IN WORK

Liberal Democrats at their 2014 Spring Conference passed the policy motion, In Europe, In Work, a policy motion outlining why Liberal Democrats want Britain to stay in the European Union.

Millions of British jobs are linked to our trade with the EU and as the party of IN Liberal Democrats are fighting to protect these jobs.

Liberal Democrats are fighting for safer communities by ensuring our police force has access to key EU crime fighting tools, to help catch criminals who cross the borders.

By working with other EU countries, Liberal Democrats are helping to create a greener future, tackle climate change and create green jobs.

Liberal Democrats are committed to giving the people of Britain their say in a full in/out referendum, in the event of proposals for any further significant transfer of powers from the UK to the EU.

Liberal Democrats will campaign for an “in” vote because it is in Britain’s national interest to remain in the EU.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat President Tim Farron said:

“The Liberal Democrats believe that being in Europe, means being in work.  We are working to defend millions of British jobs, create millions more and put thousands of pounds back in people’s pockets.

“We are making it easier for British companies to export their goods and slashing red tape for small businesses. While the Tories and UKIP squabble and Labour sit on the side-lines, it falls to us to make the case for being in Europe.

“In the European elections the Liberal Democrats are the party of ‘in’ – In Europe, In Work.”

Co-chair of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party’s committee on international affairs and MP for Cheltenham Martin Horwood added:

“I’m delighted that the Liberal Democrats have today sent an unapologetic message to UKIP and the anti-European wing of the Conservative Party: that we are the party that wants Britain in work and in Europe.

“We want more cooperation, not less, to build prosperity, fight cross-border crime and protect the environment.”

TACKLING FOOD POVERTY

Liberal Democrats at their 2014 Spring Conference in York passed unanimously the policy motion                  ( submitted by the Social Liberal Forum), Food Poverty, a motion calling for additional research into food banks, investigate the cause of food poverty  and ring fence money available for local welfare provision.

Key proposals include:

  • Publishing the results of research into food banks commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
  • Commissioning an urgent independent review into the relationship between benefit delay, error or sanctions and the growth of food poverty.
  • Ring-fence money made available for the local welfare provision grant to provide short-term support for people in financial difficulties, such as benefit delays.

Commenting, Kelly-Marie Blundell said:

“I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats have shown they are the party standing up for the most vulnerable in society by ensuring there are provisions to help people experiencing food poverty, and I will continue to work with Ministers to ensure that benefit changes do not leave people in poverty.

“Liberal Democrats in Government have worked to protect the most vulnerable and this motion underpins our intention to continue to do so.”

IN PRAISE OF BETLEY RESERVES

It is not often that Betley appears in the Editorial Comment section of a national Newspaper.

On February 26 Betley achieved this in the Editorial section of The Guardian.

The Guardian publishes regular comment under the heading “In Praise of…….”

Whilst the article did not show Betley Reserves in their best light they have achieved fame in a place that rarely mentions Football Clubs.

Copy the link below to read the article.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/26/in-praise-of-betley-reserves

PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN BETLEY and HALMER END

To help residents find details of recent Planning Applications in Betley and the Halmer End Ward a Link has been provided to an external site Planning Finder, and the link is set to identify recent planning applications within 5 miles of my house.

To follow the link scroll down the list of the left hand side of the page, and you will come to it under Planning.

This site has no connection with the Borough Council, and I cannot be held responsible for its accuracy. There is still a link under planning to the Borough Council Planning Portal.

 

BEING A LIBERAL

The announcement of Sarah Teather’s departure from the Liberal Democrats could well be a watershed.

Sarah is a liberal, as I am. That is why I joined this party. Many of the actions taken by the coalition are not liberal actions. In a coalition a party often has to accept compromises that are difficult. I have served in coalition as a councillor, with the Conservatives in Newcastle and with Labour in Berkshire. I fully understand you do not always get your own way.

However in this government it has gone further than that. For example liberals should not have supported the recent lobbying bill, though they are now trying to get amendments.

To those who elected me as a liberal I will be working hard at conference next week to get this party back on a liberal agenda.

I cannot see any liberal ideas coming from the Conservative or Labour parties, so I have no other home to go to.

David

Preamble to our constitution:-

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

 

SYRIA and IRAQ

We made a terrible mistake going into Iraq, and are in danger of doing the same with Syria.

Whilst the situation is different we risk fanning more flames in the Middle East.

Increased sanctions, commercial and diplomatic isolation and funding the refugee centers in neighbouring countries should be our first port of call.

 

 

HS2 UPDATE

The Borough Council has established a working party to look at HS2 and make recommendations to the Cabinet. I am a member of that working party.

We are currently looking at:

  1. The effect on the economy of North Staffordshire
  2. The Environmental Impact in the Borough
  3. Compensation proposed.

We are not looking at the overall national case, we are concentrating on the effect on Newcastle. However the national case appears to be getting weaker, if only on cost grounds.

 

I would welcome any comments from electors in the Halmer End Ward.

AFTER MAYOR

After a very busy and fulfilling year as Mayor David is back to committee work, and keeping this web site up to date.

His committee places are:

Health Scrutiny

The only committee David remained on as Mayor. The key issues are A&E (an issue across the country) and the effect of Stafford on UHNS. There is also concern as the the future of the Combined Health Trust, which provides services for those with mental health issues.

Transformation and Resources

The Scrutiny Committee that looks at budget issues. At his first meeting David led the scrutiny of officers on a financial issue that could cause concern.

HS2 Working Party

There is an overview of David’s current position on HS2 below. The current proposals will be bad for Newcastle. There is still too much uncertainty as to the true benefits of this proposal which we know will cause environmental damage. David is standing for election to the Local Government Association Transport Board, as he is of a view that the LGA should be taking more of a lead on this.

Member Development (Chairman)

Not a committee that will excite the electorate, if members are not well trained and given first class support they will not perform their tasks adequately. Whilst our public web site receives high praise the IT service for members needs further development

Madeley LAP

The local partnership covering Madeley, Onneley, Betley, Balterley and Wrinehill

 

Politically he remains a conference representative for Newcastle to Lib Dem Conferences.As a member of the pressure group Social Liberal Forum he will challenge some of the current party thinking at the September Conference.