dem Motion to Manchester City Council (proposed by Chorlton Lib Dem Cllr Victor Chamberlain):

This Council notes:
1. The safety of children travelling to and from school as paramount.
2. The good work done by school crossing patrol personnel in keeping the country’s children safe since 1954.
3. With regret the Council’s decision to cut the school crossing patrols budget.
4. The concerns of Parents, Head teachers, Governors and Crossing Patrol staff at the lack of consultation about changes to service provision.
5. That school crossing patrols are an important road safety service.
6. Its role as corporate parents and resolves to take all necessary measures to maintain the School Crossing Patrol at its current level of service.

This Council believes:
1. That school crossing patrols should be retained.

This Council instructs:
1. the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members, to prepare a report for the Executive identifying funding to maintain school crossing patrols across the City.

Chorlton U Decide 2011 - Update

2011-11-17T21:28:00.005Z

I've just got back from this year's fantastic Chorlton U Decide event. The event allowed Chorlton residents the opportunity to award £7500 of funding (upto £750 each) to local community groups and initiatives.

Very well done to the 11 successful Projects:

Chorlton Big Green Festival - £750 for workshops, sound system, toilets, staging

Cracking Good Food - £450 for group cooking sessions for affordable and healthy food

C4 (Chorlton Central Community Centre) Café Club - £700 for hall hire, workshops, mini-bus for cooking workshops for young people to cook for elderly

Digital Arts & Music - £750 for digital artworks workshops with young people & equipment (Part of the Chorlton Arts Festival)

Friends of Beech Road Park - £220.20 for the replacement of two cherry trees

Garden Share - £750 to pair up people with garden space with those who have none – posters, tools, plants, compost

Jump - £750 for free arts sessions for unemployed people at The Edge

Nam-Bee-Pam-Bee - £750 for a secure steel shed to hold and protect bee equipment (At the Community Allotments at the end of Scott Avenue)

Pop Up Farm - £750 for food growing projects with a local school and the launch event

Tag Pass It On - £750 for 400 Tag cards, publicity and promotion

Unity Toybox on Tour - £750 for transport and refreshments to showcase young peoples circus skills at residential care homes

Sadly the bids for £750 for Zumba classes, a new tea urn and a new sound system at Chorlton Leisure Centre and £643.20 for seven trees to be replanted in Chorltonville were unsuccessful this time around.

I thought one of the highlights was the fantastic rendition of Molly Malone performed by the Choir at Oswald Road Primary School.

Thanks very much to all those that attended, the Oswald Road School Choir and other performers, the projects that bid, and those that organised the event.

Please get in touch if you would like any more information about any of the above groups.

Chorlton U Decide 2011

2011-11-16T23:06:00.003Z

Tomorrow Evening is the 2011 Chorlton U Decide event where local residents get the opportunity to vote on how £7500 of funding should benefit local community groups.

At the event fourteen Chorlton community groups will explain their projects to local residents in a two minute pitch. Residents who attend the U Decide event will then be able to vote on which of these projects they think should be given the thumbs up for up to £750 of funding.

The fourteen projects competing at this year's U Decide Event are:

1. Chorlton Big Green Festival - £750 for workshops, sound system, toilets, staging

2. Cracking Good Food - £450 for group cooking sessions for affordable and healthy food

3. C4 Café Club - £700 for hall hire, workshops, mini-bus for cooking workshops for young people to cook for elderly

4. Digital Arts & Music - £750 for digital artworks workshops with young people & equipment

5. Friends of Beech Road Park - £220.20 for the replacement of two cherry trees

6. Garden Share - £750 to pair up people with garden space with those who have none – posters, tools, plants, compost

7. Jump - £750 for free arts sessions for unemployed people at The Edge

8. Nam-Bee-Pam-Bee - £750 for a secure steel shed to hold and protect bee equipment

9. Pop Up Farm - £750 for food growing projects with a local school and the launch event

10. Speakers Corner - £750 to help create a space to allow people to voice their concerns

11. Sports & Leisure - £750 for Zumba classes, new tea urn and a new sound system

12. Tag Pass It On - £750 for 400 Tag cards, publicity and promotion

13. Tree Planting - £643.20 for seven trees to be replanted in Chorltonville

14. Unity Toybox on Tour - £750 for transport and refreshments to showcase young peoples circus skills at residential care homes

Residents will be asked to rank each presentation by putting projects in the order of what they think is the most important to least important.

Chorlton U Decide will be held at Chorlton Leisure Centre on Manchester Road at 6pm on Thursday November 17.

Look forward to seeing you there.

APPRENTICESHIPS REACH RECORD HIGHS

2011-11-16T17:36:00.001Z

Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable has today announced a raft of new measures to build on a successful year for the national apprenticeship scheme.

Apprenticeships reached record highs in the academic year 2010/11, with Manchester seeing an 77% average increase in apprentice numbers over the previous year. In Manchester Withington constituency, 610 learners took on an apprenticeship in 2010/11, an increase of 75%. Manchester Central constituency saw a 72% increase and Manchester Gorton constituency a massive 97% increase, all substantially higher than the England average of 58%.

The Lib Dems are now looking to strengthen the apprenticeship scheme even further, with an £1,500 incentive to small businesses to take on apprentices amongst the range of proposals announced by Vince Cable.

The Liberal Democrats are determined to tackle youth unemployment and get our economy back on track. Apprenticeships make companies more productive and give young people the experience and skills they need.

Small businesses form the backbone of our economy and the announcements by Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable, are very welcome. Young people and local employers should be at the heart of the government’s economic policy and these measures are an important step in the right direction.

Commenting on the announcement, Chorlton's MP John Leech said:

“I have long been a supporter of apprenticeships, and have worked with the Manchester College to promote them. Apprenticeships benefit everyone involved and this record rise in learners taking them up is great news for Manchester and the economy as a whole.

Business secretary Vince Cable said, ““The apprenticeships programme is a success story, with record numbers of learners starting an apprenticeship this year. But I have listened to employers, and will go further to ensure that investment is targeted where impact is greatest, delivering the specific skills businesses need to drive growth. “

WOULD LABOURS CUTS HAVE BEEN DEEPER THAN THE COALITIONS?

2011-11-10T19:06:00.001Z

During the 2010 General Election all three of the main parties accepted that there would have to be cuts. The Conservatives said that they would make cuts of £92 billion if they got a majority. Labour announced that they would halve the deficit by 2014 if they were re-elected* (Labour’s Fiscal Responsibility Act 2010 committed it to halve the overall budget deficit by 2013–14 from its 2009-10 levels). The Liberal Democrats campaigned for cuts of £80 billion.
After the election neither Labour nor the Conservatives were able to form a government on their own. The Lib Dems eventually formed a Coalition with the Conservatives. A key factor in the Coalition negotiations was Lib Dem insistance that children, the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society would be protected from the worst of the cuts.
In the event cuts of £81 billion** were agreed, and every week measures are being announced by the Lib Dems that demonstrate that they are delivering on their promise to help those who cannot help themselves, such as The Pupil Premium, raising the tax threshold to help the lowest paid, restoring the link between wages and pensions, trebling cold weather payments and many, many more.
As a result of forming the Coalition the ‘cuts’ are 11 billion less than they would have been if the Tories governed alone, and 4 billion less than we would have experienced had Labour been re-elected***. And remember, Labour had no plans to cut taxes for the lowest paid, or to find EXTRA money for the poorest school children or pensioners.
When you hear Labour activists trying to denounce the Liberal Democrats for making ‘cuts’ you might want to point this out to them.
* (Labour will) Secure the recovery by supporting the economy now, and more than halve the deficit by 2014 through economic growth, fair taxes and cuts to lower priority spending. Labour Party Manifesto 2010
(**figures from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies)
*** The deficit stood at 170.8 billion at the end of the 2009-10 financial year. Cutting it in half, as required by Labour’s Fiscal Responsibility Act, would have resulted in cuts of 85.4 billion.

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Hardy Farm Playing Fields

2011-11-04T22:48:00.005Z

The above pictures shows the developer's plans for the Hardy Farm site.

A number of local residents have recently contacted me after the grass on the Hardy Farm site turned brown. I asked the City Council’s Environmental Protection Group to look into the issue urgently.

I have since learnt that this is part of plans to convert the meadow into playing fields and carry out other works to the site. The grass has been recently sprayed to deter grass growth and will be ploughed shortly. The land will be left to aerate over the winter. Next spring the plans are for laser levelling and pitch cultivation to take place. We also understand that a new see-through steel fence will replace the existing concrete ‘post and panel’ fence along the WDCAFC football club boundary in the next few months. The Sites of Biological Importance (SBI) will also be managed by a plan set out by the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit. I understand that the developers are planning to inform local residents of these plans in the near future.

This is the email I recieved from the Council's Environmental Protection Group:

Hello Councillor Chamberlain,

I have also recently received a similar request for information from Councillor Lewis and sent the following response:

With regard to your request for information about the Brown Meadows / Hardy Farm Landfill, I can respond as follows:

The Contaminated Land Section (CLS) of MCC are aware of the developments taking place on the area of land known as Hardy Farm. There is a planning application for the buildings (former sports centre) and contaminated land conditions are attached to the application. We are also in regular communication with the owners of the land and the developers and they are complying with the attached conditions.

The lands to the rear of the buildings are covered by a permitted development and therefore do not require planning permission. This allows the owners of the land to develop them for playing fields. The owners of the land recently sent an e-mail (see attachments) supplying plans and photographs.

The owners have also consulted various stakeholders including the Friends of Chorlton Meadow (Mr Bishop) and they are in the process of producing a leaflet to be distributed to local residents explaining the development.

Officers from the CLS undertake regular visits to sites of potential concern across Manchester and Hardy Farm has been on our visiting schedule for some time and has received numerous site visits.

In response to your specific questions, ‘Is the owner of this land breaking the law, if chemicals have been used the effect on the wildlife / bio diversity could be Catastrophic’? The owner has taken advice from the Greater Manchester Ecological Unit (Mr Derek Richardson) and is working to a plan agreed with them.

Why has Hardy Farm meadow gone brown? The owner is removing the shrubs and grasses with the application of plant retardants; this has been undertaken by Complete Weed Control (Manchester).

What are the implications on the landfill site soil cap? The CLS have discussed with the owner about the proposals and the integrity of the cap. Plans and details of the cap are to be supplied to us for review. It has also been stated that the overall depth / thickness of the cap will be increased, not decreased.

Continual destruction of the vegetation will eventually lead to erosion of the top soil end expose the underlying and potentially harmful landfill contents. Please review the attached photographs showing the proposals for the end use and the grassed areas.

The following questions can be answered with a single answer below.

I am concerned that the proprietor may have treated it with some kind of chemical?
If so what are the implications of this on the natural habitat for insects, bats, and pets?
What are the likely effects on general public health depending on what chemicals, if any, have been used?
What is the potential for any chemicals leaching into the river and surrounding environment?

The owner of the land has hired a specialist contractor to undertake the works on site. The contractors use ‘best practice’, sustainable techniques, approved herbicides (see attachment), are fully qualified and apply all relevant health and safety protocols. With the works being part of a permitted development the Planning Department and the Contaminated Land Section can only act if the law is being broken and we receive proof of this.

The CLS and Planning Department have been in correspondence and had meetings with the owners of the land and have been assured that the development will undertaken in a professional manner and all reasonable requests will be undertaken. The CLS will closely monitor the situation within our permitted remit.

With regard to planning information and applications the case officer for the site is Paula McGovern.

I hope this answers your questions. If you need any further information regarding Contaminated Land issues for this site please feel free to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Simon Rogers
Environmental Protection Specialist - Contaminated Land

Manchester City Council
Environmental Protection Group

Please let me know what you think about the plans. I will bring your views to the attention of the relevant agencies and the developer.

