NICK CLEGG SPEAKS AT SPRING CONFERENCE

In his keynote speech at the Liberal Democrat  Spring Conference, Party Leader Nick Clegg made the following points:-

-      Under the Liberal Democrats, no-one will pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn. That’s the most fundamental change to the tax system for decades.

-      We will give every child the fair start they deserve, by reducing class sizes and increasing one to one tuition in our schools.

-      We’ll rebalance the economy so that Britain is no longer just betting on things, but Britain starts building things again.

-      We will build a clean, open, fair politics.

-      Things don’t have to be the way they are. The coming election is a chance to get fairness and to get change.

-      Almost 1 in 4 voters chose the Liberal Democrats at the last election. If that increased to 1 in 3, we could lead the next government.

Liberal Democrats respond to approved County Council Budget

Following the Council meeting on Wednesday, the Liberal Democrats are “disappointed but not surprised” by the attitude and stance taken by the Conservative Administration.

Keith Lynch, Lib Dem finance spokesman said: “Since people learnt about the proposed cuts, we have received a large number of letters and emails expressing serious and valid concerns. We tabled a series of costed proposals to curb the worst affects of the Tories budget – namely the closing of community centres, the loss of support for voluntary organisations and the axing of school bus routes. Sadly, it became clear that the Tories had already made their minds up to vote against our amendments.

We suggested that we could make cuts to the £2.1million the Council spends on ‘Communications’, including reducing the number of editions of the Council’s magazine, Leicestershire Matters. We also wanted to cease contributions to Leicestershire Promotions, an organisation which Mr Parsons himself has raised concerns about its effectiveness as well as taking 5p of the Council’s mileage rate paid to staff and councillors.

Simon Galton, Lib Dem Leader on Leicestershire County Council said: “Throughout the budget process the Conservative backbench councillors have stuck their heads in the sand and refused to engage. Very few have either defended the cuts or expressed any concerns about the impact on their local communities

In contrast, the Liberal Democrat Group raised concerns, challenged the cuts and put forward alternatives to protect local services. However, the budget meeting is not the end of the matter. Many voluntary organisations and other groups affected have Service Level Agreements with the Council and formal consultation on specific cuts such as the Community Centres still have to take place. The strength of feeling about these Tory budget plans is not going to go away and we urge people to keep challenging the cuts. We will do our best to support them over the coming months”.

LIB DEM CONCERNS OVER COUNTY COUNCIL BUDGET

Leicestershire Liberal Democrats have issued a statement outlining their concerns over the Conservative Council budget as a prelude to making suggestions for alternatives.

Lib Dem Group Leader Simon Galton said: “We are writing to dozens of local organisations and community groups who could be affected, to seek their input over the budget. The previous consultation undertaken by the council worked well but there was insufficient detail to allow people to understand the full long term implications of cutting £66million from the budget. At this stage we are letting people know what our major concerns are, before we develop some alternative proposals to address the worst impact of the proposed budget. We are not in a position to produce an alternative budget, but believe that some of the current proposals are completely unacceptable and must be challenged.

The recent backtracking by the Conservatives (at national level) suggests that they are finally realising that massive cuts will only make the recession last longer. I think this is a lesson Mr Parsons could do with learning.”

People can leave responses via the Your Views section of the Leics Lib Dems’ website.

Leicestershire Liberal Democrats web link:-

http://www.leicestershirelibdems.org.uk/

MORE GLEN PARVA & BLABY BUS SERVICES UNDER THREAT

The Conservatives have threatened to cut two more important local bus services as part of their budget plans.

Once again the number 73 bus service is under discussions for cutting even though almost 34,000 passengers used it last year; most of them pensioners. It is used by residents living along the Little Glen Road and in the estates off Leicester Road, Glen Parva. Some Blaby residents also use this service. It is jointly funded by the County Council and Leicester City Council and we await to see what the City Council says in its budget.

The South Wigston High School Special is also under threat in the budget. This bus service carries pupils to the High School from the Leicester Road end of Glen Parva.

These are important local bus services which are used especially by the young and the elderly who do not have access to cars. Your local Lib Dem councillors are trying to find out more about the situation and campaigning to stop these cuts.  

Cllr Geoff Welsh (Lib Dem) said, “One department of the County Council is trying to put in a bus lane in Leicester Road, Glen Parva while another department is considering cutting two bus services which would use it. Sounds like a dysfunctional Conservative Executive if you ask me!”

