Some time ago I, and some other Lib Dems, suggested to the City Council that we find an extra way of honouring Harold Newgass.
He was involved in dealing with a bomb that had got into the Garston Gas holders during the war ( if it had exploded it might have been good bye to much of that area including my house I imagine)
Anyway, there is a plaque in St Mary's Church but several people felt we ought to do more.
We now have the chance to name a new street after him.
To do this I had to make sure we had permission from a relative. With help from the Garston and District Historical Society I was able to speak to his daughter who was charming and very much in support. Her sister was too.
So as long as there are no problems we could soon have a street in Garston named after Harold Newgass.
I'll blog again on this when I have any timescales, but I have this evening been looking at a plan of where the new street is.
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Tescos traffic chaos continues.
More reports from residents about traffic and parking chaos around the new Tescos on Holmefield Road.
Along with Lib Dem Councillors Richard Oglethorpe and Tina Gould I met traffic officers and PCSOs last week to discuss what would help make the situation better.
I had earlier contacted Tesco and suggested they pay for some H markings and some bollards and the Council officers were following this up. (H markings help prevent people parking across drives and so can potentially ease some of the problems)
However this won't be sorted until Tesco acts more like a good neighbour and less like someone who can do what he wants, when he wants.
These pictures are from a local resident who took them when a particularly large lorry (way larger than anything claimed when we met Tesco) was blocking the road.
Along with Lib Dem Councillors Richard Oglethorpe and Tina Gould I met traffic officers and PCSOs last week to discuss what would help make the situation better.
I had earlier contacted Tesco and suggested they pay for some H markings and some bollards and the Council officers were following this up. (H markings help prevent people parking across drives and so can potentially ease some of the problems)
However this won't be sorted until Tesco acts more like a good neighbour and less like someone who can do what he wants, when he wants.
These pictures are from a local resident who took them when a particularly large lorry (way larger than anything claimed when we met Tesco) was blocking the road.
Speeding on Seddon Road
I have had quite a few complaints from residents about speeding on Seddon Road in Garston.
I have raised this with the police but also put down a motion about this to the City Council to try to get some action that way also. Hopefully the relevant Cabinet member will reply with some action.
"
Speeding on Seddon Road, L19 by Councillor Paula Keaveney
I have raised this with the police but also put down a motion about this to the City Council to try to get some action that way also. Hopefully the relevant Cabinet member will reply with some action.
"
Speeding on Seddon Road, L19 by Councillor Paula Keaveney
Residents on Seddon Road in Garston report frequent speeding along this road. The road is residential and includes several pensioners houses.
Residents believe that a speed indicator device at some point on this road could prevent some of the speeding.
Council requests the Cabinet member for regeneration and transport to consult with the relevant ward councillors and actively pursue measures that could make this road safer.
Cycling manifesto needed for Liverpool?
One of the motions I put in to Liverpool City Council, which sadly won't be debated tomorrow at Full Council, was one calling on the City to support the Times newspaper campaign to make the roads safer for cyclists.
As a cyclist I have had a few near misses and its always been because drivers either haven't spotted me or are a bit on the impatient side.
Anyway Liverpool Confidential has reported on my call (although I don't agree with everything written in their article). You can find it here
You can find my motion, which I am reliably informed will eventually be replied to by the City's cabinet member for regeneration, here (You will need to scroll down quite a lot)
As a cyclist I have had a few near misses and its always been because drivers either haven't spotted me or are a bit on the impatient side.
Anyway Liverpool Confidential has reported on my call (although I don't agree with everything written in their article). You can find it here
You can find my motion, which I am reliably informed will eventually be replied to by the City's cabinet member for regeneration, here (You will need to scroll down quite a lot)
Monday, 12 March 2012
Brodie Avenue mast
I was alarmed today to discover vans and another vehicle on the central reservation on Brodie Avenue by the phone mast near Booker Avenue.
With no notice a whole load of people had turned up, parked on the grass and started work on the mast and cabinets.
I went along to talk to the workmen and it turns out they were doing some maintenance and upgrading.
They also told me however that the Council had known for three weeks that this was taking place.
Why then could the council not be bothered to tell local residents or Councillors?
I have complained about this . Frankly if the Council can't be bothered to communicate then it shouldn't be surprised at the flak about incidents like this.
With no notice a whole load of people had turned up, parked on the grass and started work on the mast and cabinets.
I went along to talk to the workmen and it turns out they were doing some maintenance and upgrading.
They also told me however that the Council had known for three weeks that this was taking place.