Manchester's Labour Leader Celebrates Money-Saving Staff Appointment by Inviting 270 "Great and Good" to £4,000 Town Hall banquet

2011-11-02T13:45:00.004Z

Manchester's Labour Council Leader Sir Richard Leese has been slammed as a "hypocrite" for celebrating a new staff appointment by personally inviting 270 people to a £4,000 Town Hall banquet, just days before implementing cuts to services for Manchester's vulnerable older people.

Those invited to the freebie included 4 Labour MPs, 9 Labour Councillors, a Labour peer, 20 University staff, and numerous Council and quango staff. The Leader of the Opposition was invited but declined to attend. The banquet took place a week before Labour agreed to cut services for older people. Earlier this year, with Lib Dem support, the City Council appointed the University's Art Gallery Director to run the City Council's Art Gallery too. This innovative cost-saving measure was widely welcomed as a sensible step, reflecting the nationwide recession. But Manchester Lib Dems believe most people will be sickened by yet another example of Labour's town hall extravagance.

Senior Manchester Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Shannon said:"Manchester Lib Dems fully support our excellent museums, galleries and the City's vibrant cultural life. But this is a gross error of judgement from Labour's leadership.""In these hard-pressed times, when every penny counts, it's incredible that Labour still haven't got the message. The Leader of the Council should know better. There is much deprivation in Manchester. It's wrong to spend public money wining and dining the cultural elite when ordinary people are suffering. "

"One day everyone else is to blame for cuts Sir Richard is implementing, and the next his snout is deep in the trough hosting this lavish banquet. Sir Richard has failed to lead by example. These are the actions of a hypocrite. Lib Dems want to see him working for growth, jobs and investment, not wasting public money on excessive hospitality."

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More than £0.5million for Chorlton Schools thanks to Pupil Premium

2011-11-01T22:18:00.002Z

Building on the record high settlement for Manchester schools, the government have announced yet more money going towards pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds through the pupil premium this year. Manchester is set to receive almost £11million extra for its schools through the pupil premium this year which is £1,292,704 more than originally expected.

This year’s Manchester School spending has gone up 5.8% compared to last year with additional money from the pupil premium meaning the difference in budgets for 2010/11 to 2011/12 is an additional £18,346,306.

Manchester local authority will receive the fourth largest pupil premium in the country and this will have a lasting effect on the 155 schools primary and secondary schools in the area. The money will be allocated to Manchester’s schools to help the poorest pupils. The money works out as £488 per pupil who receive free school meals. The cash will not be ring fenced and the schools have the choice what to spend the money on.

Whalley Range 11-18 High School and Business and Enterprise College was amongst one of the biggest winners receiving a staggering £259,128.

Even in these tough times the government are still managing to direct money to schools in areas like Manchester that need it the most. Education is the best way to end the underachievement of disadvantaged pupils through supporting children comprehensively from early years straight through to secondary school

The extra money for Manchester schools is yet another boost for the city with levels at record levels with school budgets ring fenced under the coalition government.

The funding to Manchester schools is now at record levels and now pupils in Manchester will have a fairer start in life because Liberal Democrats fought and delivered for extra cash and in Government we have made it happen

In a letter to Manchester Liberal Democrats Children and Families Minister, Sarah Teather said:

“The Pupil Premium will benefit poorer pupils, providing extra money directly for those pupils who need it the most.

“This extra funding will help tackle inequality and enable schools to provide the extra support their pupils need to reach their full potential.”

The amounts allocated to each School in the Chorlton area are listed below.

CHORLTON SCHOOL ALLOCATION OF THE PUPIL PREMIUM 2011/12

Chorlton High School £213,256
Loreto High School Chorlton £125,416
Oswald Road Primary School £27,328
St John’s RC Primary School £18,544
Brookburn Community School £12,688
Chorlton CofE Primary School £10,736
Chorlton Park Primary School £64,416
Barlow Hall Primary School £60,512
St Ambrose RC Primary School £42,944

TOTAL £575,840

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John Leech MP calls on Government to take those on National Minimum Wage out of Income Tax altogether

2011-11-01T19:58:00.002Z

Manchester Withington MP John Leech has put down the following Early Day Motion in Parliament;

That this House welcomes the commitment of the Coalition Government to increase the personal allowance to £10,000 by 2015; recognises that increases in the personal allowance have already taken hundreds of thousands of the lowest paid tax payers out of paying income tax altogether and that further increases in the personal allowance will benefit all taxpayers, but benefit the poorest taxpayers more as a proportion of their income; welcomes the recent increase in the minimum wage to £6.08 for adults over 21, which translates into a £228 weekly wage based on a 37.5 hour week, or £11,856 per year; believes that any future reductions in direct taxation should be targeted at the poorest taxpayers rather than the rich; and therefore believes that any further reductions in direct taxation should be further increases in the personal allowance with the aim of taking those on the national minimum wage out of paying income tax altogether.

Oswald Road Community Garden Mosaic

2011-10-18T14:48:00.003+01:00

Anyone living or walking near Oswald Road is likely to have seen this new community mosaic which has been installed on public land next to Fielden Avenue. The mosaic, along with other improvements to the land were funded by a Manchester Cash Grant awarded to Oswald Road Community Gardening Group. The mosaic project involved work with local artist Tracey Cartledge and children from Oswald Road School and is now a permanent feature on the land.

You can read more about the Mosaic at: http://traceycartledge.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/a-community-mosaic-project-was-never-more-local/

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved. I think it looks fantastic and is a real asset for the area.

"[GMP] have no intention to reduce policing levels at neighbourhood level” in Chorlton – GM Police Chief Constable

2011-10-13T15:56:00.004+01:00

A number of residents have contacted me about the closure of the Chorlton Police Station. I understand that this is because the Old Moat ward has joined the Chorlton neighborhood policing team; and unfortunately as Chorlton Police Station is not suitable to deal with a larger policing team and requires significant investment to modernise it had to close. Chorlton Police Station had not been open to the public for a number of years. However the Police will continue to have a presence in Chorlton ward in the form of a Police Post in the Chorlton District Office. It was also mentioned that Policing in Chorlton would not suffer as a result of the move and hopefully would improve, as there are more Police officers available to deal with incidents.

I wrote to the Chief Constable to seek his reassurance that although the Police Station is set to close that Policing levels in Chorlton will remain the same. Please find attached the reply I have received (click on the picture to enlarge the image) which states: “At this time we have no intention to reduce policing levels at neighbourhood level”.

Coalition Riot Recovery fund helps Manchester generate nearly £1m of free Media

2011-10-13T14:13:00.001+01:00

Manchester Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that the ‘I ♥[Love] MCR’ campaign generated over £900k of free media for the city (eighteen times more than the cost of the campaign). The campaign cost Mancunians just £50k to set up and that money is now being reimbursed from the Coalition Government’s Recovery Scheme.

Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain who uncovered these figures said: “The ‘I ♥ [Love] MCR’ campaign helped to unite the city following August’s riots. Thanks to the Government’s support the campaign has had a positive economic impact for our city too. I am pleased that Liberal Democrats in Government have helped Manchester following these riots; I know Nick Clegg was really impressed with the campaign when he visited Manchester just after the riots took place.”

Lib Dems tell Council to listen to Sure Start parents and stop wasting £251k on Temps

2011-10-13T14:07:00.003+01:00

At Yesterday’s meeting of Manchester City Council, the Lib Dem Group put Labour’s handling of the future of Sure Start in the spotlight. The Lib Dems also raised concerns about the £251k currently being spent employing temporary staff for the service.

Councillor Mary Di Mauro, Northenden Lib Dem Councillor and Shadow Executive Member for Children’s Services, told Councillor Afzal Khan, the Executive Member for Children’s Services that the Council must make every effort possible to ensure that the Consultation on Sure Start’s future is transparent, accessible and accountable and parents are listened to. Coun Di Mauro also sought assurances that families will not be adversely affected by the changes and that future service providers will offer the same extensive range of Sure Start services.

Coun Di Mauro said “Under Labour’s plans there are real concerns that people will leave employment because they cannot afford childcare. I remember paying more on my childcare than I spent on my mortgage. Sure Start is so much more than day care; new providers must offer Sure Start’s extensive services.”

At the Council the Lib Dems also raised concerns about wastage in the current Sure Start system. Figures exposed by Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain show that the Council is employing 51 agency or temporary workers on Manchester’s Sure Start Service (nearly 10% of the total work force) at a cost of £251,000.

Coun Chamberlain added: “When the Labour Council have let 1600 people go, and are putting Sure Start at risk I am appalled to find that they are spending a quarter of a million pounds on temporary staff. This is a scandalous waste of money and just shows once again that Labour are letting down Manchester's young people.

Manchester Labour Council shame as £43m taxes left uncollected

2011-10-03T16:16:00.003+01:00

Recently released information shows Manchester’s Labour Council has failed to collect nearly £43million in Council Tax arrears since Council Taxes were introduced. The equivalent of £255 per household with residents.

Manchester City Council has consistently been amongst the worst Councils in the whole country for collecting Council Tax; last year nearly one pound in every ten owed in Council Tax was not collected – depriving the City of nearly £11million. In March this year the Labour Council voted to cut their budget by £109million, resulting in the loss of 1500 jobs, the closure of Libraries and public toilets and putting the future of Sure Start services in the City at risk.

At the time Councillor Bernard Priest, executive member for finance said: "Last year [was] the fourth year in a row that we've improved our collection rate.” Newly obtained figures for the last five years show that uncollected Council Tax arrears for 2010/11 are more than double those of 2006/07. Over £8.75million of council tax from last year still remains uncollected.

Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain who uncovered the information said: “Many Manchester Residents and Families have to make sacrifices to pay their Council Tax. They will be appalled by the Labour Council’s unacceptable incompetence in reclaiming the money it is owed and failure to chase up tax avoiders. “

“Labour's failure to collect what we are owed undermines their argument about the need to make such harsh front line cuts earlier this year. This is money that should have been collected and spent on public services in Manchester."

I obtained this Information through the Freedom of Information Act:

----- Original Message -----
From: Charles Metcalfe
Sent: 23/09/2011 09:44 GDT
To: Councillor Victor Chamberlain
Subject: FOI request
Good morning Councillor Chamberlain.

You made a request under the Freedom of Information Act for the following figures:

How much Council Tax has remained uncollected by MCC for each of the last five years

As at 1 September 2011 the figures are

2010/11 £8,767,108
2009/10 £7,178,939
2008/9 £5,857,014
2007/8 £4,699,788
2006/7 £4,016,915

What is the Council's total arrears going back to 1993

£42,853,499

Group Assistant post at Chorlton Good Neighbours

2011-10-03T16:11:00.003+01:00

Chorlton Good Neighbours Care Group wishes to appoint a part-time worker based in their office with some outreach work.

This post is temporary until 31st March 2012, but with potential to continue.

They are seeking a person who has experience of working with older people to join their team of staff and volunteers, and support the work of this well established Neighbourhood Care Group. Car driver/owner preferred.

1. Part Time Group Assistant, 20 hours per week
The post holder will work for:
6 hours per day on Tuesdays and Fridays
4 hours per day on Wednesdays and Thursdays

• To provide administrative support to the Co-ordinator and assist with on site activity
• To take responsibility for the development of specific projects relating to older male service users
• To visit a small number of isolated older men and support them in getting engaged in social activities

For further information / application forms contact:
Mrs Helen Hibberd, Co-ordinator
Chorlton Good Neighbours
Wilbraham St Ninians Church
Egerton Road South, Chorlton, M21 OXJ
Tel: 0161 881 2925 any week day morning, except Wednesday
Web: www.cgncg.org.uk

Closing date for applications : Friday 28th October 2011

Manchester Labour Council accused of Twitter Bias

2011-09-27T00:07:00.001+01:00

Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain has accused Manchester’s Labour Council of showing inappropriate and blatant party political bias through their use of the official twitter account (@ManCityCouncil). The 'official' account follows 168 people; which include six Labour City Councillors, the account for Manchester Labour (@ManchesterRose) and Manchester’s Labour MEP, Arlene McCarthy. The official account does not follow a single Liberal Democrat Councillor or politician despite many having twitter accounts.