COUNTY ARMS APPLICATION NOT “SIGNED OFF”

It might be a New Year but yet again the news is about nothing happening on the County Arms site!

Everards Brewers, the owners of the derelict County Arms site, have announced that they cannot afford to proceed with the planning application that was granted to them earlier last year and so have not “signed off” the conditions that were put on the plans by the District Council.

Meanwhile, it is known that the police and the fire services are unhappy about safety and security at the old pub building which has had a number of arson attacks.

In the press it has been announced that there have been meetings between the council and Everards. We await to see what happens next.

TORIES CUT No 45 BUS SERVICE

At its meeting last week the Conservative cabinet at Leicestershire County Council confirmed the decision to withdraw the subsidy for the No 45 bus.

The much reduced service will, for the moment, be continued by Centrebus, on a commercial basis.

The cabinet had received a petition from bus users, letters from local Liberal Democrat councillors (including myself) and a request to review the decision by the County’s Scrutiny Commission.

But the Cabinet decided not to reverse the decision even though many workers, students and elderly people will be affected by this decision.

BUS LANE, A426, LEICESTER ROAD, GLEN PARVA

Consultation letters and leaflets have been delivered to houses on streets around the Leicester Road, Glen Parva regarding proposals to install a bus lane on the Leicester Road.

I urge everyone to complete the questionnaire and return it to County Highways. I believe that the views of everyone should be made known to the planners.

Details of the scheme and questionnaire forms can also be found on the County Council website.

LAST WORD ON THE LOCAL ELECTIONS

Now that the results from the local elections held last June have been analysed it is interesting to note a few facts which were not publicised much at the time:-

1. The Liberal Democrats were the only party to increase its share of the vote from local elections in 2008. (How strange the political commentators and Tory press have failed to mention this fact).

2. Labour were beaten into third place in England by the Lib Dems.

3. Nearly three times as many Lib Dem councillors were elected as Labour (484 to 178), making us the official opposition to the Conservatives in a string of counties for the first time (including Leicestershire).

PEDESTRIAN REFUGE – LEICESTER RD, GLEN PARVA

I have been informed that it is hoped that new pedestrian refuge near the junction with Red House Road will be constructed before the end of 2009.

It is planned that the refuge will be directly opposite the “triangle“ of green land near the junction with Red House Road. Residents living nearby will be consulted in August.

HEAVY LORRIES – HOSPITAL LANE

Traffic using Hospital Lane seems to be increasing year on year. Some of it is heavy goods vehicles which are not supposed to be using it. From time to time I have been asking the police to monitor the situation. I recently had a telephone call from a police officer whose team had been monitoring Hospital Lane and he reported that an articulated vehicle had been stopped and the driver’ company notified.

BLABY STATION–BID FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY FUNDS FAILS

I have been informed that the attempt to bid for funds for a feasibility study for a new Blaby Station has not been successful. This is of course a disappointment although we always said that this is a long term project and there will be obstacles along the way. Money is especially ‘tight’ at the moment and I suspect that the economic situation has hindered our progress on this occasion.

I will press on. Our time will come.

GROVE ROAD – SPEED MONITORING

Following the installation of new speed restriction measures on Grove Road, County Highways have been monitoring motorists speed and vehicle volume. They found:-

 Vehicle speeds taken in mid July 2009, show an overall average drop of 6mph eastbound from 36mph to 30mph, and..

a drop of 5mph westbound from 35mph to 30mph.

Traffic volume over a period of 12 hours taken on the 1 July 2009, shows a drop of 656 vehicles travelling eastbound, and…

 a drop of 459 vehicles travelling westbound, and …

a drop of 148 vehicles using Heybrook Avenue.

With regards to the incorrectly constructed ramps for the Heybrook Avenue junction, works to correct the ramps have been programmed to start week commencing 10th August 2009. A letter will be issued to neighbouring residents advising them of these works.

In addition, one of the speed cushions laid as part of the Lutterworth Road scheme has cracked. Unfortunately, the cushion cannot be repaired and will be replaced with a new unit.  A request has been made to the contractor to carry out this work at the same time as the Heybrook Avenue work to minimise disruption.

AVOID THE COUNTY ARMS JUNCTION

I have received the following information from the Highways Department:-

Drivers urged to avoid Glen Parva junction

Drivers are being asked to avoid a busy Glen Parva junction whilst essential repairs are carried out to a bridge over the Grand Union Canal.

