GERALD CORK

Long standing residents of Betley and local cricketers will be saddened to learn of the death of Gerald Cork.

For many years the Cork family, headed by Gerald and including future England player Dominic Cork, were very active in  Betley cricket. Cricket in Newcastle owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Gerald, in particular at Betley and Porthill Park.

Gerald had a well developed sense of humour, he was an entertaining companion. He was a committed Conservative, and was for some years a Conservative Councillor on Newcastle Borough Council. Humour was always present in political discussions with Gerald.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The PCT has launched a consultation into proposed changes to the mental health service in North Staffordshire.

The consultation document can be found at the following address

http://www.northstaffordshire.nhs.uk/documents/3758.pdf.

Further information including how to comment can be found at the following address

http://www.northstaffordshire.nhs.uk/get-involved/model-of-care-consultation/what-it-is-all-about-oauwk/

HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS

Posted July 25, 2011 * Comments(0)

Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes has led a review of access to higher education. He spent six months traveling around the country to speak with thousands of young people about the changes to university financing and all other concerns they have about access to higher education

Last week he published his final report. It contains over 30 recommendations directed towards schools and colleges, universities, government and regulators on what they can do to encourage participation in higher education. You can download a copy of the report from the Cabinet Office website here: Hughes Report

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE, INQUIRY

Many of you will have seen in the media articles relating to issues concerning a consultant at the hospital.

As Chairman of Newcastle Health Scrutiny I have met with the Chief Executive of the Hospital and the Chairman of the Trust. Cllr Dylis Cornes, a county member of Staffordshire Health Scrutiny accompanied me.

There are five separate inquiries under way, with reports due by the end of August. The Hospital Trust will present these to a meeting of Staffordshire Health Scrutiny in September, this will be followed by a public accountability meeting in Newcastle. It would be inappropriate to make further comment before this process is complete. In the meantime please be assured that work is in hand to get to the bottom of this issue.

SAVE THE CHEQUE CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

July 13, 2011 aldcadmin No Comments

Lib Dem campaigners have welcomed news that the UK Payments Council has reversed its decision to scrap cheques.
The campaign to save the cheque was led by Lib Dem MPs and was backed by thousands of people across the UK.
We want to say a huge thank you to everybody who signed the Lib Dem petition to save the cheque.
” Being able to pay by cheque is especially important for our small businesses, community groups and older people here in the area.
Cheques remain a popular way to pay for millions of people across the UK. Over a billion transactions were made by cheque last year alone.
“This is a great victory for people power and common sense, and proves that the banks cannot afford to ignore the views of their customers.”

UHNS

The news that the University Hospital of North Staffordshire has restricted the consultant under investigation from seeing patients will restore public confidence in the hospital. Newcastle under Lyme Health Scrutiny is working with Staffordshire Health Scrutiny to get to the bottom of this. We hope to be able to report back in September, in the meantime there is little I can add to what is already in the public domain through the press.

Cllr David Becket

Chairman Newcastle under Lyme Health Scrutiny

ENTRANCE TO WRINEHILL

The entrance to Wrinehill is a mess. On one side there is the empty Blue Bell and on the other the site of the Garage.

The Borough Council have no enforcement powers to get these sites tidied up. Following discussions with David and Andrew the Borough Council wrote to the owners of the sites to encourage them to, at least, make the sites secure.

Work has started on the Blue Bell site, and that should soon be secure.

The owners of the garage site ignored the council. David has written to them on behalf of the community asking them to make the site secure.

STATION ROAD HALMER END PILLAR BOX

Station Road Pillar Box
The pillar box located in the wall of the school recently suffered an act of vandalism, with the door being attacked and eventually forced open and damaged.
We have spoken to Royal Mail asking that a replacement box be installed, as residents nearest boxes are a distance away at Miles Green or Rileys.
Andrew and David are pleased to say that Royal mail have agreed to install a new ‘free standing’ box,to be located opposite the old one.
Any comments, please feel free to contact one of us.

Councillor Andrew Wemyss           Councillor David Becket
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Lib Dems have worked hard to make changes to NHS Bill – Cllr David Becket

The Government has announced changes to its Health Bill to address concerns raised by the public, medical professionals and the Liberal Democrats.
Liberal Democrats led the calls for changes after raising serious concerns at the party’s Spring Conference in March. Nick Clegg and others have worked hard in Government to make sure the concerns have been addressed.
In particular, Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats have ensured:
· There will be no special favours for the private sector. There will be a level playing field, not a race to the bottom
· The pace of change is slowed down to ensure changes are not rushed into and those taking on new responsibilities do so when they are ready. The changes will be evolution, not revolution
· The NHS is properly accountable, both nationally and locally
Commenting, Cllr David Becket Chairman Newcastle Health Scrutiny said:
“I am proud of the way Liberal Democrats have listened and acted to address concerns about changes to the NHS.
“The Bill is now a whole lot better and will make sure decisions are taken in the best interests of patients.
“Liberal Democrats believe the NHS must always be universal, based on need and free at the point of use.
“We have ensured there will be no special favours for the private sector, proper accountability and that the changes are not rushed into before people are ready to take on new responsibilities.
“But this is no time for resting on our laurels. The NHS still faces huge challenges, with an ageing population and the rising costs of new drugs and technologies. I am confident the NHS is now in better shape to meet those challenges.”

NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

David is now appointed as Chairman of the Newcastle under Lyme Health Scrutiny Committee, and as Newcastle’s representative on the Staffordshire Health Scrutiny Committee.

Staffordshire is the statutory Health Scrutiny Committee but the Newcastle has an important role in monitoring specific local issues.

As Chairman of the Newcastle Committee David is looking at ways of improving consultation. A major consultation on the future of mental health services is due soon.

With the opening of a new hospital and major changes due in the NHS scrutiny of the service in North Staffordshire has never had such an important role.