Last year Manchester’s Liberal Democrat opposition criticised the Labour Council for hiring a £38k Twitter tsar while axing 1500 jobs.

Councillor Chamberlain said: “The City Council is legally required to be neutral and non-partisan; however their ‘public face’ on twitter has been anything but. The Council’s resources should be used to benefit all Mancunians and not to promote the Labour Party. ”

“I have suggested the Council either adopt a policy of not following any politicians or follow all Manchester Councillors and elected representatives on twitter. I have also asked the Council to follow the new Chorton Civic Society blog."

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Friends of Beech Rd Park Gardening Event

2011-09-23T19:26:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Paul Ankers (@citizenankers) who has recently taken over as yhe Chair of the Friends of Beech Rd Park

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Chorltonville Centenary

2011-09-15T21:59:00.003+01:00

I really enjoyed the Chorltonville Centenary last Saturday. I invited the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Harry Lyons, to attend and I think he had a fantastic time. Chorltonville is a shining example of the garden village movement. The party organised by local residents was a great way to celebrate the Ville’s 100 years. Thanks to all those residents that organsied the party and attended.

Chorlton Civic Society

2011-09-15T21:41:00.004+01:00

Chorlton Civic Society has just set up a new Blog to help advertise the Society and the work they do. It will also be an opportunity for Guest Bloggers to contribute about things going on in the Chorlton Area. You can view the new Blog at: http://chorltoncivic.blogspot.com/
to contribute content please send it to chorltoncivic@gmail.com.

You can also follow the group on Twitter at @chorltoncivic

Footpath 181

2011-09-06T20:32:00.001+01:00

The Council recently informed Chorlton residents that they are planning 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 many decades, however following pressure from the Ramblers Association, Manchester City Council have made it a top priority to reopen the route. I am deeply concerned by this action and am encouraging the Council to consider more options. I'm opposed to the path reopening because:

· It would be a disgraceful waste of public money. The Council estimates reopening the path would cost £40,000 to £50,000 (and potentially even more).
· I'm concerned that a reopened path could result in more criminal activity particularly burglaries, vandalism, anti social behaviour and gangs loitering.
· The pathway has been closed for more than 20 years. Even the Ramblers say the path has been obstructed for 65 years!
· Many people have told me they don’t want to see the path reopened.

I would like to gauge local opinion on this plan, so please get in touch to let me know what you think.

John Leech MP calls for resignation of Labour Health Scrutiny Chair

2011-09-05T20:30:00.001+01:00

Manchester Withington MP John Leech has today called for the immediate resignation of Cllr Eddy Newman as Chair of the Health and Well Being scrutiny Committee following his back door deal with NHS Manchester to close Withington Walk-in Centre.

In the June meeting of the scrutiny committee it was agreed by a majority vote that the Withington Walk-in Centre should be kept open and that Cllr Newman was to be tasked with writing to Secretary of State for Health to see what could have been done to reverse the closure of Withington Walk-in Centre.
Astonishingly Cllr Newman went back on his promise to contact Andrew Lansley and made a deal with NHS Manchester to go along with the closure of Withington Walk-in Centre if the closure of Ancoats and Wythenshawe Forum walk-in centres are put on hold.

John Leech MP commented, “Eddy Newman has sold Withington down the river, I think it is more than just coincidence that the Wythenshawe walk-in centre happens to be in his own ward of Woodhouse Park. The decision on the walk-in centre closures made by NHS Manchester came as a result of the £20bn that NHS Manchester had been told to find in savings under the previous Labour government.”

Didsbury East Cllr David Sandiford said, “Before the General election in May 2010, the Manchester PCT's finances were measured as poor and the recommendation was made to make 20% cuts across the board regardless of who was in government after May. Labour have been scaremongering even since trying to blame the closure of walk-in centres on the coalition government and this is simply not the case. I will be asking Cllr Newman for a full explanation on why he has taken this decision on Withington Walk-in centre at this Thursday’s Health scrutiny committee.”

John Leech MP went on to say, “I have written to all the Labour cllrs in south Manchester asking them to publicly disown Cllr Newman and join me in calling for his resignation.”

Sports-based training for young people - Chance to meet an England player - Chorlton Leisure Centre

2011-09-01T19:12:00.002+01:00

I've recently been informed of a programme Youth On Solid Ground (www.yosg.org.uk) are running for young people in conjunction with FC Utd, a semi professional football team. The purpose of the project is to provide an opportunity for young people to get a qualification in a supportive context in an activity which engages them. Youth On Solid Ground hope that young people will, on completion of the course, move onto employment, an apprenticeship or more formal and demanding training courses.

Youth On Solid Ground are now recruiting young people to the programme. The programme is aimed at young people who are 16-18 and not in training, employment or education. However, Youth On Solid Ground may be able to accept young people outside this age group and category if;

1. They will benefit from the course
2. They can contribute to the project
3. We can get a contribution towards the funding for the project

The programme entails;

· Monday afternoon training session with FC United coaches 1-3pm. Youngsters will receive football coaching and also have a go at coaching each other.
· Thursday afternoon training session 1-3pm with Greater Sport and FC United coaches leading to a Level 2 Sports Leaders award
· An FA Level 1 coaching course during the October half-term and one Sunday in November
· An opportunity to do a small amount of paid work during the October half-term holiday helping our coaches to deliver sessions to young children.
· Additional and optional drop in sessions in a variety of sports
· One to one mentoring from Youth on Solid Ground

Young people have an opportunity to achieve accredited outcomes as follows;

· A Level 2 Sports Leaders Award
· A FA Level 1 coaching badge
· A PEARL Employability Skills Award

The project starts on Thursday 22nd September. On Monday 26th September Youth On Solid Ground are expecting a visit from a member of the England Football Squad (name of player to be confirmed).

Most of the sessions will be delivered at Chorlton Leisure Centre and the ones which are not will be delivered nearby.

If you have a young person who may be interested please contact me and I will pass your details on or contact the Youth On Solid Ground office on:
Tel: 0161 862 0955. Mob. 07966 882856

Come and have your say on the future of Policing in our area.

2011-08-23T10:44:00.001+01:00

Just a short note to let people know that the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police will be in Chorlton next Thursday, August 25th, for a question and answer session on the ‘Future Delivery of Policing Services’.

This will be a great opportunity for local residents living in the South Manchester area to ask questions and discuss a whole range of issues concerning local policing in our area.

I strongly encourage people to take part and I look forward to seeing you there.

The meeting will take place at:
Chorlton Irish Club, 17 High Lane, Chorlton, M21 9DJ.

Date: August 25th

Time: 5.00-7.00 PM.

Map & Directions to the event: http://www.chorltonirishclub.co.uk/contact.asp

For further information you can also visit:www.gmp.police.uk
and www.gmpa.gov.uk

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Visit to Sellafield with John Leech MP

2011-08-22T22:24:00.002+01:00

Last wednesday I was delighted to join John Leech MP on a visit to Sellafield. John had been invited to attend by a constituent who works as a contractor at Sellafield to see first hand the Nuclear Industry at work. Both John and myself set off at 6am deeply sceptical about the Nuclear Industry and the Nuclear Power alternative.

The three hour drive from Chorlton to Sellafield was made slightly more bearable by the breathtaking Lake District National Park and winding country lanes, although I’m not sure if John’s taste in music really helped! The drive certainly brought Sellafield’s remoteness into perspective, and the reasons it was built away from large population centres because of the catastrophic nature of any potential problems. On arrival the entrance looked more like a Cold War border crossing than former energy plant; complete with road blocks and substantial security. This brought home to both of us the vulnerability of the site to terrorist attacks and the need to ensure continuous high level security because of the nature of the site. When we eventually met our guides we were given a brief history of the site; and learnt about the site’s secretive origins as a manufacturer of weapons grade uranium. We also learnt more about the Windscale Fire (http://bit.ly/5Olo8F) and the impact this had on the development of the Nuclear Power industry as well as the problems this has created in the decommissioning of the site. At this point our guides were then able to show us the massive Greenfield site that would be used if permission is given for a new nuclear power station.

We were then taken on a tour of the site. Initially to the viewing deck of the Nuclear Fuel reprocessing plant. The blue-lit pools, radioactive signs, lifts and wenches made it feel like the lair of a James Bond villain! This is was where spent fuel from Sellafield, other Nuclear sites across the country and from abroad are brought in, stored for up to five years and finally recycled. We were impressed to learn that spent fuel is reprocessed to separate the 96% Uranium and 1% plutonium (which can then be reused as fuel) from the 3% radioactive waste, which then has to be stored on site. We also learnt more about how other less hazardous radioactive waste is processed and recycled. What was alarming was how although some of the spent fuel can be reused so much of the waste (which varies from the containers that hold the nuclear fuel to the clothes worn by employees) has to be processed and stored for millennia whilst it remains radioactive.

After this we were taken on a walk around of the site. This involved having to change into overalls, hard hats and put on radiation monitoring badges. Whilst we were changing into our new outfits there were loads of people coming and going amongst the hundreds of lockers and we got an idea of just how many people work on site. Sellafield directly employs 10,000 people so you can see how important it is to the local economy. Once changed we were taken on a tour of the site to see the decommissioning process. It was alarming how little thought had been given in the 1950s and 60s to the decommissioning process and we got to see how complicated it now is. We passed by a building called B30 (informally know as Dirty Thirty) which is one of the most radioactive buildings in Europe. It is the store of spent fuel from the 1960s and 70s, yet because of the way the spent fuel was stored at this time the containers have corroded in the pools and fuel has leaked out into the water. As a result it will take decades to clear up an billions of pounds of public money to make it safe. We were shown how complicated it is to decommission radioactive sites and the need to construct many new buildings to process the debris from the decommissioning process. This also made me realise that despite the Industry’s claims to being ‘green’, the decommissioning process is enormously carbon intensive and ultimately harmful for the environment. After we had changed we had to leave via a full body scan to ensure we weren’t radioactive. At this point I really did worry what they would do to us if we were! Thankfully all was fine and we had only picked up minute traces of radioactivity.

Over lunch afterwards we got a chance to discuss what we had seen and the industry as a whole. Our hosts were very frank and honest and took our criticism very well. They felt that although the decommissioning and storage process is very timely and costly, they have learnt and are learning lessons for the future which will mean that new generation power stations would be cleaner, safer and more efficient. I said I understood what they had said but felt the significant investment a new generation of nuclear powers stations would require would be better spent on finding reliable renewable sources; and that Cumbria was a prime example of a place where the UK with abundant natural energy resources that could be exploited to a much greater level.

On the drive home John and I discussed what we had seen. We came away even more sceptical and concerned than we had arrived. For me the Nuclear Power Industry was an experiment that should not be repeated. The events at Fukushima show just how damaging and unsafe Nuclear Power can be. However my largest objection remains to be the radioactive waste the industry creates and the legacy we are passing onto future generations. I hope the Coalition Government comes to its senses and realises that Nuclear is not the environmental, progressive energy the Conservatives claim it is!

Manchester Riot Clean Up and update from GM Police

2011-08-10T18:10:00.004+01:00

This morning I joined hundreds of other Mancunians in Picadilly Gardens to help clean up the City Centre after last night's disturbances. I was really impressed with how quickly the Council managed to clear the debris, by the huge number of people who came out to help and by the local shops, who determined not to let a tiny minority of idiots win, had clearly adopted a "business as usual" policy! Sadly a large number of businesses had seen their premises damaged and there was evidence of looting. I felt very sorry for one family Jewellers shop on Shudehill that John Leech MP and I helped clear broken glass and debris from; they had seen their shutters broken, windows smashed, stock looted and fixtures and fittings destroyed. It is these small independent businesses and their employees that will suffer
most from the mindless violence.

