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”.

DATES FOR BLABY FARMERS’ MARKETS

The dates for Blaby Farmers’ Markets in 2010 are:-

23^rd January

27^th February

27^th March

24^th April

22^nd May

26^th June

24^th July

28^th August

25^th September

23^rd October

27^th November

18^th December

The markets are all held on Saturday mornings in the car park at the front of Blaby Social centre.

TORIES SHOULD JOIN THE REAL WORLD, says Clegg Chief of Staff.

Commenting on the Tories’ mistaken claim that 54% of teenagers in deprived areas fall pregnant before their 18^th birthday, Nick Clegg’s Chief of Staff, Danny Alexander said:

“The Tories seem to think that half our teenagers are pregnant, our cities are like The Wire and that people will get married for a few extra quid.

“If they really believe Britain is like this, it’s remarkable that Conservative MPs can pluck up the courage to leave their houses.

“They should lower their drawbridges, spend less time tending their moats and duck houses, and join the rest of us in the real world.”

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/

Liberal Democrats pledge smaller class sizes to break education inequality

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today pledged to give every child a fair start in life by investing an extra £2.5bn in schools which could be used to cut class sizes, offer one-on-one tuition and provide catch-up classes.

In a speech to Barnardo’s this morning, Nick Clegg set out the Liberal Democrat manifesto pledge to introduce a Pupil Premium which would raise the poorest children’s school funding to private school levels.

Nick Clegg said:

“One of the biggest challenges we face as a country is breaking this link between financial deprivation at home and educational under-achievement in the classroom.

“Despite all the money that has been spent by Labour, schools taking disadvantaged children aren’t getting the money they need to break this link by cutting class sizes and providing them with extra support.

“As we work our way out of this recession and rebuild a country which is fairer, we must ensure our school system gives every child a chance to fulfil their potential irrespective of their background and where they live.”

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.

JOHN  STUART MILL QUOTES

John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873 was an eminent philosopher, theorist and economist, who is considered one of the principle philosophers of classical liberalism.

Apart from his profound thinking he is also known for his many memorable quotes. Many are as relevant now as they were 150 years ago. I have copied some of them below.

“The worth of the state in the long run is the worth of the individuals composing it.”

“That so few now dare to be eccentric marks the chief danger of the time.”

“In this age, the man who dares to think for himself and to act independently does a service to his race.”

“Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservative.”

“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.”

“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others.”

“Originality is the one thing which unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of.”

I would appreciate your comments. My own personal definition of Liberalism is that it celebrates “the importance of the individual as an active member of a caring community.”

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.

APPEAL TO KEEP FUNDING FOR No 45 BUS ROUTE

Following the presentation of a petition from over 200 bus users, the County Council’s Scrutiny Commission have asked County Highways and the Cabinet member to reconsider their decision to scrap the funding for the No 45 bus route.

At the meeting I was able to propose that the matter should be reconsidered, following pleas that the route was important to workers, students and pensioners. My proposal was agreed by the committee.

CONSERVATIVES CUT BUS SERVICE

Conservative controlled Leicestershire County Council have stopped their funding support for the No 45 bus service! From 26 October the service will be a reduced service, run on a commercial basis by Centrebus.

This is an important service for many Blaby residents, young and old, needing to travel round the edge of Leicester. I fear this is evidence that it’s the elderly and vulnerable who will feel the brunt of Conservative cuts.

The service runs from Oadby through Wigston, South Wigston, Countesthorpe, Blaby. Littlethorpe, Enderby to Fosse Park.

Many young people use this service to get to the many schools and colleges in the south of Leicester. The elderly use it to stay in contact with friends and relatives and to shop at Fosse Park. Workers use it to travel to their places of work, eg Alliance & Leicester HQ, Grove Park and Fosse Park.

Details:- Oadby to Fosse Park will retain the 0645, 1015, and 1215 journeys, but the 1415 will only run as far as Blaby and the 0615, 0815 and 1615 journeys will be lost. Fosse Park to Oadby will retain the 0915, 1115, and 1315 journeys, but the 0715,1515 and 1720 will be lost.

