Good News for Local Traders

At last night’s Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee we knocked back the Council’s proposals to impose charges  on local shopkeepers for having pavement displays.  On Victoria Road and Seabank Road we have numerous local shops who display goods outside their shops, Ian Forber’s greengrocer is a prime example.  The Committee agreed that this was a great tradition and shouldn’t be penalised by the health & safety and doo-gooder brigade.

Weekly Diary 8-14 March 2010

I am grateful for a quieter week than normal…

• Monday – work then Sustainable Communities Committee
• Tuesday – work then Oldershaw School’s production of  ’Sweet Charity’
• Wednesday – work then judging for the Merseyside Tourism Awards
• Thursday – work then canvassing
• Friday – work then a family birthday celebration
• Saturday/ Sunday – delivering the Newslines 

New Blogger

I am pleased to introduce one of my newer colleagues, Cllr Steve Williams to the world of blogging.  Steve is one of the three ward Councillors for Moreton West & Saughall Massie, along with Cllr Chris Blakeley and Cllr Simon Mountney.  You can read his blog by clicking on his name under my ‘People’ category or go straight to http://cllr-stevewilliams.co.uk/.

Carry On Colas

My colleague, Cllr Ian Lewis mentioned on his blog that he wondered if  Colas were run by Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor or Joan Sims?  I am sure all four would deal with our highways issues in a more structured and professional manner! Last August, seven months ago,  Colas were given the work sheets to have a planter removed from Virginia Road.  The neglected planter which once contained shrubs had now become a dog toilet and a magnet for fly-tippers. The space it took up was also required  to make a disabled parking bay for another resident.  This fiasco of broken promises  and being fobbed off with a catalogue of excuses has now come to a head and I have received an apology and a ‘cast iron guarantee’ that the planter will be removed this week.   It’s just not good enough.

Bring the Royal Iris Back Home!

There is now an online petition to ‘Bring the Royal Iris Back Home’.  Please forward the link to like-minded souls….  http://www.royaliris.co.uk/phpPETITION/index.php

Tranmere Provide Help For Heroes

This Saturday’s match at Prenton Park against Southampton is supporting the Help For Heroes charity.  Before kick off there’ll be two pipers from the 1st Battalion Irish Regiment then the players will come out on the pitch with a guard of honour.  Before kick off there’ll be a minute long round of applause in appreciation for our armed forces. During the match there’ll be a ground collection and our local Mercian Regiment will be in attendance.  I’ll be there! More details can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/y9sjtgn

Seafront Traders

Yesterday I spoke with the Director of Regeneration, Alan Stennard to ensure a requested meeting was arranged for New Brighton’s seafront traders.  Now the redevelopment work has started, it is important for the local traders on the prom to be kept fully informed on the project.  A meeting is likely to take place next week.

Weekly Diary 1st-7th March 2010

Apologies for being a bit late with the weekly diary this week..

• Monday – work all day then Budget Council at 6.15pm
• Tuesday – work all day then out delivering Change magazine
• Wednesday – work, licensing meeting, work then a PACSPE meeting at 6pm
• Thursday – work all day then meeting with some residents about disabled parking followed by canvassing.
• Friday – work then early evening Tapas at Wallasey Yacht Club 
• Saturday – Tranmere v Southampton
• Sunday  – an 18th Party (long time since I have been to one of those…)

The Boat House – Parkgate

We don’t venture to Parkgate very often but yesterday was the exception.  Feeling rather jaded and peckish we decided to pop into the Boat House and were delighted with our choice!  The food and service was excellent and I have added the link to the Dining section.  The Sunday roast was delicious, beef sirloin, fresh veg, roasties and an enormous Yorkshire pudding.  Mr T was rather impressed with his apple & blackberry crumble but I only had room for a coffee!  Highly recommended if you’re in that neck of the woods.

Made For Sharing….

I read in yesterday’s papers that Labour are cutting back on leaflets and posters for their election campaign and you can’t say they’re not true to their word.  Yesterday morning I found Ms Eagles latest piece of fiction through the letterbox.  From our front door, it is quite obvious that there are eight flats in the building and how stingy that we’re expected to share one leaflet.  I did offer to photocopy the ’On Your Side’ for my neighbours but strangely nobody seemed interested…