The work will start at the County Arms crossroads on the A426 (Leicester Road/Little Glen Road) next Monday (13th July) and has been scheduled to coincide with the school holidays when traffic is lighter.

Even though every effort has been made to minimise disruption, people are being urged to find alternative routes. 

Traffic lights will be in place along Leicester Road during the improvement work which is due to take six weeks to complete.

Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet member for Highways, said: “Through careful planning and consultation, every effort has been made to minimise disruption but to avoid delays, drivers are being urged to avoid the junction if possible and find other routes.”

More information on this and roadworks across Leicestershire are available on the County Council’s website at www.leics.gov.uk/roadworks or by phoning 0116 305 0001.

MAIN OPPOSITION GROUP AT LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL -

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP

Following last week’s County Council elections the Liberal Democrats are now the main opposition group on Leicestershire County Council.

Across Leicestershire the Lib Dems took seats from both Labour and the Conservatives.

The group is seen below. (Cllr Alan Bailey is 3^rd from right)

COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION RESULT

The result of my election for Leicestershire County Council is as follows:-

Blaby & Glen Parva Division

Alan Bailey                (Lib Dem)        1949    (54%)

Marian Broomhead    (Conservative)  960     (27%)

Roy Dodge                (BNP)                455     (13%)

Gary Jacques            (Labour)            238      (7%)  

                        Lib Dem    Majority      989

3.5% swing from Conservative to Liberal Democrat

Turnout   39%

I am delighted with this excellent result. I polled over twice as many votes as the Conservative in second place.

Many thanks to everyone who helped, supported and voted for me.

Now the election is over I can concentrate on representing the people of Blaby & Glen Parva once again.

At Leicestershire County Council the Liberal Democrats gained three seats and so we overtake Labour and become the main opposition to the ruling Conservatives.

SAINT VINCE CABLE – Prime Minister?

Well now I’ve seen everything. The Mail on Sunday, far from being a supporter of the Liberal Democrats has today not only called for Vince Cable to become Prime Minister but dubbed him Saint Vince. If you don’t believe me — here is the link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1183028/PETER-OBORNE-If-Saint-Vince-PM.html

Printed published & promoted by A Bailey 11 Windsor Avenue Glen Parva Leicester LE2 9TQ

CONGESTION – LEICESTER ROAD GLEN PARVA

The tailback of traffic on Leicester Road Glen Parva from the traffic lights at the distributor road (Soar Valley Way) is longer than ever.

Even at off peak times it extends almost as far back as the County Arms.

I suspect that part of the extra traffic is due to drivers trying to avoid the works at the Foxhunter roundabout and thus travelling into Leicester  through Glen Parva rather than via Narborough Road.    

However I am writing to County Highways to ask them to check the traffic light phasing at the junction with Soar Valley Way to see whether they can create a better flow.

Blaby District Council monitor the pollution levels along Leicester Road. I am asking them to do immediate extra readings to try to establish how they now are during the day.

Published & Promoted by A Bailey of 11 Windsor Ave, Glen parva, leics, LE2 9TQ

ighways to ask them to check the traffic light phasing on the Hlmbhhbh

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT COUNTY MANIFESTO

The Liberal Democrat County Manifesto can be viewed by clicking on the link “What’s Inside” at the top of the sidebar on the left. I’d like to read your comments please.

Printed, published & Promoted by A Bailey, 11 Windsor Ave, Glen Parva, Leics. LE2 9TQ

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MOTION ON THE GURKHAS

The following is the motion, put down by the Liberal Democrat MPs, which was passed by the House of Commons earlier this week. The motion was passed and the government was defeated.

I beg to move,

That this House regrets the Government’s recent statement outlining the eligibility criteria for Gurkhas to reside in the United Kingdom; recognises the contribution the Gurkhas have made to the safety and freedom of the United Kingdom for the past 200 years; notes that more Gurkhas have laid down their lives for the United Kingdom than are estimated to want to live here; believes that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 should be treated fairly and in the same way as those who have retired since; is concerned that the Government’s new guidelines will permit only a small minority of Gurkhas and their families to settle whilst preventing the vast majority; further believes that people who are prepared to fight and die for the United Kingdom should be entitled to live in the country; and calls upon the Government to withdraw its new guidelines immediately and bring forward revised proposals that extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas.

