ANN WILSON SELECTED TO TAKE OVER FROM ERIC EMPSON

Local "Better Bus Service" campaigner Ann Wilson has been selected by the Liberal Democrats to fight the 3rd December by-election in Ormesby and Nunthorpe as a successor to Eric Empson who stepped down on Monday this week.

She is well know by local residents for taking the lead for the Lib Dems in getting hundreds of names for their petition calling for a better bus service locally.

Arriva, the main local bus operator, has conceded that their service for Ormesby and Nunthorpe residents' was "not right". But their only response was to re-number the 5 service.

They're dead right Arriva's service isn't right for local people. The bus in the photo was the third bus to go down Ormesby Bank in the space of 2 minutes - and was empty. People usually say that, when you want a bus, two come - Arriva have gone one better!

Ann and local Lib Dem Councillors have been campaigning for a more frequent service that goes where local people want to go - to Morrisons or James Cook Hospital for example - and re-instating the circular service that Arriva scrapped. We have long campaigned for yellow school buses on the US model which would make a massive contribution to cutting local traffic congesion. It's is far worse in school term times than at other times - as everyone can see during this week's half-term holiday.

Ann has promised that, if she is elected on 3rd December, she will keep up the fight for a better bus service for local people.

Tory proposals are short term stop gap says Vince Cable

“The Tories have been deeply ambivalent on the much more fundamental question of what we do about the future of the banking system," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable.

Commenting on the Tories’ call for High Street banks to ban the payment of bonuses of more than £2,000 in cash, Vince Cable said:“The Tories have been deeply ambivalent on the much more fundamental question of what we do about the future of the banking system.

“They have not given full backing to Mervyn King’s proposals on splitting up the banks and these bonus proposals are short term, stop gap solutions designed to stem public anger but which fail to get to the heart of the problem.

“The bonus pool in the banking system derives from the fact that the banks are making profits on the back of taxpayer guarantee. Until a properly regulated structure can be established, banks should be paying the taxpayer a premium for this guarantee.”

LOCAL LIB DEM COUNCILLOR ERIC EMPSON STANDS DOWN

Eric Empson (right) joining Prospective MP Ian Swales (centre) and local Councillor Glyn Nightingale in Ian's "Save our Post Offices" campaign

Former Redcar & Cleveland Council Leader Eric Empson has yesterday announced his resignation from the council.

Eric, who will be 85 next month, has represented Ormesby on the Council since 1989, initially on Cleveland County Council and later the Borough Council. He led the council from 2003 to 2007, when the Council achieved a 4-star rating.

But Eric feels the time is right to step back now.

Eric said:
“After discussions with my doctor I feel my health will not allow me to continue to represent the people of Ormesby and Nunthorpe to the full.”

“I was proud to serve as Leader of the Council. It was a special privilege to represent my fellow citizens in local, regional and national forums.”

“I would like to thank the people of Ormesby and Nunthorpe for electing me, and thank everyone who has worked with me as a councillor.”

Councillor Chris Abbott, Liberal Democrat Group Leader at the Council, said:
“I thank Eric for his excellent hard work over the years. His experience and wisdom will be missed by many.”

Lib Dem Group Chair, Councillor Irene Nightingale, who also represents Ormesby ward, added:
“It has always been a pleasure to work with Eric in helping local constituents. Local residents will miss his dedication in representing their interests.”

Ormesby Lib Dem Councillor Glyn Nightingale said, "It's a sad day. Eric's a true gentleman. Everyone locally respects him and looks up to him. No one would have thought he is in his 8os. There is no doubt that he has made a tremendous contribution to our area. Now we wish him better health and a long retirement."

VINCE CABLE IN OUR AREA

Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable was back in the North East recently.

It's great to hear him speak. Who else has been so right for so long on the state of Britain's economy and has such a clear understanding of the financial mess we’re in?

He stressed the need to close tax loopholes used by the wealthy and take on the greedy bankers. He also wants to lower the tax burden for lower and average earners and make the whole system fairer.

Prospective MP Ian Swales took the opportunity to chat to Vince afterwards about the issues affecting our local area. Once again it shows that right from the top the Liberal Democrats are aware of the jobs crisis our area faces. Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg supports the Save Our Steel campaign (see earlier post). Britain needs the strategically crucial industries like steel and chemicals here on Teesside.

