See this film

As a huge fan of the Smiley novels of John Le Carre, and the original Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy TV adaptation, I was worried I would be disappointed by the new film.  Not a bit of it.  It is absolutely brilliant and the flashbacks give more character to some of the figures involved.  If you haven't seen it yet make sure you do.  It must surely win every award goind.

Dovedale Children's Centre Campaign

This weekend's been marked by several messages from people at the Church and Mossley Hill Children's Centre (I call it Dovedale!)

The Council is consulting on whether or not to close this centre (and others)

Some of the messages about how the centre helps parents and children are so touching and they really underline the good work done there.

The centre has set up a campaign website which I promised to tell people about.

You can find it at this link     http://www.savemossleyhillcc.org/

Garston waste plant update

I reported earlier that Jack Allen Holdings have decided not to build a waste plant on Stalbridge Dock by the Cressington Heath housing development.

However the Council is still looking to designate that piece of land as the official "sub regional" waste site for Liverpool (there are others being designated in other parts of Merseyside)

There was a consultation on this earlier this year in which I took part as did others from the Garston area, but the final report has to go through each relevant Council.

The bad news is that Stalbridge remains the identified site in a report going to the City Council's Cabinet this coming Friday.

I'll be speaking to residents about what we need to do next.

Door knocking in South Liverpool

This weather is great for some Lib Dem doorknocking.  This is part of the team out yesterday (rubbish photo which manages to cut people out of the shot entirely) is by me!

Cenotaph area - can we improve this?

I got a small group together recently to see what we could all jointly do to improve the small area by the Cenotaph in Garston.  We've got a row of shops and some houses as well as a bench and some bus stops. It's by a busy road and very visible.  But it's one of those places that seems to suffer from more litter and mess than most and this picture shows a typical morning site outside the shops.

So we've got together some people from the Council, Enterprise Liverpool, the Long Lane Church and others to see if there is something we can do to make some changes.  We're talking to shop keepers and residents.

The empty planters on the central reservation on Long Lane are the first visible sign of progress (plants to come!!)

I'm also working on funding applications for other things and we have a commitment to get the bench and barriers repainted to look brighter.

Thanks to the residents from that immediate area who've already been in touch.  Do e mail me if you want to know about meetings or have any ideas. paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk is my e mail.

Greenhill Road takeaway update

An update on the planning application for a takeaway on the corner of Greenhill Road and Melbreck Road, L18.  (grocers shop - no 306)

Richard and I sent in objections to this planning application as did a number of local residents (we had to alert some of them to the application as the council official letter hadn't reached that far)

We have just had it confirmed today that the application is being turned down.  The planners must have been convinced by the arguments about traffic, parking, litter and so on.

We have written to people in the area to let them know.

It is possible that the applicant will appeal against the decision.  If this is the case we will let people know.

(NB: Not to be confused with the application for an off license at number 206 further along the road!)

Garston Old Road off licence update

As promised an update.

I went to licensing committee today to argue against the application for an off licence, as part of a convenience store, at 184 Garston Old Road (corner of Stormont) and opposite the park.

There were also some residents there and the lady who runs Clarendon College (the lovely little Montessori school)

The good news is the application was turned down completely.

The applicants may well appeal but if this happens we will let people know.