I have just returned from a Greater Manchester Police (South Division) briefing on the disturbances that occurred last night in parts of Manchester. Outside the city centre, the most local trouble seemed to be at the following points:

a) Wythenshawe FORUM (right next to Wythenshawe Police Station). Some people threw bricks at police officers, they were arrested

b) 'Snow and Rock'; and the Carphone Warehouse on Princess Road. Those involved were from Bury and one person was from the local area. They damaged these premises, but they were arrested before they could loot them.

c) Tree of Life centre (a charity: www.treeoflifecentre.org.uk/) was also targeted. The police arrived within 9 minutes of being alerted and quickly dealt with the
situation.

The vast majority of Mancunians take pride in our city and neighbourhoods and don't want to see a repeat of last night's violence and destruction. You can report any signs of trouble to the police using the following email address:
CommunityLiason.SouthManchesterDivision@gmp.pnn.police.uk and of course on 999. The overall message from the Police was that they also are operating a 'business as usual' policy. They plan to step up Policing in the City Centre and the Chorlton neighbourhood policing team has been and will continue to be very visible around Chorlton. The Police are asking Parents to know where their children are and in the event of further disturbances they are asking residents not to go and spectate.

Please feel free to contact me if there is anything you would like me to inform the Police or Council about.

Beech Rd Festival Update

2011-07-11T00:09:00.002+01:00

As you may have read in the South Manchester Reporter there were a few problems at the Beech Rd Festival this year (http://menmedia.co.uk/southmanchesterreporter/news/s/1425985_rethink-of-beech-road-festival-after-drunken-yobs-fight-in-chorlton-park). Within 48 Hours of the festival John Leech MP and I sent out a street letter asking for feedback and inviting residents to a street surgery. Since then a large number of residents have contacted us to give us their opinions on the festival. Most people said they really enjoyed the Festival; but there was also a significant amount of people that experienced some problems. The main concerns highlighted by residents have been regarding the litter and clean up afterwards, the amount of drunkenness, the gridlocked traffic and parking problems, the lack of a visible Police presence, the lack of toilets and the results this had, the noise and music in the park, and the general impact the festival has on local residents and its future viability. It is clear that these issues affected what was otherwise an enjoyable and well-attended festival.

Last Thursday a review meeting was convened of the organisers, Beech Rd traders, the Police, and Council Officials. I ensured that all residents’ representations were heard at the meeting and gave a summary of comments to the Organisers, the Police and the Chair, Maria Boylan, the Council’s Ward Coordinator for Chorlton. At the Meeting it was agreed that Maria Boylan will write to local residents about what is going to happen in the future. The meeting paid tribute to the Organisers for running this event successfully for fifteen years, but noted that the numbers have grown significantly in the last few years. The meeting discussed residents’ concerns and in particular the nature and atmosphere of this year’s Festival and the amount of drinking. The meeting heard that there was the same amount of preparation for the Festival and Policing levels as previous years, but agreed that more was needed last Sunday given the pleasant weather and unauthorised Facebook publicity which helped to draw record crowds. The Police have told us they were not as prominent as previous years because they were wearing black T-Shirts rather than their High Visibility Jackets. There was a general consensus that in the future the Festival should be more considerate of resident’s needs and wishes, particularly those of families. I’m pleased that the meeting adopted and developed my idea for a Festival Organising Committee made up of local residents, the Beech Rd Traders Association, the Friends of Beech Rd Park and others which will organise the festival and make arrangements with the Police and Council. Hopefully this way any potential problems can be anticipated and resolved prior to the Festival. It will also ensure that the festival is sympathetic to local needs and wishes.

I’m delighted that so many residents turned up to our Street Surgery (pictured) in Beech Rd Park on Sunday; and I would like to thank those that attended. It gave us another opportunity to listen to local residents and to hear from different sections of our community. Because it was so well attended not everyone got a chance to have their say and some people couldn’t make it; but there is still a lot yet to be decided. As a result I’m conducting a survey so as many local people as possible have their views taken into account. Please let me know if you would like me to send you a Survey to complete. The survey asks your opinions on a range of suggestions that have been proposed. I will present your observations to the organisers and city authorities as a matter of urgency. This survey will help any future Organising Committee to understand the views of local residents and make decisions about the nature and logistics of future Festivals. If you would like to be part of the Organising Committee for future Festivals, please let me know as I am collating a list.

Chorlton Metrolink Open!

2011-07-07T07:06:00.006+01:00

I'm pleased to say that the South Manchester Metrolink line is finally open! This morning I woke up at 5.30am to make sure I got on the first tram from Chorlton.

I was one of a few early birds at the St Werburgh's Road stop when the first tram arrived at 05.56. It was great to see the line close up and it was a really enjoyable and memorable experience. 15 minutes later I was in St Peter's Square!

The opening marks the culmination of years of campaigning to bring the Metrolink to Chorlton. The Metrolink will be a fantastic asset for Chorlton. It will help boost our local shops, bars and cafes and provide clean sustainable transport for local residents. The only let down has been the Council's complete failure to address the problem of parking around the Chorlton stop. Promises have been made that
the problem will be monitored but this is little comfort to the residents who face problem parking outside their homes. Please let me know if you experience any problems.

I hope you also enjoy travelling on the Tram soon!

Beech Road Festival

2011-07-04T12:58:00.004+01:00

I really enjoyed the Beech Rd Festival Yesterday. The weather was absolutely fantastic which helped to attract record numbers. I understand there were about 10,000 - 15,000 people there yesterday.

I really enjoyed the music in the park, having a chat with lots of friends and neighbors like Ida Bradshaw (pictured) from the Chorlton Civic Society; browsing and supporting the local stalls (I bought a present for a friend from the Belly Button stall), and the delicious Samosas on offer from the Village Tandoori.

This morning I have been contacted about a few small problems. I've reported an isolated incident of anti social behaviour and have asked the Council to ensure Beech Rd and the Park are cleared of litter and rubbish urgently; as it appears that unlike previous years the Council did not do this immediately following the end of the festival. I've let the organisers know and hopefuly next year these problems can be prevented.

I really hope the success of the Festival translated into sales for the local shops and stalls as many of them are finding it very difficult at the moment. If you attended yesterday I hope you also had a great time!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T07:34:00.002Z

Can I take this opportunity to wish all residents in Chorlton a ‘Happy St Patrick’s Day’ for Thursday. I know many residents here are Irish or like me have Irish connections. Whatever your connection – have a great time.

St John's Church is holding a number of masses throughout the day including one at St John's School at 9am. There will also be a social event at St John's Parish Centre at 8pm.

The Chorlton Irish Association Club is hosting a free St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Children’s Activities, GAA Club final games live, Live Music and Irish Stew for all; from 12:00 pm. Get there quick at there is a free drink for the first 25 to arrive!

Check out the Manchester Irish Festival website for details of what else is on today across the City www.manchesterirshfestival.co.uk

Chorlton Meadows Village Green Application

2011-02-22T01:34:00.002Z

Yesterday the application to grant Village Green status to the Hardy Farm Playing Fields was rejected by Labour Councillors.

The Application which would have preserved the Meadows for future generations; and which was supported by hundreds of local residents, was thrown out by just 5 Labour Councillors.

Earlier this year I supported local residents who submitted the application to grant Village Green status to the Hardy Farm playing fields because I recognise how valued this land is by local people and its importance to the environment. I’m proud to have fought to preserve these Meadows for the future alongside hundreds of local residents and my Lib Dem colleagues, John Leech MP and Cllr Paul Ankers. Unfortunately yet again the Manchester Labour Party has ignored Chorlton’s residents and failed to take steps to protect our environment from development.

At the Committee I spoke up in favour of the village green application. I told the Committee that by rejecting the application they would be disregarding the views of hundreds of Chorlton Residents. Unfortunately despite a strong Application and widespread support, the Application was rejected by Labour Councillors 5 votes to 3. We are pleased to say that all the Lib Dems at the Committee voted in favour of the application. I feel this judgement echoes the Labour decision last August to grant permission for harmful floodlights at WDCAFC Grounds, which is next to the Meadows.

Whilst my colleagues and I are incredibly saddened by the decision Labour councillors have made we will continue to fight to protect Chorltonville Conservation Area, Chorlton Meadows and the Mersey Valley from development. I would also like to thank the local residents who put so much time and energy into producing the Application; and all those residents who supported it.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this matter further or if I can be of any assistance with another issue.

How Will Chorlton be Affected by the Council Cuts?

2011-02-10T20:11:00.003Z

Many of you will have followed stories about the Council’s cuts, which go to the Executive committee next Wednesday.

There is some good news for Chorlton. Both the Leisure Centre and the Library stay open. In the past Chorlton Liberal Democrats have fought for Sunday opening at the Library and improved facilities at the Leisure Centre and it is good to see local services being protected at this difficult time. I lobbied the City Treasurer Richard Paver on these alongside my colleague Cllr Paul Ankers. We emphasised how good these facilities are and how needed and valued they were for the Chorlton community.

However, we are likely to see the toilets at the Bus Station close and possibly lose the extra parking attendant we fought for lost. Parking is already a massive issue in Chorlton and this could be a real blow. Local people often raise concerns about parking when the Metrolink starts, so this could make it worse. Unfortunately the Council has also announced that it intends to shut the Barlow Moor Library on the Merseybank Estate.

Interesting news about Surestart & Youth service - both are being outsourced. Surestart works well so I am most worried about that. It is popular and providers need to be as good as currently on offer. There are options, grounds for optimism, but it will require hard work to ensure Chorlton gets the best. Manchester's Youth Service is not currently upto standard so outsourcing may actually provide a better serivce for the CIty's young people.

These are difficult times and we need to continue to fight to protect our public services; but I am confident that the Chorlton Lib Dem team will be able to do this. If you have any questions or comments to make about the Council's cuts feel free to send me an email at victor.libdem@ymail.com.

Snowy Chorlton

2010-12-20T22:10:00.005Z

Chorlton looks fantastic with all the snow and it's looking like we may have our first White Christmas in many years. However with the snow comes a lot of disruption and I know a lot of people have been finding it difficult driving and walking around Chorlton.

This is a map of all the gritted roads in Chorlton ward:

That's Barlow Moor Road, Manchester Road, Wilbraham Road, High Lane, Edge Lane, Egerton Road North, Buckingham Road, Brantingham Road, Oswald Road, Kensington Road, Longford Road, Beech Road, St Clements Road, Chorlton Green, Ivygreen Road, Kingshill Road, Brookburn Road and Claude Road.

There are also seven grit bins across Chorlton:

Oswald Road near the junction with Claridge Road
Brantingham Road / Buckingham Road
Beech Road near to sheltered accommodation.
Chorlton Green (on the path next to the cemetery)
Vicars Road / St Clements Road
Brundretts Road / Brahbam Close
Hampton Road / Wilbraham Road

I think this is woefully inadaquate for a ward of Chorlton's size. That one grit bin for every 2000 people! In the Summer the Labour Council prommised Chorlton an additional 11 grit bins. However they have only installed an additional four bins. Furthermore the Council has not ensured they are regularly topped up. I have been inspecting them regularly and have requested empty bins to be restocked. However if you come across an empty bin please let me know and I will get it refilled. I will also continue alongside Cllr Paul Ankers to press the Council to give us the 11 bins we were prommissed and ensure we are preppared for the Winter Weather.

Please also let me know if you are aware of anyone who may need additional support during the cold and icy weather.

