Chorlton MP joins fight to stop Tesc-opoly

Yesterday I blogged about a 10 Minute Rule Bill being propposed by a Lib Dem MP to prevent the demolition or change of use of a pub or local independent shop without planning permission. Planning permission would also be needed before the premises or land could be used for a supermarket. If this bill is successful it would prevent future developments like Tesco's conversion of the former Feather's Pub without Planning Permission.

I am pleased to learn that Chorlton's Liberal Democrat MP John Leech is fully supportive of this Bill and will be a Sponsor of the Bill when it is heard next week. Chorlton Liberal Democrats have been and will continue to be champions of our local independent shops and businesses.

Give south Manchester a new Primary School says Chorlton MP

Chorlton MP John Leech has called on Manchester City Council to use government money to build South Manchester a much needed new Primary School.

John Leech said, “Every year I have been inundated with constituents who the council have let down and told them there is no primary school place for their child.  I have consistently called for the council to open a new School; the council should be using this share of the government money to solve the problem once and for all”.

The Government has allocated an additional £600m for pupil places this year to authorities that have a shortfall of primary places in 2013/14. Manchester has been given over £12.5 million to deal with their shortage of places.

Children’s Minister & Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather is in Manchester today at the conference for the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.

Sarah Teather said, “I have visited Manchester on many occasions and seen the problems first hand, it’s clear that the Labour council and previous Labour Government turned a blind eye."

“Children in Manchester deserve an excellent education, and with the Liberal Democrats in government this much needed funding is at last being provided.  Despite the difficult financial times this Government is committed to solving the crisis in school places in Manchester and has put its money where its mouth is."

MPs urged to fight Tesc-opoly

I have written to all of Manchester's MPs calling on them to support Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert’s Private Members Bill when it is presented to Parliament next week.

The Bill, if passed, would prevent the demolition or change of use of a pub or local independent shop without planning permission. Planning permission would also be needed before the premises or land could be used for a supermarket. If this bill is successful it would prevent future developments like Tesco's conversion of the former Feather's Pub without Planning Permission. 

I’ve asked our local MPs to support this bill as it highlights the threat to our local pubs and shops which we are fighting constantly to protect. It is crucial that we do everything in our power to safeguard them.

The full wording of Julian Huppert’s 10 Minute Rule Bill motion is below and will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday 10^th July 2012:

Local Services (Planning)

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable local planning authorities to require the granting of planning permission prior to the demolition or change of use of premises or land used or formerly used as a public house or local independent shop; and to enable local planning authorities to require the granting of planning permission if premises or land will be used for a supermarket; and for connected purposes.

Please also write to your local MP asking them to support this Bill. If you live in Chorlton your MP is John Leech and you can contact him at john.leech.mp@parliament.uk . You can find out who your MP is at http://www.writetothem.com/ 

Independent Retail Day

Today is Independent Retail Day. List of Chorlton independent businesses taking part in the Tag Pass it On! scheme available here: http://www.tagpassiton.com/savings/chorlton.html

Time to fix our broken political system

It's time to fix our broken system. Join in at https://www.facebook.com/FixParliament

Security Review of Town Hall is needed

This article appeared in yesterday's Manchester Evening News:

It's shocking and deeply irresponsible that the security at the Town Hall has been compromised in this way; particularly as the Council pays for 24 hour security. In tough times the Council should not allow precious resources to be lost in this way. However more importantly most offices in the Town Hall contain highly confidential and sensitive information and it is very worrying that this information is not as secure as it needs to be. It's a breach of the Public's Trust. I've asked the Council to carry out a security assessment across the Town Hall to prevent any potential thieves; and to ensure sensitive information is not lost.

Creative Writing Competition at Busy Bee Toy Shop