Update on campaign to save Mersey Valley Wardens

At this morning’s Full Council meeting I asked Cllr Rosa Battle (Exec member for Culture and Leisure):


“If the Council's draft budget proposals are accepted what are the implications of the disbanding of the Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service for the future of the Mersey Valley? In particular how does the Council intend to maintain sites such as Chorlton Ees, Ivy Green and Chorlton Water Park and to protect Wildlife?”

Sadly the response was very disappointing and did not elaborate on the Council’s long term plans for the Mersey Valley. Cllr Battle did not go into any detail other than to say that this is a budget proposal that is currently being consulted on. She said that following the Consultation a report will be brought to the Council’s Executive Committee and Council where the final budget will be set.

I subsequently raised concerns that the consultation has failed to properly inform and consult with residents and Friends Groups. I also asked how the plans will ensure the Council continues to meet its statutory duties to the Mersey Valley. Cllr Battle simply said that there has been a meaningful Consultation and the final recommendation to the Executive will ensure the Council continues to meet its statutory responsibilities.

In light of Cllr Battle’s response it is important that we are able to show the strength of feeling about the loss of the Mersey Valley Wardens. Please try and encourage as many friends and family to sign the online Petition (also available to print off): http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/merseyvalley

The petition will be handed in as part of the consultation process.

If you can, please also respond directly to the Council’s Budget Consultation (http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200024/consultations/5921/budget_consultation_2013-2015). The Deadline for submissions in 20 February.

Community Dog Walk

Chorlton History Group - Chorlton’s World War 2 Veterans

Chorlton History Group -  Chorlton’s World War 2 Veterans

Thurs Feb 7th 2013 1.30pm

At Chorlton Good Neighbours, Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church , Egerton Rd South, Chorlton £1.50 charge for tea & biscuits All welcome

A tribute to some of Chorlton Good Neighbours members, all now in their 90’s who served their country so well in World War 2:

• Bob Cowan, for whom we mounted a successful campaign for an Arctic Convoy medal to be awarded to veterans such as himself

• John Mackay , also an Arctic Convoy veteran who lives in Chorlton

• Alan Wood, fighter pilot, who was once shot down over the North Sea and was adrift in a one-man dinghy for 4 days

• Mickie Mitchell, who drove army petrol lorries round during the Manchester blitz

The session, led by Bernard Leach, will include

• A presentation about the Arctic Convoys, and clips from interviews with Bob Cowan, John Mackay and Mickie Mitchell with their memories of their war service

• Andrey Makarenko, 3rd Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation will make a presentation of the commemorative medal marking the 65th Anniversary of Victory to Arctic Convoy Survivors Bob and John

• Engraved Jade Glass Plaques will be presented to all four WW2 veterans. The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, George Almond, CBE, DL will make the presentation on behalf of Chorlton Good Neighbours to acknowledge their contribution to the defence of this country

For further information ring Chorlton Good Neighbours on 881 2925 or email BTLeach@gmail.com
 

Save Chorlton Baths

Chorlton Liberal Democrats have slammed Labour Town Hall Bosses for U-Turning on an election promise to build a new swimming pool in Chorlton.

Labour Council bosses propose to close Chorlton Baths for good in 2015 and move swimming facilities to Hough End (probably near Princess Parkway Matrolink stop). However before the last election Labour promised to combine the Baths and Library in a new building in Chorlton centre.

Chorlton Lib Dem Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “Many people will find it difficult and expensive to get to Hough End, especially those with families or on fixed incomes.

“Many people come to Chorlton to go swimming and support our shops afterwards. I’m worried the Council’s proposals could also hurt Chorlton’s independent traders as there will be
significantly less footfall.”

Chorlton MP John Leech added: “Labour’s proposals also undermine the long term viability of
the proposed joint Library and Leisure Centre. Because most people only use the Leisure Centre to go swimming.”

Please sign our petition to keep Chorlton Baths and join our campaign to have this daft decision overturned.

http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/chorltonbaths

Save the Mersey Valley Wardens

Chorlton Lib Dems have slammed the Labour Council’s proposals to cut funding for the Mersey Valley COuntryside Warden Service that looks after natural sites along the Mersey Valley like Chorlton Water Park, Chorlton Ees, Ivy Green and Hardy Farm.

I understand that the City Council’s budget proposals mean that the service is likely to close down in April. A cut of £150,000 from Manchester Council along with Trafford Council’s lack of a payment commitment mean that the service is unlikely to survive. The City Council are conducting a consultation but if the budget proposal is not amended the service is likely to be run down between now and the end of March.

Chorlton MP John Leech said: “This short sighted proposal is likely to see the Warden Service disbanded. It could have serious implications for the local environment and wildlife.”

Photo by Ted Harris 
http://twitpic.com/byt3rs

For every £1 the Council can’t find to save our wardens, they have found £10,000 to buy an airport in Essex. You have to question how committed the local Labour Party is to protecting the environment.

Please sign our petition to Save the Wardens:

http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/merseyvalley

MANCHESTER FIRST UK CITY COUNCIL TO JOIN CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE HUNGER TRAP

Manchester is the first UK City Council to join the likes of Bill Gates and Desmond Tutu in supporting a new international campaign against hunger .

‘Enough food for everyone IF’ warns of the human and economic cost of hunger in a world where there is actually enough food to feed everyone.

Manchester City council is the first City council to support the campaign, which has been launched this week by the largest coalition of Britain’s leading development charities and faith groups since Make Poverty History in 2005.

Charities are warning that hunger and malnutrition in childhood will trap almost a billion young people in poverty by 2025 and that action needs to be taken to make sure that there is enough food for everyone on the planet.

I was pleased to get the oppertunity to join other Manchester councillors, local campaigners and volunteers at the launch of the campaign on Friday morning. 

Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
‘Manchester City Council is proud to be one of the first councils in the UK to support this campaign. It is important that we get the message across that nobody in the world should go hungry today and that the G8 presidency is an opportunity to make vital changes” .

‘Enough Food for Everyone IF’ calls on Prime Minister David Cameron to use the UK’s G8 presidency in 2013 to take action on the root causes of the hunger crisis in the poorest countries.

It urges the Prime Minister to take actions in four main areas: stopping farmers being forced off their land, ensuring governments keep their promises on aid, taking action on big companies avoiding tax in poor
countries and forcing governments and investors to be honest and open about the deals they make in the poorest countries that stop people getting enough food.

More information about the campaign can be found at: www.enoughfoodif.org

Weekly list of planning applications we 11 Jan 13

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

101039/FH/2012/S1 240 Manley Road Whalley Range Manchester M21 0RD
Erection of single-storey front porch

101197/FH/2012/S1 70 Claude Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8DF
Installation of dormer to rear with 2no. windows and 2no. velux windows to front of roof following removal of chimney

101199/FH/2012/S1 70 Claude Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8DFInstallation of dormer to rear with 3no. windows and 2no. velux roof windows to front roof following removal of chimney

101297/FH/2013/S1 2 Macauley Road Chorlton Manchester M16 0FA Erection of single storey rear extension following demolition of existing rear extension.

101313/FH/2013/S1 111 Egerton Road North Chorlton Manchester M16 0BR
Erection of a single storey side extension to form additional living accommodation
  101293/LP/2013/S1 13 Dartmouth Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8XL Certificate of Lawful Development for the erection of a single storey rear extension