Lib Dems saving our Post Offices

2010-11-24T01:33:00.001Z

New Lib Dem plans will protect our local Post Offices after years of Labour cuts.
Your Focus Team is pleased that the Liberal Democrats in government are delivering on another one of their promises.
Under Labour 5,000 Post Offices were closed.
The Lib Dem plan will see the Post Office:
 Becoming a One-stop shop.
 A central point of our community life again.
 Investing £1.3 billion into the Post Office Network, protecting the 11,500 remaining Post Offices.
 Having more services.
 Offering information for jobseekers,
 Access to over 80% of bank accounts including RBS and NatWest.
 Longer opening hours.
 Post Office services being offered at the shop till.
 Small, local shops providing some Post Office services.

Age UK Mobility Shop

2010-11-02T11:37:00.002Z

This morning I attended the grand opening of Chorlton's Age UK Mobility Shop by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Hackett.

Beech Rd Halloween Event

2010-10-31T23:56:00.002Z

Friends of Beech Road Park are celebrating after over a hundred people turned up to celebrate Halloween at the Park last Saturday.

The Halloween event aimed at small children included traditional apple bobbing (with organic apples donated by the Unicorn), a scary story tent, face painting, drawing and competitions to find the best Halloween costume and Pumpkin.

Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain said afterwards "This year's Halloween event was a great success and all the children looked like they had a lot of fun. I was delighted to judge the Pumpkin competition, I really liked Evie's wining Pumpkin [pictured] because of its eerie expression!"

Jenny Slee, a friend of Beech Rd Park said "All the organising was so worthwhile when so many turned up and had such a good time."

Council needs to support our Shops

2010-10-04T00:10:00.001+01:00

Last week I wrote to the South Manchester Reporter's letter page about how I had invited Eric Pickles to come and visit Chorlton, so that he could assess the impact the Mega TESCO in Stretford would have on our shops. Unfortunately his Department have since written to inform me that there was " insufficient grounds for his intervention" and as a result Mr Pickles would not 'call in' the application.

I am deeply disappointed by this decision and do not agree with it. This development will have huge implications for district Centres and independent shops in areas like Chorlton and Whalley Range. Our shops our already under enormous financial pressure and need as much support as possible in these challenging times. I really hope the City Council take note of this decision and make sure they do all they can to ensure that Chorlton and other areas are able to continue to flourish despite this development.

The campaign against the development has at least shown that the majority of people in Chorlton are opposed to yet another supermarket in their area that we don't want another in the district centre. I will continue to work hard alongside my Lib Dem colleagues John Leech MP and Cllrs Ankers, Lewis, Ryan, Bethell and Grant to support Chorlton's independent shops.

Pickles invited to try Chorlton's Pickles

2010-09-27T21:33:00.002+01:00

Following the announcement that the Mega TESCO in Stretford will be reviewed, Chorlton Liberal Democrat Councillor, Victor Chamberlain, has invited Eric Pickles MP the Communities Secretary to visit Chorlton to see the impact the proposed Mega TESCO would have.

Coun Chamberlain said "I sent Mr Pickles an invitation to visit Chorlton so that he can see how thriving and important our local independent shops really are. Local traders often tell me that this is a very difficult time for them and that the proposed Mega TESCO would just make things worse. Local businesses like the Barbakan Deli on Manchester Rd offer top quality produce including Pickles, which I'm sure the Minister will enjoy if he decides to visit us. I've also asked Mr Pickles to hold a Public Enquiry about the application so that local people can have their say and have their voices heard."

Stefan Najduch (Pictured with Coun Chamberlain), the Director of the Barbakan Delicatessen, added "TESCO represents the deterioration and killing off of independent shops. If we're not careful there will be nowhere like the Barbakan left. The decision made by Trafford Council does not seem right. I would love to have the opportunity to tell Eric Pickles what this TESCO would do to Chorlton; and I'm sure he would really appreciate what the Barbakan has to offer."

Chorlton Lib Dems lobby Minister about Mega TESCO

2010-09-24T15:13:00.003+01:00

At The Lib Dem Party Conference this weekend in Liverpool, Chorlton Councillors Victor Chamberlain and Paul Ankers raised the issue of the Mega TESCO in Stretford with Liberal Democrat Communities and Local Government Minister, Greater Manchester's Andrew Stunell MP (pictured).

Cllr Chamberlain said:

"I told Andrew Stunell how inappropriate and damaging the Mega TESCO could be for Chorlton's Independent shops. I welcomed the fact that Ministers in the Local Government Department have decided to review the application, and asked the Minister to hold a public enquiry so we can really see how much one of the UK's largest supermarkets could affect local communities like Chorlton. "

Cllr Paul Ankers added:

"Trafford Council just rubber stamped this development without considering how it would affect places like Chorlton and Stretford. We really need to hold a Public Enquiry so that Chorlton people, and others, can have their say and have their voices heard."

MegaTESCO decision to be reviewed

2010-09-13T01:02:00.006+01:00

I am really encouraged to learn that the new Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, has decided to re-examine the proposed MegaTESCO in Stretford. This scheme, inappropriately linked to the redevelopment of Lancashire Cricket Club, is completely unacceptable and should be stopped. In my opinion the MegaTESCO will kill off nearby independent traders and seriously threaten the vitality and viability of local centres like Chorlton, Stretford, Whalley Range, Hulme and others. Before the election I joined other campaigners to hand in a petition to the Government Office North West asking for the planning decision to be "called in" (pictured). Unfortunately this request was refused. I wrote to Mr Pickles after the election urging him to reconsider the application. However recent developments (http://bit.ly/dCe65z) have meant a review is now back on the cards. I would encourage as many people as possible to join me in writing again to ask for a public enquiry.

I seriously hope that the Communities Secretary has the sense to hold an enquiry so we can properly assess the impact one of the largest supermarkets in Britain could have. The relentless growth of TESCO has crushed small businesses and local shops. And it has turned many of our communities into Tescotowns. Eric Pickles needs to act now to stop Chorlton and Stretford from joining them!

Miner Victory over Chorton Library Plaque

2010-09-10T19:30:00.003+01:00

An alliance of local people, LibDems and the Chorlton Civic Society are celebrating the restoration of a plaque commemorating Chorlton's part in the 1984/5 Miners strike and the support Chorlton people gave to them. The plaque was removed and placed in a quiet corner at the back of the Library early this year, but campaigners wanted it to remain in a more prominent spot and it has been restored to the foyer of the Library.

Chorlton has a fantastic local history which the Council should be proud of. I'm pleased they have finally seen sense and reinstated the plaque to a prominent location.

Chorlton Cllr Paul Ankers said,

"There was some logic to it being with the local studies books, but there was more sense to it being front and centre of people's thoughts."

Activists raised thousands of pounds collecting in the precinct area throughout the strike, one weekend Chorlton housed 200 miners on their way to pickets and had a football match fundraiser in Chorlton Park. Chorlton was twinned with four pits, Bold NUM, Erdington, Armthorpe & Walkden pits in the 1980's.

David Graham (pictured with his wife, Cllr Ankers and John Leech MP) was a key supporter of the miners in Chorlton in the 80's,

"Chorlton people raised many thousands of pounds to keep food on miners tables and the plaque celebrates a spirit that Chorlton hasn't lost and shouldn't forget."

The local Civic Society were supportive of the plaque and their Chair, Jenny Slee, commented

"We are keen for more of Chorlton's history to be known and seen. The plaque and knowledge of it needs to be clear for future generations.

The Civic Society, in conjunction with Library Manager David Green, have organised a small unveiling ceremony on 14th September at 7.30pm.

Local MP John Leech, grandson of a miner, said, "What Chorlton did was remarkable and we should be proud of its community spirit."

Labour's Priorities "All Wrong" - Council Criticised for £150,000 Spend on Acrobat Statues

2010-09-08T17:03:00.001+01:00

Manchester Liberal Democrats have questioned the Labour Council's priorities in tough times after it was revealed that they spent £150,000 of public money on statues of acrobats outside the new temporary town hall.

Around 1,500 staff and many Council services have transferred to a new building at "One First Street" near the Whitworth Street railway line. They will remain there for 3 years during Manchester's Town Hall revamp.

But Mancunians were surprised to see 5 statues of "stick people" being installed outside the new temporary facility. Manchester Liberal Democrats have discovered that these statues cost £150,000 of public money. Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Shannon said:

"You have to question the Council's priorities. Most people can think of better things to spend £150,000 of public money on. Only this week, the Council cancelled alleygating schemes across the City - yet they can find the money for these "stick people" of questionable artistic merit !"

It is understood that the Labour Council leader personally approved the statues. Manchester's Liberal Democrat Councillors believe that this funding should have been spent on improving Manchester's inadequate public services.

Manchester Labour can't be bothered to engage with young people

2010-07-21T17:29:00.000+01:00

Labour Town Hall Chiefs have threatened to scrap an innovative Sub Group looking at engaging with Young People because they can't find enough Labour Councillors to volunteer. Labour's Mike Carmody, the Chairman of the Children and Young Person’s Scrutiny Committee told Tuesday’s meeting, (20/7/2010), “"the subgroup has to be ‘politically balanced’, and if it can’t maybe it should be scrapped”. He also called engagement with young people "dead issue".

Chorlton Lib Dem Councillor Victor Chamberlain, who is Manchester’s youngest Councillor, said,

"If some Labour Councillors can't be bothered to engage with young people they should let those of us that will get on with it. I for one think too many of Manchester’s children and teenagers feel excluded and as though their views don’t matter. This group could make a real difference for them and show that the Council does care and wants to include them.”

Lib Dem Children's spokesperson Marc Ramsbottom added,

“Labour Councillors who are refusing to join this group should be ashamed of themselves. This Labour Council thinks it can ignore the views of our younger citizens but I think that is unacceptable. I hope Labour Councillors will reconsider their ‘busy schedules’ and allow this committee to go ahead.”

Lets Fix Chorlton's Potholes!

2010-05-13T20:25:00.002+01:00

Enough is enough with the decline of Chorlton roads. Potholes are everywhere and the situation only gets worse under our Labour Council. Lets get this mess sorted out once and for all! Add a blue place mark next to any potholes you know about to the map below. Or Report your potholes to either contact@manchester.gov.uk or cllr.p.ankers@manchester.gov.uk or cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk

Help us get Chorlton fixed

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100822455642425735129.0004867e7fcca487c19bb&ll=53.440883,-2.274599&spn=0.035737,0.076818&z=14

2010-05-12T18:42:00.001+01:00

Floella Benjamin visits Chorlton

2010-05-01T00:10:00.002+01:00

Today I was delighted to welcome Floella Benjamin OBE, amongst many other things the star of Children's television programme 'Playschool', to Chorlton. Floella joined John Leech and myself at 'Head over Heals' to meet local parents and children. Floella who is an advisor to Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems on on policies relating to children and early years provision, seemed to really enjoy her time in Chorlton and was very positive about this popular local business.

Floella said: "The Liberal Democrats are the only party who can provide long term ideas for real change. It is clear that this country is at a crucial time both politically and historically.

“The attitudes and behaviour of some have effected the many and the public have been let down for far too long. Change comes when people work together for a common goal and I am proud to support the Liberal Democrats, a party whose values reflect my own, especially when it comes to children.

“I have spent many years campaigning for a society that is based on integrity, trust and morality. And it is clear that this belief is at the very core of everything the Liberal Democrats do. We are tired of the stale ideas and empty words of the red/blue combination.

“The Liberal Democrats are the only party who can provide long term ideas for real change. This country is in dire need of a fresh start and that fresh start can only come with the Liberal Democrats, who for me are the only viable alternative.”

Manchester Lib Dems call for St George's Bank Holiday

2010-04-23T17:15:00.000+01:00

Happy St George's Day to everyone in Chorlton!

Manchester Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Simon Ashley has today called for St George's Day to be made into a Bank Holiday.

