Upton Matters

Pictured: Cllr Denis Knowles (centre) with some Wirral Conservative Councillors

At last night’s Meeting of the Full Council veteran Labour Councillor Denis Knowles finally had enough of the Labour Liberal Democrat Administration joined the Conservatives. Denis felt let down by the Labour group and its mission to close Libraries. I am pleased that Denis has joined us, he will make a valuable asset to Wirral Conservative Group.

Also last night saw the distasteful way Cllr Simon Holbrook ( Leader Lib Dem Group) treated two of his senior Councillors. Cllrs Pat Williams (Oxton) and Cllr Phil Gilchrist (Eastham) voted with their conscience against the continuation of the pact between their Party and Labour. Cllr Holbrook tried to humiliate them in front of the entire Council and took them off the committees they serve on. In my opinion it was Cllr Holbrook who was humilitated, he looked petty and vindictive.  What happened to democracy? It goes to show how nasty the Liberal Democrat Leadership is.

I have been asked by a number of people what I think of the current debarcle concerning MP’s expenses. Well like the rest of the public I am furious. Any MP who abuses the system should be deselected by their Party and every candidate wishing to stand for parliament should make a promise to their constituents on what they will and will not claim for if elected. I am pleased that David Cameron has laid out rules for Conservative MPs which are:

• Only rent, mortgage interest, overnight hotel bills, utility bills, service charges and council taxes can be claimed.  No furniture or household goods and daily allowances.  
• Every claim submitted to the Fees Office will be published immediately online

Hopefully other Party Leaders will do something similar and this sorry mess can be sorted out once and for all.

Cllr Andrew Hodson became Wirral’s 36th Mayor last night in a special ceremony. Andy is one of three Conservative Councillors representing Heswall and he and his wife Kathy will make an excellent Mayor and Mayoress. The Charities Andrew is supporting in his Mayoral year are: RNLI, Claire House and The Wirral Society for the Blind. I wish Andrew and Kathy an enjoyable and sucessful year.

Pictured: David Cameron with Wirral 4 Parliamentary candidates; Andrew Gilbert, Jeff Clarke, Esther McVey and Leah Fraser

David Cameron visited Wirral for a meeting with Port Operators held at Birkenhead Docks. David Cameron, announced that he is backing the campaign to address the financial crisis at UK Ports, which was caused by the failures in the Government’s Valuation Office Agency and which has left hundreds of businesses at the UK’s 55 statutory ports facing insolvency. It is important to see David Cameron in Wirral listening to the concerns of the Port Operators of Merseyside. 6,000 people in Merseyside rely on the shipping industry for employment and David’s campaign for a fair deal for the industry can only help strengthen these jobs.

Wirral Partnership Homes have confirmed that they will close Flambards tower block in Woodchurch, among others in Moreton and Wallasey, over the next couple of years. These tower blocks have been neglected over the years under the Council and then the problem was passed onto Wirral Partnership Homes. This means that hundreds of residents are to be rehoused adding more names to a list that already has thousands of people waiting . With the housing list increasing due to the recession, the demand for social housing is even greater and now more Wirral families will have to wait for homes.

It has been nearly a year since I had the honour of being elected to represent the people of Upton, Woodchurch, Overchurch and Arrowe Park. One of my Action Team colleagues, Alex,  in his own unique style, has compiled a montage of pictures of just some of the things we have been doing. Thanks Alex!

Organised my colleague, Cllr Sue Taylor, a walk took place from Seacombe Ferry to New Brighton to raise money for Breast Cancer. It was a fantastic sunny day and enjoyable for all who took part. We were joined by friend and colleagues as well as councillors from all parties. Congratulations Sue.

Esther McVey has made an astonishing discover – the huge amount of council taxpayers money that is spent by Wirral Council. 2007/8 money spent on consultancy in the Wirral was £863,506. Up until Feb 2009 alone this year £328,848 has been spent. This year £867,900 is to be spent.

Esther McVey said: 

‘ How can the council justify spending nearly £1M per year of Wirral taxpayer’s money on consultants and to tell us what exactly?

 Could it be implausible findings of the SAR and the need to destroy services on Wirral?

Or how about the consultancy report on the impact of retail on Wirral at a cost of nearly £50K, only to discover that the report forgot to take into account Liverpool One, one of the biggest retail developments in Europe, so now the consultancy firm has been given nearly another £30K to get it right. What on earth is going on in Wirral Council?

This is a shocking waste of Wirral taxpayer’s money that would be better spent on front line services and front line jobs.’

Pictured: Cllr Tom Anderson & Esther McVey

Today Esther McVey and I went along to Warwick Park in Upton where a fun day was taking place. Organised by the Friends of Warwick Park, the day consisted of a Egg Hung, Egg and Spoon Race and an Easter hat competition. The day was very enjoyable with a delicious cake stall, plant stall and a book fare.  We look forward to the next event.