Local Councillors' Overfields Patch Walk

On Thursday, local Lib Dem Councillors Glyn and Irene Nightingale once again took part in a "patch walk" with local police officers and representatives of Coast & Country Housing and the Fire Service.

We found a whole load instances of graffiti, fly-tipping and damaged roads signs. There was widespread litter all over the area which Coast & Country are responsible for. But surprisingly, they have no schedule for clearing up.

It's not the first time that we've had to report these sort of problems on the estate to Council officials to seek their urgent attention to sort things out. But we've reported the problems again to them and we'll be checking to see if they are sorted out soon.

The Allendale Shopping Centre is full of graffiti. It's a long standing eyesore that local people say they are fed up with. Police officers want CCTV cameras installed. We have raised the possibility with Council officials.

One of the problems on the estate is the patchwork of land ownership between the Council and Coast & Country Housing. It's time they really got together to do a better job for residents.

We'll keep you in touch with developments.

More bad news for our area - say Ian Swales

GDP figures show we could be in the deepest recession on record - says Shadow Chacellor Vince Cable

Commenting on today's GDP figures, which show the economy shrank by 0.4% Between July and September, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:

"For all the hopes of a quick recovery, these figures make it clear we are still in the longest and what could yet become the deepest recession on record.

"For all that has been thrown at the economy to try and stimulate a recovery it is clear that massive structural problems remain, particularly in the banking sector.

"This news adds to serious concerns over the realism of Government plans to deal with the burgeoning public debt. It is critical ministers spell out a credible path as to how they will deal with the deficit.

"With the legacy of unemployment likely to remain for years after the end of the recession, we need radical measures to avoid repeating the mistakes of the 1990s which left millions on the scrap heap."

Prospective MP for Redcar Ian Swales said:

"The fact that the country is still in recession is more bad news for our area. With unemployment already at high levels, and more threatened, we desperately need a turn round in the country's fortunes. While other countries like France and Germany are growing again we are still faced with decline and a collapsing currency due to the reckless policies of the Labour Government."

Simon Hughes - A bad day for Parliament, Labour and the planet.

Commenting after the defeat of a Liberal Democrat Opposition day motion calling for Government, Parliament, and all public sector bodies to cut their carbon pollution by 10% by the end of 2010, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Simon Hughes said:

“This is a bad day for Parliament, Labour and the planet.

“The Government has failed to understand the level of public support for the 10:10 campaign or to get the message that people want real political action now to tackle dangerous climate change.

“Britain needs a Government which sets an example and delivers immediate and ambitious carbon reductions in the UK. Today the Government has stopped a clear message from going to the rest of the world that Britain will take action on climate change now.

“Last year Liberal Democrats successfully added an 80% emission reduction target to the Climate Change Act.

“We will continue to show political leadership in dealing with the climate crisis and we will continue to give the strongest backing to the 10:10 campaign.”

Local students could face £7,000 tuition fees

There is now less than eight months to save a new generation of young people from huge increases in university tuition fees, according to Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for the Redcar Constituency, Ian Swales.

He was speaking after the Conservatives suggested they will increase tuition fees to £7,000 if they take power at the next general election, which has to be held by next June.

That will see tuition fees for undergraduates more than double. Currently there is a cap of £3,300 in England and Wales.

Peter Mandelson has already suggested that Labour will allow universities to charge more than at present if re-elected – though the party is too scared to push through the changes it wants before June.

Only the Liberal Democrats will scrap tuition fees. The party believes university education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go – and not be put off by the cost.

Ian Swales said: “I look around Redcar Constituency and I see people return from university with no job and a bank balance tens of thousands of pounds in the red. What sort of message is that?

“Labour and now the Tories are showing their true colours. They don’t care about young people – they just want to saddle them with staggering amounts of debt.

“The choice is clear: the people of Redcar Constituency can vote for a politician who will condemn a generation of youngsters or for the Liberal Democrats who will make education free again, giving young people the best possible start.”

It's worth remembering -The National Union of Students estimates that the average cost of attending university now stands at more than £42,000. The average graduate will have accrued nearly £20,000 of debt by the end of a three-year course.

