Building Schools for the Future Programme

Wyre Forest, like other districts, is experiencing relatively hard economic times, given the global recession. However, although employement prospects are not as good as in previous years, our Labout Government will ensure that our Building Schools for the Future programme goes ahead, a total of £180million. As many contracts as possible will be given to local Building and Supply Companies. Labour’s commitment to Public Services is absolute.

Fire Fighters

In 1995 I was sacked as Chairman of Worcestershire’s Fire and Public Safety Committee for refusing to vote for cuts to the Fire Service. I was very content to take the hit because Fire Fighters are worth it. How the political world has changed. As current Vice-Chaiman, Stephen Clee voted to take out four Fire Fighters from Kidderminster Fire Station, as did Cllr Fran Oborski. Excuses were put by Cllr Clee when I tackled him at Thursday’s County Council meeting. The bottom line is, these two local Councillors took the line of least resistance. Also, Cllr Clee voted for a 2.94% Community Charge increase for County, surely hitting those least able to pay. His expenses are phenominally high and he is able to pay easily. I take the least expenses from County Hall of all 57 Councillors. It’s easy to spend other people’s money and vote for cuts.

Conservative Controlled

County Council sets Rate increase of 2.94%.

The Labour Party voted against this excessive increase and tabled an amendment that would have shaved 0.5% per cent cut off 2.94% to give 2.44% per cent. Labour wanted to amalgamate County Council departments to save money and take out one of the Cabinet posts. We moved a freeze on all vacant positions; an extra £0.5m for Adult Services, £300k to Childrens Services, £50k to Youth Service, £200k to support CAB and Voluntary Sector. Finally, we included a freeze on members allowance. Labour wanted more apprenticeships and training for young people. So no change until at least the election on 4th June – Tories continue to run Worcestershire without listening to the opposition or the public.

Road Safety and Speed Management Review

Nigel and the Labour Team are still awaiting a County Council response to his ‘Speed Management Review’.

We want action on:
20 mph Speed Zones
Vehicle Activated Signs
Slower traffic in Habberley Road outside Baxter College
Pedestrian crossings on the Franche Road
A Pelican crossing by Barnabees
Traffic control at Three Crowns Roundabout.

Save Energy, Save Money and Help the Environment

and Our Labour Government Pays — You Don’t.”

If you are over 60 and in receipt of one of 22 benefits, eg, Disability Living Allowance, Income Support, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Attendance Allowance (there are others) then you may be entitled to a grant from the Labour Government to help you pay for:

draughtproofing, cavity-wall insulation, a hot-water-tank jacket, loft insulation, repairs to your heating system, a replacement boiler or a new heating system.

So why not contact a ’Warm Front’ advisor free on 0800 316 6011 or enquiry@eaga.com

You may be eligible for up to £2700 worth of heating and insulation benefits.

Good News for the NHS in Wyre Forest

The Worcestershire Primary Care Trust has a budget of £751 million for 2008/09. In Wyre Forest, we shall have a new Health Centre built at Kidderminster in Bromsgrove Street. On the Kidderminster Hospital site, a new GP Premises will be built to accomodate the current Northumberland House and Alymer Lodge Surgeries. Excellent news that our Labour Government continues to fund the NHS at record levels.

Puxton Marsh – another hostile application from Mucklow’s

Mucklow’s has returned again to Wyre Forest District Council’s Planning Department with a hostile application to build 73 houses on Puxton Marsh, a site of special scientific interest and a Nature Reserve!! The land is also on a Floodplain!!

I am very angry that the Environment Agency supports this wretched application. I have written to oppose it already and delivered 400 letters to Marlpool Garden residents living nearby to advise them how to oppose this appication.

Tories Threaten Education in Wyre Forest

David Cameron has announced the Tories intention to “bust open” the Comprehensive Education system by encouraging more charities, entrepreneurs and private companies to run new schools. My first comment is – who provides the profit for a private company running a school in the state sector? Answer – local and national tax and community charges payers.
All of Labour’s investment into Wyre Forest schools would be stopped – £180 million now being spent on re-building every school. The Tories have no idea how to direct a state education system. Between 1979 and 1997, Thatcher and Major did not make any significant investment into Wyre Forest schools. Labour has put the investment in. We believe in State Comprehensive Education and Lifelong Learning. We have provided Nursery Education – Sure Start and Children’s Centres. Tory plans would wreck all of this – you can’t trust the Tories on Education.

Let there be light!

Just occasionally, information comes to me as a County Councillor that I find both surprising and disappointing. Kidderminster Bus Station (near Tesco’s) is not officially being used by the areas biggest operator, First Bus. Instead, First Bus chooses to collect and discharge passengers at the Town Hall Bus Stops.
The surprising reason is that First Bus considers the Bus Station to have problems. I am pursuing this issue and trying to get a positive resolution.
A major problem is that in the hours of darkness, the lamp standards remain unlit!!
It seems rather beyond belief that between WCC, WFDC and the Bus Companies, passengers are denied proper use of the major passenger exchange in central Kidderminster. I do expect to make progress, in conjunction with my attempt (and that of our local Labour Party) to have an improved bus service to the estates, the hospital and the Railway Station in Wyre Forest

Petition Update – January 2009

Labour Street Stall Petition

On Saturday 31st January, our Labour Team collected 101 signatures on our Petition for more services at Kidderminster Hospital. The public remains extremly positive. I spoke with several people on Saturday who were receiving treatment for cancer and had to travel to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton. I also spoke to a lady whose friend had given birth to premature twins at Worcester Royal and then had to leave her babies there on her return home. A Radiotherpy Unit is a must for Kidderminster Hospital as is a Birth Unit. Over 1,000 Wyre Forest women each year have to go to Worcester to have their babies. A Palliative Care Bed Unit is also very necessary. Our petition now has over 10,000 signatures. I ask the NHS Trusts to respond in a positive manner.