I have complained about the traffic light sequencing at the gas pipe replacement works on Little Glen Road.

I have also been told that the gas work will be suspended this coming Monday and recommence in the summer school holidays.

MAYPOLE DANCING AT BLABY FARMERS’ MARKET

This Sarurday 25th April there will be a display of maypole dancing at Blaby Farmers’ Market by pupils from a local primary school.

The popular market is open all morning and has a range of interesting stalls.

I shall be there. If you see me, come across and introduce yourself.

Leicestershire Liberal Democrats’ manifesto for the County Council elections will be posted on this website as soon as it is published.

WATCH THIS SPACE !

Liberal Democrats will cut people’s income tax bill by £700 - Clegg

The Liberal Democrats will fight the next general election with a pledge to cut income tax bills by £700 for people on low and middle incomes, Nick Clegg revealed today. The party will promise to raise the income tax personal allowance to £10,000 by closing tax loopholes exploited by big businesses and the wealthy.  

Speaking today, Nick Clegg said: “These plans will give money back to the people who really need it at the time when they need it most. “It is time to end the unfairness that sees big businesses and the wealthy treating taxes as something to be easily avoided, leaving everybody else to pay out. 

“For too long governments have been letting companies stash their money in offshore tax havens while taxpayers are left to foot the bill. “Over time a tax system has developed that creates loopholes for the wealthy and does nothing for those who really need help. 

“People who say there isn’t enough money to make our tax system fair are wrong. Our plans wouldn’t add a penny to the overall tax burden, but they would spread that burden far more fairly.  “Far from making this reform difficult, tight Government finances and a harsh recession make it absolutely vital. It will help millions of low and middle income taxpayers who are most likely to spend money so helping the wider economy. “The Liberal Democrats will create a fundamentally rebalanced system that is fair for all, putting hundreds of pounds back into the pockets of millions of British people, and taking four million out of paying tax altogether.” 

Notes for information Raising the personal allowance to £10,000 for all people will mean that those on the standard personal allowance will see an increase in their allowance of £3,525 in 2009/10; this will give an effective tax cut of £705 to anyone earning over £10,000 . 

Raising the personal allowance will take approximately four million people out income tax altogether: <http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/menu.htm> 

Measures which will be used to pay for this proposed increase in the personal allowance include:·

• Restricting tax relief on pension contributions to the basic rate ·
• Taxing Capital Gains at marginal income tax rates, allowing for indexation and retirement relief
• Tackling Stamp
  Duty,
  Land Tax avoidance and Corporation Tax avoidance·
• Subjecting benefits in kind to National Insurance Contributions as well as income tax and applying National Insurance to multiple jobs·
• Switching aviation taxes from per person to per plane and increasing taxation on non lifeline domestic flights. Full details of the costing of this tax package will be released in advance of the General Election based on latest HMRC estimates.

ECONOMY - LIB DEMS AHEAD OF THE GAME

The Liberal Democrats have consistently been ahead of the game on economic issues. Here are 10 examples of things we called for first, and which have since either been implemented or taken on board by at least one of the other two main parties -

Northern Rock nationalisation - it was clear to us that this was unavoidable in November 2007. It took the Government until February 2008 to act.

Independence of the Bank of England - longstanding Lib Dem policy. First Labour implemented it, over Tory opposition. Now even the Tories support it.

Recapitalisation of the banks - Vince Cable was the first politician to call for this. Three days later the Chancellor announced that this would be going ahead.

Tackling the bonus culture - in May 2008 we were the first party to put forward proposals for tackling the harmful bonus culture in the financial sector. By autumn 2008, ministers and the Tory leadership had realised the situation was indefensible and changed their tune.

Regulation of ’sale and rent back’ agreements - this was part of our ‘7 point plan’ for dealing with personal debt, launched in September 2003. The Government announced on 22nd October that they were finally looking into this.

New court guidance to make repossession a ‘last resort’, obliging lenders to exhaust all alternatives first - another measure announced by the Government in October that the Lib Dems had been calling for for more than six months. (Though they have been slow and ineffective at implementing it.)

Changes to capital adequacy laws to require banks to hold more capital in periods of boom and less in recession - we called for this back in January 2003. It was called for by the Conservatives in 2008 and appeared in the G20 Communiqué in April 2009.

Ban on short selling of financial stocks - Vince Cable urged this on September 16th (having also raised the issue in July). The Government did not act until three days later, once the Americans had announced restrictions.