Cllr Ashley said today,

"Scotland and Northern Ireland have more Bank Holidays than England and Wales, and have a Bank Holiday for their patron saints. Why can't England do the same? Only by celebrating our diversity and collective achievements can we reclaim nationalism from those on the far-right who seek to subvert it."

Cllr Ashley added,

"St. George's Day is a brilliant opportunity for our country to come together and show the pride we have in our culture, society and history. Many Manchester businesses fly the English flag with pride and I think a new Bank Holiday for St. George's Day would be a great way to celebrate our wonderful country."

Fairness - The Liberal Democrat Manifesto Launch

2010-04-14T16:39:00.004+01:00

Nick Clegg has launched the Liberal Democrat General Election manifesto. The manifesto sets out four clear priorities of fair taxes, a fair chance for every child, a fair economy, and a fair deal by cleaning up politics.

At the launch, Nick Clegg said:

Every manifesto needs to have an idea at its heart. The basic idea that animates this manifesto is something I have always believed. I believe every single person is extraordinary.

The tragedy is that we have a society where too many people never get to fulfil that extraordinary potential.

My view - the liberal view - is that government's job is to help them to do it. Not to tell people how to live their lives. But to make their choices possible, to release their potential, no matter who they are.

The way to do that is to take power away from those who hoard it. To challenge vested interests. To break down privilege. To clear out the bottlenecks in our society that block opportunity and block progress. And so give everyone a chance to live the life they want.

There's a simple word for those ideas, and it's a word this manifesto is built on: fairness.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto outlines 4 steps to a fairer Britain:

Fair taxes that put money back in your pocket: The first £10,000 you earn tax-free: a tax cut of £700 for most people, 3.6 million low earners and pensioners freed from income tax completely, Paid for in full by closing loopholes that unfairly benefit the wealthy and polluters

A fair future creating jobs by making Britain greener: Break up the banks and get them lending again to protect real businesses, Honesty about the tough choices needed to cut the deficit, Green growth and jobs that last by investing in infrastructure

A fair chance for every child: Ensure children get the individual attention they need by cutting class sizes, Made possible by investing £2.5 billion in schools targeted to help struggling pupils, Give schools the freedom to make the right choices for their pupils

A fair deal by cleaning up politics: Put trust back into politics by giving you the right to sack corrupt MPs, Restore and protect hard-won British civil liberties with a Freedom Bill, Overhaul Westminster completely: fair votes, an elected House of Lords, all politicians to pay full British taxes

You can download the Liberal Democrat manifesto at http://www.libdems.org.uk/our_manifesto.aspx along with summary documents and videos for each of the key areas, order a paper copy and find audio and easy read text versions.

Chorlton History Discussion Group

2010-04-12T23:50:00.003+01:00

I've had a really long but very positive day of campaigning around Chorlton. But the highlight of my day was going along to the Chorlton History Group this afternoon at the Horse and Jockey. I was invited by Ida Bradshaw who I often enjoy chatting with about local history.

I learnt lots of facts and stories about Chorlton that I had never heard before. I partiality enjoyed Bernard Leach's talk about a short lived community newspaper from the mid-1980s called "Chorlton Green". Although 1980s Chorlton is only very recent history it marked a significant shift locally with Chorlton transforming from a very conservative area (both with a big and small 'c') towards a more alternative scene - and the 'Chorlton Green' newspaper embodied this transformation.

The History Group also has lots of interesting events coming up:

On 29 May there will be a Peterloo Masacre Walk. Meet at 1pm outside the Central Reference Library in St Peter's Square.

On 30 May there will be a historical walk around Hawthorn Lane. Contact Dave Bishop (davegbishop@aol.com) for details.

The group's next meeting will be on Monday 7 June at 1.30pm at the Horse and Jockey. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in local history.

There will also be an historical walk along Beech Road to coincide with the festival on 4 July.

Beech Road Potholes

2010-04-09T17:23:00.002+01:00

I was very pleased to see that these dangerous potholes I reported on the corner of Beech Road and Barlow Moor Road have finally been repaired. I initially reported them in December and have been chasing the Council for months to repair them. These potholes represent just one example of how the Labour run Council is failing to protect and invest in Chorlton's roads. I'm proud that Manchester Liberal Democrats are committed to spending an extra £420,000 on maintaining our crumbling roads and pavements; and I know that it would make a huge difference here in Chorlton.

I know that there are hundreds of potholes across Chorlton that need just the same attention as these ones on Beech Road and I will be continuing to push the Council to repair them. If you know of any potholes or poor roads near you, please let me know and I will get them repaired.

Handing in NO Mega TESCO petition

2010-04-07T14:20:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I joined up with some other NO Mega TESCO campaigners to hand in a 500 strong petition to the Government Office of the North West. The petition against the proposed TESCO asked for the planning decision to be 'called in' by the Secretary of State. This would allow the Communities Secretary to hold a public inquiry to properly assess the impact of this proposed development on the surrounding communities and district centres such as Chorlton.

Because of the controvers and scle of the development the GONW has extended the deadline for submissions. As a result there is still time to write in to the Communities Secretary and GONW to ask for the decision to be called in. An excellent example letter with instructions and addresses is available to download from the No Mega-Tesco campaign’s website at: http://bit.ly/bjG6xV. If you need any advice or help in writing your letter please get in touch with me.

Manchester Liberal Democrats' Manifesto

2010-04-02T22:54:00.005+01:00

Today the Manchester Liberal Democrats released a manifesto of what a Lib Dem run Manchester City Council would do.

Manchester Liberal Democrats are making 5 key promises for the 2010 local elections:

1) Cut Council Tax by £51 for a Band D property.
2) Cut waste, including ending the Council Leader’s Chauffeur-driven car and claiming back £421,000 owed by other councils.
3) Lobby for the return of £82million GMP Funding, which would pay for over 500 more police on our streets.
4) Spend over £1million extra on gritting and improving our roads.
5) Reverse plans to close Ewing school; and cut truancy levels.

We want to change Manchester for the better, making it safer, greener, cleaner and more local. We will play our full part in the future of Manchester’s City Region. We’ll stand up for the people of Manchester, and give power back to the people.

I particularly liked the commitment to provide at least 5 new grit bins for each ward. During the recent Cold Spell this measure would have made a huge difference in Chorlton. The Manifesto also promises to spend an extra £420,000 improving the city’s drainage and roads. When Chorlton has the second worst drains in the City and numerous potholes and poor road surfaces - this investment would be hugely beneficial. I also really like the idea of increasing local community grants (CASH grants) to £66,000 per ward and devolving more decisions to communities.

The Manifesto shows how committed the Lib Dems are to green and environmental issues. Unlike Labour we would include Manchester Airport and aviation in the City's climate change plan. We would concentrate on improving recycling and reducing waste. Manchester's Lib Dems are committed to protecting our green open spaces from developers. I'm really pleased the Manifesto has encompassed one of the suggestions from the What Next? event to create a Smart Meter loan scheme from libraries.

The full Manifesto is available to view online at http://bit.ly/ahrqJL

Message from the Digital Economy Bill Flashmob Protest

2010-04-01T16:25:00.001+01:00

Is the government making fools out of us with the Digital Economy Bill?

Join us on Thursday evening in Manchester City Centre for a flashmob protest against this ill-conceived legislation!

Just bring yourself and some black tape to censor yourself with.

The exact location will be announced (at 5pm) just before we begin, sign up for a ticket and we'll let you know

http://debflashmobmanchester.eventbrite.com/

What is the Digital Economy Bill?
The DEB is a new piece of legislation that's being forced through parliament without debate. The DEB's aim is to stop copyright infringement on the internet, but it does so at a horrific cost to our civil liberties. Under this legislation you will be assumed guilty and may be disconnect from the internet unless you pay to have an appeal in front of a tribunal - not a court.

Why are we protesting?
The DEB has been written at the behest of the media industry (some clauses were actually written by the BPI) with absolutely no regard for anybody else. Not only is this bill horrendously flawed, it is being rushed through parliament without debate using a process known as "wash up", which was intended for use on uncontroversial bills.

Chorlton's Big Green Festival

2010-03-28T11:29:00.004+01:00

I spent a good few hours yesterday enjoying the return of the Big Green Festival at St Clement's Church. This year's event seemed to be slightly bigger and better attended than the first year and everyone seemed to be having a great time. The festival aims to promote environmental issues in a fun and friendly environment.

I spent the first hour or so collecting Village Green applications for Chorlton Meadows and trying to promote the Village Green application. It was great to get a chance to talk to people about the Meadows and keep them updated about the campaign. After that I spent a couple hours just wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere with my colleagues Cllr Paul Ankers and John Leech MP . I bought a bird box made from sustainable sources to help protect our sparrow population. I made my eco-confession! and I promised to become meat free one day a week. It was great to get a chance to talk to some architecture students about the proposed Chorlton Community Centre. The designs were brilliant and I really look forward to helping to get the centre built. I also really enjoyed the scarecrow competition and sampling some of the delicious Vegan food.

The Green festival is an excellent local event. It shows how important and feasible it is to live sustainably in Chorlton. Environmental issues are very important and need attention. The festival was able to make these issues relevant to everyone in a fun and friendly way. I would like to thank the organisers for pulling off such an excellent event.

What Next?

2010-03-26T00:19:00.003Z

This evening I attended the What Next? Forum which involved talks and discussions about how to make Chorlton a greener and better place to live. Marc Hudson the editor of Manchester Climate Fortnightly (http://bit.ly/aA11SD) gave a passionate and thought provoking introduction to the science and politics of Climate Change. Mark was followed by a lady from Ashton Hayes a village in Cheshire that is aiming to become England's first carbon neutral community. It was very interesting to see how they go about it and showed how the small changes ordinary people make can have extraordinary effects. After a quick break Andrew Leask from the Trafford Eco-House spoke. Andrew has made his average 1930s semi in Sale into a beacon of sustainability. Andrew gave lots of great advice about how we can all make small changes around our homes that will hugely benefit the environment.

Overall I found the evening truly inspirational and it has given me lots of ideas about how I can live a greener lifestlye and what we can do to make Chorlton a more sustainable area. It has also motivated me even more than before to push Manchester City Council to do all it can and should be doing to tackle climate change and promote sustainability.

Mega Tesco EDM

2010-03-24T20:05:00.002Z

You can see the Early Day Motion I was helping John Leech MP with at: http://bit.ly/as3PmX . The motion reads:

TESCO IN STRETFORD AND THE IMPACT ON INDEPENDENT RETAILERS

That this House notes with concern the decision by Trafford Council Planning Committee to approve plans for a giant Tesco store in Stretford; recognises the potential impact that this decision will have on the viability of local centres and in particular the viability of independent retailers in the surrounding areas of Chorlton district centre and Stretford Mall; and therefore urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call in the decision.

Whilst out canvassing tonight a lot of people were very concerned about the impact a Mega Tesco would have on Chorlton. Please write in to the Secretary of State and Government Office North West by 1 April. If you need any help or advice about writing in please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Campaign Update

2010-03-23T21:03:00.005Z

We've had a busy few weeks campaigning in Chorlton - and it's only going to get more intense between now and the election!

Tonight I went out campaigning with some local members on the streets off Egerton Road North in the pouring rain! The reception on the doorstep was very good. People are telling us that they appreciate the work we've been doing locally and they really want a change from Labour. I really enjoy getting a chance to talk to people about what they think and pick up any issues they have.

I've also been trying very hard to get the Mega Tesco decision called in by the Secretary of State. I've been working with John Leech MP to publicise the need for people to write in and have helped John to table a Parliamentary motion calling for the decision to be reviewed by the Communities Secretary.

If you would like to write and ask for the decision to be called in you can download a sample letter from:
http://www.nomegatesco.org.uk/downloads/cat_view/39-example-letters

Manchester Neighbours Day (MND) 2010

2010-03-23T20:48:00.005Z

On the 28th May 2010 Manchester will once again join with people across Europe to celebrate European Neighbours' Day. Mancunians are being called upon to make this Neighbours' Day celebration even more successful than last year when Manchester City Council approved a record 159 applications from residents who wanted to get to know their neighbours better by holding street parties, barbecues, gardening events and other activities across the city.