CAR PARK CHARGING LETTER

Below is a copy of a recent letter sent to Blaby District Council’s Cabinet by Cllr Geoff Welsh (Lib Dem), Leader of the Opposition, Blaby District Council

To the Cabinet Executive,

CAR PARKING MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS – BLABY VILLAGE

I wish to set out my views on the CAR PARKING MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS for Blaby village centre as set out in the Cabinet Papers for the meeting on 6th October.

I believe that any changes in car park arrangements should be based on two principles. They are:-

1)    The viability and sustainability of Blaby Centre.

2)    Thorough research and consultation.

I believe that neither of these two principles has been met.

The Blaby District Council consultation document “Car Parking Management Proposals (September 2008)” quotes the Blaby Town Centre Masterplan study in support of changes. However the Draft Masterplan (the Plan has not yet been signed off) clearly states that:-

“6.38. The development of a comprehensive parking strategy will require a further detailed study of the current on and off street parking arrangements in Blaby.” 

I have no evidence that this “further detailed study” has been made.

While the principles of the Draft Blaby Masterplan are aimed at the health of the Blaby Town Centre economy, it was clear from the documents submitted to the Scrutiny Commission that the main reason for the introduction of charges was to improve the financial position of Blaby District Council.

I remain convinced that there must be a free parking period and that this should be of three hours duration in the Johns Court and Enderby Road car parks. One hour is inadequate and will lead to a loss of trade.

Blaby Town Centre is dissimilar to market towns such as Market Harborough which have their own extensive catchment areas. Blaby has to compete with a wide range of other outlets, such as modern supermarkets with their own free car parking; for example Tesco (South Wigston), Co-Op (Whetstone) and Asda and Sainsburys (Fosse Park). If the viability of key stores such as Waitrose is reduced then it puts at risk the whole Town Centre economy. Although larger, Wigston Magna is a similar centre to Blaby. Here the council introduced blanket charging but had to respond to falling shopping sales by re-introducing free, three-hour car parking for most of its car parking spaces.

I am also concerned that the proposed charges could be the thin end of a very thick wedge, particularly in times when the council’s financial position is “stressed”. Once the principle of car park charging is introduced there would be nothing to prevent the steady escalation of the charging regime by any future administration.

I fail to see the logic in having just 30 minutes free parking in Wigston Road which is further from the Town centre than either Johns Court and Enderby Road car parks. Such a short period of time would not allow anyone with enough time to walk into town, do their business and then walk back again.

There may be merit in allowing visitors the option of paying for an extended stay in any car park (at a suitable fee) but we believe that this could only be justified by further research.

I ask that the cabinet considers my views before it reaches a decision on this very important matter.

Cllr. Geoff Welsh

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Blaby District Council

VISIT THE JITTY

For Young People in Leicestershire, have you seen “The Jitty” website.

CHAT FORUM  CLUBS  ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS   YOUTH COUNCILS

http://www.thejitty.com/youthbank/

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.

EVERARDS “DRAGGING THEIR FEET” OVER COUNTY ARMS SITE

In an interview for Radio Leicester, Glen Parva councillor Geoff Welsh has hit out at Everards for “dragging their feet” over the County Arms site.

Cllr Welsh explained that Blaby District Council had granted planning permission in February for the site to be redeveloped as apartments with the main building being retained and with additional buildings on the old car park.

Geoff went on to say “Local people are absolutely fed up with the mess the site is in”. He continued, “Eight years is an unacceptable length of time for this key site to be left in this state. Everards have dragged their feet”.

He added that Everards have now written to one of the local councillors saying that due to the recession they fear that the development will not go ahead in the short term.

Geoff Welsh challenged Everards to at least re-open the access to the Grand Union canal. Geoff also said that Blaby District Council officers and Everards should get round a table and work out a way forward.