National network of financial advice centres - since 2003 we have been calling for a network of local and generic financial advice, particularly for those on lower incomes, funded by a levy on the financial services industry. In 2008 the Tories announced their support for this too, using almost exactly the same language.

Curbs on irresponsible lending - a commonplace sentiment now, but we called for “the publication by the Government of strict measures for responsible lending, which lenders must be required to observe” back in September 2003.

LIB DEM ACTION ON GRAFFITI

Liberal Democrat John Hemming MP is calling for a government crackdown on spray-painted slogans on walls and doorways. The proposals have won cross-party support to ensure the offending material is removed – by forcing graffiti artists to clean it up themselves. Conservative and Labour MPs have backed his proposals to change the law so that those who create the mess are ordered to remove it. The measure could be included in the government’s Policing and Crime Bill currently making its way through Parliament, or in a new Bill introduced by Mr Hemming.

SALE OF LAND; KNIGHTSBRIDGE ROAD

I am aware of the land auction signs which have been put up along Knightsbridge Road. The Home Office seems to be selling off all the remaining land which they believe they still own and it looks as though the sale is to take place over the next week.

I know that many residents are concerned about possible future developments; this is quite understandable given the past record of the Home Office in managing this estate and the way they have treated local residents.

I have been in contact with Blaby District Council’s Planning Department. They confirm that before any future building development can legally take place a planning application must have been approved by its Development Control Committee. They also confirm that at the moment no application has been received. Before the committee considers any proposed plans there would have to be a period when those plans are made public and residents allowed to make their comments known.

I have written to Blaby’s Planning Department asking them to inform me as soon as any application is received and also to confirm that if they receive a planning application they will write to all residents in Knightsbridge Road so that they are able make their comments known to the Development Control committee before it makes any decisions.

PROPOSED DIVERSION OF PUBLIC FOOTPATH Z56

At yesterday’s  meeting of the County Council’s Development Control  & Regulatory Board, the committee members decided to REFUSE permission to divert footpath Z56 which runs across the grounds of Westleigh Rugby Club because “the alternative route, as proposed, would adversely affect neighbouring properties and it would therefore not be expedient to make the order.”

LEICESTER ROAD PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT -  VICTORY

I have heard that we have secured a victory in our campaign for a pedestrian refuge on Leicester Road, Glen Parva, near the junction with Red House Road.

This is much needed as many older people and children cross at this point but find it hard to get through the constant traffic flows.

Congratulations to everyone concerned especially Lucy Smith who organised the petition.

The details of the scheme, including the precise site and timings of construction, are still to be announced.

Watch this space.

LUTTERWORTH ROAD SAFETY SCHEME

The County Council have measured traffic speeds along the Lutterworth Road, Blaby,  following the completion of the road safety scheme.

Their figures show  that there has been a speed reduction of 7mph southbound and 6mph northbound (reduction of 18% and 17% respectively). Towards the south, near the rugby club, speeds have dropped from 39.5mph to 24mph (39% reduction).

Further speed readings will be undertaken in the future.

Home energy plans mean cheaper bills in Blaby & Glen Parva

PLANS by the Liberal Democrats to massively increase the energy efficiency of all homes will lead to big savings in energy bills, say Liberal Democrats in Blaby & Glen Parva.

Local campaigner Cllr David Pollard  has backed the plans to raise the standard of home energy efficiency.

“The energy efficiency standards of 99 out of every 100 homes fall well below what they should be,” said David. “Nearly every one of us is spending money on bills to heat the great outdoors as so much energy escapes from our homes.

“We want to bring home energy efficiency up to the highest level possible. In the past year, fuel bills have gone through the roof. But too often, our heat is escaping through the roof as well. Our plans will put an end to that.

”By cutting energy waste, we are also cutting the damage we do to the environment. It’s a win-win situation: lower fuel bills and fewer emissions that are leading to climate change that has given us extreme weather.”

The Liberal Democrats’ plans include requiring energy companies to use some of the £9 billion profit they have made from emissions trading to insulate the homes of the poorest residents.

They will also set up a National Green Loans scheme which will pay for a complete overhaul of the energy efficiency of people’s homes. Repayments will be added to energy bills with the loan paid off from the savings in energy use. Loan repayments will not be allowed to be more than the savings.

“This is a great idea for helping people to cut their energy bills and help us save the planet,” said Cllr Pollard.