Last years' Neighbours Day was a great opportunity for local residents in Chorlton to get to know their neighbours. In Chorltonville where I live we held a street party at the end of the summer. Even though it wasn't strictly part of the
MND it was a nice chance to catch up and socialise with neighbours and meet new ones. I also had a lot of fun listening and dancing to live bands!

To help residents celebrate Manchester Neighbours Day the Council is making grants of up to £200 available. This is for neighbourhood groups who want to organise events around the end of May which will encourage neighbours to get to know each other better and improve neighbourhoods by arranging street parties, environmental projects, fun days or any small local event that brings people together.

For an application form for Manchester Neighbours' Day please contact the Third Sector Team:

Telephone: 0161 234 3016 (Quote MND)

Email: voluntary.sector.grants@manchester.gov.uk

If there is anything I cna do to help you organise a MND event near ou please do not hecitate to get in touch.

Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig

2010-03-17T15:03:00.005Z

On behalf of the Chorlton Liberal Democrats I would like to wish everyone a Happy St Patrick's Day.

I know that the newly refurbished Chorlton Irish Club is having a family fun day with Irish music and games. In the evening there is the St Patrick's Dance with music from Pat Jordan & Finians Rainbow. The dance starts at 8:30 pm and admission is £5.

However you choose to celebrate St Patrick's Day I hope you have an enjoyable time.

To find out more about what's going on during the Manchester Irish Festival visit: http://www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk/

Mega Tesco and Sainsbury's Outcome

2010-03-17T14:51:00.004Z

Unfortunately Trafford Council have voted to approve the Mega Tesco in Stretford application, but they rejected the Salisbury's at White City application. This will have an enormous impact on Chorlton district centre and we must do all we can to try prevent it going ahead.

This a message I have received from the No Mega Tesco Campaign this afternoon about trying to get the application called in by the Secretary of State. Please join me and the rest of the group in writing to the Government Office North West to ask for the decision to be called in.

Email from Debbie from the No Mega Tesco campaign:

I'm emailing round the link to a sample letter for getting the Mega Tesco application called in. Although the planning committee have said they want to allow the scheme it has to be referred to Government Office North West - who then decide whether to refer it to the Secretary of State (John Denham). This can only happen if the application ticks certain boxes so we have written a letter with key points for people to use.

If you email the letter you can send it to both people at the same time. If you want to do just one (not two) then the best target is John Denham.

I'll attach the letter here but the link to the document on the website is: http://www.nomegatesco.org.uk/downloads/cat_view/39-example-letters - there is now just one letter there to select.

Hope that is clear. Please forward to any friends and family and urge them to write - and as soon as possible. The earlier we get hundreds of letters in the better - there are only 21 days from 11th March to do this.

Debbie

PS If you remember, please cc your letter to this address (nomegatesco@googlemail.com) so we can get an idea of how many have gone in (plus cc your local MP, councillors etc.)

Fire Raiser on Chorlton Ees

2010-03-14T17:41:00.003Z

A Message from Dave Bishop, Chair of the Friends of Chorlton Meadows:

In the last few days a large area of Chorlton Ees has gone up in smoke. Vegetation has been destroyed and ground nesting birds killed or put at risk.

This is becoming an annual problem and appears to be down to one man. A member of the local community, who uses the Ees regularly, has given the following useful description of this destructive and anti-social idiot:

He is in his late 40s to early 50s (hence old enough to know better!) and is dressed in outdoor clothing and a baseball cap. He also carries a black rucksack and a brown oil/gas cylinder (which is probably part of his fire lighting equipment).

If you see this man, please don't approach him, we don't know whether he's dangerous or not. Please, though, if you are able to get a good enough look without danger to yourself, make a note of any further details of his appearance and the date, time and place that you saw him. Please report these details to the Police on 0161 872 5050. Please also report him to the Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service on 0161 881 5639 (Chorlton Water Park) or 0161 905 1100 (Sale Visitors' Centre).

Mega Tesco and Sainsury's decision

2010-03-08T00:32:00.003Z

Trafford Council's decision on whether or not to approve the application for a Mega Tesco in Stretford and a Sainsburys at White City will be made this Thursday evening. Unfortunately Trafford Council have backed the plans for a Mega Tesco, but recommended refusal of the Sainsbury’s at White City.

A group from the No Mega TESCO campaign will be standing outside Old Trafford Town Hall on Talbot Road/corner of Warwick Road on Thursday 11th March from 6 pm. The application will be heard in the planning meeting at 6.30.

Apparently it is unlikely that many members of the public will be able to go into the meeting, but its important to be outside making our opposition to the Mega Tesco visible. If you have a banner/placard or have time to make one, please do bring it along. I'm hoping to be able to attend so hopefully I will see you there.

I will blog about the decision as soon as it is known.

Home Watch

2010-03-06T17:45:00.004Z

Recently I have been trying to help local residents set up Home Watch schemes to help bring down crime in Chorlton.

Burglary is a big problem locally for residents and the Police. I uncovered figures showing 1 in 20 Chorlton people have been burgled in the last year. . There have also been spates of violent crime and anti social behaviour in parts of the ward. Therefore it’s extra important that we take as many precautions as possible to prevent more in the future and help bring down crime.

We need to be vigilant against any crimes and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately to the Police. Please also keep an eye out for any vulnerable neighbours and be careful when answering the door. Chorlton Police can be contacted on 856 4784 but in an emergency always ring 999.

Home Watch schemes are run by local residents with the help of the Police to protect your safety and property, and your neighbours’. Furthermore many home insurers offer discounts if you are part of a Home Watch scheme. At the moment there are not many schemes operating in Chorlton. But it would be great if we were able to increase the number of these schemes to help fight and prevent crime. I know that new schemes are being set up and I want to help set more up around Chorlton. After action from local Lib Dems Manchester council has agreed pay for Home Watch signs to be placed on lampposts in the area.

If you are interested in taking part in a Home Watch Scheme around your house, please get in touch with me.

John Leech on Politics Show

2010-02-28T19:58:00.004Z

I was very impressed by Withington MP John Leech's performance on the Politics Show this morning. John discussed the importance of online campaigning locally and highlighted the massive Save Chorlton Meadows online campaign and the Save Ewing School as two issues where the Internet has helped local Lib Dems join with residents to fight to preserve and promote public services. John also discussed the Lib Dems' commitment to abolish tuition fees.

The interview is available to watch online at: http://tiny.cc/JLonPSNW until 7 March.

Issues around Chorlton

2010-02-22T01:34:00.003Z

Another day of successful campaigning and talking to lots of local people. Walking around Chorlton is a great way of picking up casework and things that need reporting to the Council. For example this morning I noticed this damaged litter bin on Ransfield Road. I've also noticed a great deal of potholes and poor road surfaces that the Council still needs to come and repair! I will make sure to follow these things up Monday morning.

If you know of anything that needs the Council's attention please let me know at victor.libdem@ymail.com or 881 4139.

Talking to local residents

2010-02-21T00:16:00.003Z

I've had an excellent couple of days of campaigning in Chorlton. Yesterday we managed to deliver our leaflets to almost all of the ward in just one day. And today has been a very encouraging and rewarding day of canvassing. I'm especially grateful to the huge team of people who have come out to help us recently. More and more people are telling us that they're planning to support the Lib Dems this time around and are coming out to help us.

I have really enjoyed meeting lots of local residents and talking to them about local issues and their concerns; and I have picked up a lot of casework. I'm very happy to help you out with any issues you might have. Please email me at victor.libdem@ymail.com or ring me on 881 4139.

Fighting Precinct car park charges

2010-02-17T00:09:00.004Z

I along with the Chorlton Lib Dem team have fought the car parking charges at Chorlton Precinct from the start. The charges have significantly hurt traders and
discouraged shoppers from coming to Chorlton. During an economic downturn we need to be helping our local shops and their customers - not making it even harder for them.

When I have been out talking to local people it is one of the big issues that keep reoccurring. The team recently delivered an 800 strong petition to Parliament. I will keep campaigning alongside my Lib Dem colleagues to abolish the charges.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2010-02-14T00:57:00.002Z

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone in Chorlton. On behalf of the Chorlton Liberal Democrat team I would like to wish that fortune and good luck be with you in the year of the Tiger!

Local MP welcomes Metrolink extension

2010-02-09T12:22:00.004Z

Withington MP John Leech hailed the beginning of construction of the Metrolink extension to south Manchester as a welcome milestone.

Having added his voice lobbying the Government to fund extensions to the Metrolink network since his election in 2005. While visiting a site where construction has begun in Chorlton, he restated his strong support for the extension of the Metrolink to south Manchester, adding:

"I am so pleased that extension of the Metrolink is finally under way. It will help tackle congestion across the area and bring new economic opportunities."

I'm delighted Metrolink is coming to Chorlton. It will be a big boost to Chorlton as it will massively improve people's choice in public transport, reduce traffic and help tackle air quality problems. I really hope it will also benefit our local independent shops by bringing more people to Chorlton and reducing leakage. Metrolink will also greatly improve Chorlton's connections to the rest of South Manchester.

Further extensions to Metrolink are currently in the planning stages.

"No Council Tax rise" victory for Manchester Liberal Democrats

2010-02-08T16:10:00.002Z

Manchester Lib Dems have successfully campaigned to freeze Council Tax next Year, despite Labour previously opposing plans.

I think this is excellent news, I believe Manchester residents should not have to worry about a rise in their Council Tax next year whilst we continue to fight the effects of the recession in the city. This move will put more money back into local people’s pockets.

My colleague Cllr Paul Ankers said: “This is great news, the Council needs to be much more careful about how they spend tax payers’ money”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Manchester Councillor Simon Ashley commented: "Britain is the last of the major economies to come out of recession. Liberal Democrats have argued nationally that the income tax threshold should be raised to make the tax system fairer at this testing time. Not raising the Council Tax in Manchester, as Manchester Liberal Democrats have campaigned for throughout last year and into this year, represents a fairer deal for our residents and we will campaign now to see it implemented."

Chorlton has some one the worst Gullies in Manchester

2010-02-03T12:46:00.002Z

The report to the Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee yesterday revealed that Chorlton has the second highest number of defective gullies in the City! Out of the 3,200 gullies in Chorlton, 560 are defective and 237 have not been attended to by the Council.

Many Chorlton residents have complained to me about the atrocious state of gullies along their Road. The Council simply isn’t doing enough to prevent blockages which cause problems for local residents. Many gullies have not been properly cleared or jetted by the Council; as a result they have become blocked and consequently can flood. This makes it hard for people to walk along the pavement and for cyclists and motorists. During the recent cold spell the flooding has frozen over and made huge ice puddles which are very dangerous to walk across. The Council hasn’t inspected Chorlton’s gullies since last February and isn’t planning to inspect them again until next November! Which makes it easy to see why our gullies are so bad.

Manchester City Council needs to do a lot more to help clear these gullies and prevent blockages in the future. I will be working hard for local residents to make sure this happens. I have already reported the defective gullies along High Lane, but if you know of any others please let me know and I will get them sorted out.

District Auditor Alerted Over Manchester's Missing £421,000

2010-02-02T14:41:00.003Z

I was shocked to read the story in Today's MEN (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1191135_420000_written_off_in_council_mixup) that Manchester City Council has overpaid £421,000 of local taxpayers money due to 'an accounting blunder'. But what shocked me the most was how the Labour Deputy Leader of the Council seemed to shrug it off as insignificant and not worth claiming back.

