Slow, Yet Expensive Boat To China

Our dear friends in the ruling Lib/Lab administration are planning to head off to the Orient on another jolly at Wirral taxpayers’ expense.  After the savage cuts with libraries, swimming pools, community centres and school crossing patrols, they see it fit to ask Cabinet to authorise a trip to Shanghai.  They claim the purpose is the trip is a trade visit to highlight the delights of Wirral at next year’s Expo exhibition and so far, numbers of attendees are unconfirmed but it’s going to cost in the region of £28,000!  Have they no shame?

Clever Cabbies

This afternoon I attended a presentation at the Town Hall for taxi drivers who had successfully passed their B-Tech and NVQ Level 2 through Merseylearn.  Many had brought their families for the occasion and lots of photos were taken as they received their certificates from Mayor, Cllr Andrew Hodson.  It is great to see so many Wirral drivers keen to improve customer service so well done to all who achieved.

Operation Banger

With the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night the Police have ‘Operation Banger’ in place.  The idea is to offer diversionary activities and disperse gangs of youths causing mischief with eggs & flour and building bonfires.  I have accepted the offer to go out on patrol with Inspector Julie Fletcher on 5th November to see exactly what goes on!

Wanted – Newsline Deliverers

I would be grateful for some help with Newsline deliveries if anyone out there can spare an hour to deliver the latest copy of the New Brighton Newsline.  If you live in or around Vaughan Road, Dalmorton Road, Penkett Road, Rake Lane, Imperial Avenue, or Seabank Road (Egremont end) – I would love to hear from you.

Busy, Busy…

There is so much going on at the moment that I am becoming snowed under!  Every evening straight after work I seem to have to attend some sort of committee, meeting or training session at the Town Hall.  Due to the forthcoming by-election in Moreton there is also canvassing and leafleting to be done,  together with my own local Newsline deliveries.  There’s a lot of local issues happening too regarding planning, licensing and adult social services.  If  you have contacted me, please bear with me , you are being dealt with!

Stoneacre Update

Yesterday morning 17 local residents and neighbours of  Stoneacre Garage met with the Management Team.  At the meeting, everyone had the chance to have their say and explain how some of the business activities of the garage affect them on a daily basis.  The meeting was  very productive and Paul Vozbutas, Regional Manager has put together an action plan for how the issues are to be dealt with.  Some of the issues raised were due to poor communication and now that Paul is aware of them, he can address them.  New measures regarding balloon disposal, transporter deliveries, staff attitude and customer parking were all in the spotlight. It was decided to create a small committee which would meet with Stoneacre on a monthly basis to discuss issues within the action plan.  Thanks you to everyone who attended.

The Debenhams Dash

Dave Matthews, Owen Wood and Michael Wood from Debenhams in Wrexham are doing a charity run to Debenhams, Liverpool, in aid of breast cancer.  At 5am on Saturday 31 October they will set off from Debenhams Wrexham and run to Debenhams, Chester.  From Chester they will run to Birkenhead, jump aboard the Mersey Ferry so they can continue running to Debenhams in Liverpool One.  If you see them enroute, give them a cheer and drop some coins or notes in their bucket.  Nice one lads!

Poppy Appeal Launch

Today is the launch of the annual Poppy Appeal.  Each year the Royal British Legion raises thousands of pounds to help service personnel, past and present.  This year the appeal is focusing on those serving in Afghanistan.  Poppies are available in local shops and also the local cadets will be rattling their tins over the weekend.  It’s important to support those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and as the saying goes, “if you can’t get behind them, feel free to get in front of them”!

Area Forum

Last night was the Wallasey & New Brighton Area Forum, held at Claremount Methodist Church Hall.  On the panel were 5 local Councillors, 1 Representative from the Older People’s Parliament, 2 Community Representatives, 1 Police Sergeant, 1 Police Inspector, WBC’s Director of Technical Services, 3 Council Officers and 2 representatives from NHS Wirral.   The event was attended by 8 members of the public from across 2 wards.  What an absolute waste of everyone’s time.  The Council either need to address how the events are publicised or scrap it.  Sadly, it probably ticks a box for engaging and consulting with the public.

What An Eyesore

How would you like this outside your house?  I have made numerous requests to the Council for them to either maintain or remove the brick planters in some of New Brighton’s streets.  They were put there back in the 1980s by MDC to provide a bit of greenery and also to act as traffic calming measures.  They are so neglected now, overgrown and frequently used for dumping rubbish and used as a doggy loo.  I am grateful to the two Officers who came on a site visit today and were appalled at what they saw.  It was agreed by all parties that this particular planter was to be removed.  Hurrah!