Why then could the council not be bothered to tell local residents or Councillors?
I have complained about this . Frankly if the Council can't be bothered to communicate then it shouldn't be surprised at the flak about incidents like this.
Community Panel
The Cressington ward community panel is now set up!
We have more than 30,000 pounds to spend on community initiatives in our area.
I have put together a group of local residents and representatives, including the South Liverpool CAB and together we will develop a plan and look to fund local activities.
We are not ready to take applications just yet but I will let you know when we are ready.
This is really good news for our area and I look forward to using this money to boost the good things going on in L19 and L18.
We have more than 30,000 pounds to spend on community initiatives in our area.
I have put together a group of local residents and representatives, including the South Liverpool CAB and together we will develop a plan and look to fund local activities.
We are not ready to take applications just yet but I will let you know when we are ready.
This is really good news for our area and I look forward to using this money to boost the good things going on in L19 and L18.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
City Council budget meeting
The Liberal Democrats tried to change the City Council budget tonight. We were outvoted so our suggestion didn't go ahead.
What we wanted to do was make three cuts.
The first - to abolish a special fund that only the Council Leader gets to spend (three quarters of a million pounds)
The second - to abolish City Magazine - a glossy publication that costs more than one hundred thousand pounds
The third - to reduce the allowances paid to senior councillors.
Taken together this would have found 1.1 million pounds a year over three years to spend on street cleansing and pothole repairs.
Labour, who have the majority on the Council, voted against us but I strongly believe that our suggestion would have meant cleaner streets and safer roads.
The whole amendment text, including some introductory stuff about Council Tax, is pasted below.
Maybe next time people see a pile of litter they may want to reflect on how this money would have helped clear it.
What we wanted to do was make three cuts.
The first - to abolish a special fund that only the Council Leader gets to spend (three quarters of a million pounds)
The second - to abolish City Magazine - a glossy publication that costs more than one hundred thousand pounds
The third - to reduce the allowances paid to senior councillors.
Taken together this would have found 1.1 million pounds a year over three years to spend on street cleansing and pothole repairs.
Labour, who have the majority on the Council, voted against us but I strongly believe that our suggestion would have meant cleaner streets and safer roads.
The whole amendment text, including some introductory stuff about Council Tax, is pasted below.
Maybe next time people see a pile of litter they may want to reflect on how this money would have helped clear it.
a) Council Tax Freeze
This Council welcomes the decision to accept the money from Central Government in order to freeze the City Council element of the Council tax this year. Council believes that this was the right decision to make.
Council believes that it would be beneficial if Central Government were to continue this additional funding in future years so that the option to again freeze Council Tax could be pursued. Council therefore requests the Chief Executive to write to Ministers to seek to arrange an all party delegation to discuss the continuation of this additional funding to freeze Council Tax for future years.
b. Balance of Savings
Council welcomes the fact that more than 80 percent of the savings made this year fall into the category defined by the Interim Director of Finance as "not directly affecting residents". Council regrets the anxiety that was caused in many parts of the City by the trailing of particular proposed cuts.
c) Pothole repair and road maintenance
Council notes the grant of 1.1 million pounds by the Coalition Government for extra road repairs in Liverpool. This followed damage caused by a severe winter.
Council however notes that the budget for dealing with potholes and road maintenance is over stretched and that road and pavement repair issues are a signficant cause of complaint by residents across the City. Council further notes that not repairing roads and pavements now can cause extra needed expenditure in future years and so early repair is always preferable.
Council also notes that the street cleansing budget is also over stretched and the quality of street cleansing is also a significant cause of complaint by residents across the City.
Council therefore resolves to put an extra £1.1 million into the budget line (s) for pothole treatment, road repairs and streeet cleansing for the next three years, ( 2012/13 ; 2013/14; 2014/15) meaning a total of £3.3 million overall. Council believes that this money should be split equally between cleansing and road repairs if possible.
This money is to be shared fairly across the City so that no part of the City is overly advantaged or disadvantaged.
This money is to be found for the next three years by adopting the following measures
i. cancellation of the City Leader's Fund - £750,000
ii. cancellation of City Magazine - £111,000
iii. the reduction of the amount of money paid in Special Responsibility Allowances to Councillors by - £239,000 . This is a reduction in the total available and will obviously involve some adjustments to individual payments.
As these items are all "in the base" of the budget these savings mean a saving each year.
Council believes work should be done as a matter or urgency on the Capital Programme to look at a long term solution to underfunding for highways and streetlights.
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