Why is the Council happy to "waive the overpayment"? Manchester has one of the highest levels of poverty, deprivation and social exclusion in the Country. This money could be used to really benefit citizens, but Labour's incompetence means it has just been squandered. In Chorlton this money would have made a huge difference to help improve the poor Leisure Centre or to try and clear our drains which are the second worst in the City.

I am very pleased that the Manchester Liberal Democrats do not think this is acceptable behaviour and have asked the District Auditor to investigate this scandalous loss.

Government confusion over policy for aviation expansion and our carbon budget targets

2010-02-01T15:18:00.003Z

Local Lib Dems have been looking into how much aviation contributes to our total Co2 output.

In 2003 the government published its Air Transport White Paper, which encouraged the UK's aviation industry to continuously expand its capacity to 2030 and beyond.

In 2008 the government passed its Climate Change Act, which included international aviation and shipping into its calculations of reducing our Co2 output by 80% of 1990 levels.

A study, commissioned by the Government and conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University calculated two projections for the UK's international aviation emissions (http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=GA01060_3754_FRP.pdf).

It concluded that if we allow our airports to expand in line with the 2003 white paper, then by 2050 international aviation will contribute between 86% and 128% of our total carbon budget. If we were to take the average between these two projections, we would arrive at 107%.

If we were to continue on our present course of airport expansion, aviation alone would bust our carbon budget, leaving nothing left for the rest of the economy!

I want the Prime Minister to explain how we hope to achieve our targets of Co2 reductions if we continue to expand airports such as Manchester, so my colleague, Cllr Martin Eakins, has created an 'e-petition' on the number 10 website calling for this.

We need 500 signatures by the 6th February to provoke an official response - so please join me in signing it and let other know: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/aviation-growth/

Update

2010-01-31T02:45:00.007Z

I had an action packed day today. My colleague Cllr Paul Ankers and I were joined by John Leech MP, Cllrs Norman Lewis and Lianne Williams and others for some residents surveying in the morning. We got a very good reception on the doorstep and I was able to pick up some important casework to do with gullies and traffic calming.

In the afternoon I went along to the Swap Shop at St John's RC Primary School. This was a really well run event that promoted recycling and was a great chance to talk to local parents and environmental activists. I especially enjoyed talking to the organisers of the Chorlton Plant Swap and some coordinators from the Action for Sustainable Living group. The ASL group gave me a survey to help assess how environmental sustainable my lifestyle was. They said they would send me the result in an email, I will be interested to see what it comes back with! I kept a copy of the survey and I will post it up onto this blog soon, in case you want to send off a survey too.

This evening I went to the premiere of a documentary film made by a local man, called 'Glocal'. It was a fascinating and inspirational film about an American family who have moved to Chorlton and seek to live in an environmentally friendly way. They have moved to Chorlton from Phoenix, Arizona and gave up their home, most of their belongings and their car! I though the film raised some very important questions, in a clever way. But what I enjoyed the most was seeing that it was perfectly possible to live a sustainable lifestyle in Chorlton. I certainly came out of the film thinking of ways I could make my lifestyle more sutainable. The film is available to watch online at: www.glocal.org.uk and I would certainly recommend you take the time to watch it.

Chorlton District Centre under threat

2010-01-27T13:36:00.003Z

Given the latest threats to independent retailers in Chorlton, with 2 very large supermarket proposals submitted to Trafford Council - with an estimated combined impact on Chorlton District Centre trade of around 22% (from their figures) it seems important to press the government to take action.

The relentless growth of Tesco has crushed small businesses and local shops. And it has turned many of our communities into Tescotowns. In response, the Competition Commission has recommended a new competition test for town planning.

This would stop supermarkets opening new stores in places where they already control the majority of the local market. Chorlton is already well served with TESCOs; with 3 stores within 2kms of Chorlton Cross and other stores in Fallowfield and Didsbury. Furthermore Chorlton already has three Co-op supermarkets and Morrisons, and the Council wants another supermarket! The new test is in danger because of the fierce lobbying of Tesco. They want to scrap the test and risk the future of vibrant, environmentally-friendly communities and town centres. Chorlton would really suffer if the two applications in Stretford go through.

That is why it is so important for us to demand the Government stands up to Tesco. Please join me in writting to the Minister for Planning at
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/stop_tesco_takeover_22530.html

Potholes in Chorlton

2010-01-25T17:52:00.003Z

Chorlton's roads have really suffered as a result of the recent cold spell. I have noticed a number of potholes that have appeared or have become considerably worse recently (like this one on Buckingham Road). If you know of any potholes please let me know and I will get them repaired.

Sir Richard Leese, Labour Leader of the Council, has admitted the "total... cost of the freeze is likely to be well over a £1M". This just shows how important it is for the Council to keep our roads in a good state all year round, so that they do not become vulnerable to this sort of damage.

In the last three months I have reported over 30 potholes around Chorlton and asked the Council to inspect numerous roads.

Last chance to object to Mega TESCO

2010-01-21T17:11:00.005Z

Today is the last opertunity to put in an objection to the propposed Mega TESCO in Stretford. If you have not done so, please do it now.

The NO Mega Tesco campaign's website has some briliant draft letters of objection and outlines how to object: http://www.nomegatesco.org.uk/downloads/cat_view/39-planning-objection-letters

Tesco and Sainsbury’s are planning to unleash a supermarket war on Chorlton’s doorstep, with developments close to Lancashire Cricket Ground. Chorlton Lib Dems are campaigning against both, fearful that Chorlton could be the real loser in their battle.

I believe these developments could severely affect the vitality of Chorlton centre and could be disastrous for local businesses. That is why I have asked Manchester City Council to put in formal objections.

The final decision should be made by Trafford Council on 11 February.

Chorlton Meadows application withdrawn!

2010-01-15T01:00:00.004Z

Local residents are celebrating today after plans to build on Chorlton Meadows were withdrawn by the developers.

In the face of huge local opposition, the developers withdrew the plans halfway through Thursday's meeting of the planning committee after members of the committee made it clear that the plans would be rejected. Local Lib Dems oppossed the plans from the start.

I am delighted that the committee members listened to local residents and were planning to throw out the application before it was withdrawn. We all want to see improvements in local amenities, but these plans were just not right for Chorlton Meadows.

I was disappointed when the Council backed the plans originally. However this has proven to be a great result for Chorlton and is thanks to the outstanding efforts of the Save Chorlton Meadows group who worked tirelessly to oppose the plans.

Decision on Chorlton Meadows to be made tommorow.

2010-01-13T21:12:00.004Z

Tommorow the Council's planning committee will make the decision on whether the development of Chorlton Meadows at Hardy Farm goes ahead.

Please join me and other supporters of the Save Chorlton Meadows campaign at 10am on the meadow for the committee's site visit. The decision will be made in the afternoon at 2pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall.

I hope to see you at one or both of these events.

Get the Tesco application called in by the Secretary of State

2010-01-12T14:47:00.002Z

If the Government Office for the North West receives enough requests, they may call in the Lancashire CCC/Tesco planning application for a 166,000 sq ft store in Gorse Hill, so the Secretary of State can make the decision instead of Trafford Council, which might result in a Public Inquiry which would be very good news indeed if the results of the last Public Inquiry is anything to go by.

Please email GONW and ask them to recommend the application is called in. For help with your letter/email, follow this link: http://www.nomegatesco.org.uk/downloads/cat_view/39-planning-objection-letters and open the document called 'sample call in letter'.

You can 'Cc' your email to John Leech MP - leechj@parliament.uk - if you're in Chorlton.

Labour closes Ewing

2010-01-05T23:43:00.004Z

Labour Councillors today voted to close Ewing School, ignoring the pleas of local campaigners from Parents against the Closure of Ewing (PACE), Lib Dem Councillors and campaigners and an 11,000 name petition. The Lib Dem have campaigned with parents from the start, argued against the closure, and have done everything in their power to stop it happening. However, there is a Labour majority on the Council.

I think the Labour Councillors clearly don't know about the excellent work Ewing currently does on inclusion. This is the wrong decision for local people who will see an excellent school close without any guarantees that what replaces it will be better. Labour have ignored the views of parents and pupils. Closing Ewing reduces choice for Manchester children. It is the wrong decision.

The Manchester Lib Dems have guaranteed to reverse the decision if they take power in May.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T23:08:00.002Z

I would like to wish everyone in Chorlton a happy and healthy 2010!

Gritting of Roads and Cyclepaths

2009-12-31T13:25:00.003Z

During the recent cold spell it became quite clear that the Council's current gritting strategy is not sufficient (especially for sustained periods). Gritting was limited to main roads and even then they were still very icy. I don't think the gritting trucks came to Chorlton very much, as I didn't see any and nobody I have spoken to saw any during the icy period. The more minor and residential roads didn't receive any attention from the gritters. If gritting salt had been provided, I imagine many residents would have been happy to grit their own roads.

Conditions were also very bad for local cyclists as many cycle lanes and cycle paths weren't gritted at all. The Fallowfield Loop (pictured) which links Chorlton to Droylesden along an old railway line is a valuable bit of green space for walkers, but is also used by cycle commuters who want to stay off Manchester's busy roads as much as possible. The loop was very badly affected by the recent weather and was almost impossible for cyclists or walkers to use. I think the council should grit the Fallowfield Loop and give it the same priority as other commuter routes.

I know my Lib Dem colleague, Cllr Paul Ankers, is going to ask for all cycle paths (including the Loop) to be gritted as priority roads in future at the next Communities & Neighbourhood Scrutiny committee. Manchester Lib Dems are also asking for the Council's gritting strategy to be reviewed during the committee.

GMP under fire as force is slammed in report

2009-12-30T11:56:00.009Z

A series of crime and detection league tables comparing Greater Manchester with five similar police force areas paints a bleak picture of law and order across the region. Greater Manchester Police has come under fire from members of the region’s police authority after the area ranked either bottom or next to bottom in four national tables produced from the results of the annual British Crime Survey. The tables showed that the area suffered from a higher rate of so-called ‘acquisitive crime’ – which includes robbery, burglary and car crime – than the five other English forces judged to be most similar. It also came bottom in the proportion of these crimes which are detected.

It came next to bottom in a table of ‘most serious’ violent crime and also in the detection rate for these crimes. The tables, which compare GMP to forces in Merseyside, Northumbria, South Yorkshire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire, were presented to members of Greater Manchester Police Authority yesterday. Chief Constable Peter Fahy also revealed at the meeting that GMP still had the highest burglary rate of anywhere in the country, despite huge operations recently to crack down on house-breakers. He said the burglary rate in Greater Manchester was ‘something we need to understand’. Authority chairman Coun Murphy described the rate of burglary as ‘staggering’, adding: “There’s huge concern both here and at the Home Office. It’s something we have to put right.”

I think these figures are shameful, and the Chairman of the Police Authority should seriously consider his position. I know people in Chorlton are seriously concerned about burglary, car crime and robbery, and these figures do little to reassure our fears. The loss of police officers due to budget cuts next year will only make matters worse. Local People want to see more police on the street - not less.

Cleaning up Chorlton in time for Christmas

2009-12-20T12:59:00.003Z

This last week I have been busy delivering Lib Dem Christmas Cards and John Leech's Environment survey across Chorlton. This is a picture of me delivering letters in Chorltonville while it was snowing.

Whilst I was out delivering I made a special effort to note down anything worth reporting to the Council, so that it could be cleared up before Christmas. In the last week I have reported over 125 items to the Council which need cleaning, repairing, actioning or inspecting. These have included potholes, poor road surfaces, graffiti on lampposts and other street furniture, flyposting, damaged trees and cages, overgrown vegetation, flytipping, broken walls and fences, amongst other items.

I think it is really important that we keep on top of these problems to keep Chorlton clean and tidy. If you see any problems around Chorlton, please let me know as I would be very happy to get them sorted out. My email address is victor.libdem@ymail.com or you can leave me a message on 881 4139.