For more details on the Tories’ university policy see Daily Express, 15 October: “Student debt to soar as tuition fees could rise to £7,000 a year” http://www.express.co.UK/posts/view/134074/Student-debt-to-soar-

For more details on Labour’s university policy see Daily Mail, 28 July: “Liberal Democrats are the only party which believes university education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go to university and not be put off by the cost.” http://www.dailymail.co.UK/news/article-1202408/Middle-class-face-7-000-tuition-fees-pay-poor-Mandy-warns-excellence-cheap.HTML

Message from Nick Clegg

Dear Glyn,

A couple of hours ago Bedford elected a new Mayor - Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson. This is a sensational victory for Dave Hodgson and I congratulate him and the Bedford Liberal Democrats for an outstanding campaign.

You might not have seen much about this election in the media - but this by-election matters. The Mayor of Bedford represents more people than an MP does, and Dave will be making important decisions that affect peoples' lives.

This result shows how misplaced the Conservatives' complacency about the next election really is. The Liberal Democrats have never taken a single vote for granted. With Labour lagging behind at a disastrous fifth this is yet more evidence that the real choice is now between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

I've just recorded this video to congratulate Dave Hodgson, our new Mayor of Bedford. And I'd also like to thank everyone from Bedford and beyond who went to canvass, deliver leaflets or make phone calls for his campaign.

We can all be proud that today there's another Liberal Democrat in a position of real influence in Britain. Thank you for everything you do.
Best wishes,

Nick Clegg

Sensational Liberal Democrat victory in Bedford Mayoral election

Local councillor and campaigner Dave Hodgson takes victory in the Mayoral elections.

Full time councillor and campaigner, Dave Hodgson has stormed to victory in the Mayoral elections that took place on 15 October in Bedford.

Results were announced on today as follows:

Liberal Democrats - 13,352
Conservatives - 11,543.

Labour were eliminated in the first round of voting where they came fifth, despite having the current MP for the town.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, has expressed his congratulations saying: “This is a sensational victory for Dave Hodgson and I congratulate him and the Bedford Liberal Democrats for an outstanding campaign. “By electing Dave Hodgson as Mayor the people of Bedford have put their trust in the Liberal Democrats to work hard on their behalf."

Here Nick Clegg at -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpbrNf9RnpQ&feature=player_embedded

Lib Dems Persuade Council to Support 10:10 Climate Change Campaign

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council today successfully persuaded the Council to back a campaign aimed at driving forward cuts in the authority’s carbon emissions.

Lib Dem Councillor Irene Curr (Coatham Ward) submitted a motion to today’s Council meeting calling on the Labour-run Council to sign up to the “10:10 Campaign” to reduce carbon use.

The 10:10 campaign calls on individuals, businesses and other organisations to work towards a 10% cut in carbon emissions in 2010.

The campaign also aims to show world leaders that there is public support for dramatic cuts in global fuel consumption in the hope of encouraging an international agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which meets in Copenhagen in December.

Councillor Curr said:
“I am pleased that the Council has agreed to give a lead on carbon reduction. 10% will be a tough target to achieve, but if the Council has the will to do it I am sure it will be possible.”

Her colleague, Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Carling, seconded the motion, adding:
“I hope that many local residents and businesses will also sign up to the 10:10 Campaign.”
“In these tough economic times it makes sense, not only for the environment, but in cutting fuel bills too.”

Speaking in support of the motion at today's Council meeting, Ormesby & Nunthorpe Councillor Glyn Nightingale raised his concern that the Council's environment officer had been seconded to another job away from climate change work.

He also welcomed the conversion of other parties to the urgent need to deal with environment issues.

He illustrated how attitudes are changing - even on the other side of the Atlantic. He said on a recent visit to Washington DC on holiday with Irene Nightingale they had seen two outdoor meetings at the Capitol lawns. US Democrat Senators, including former presidential candidate John Kerry (centre bottom photo), were campaigning for climate change action and greater use of cycling. See the photos above. A key plank of their case was to make America less dependent on foreign energy supplies. It's something we need to bear in mind here.

The Democrats were sponsoring a bill that will aim to deal with climate change which they promised would create 1 million new jobs. This backs up what Lib Dems have been saying that environmental action will be good for jobs. The Lib Dems' policy aims to create green jobs in Britain.

Nick Clegg sends second letter to Sir Thomas Legg on MPs expensesWed, 14 Oct 2009

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, today wrote again to Sir Thomas Legg regarding his investigation in to MPs expenses.In the letter, written alongside an article in today’s Daily Telegraph, he expresses his concerns about the oversight of the inquiry. He was particularly concerned about those MPs who have claimed for a non-existent mortgages or ‘flipped’ their second homes purely for personal gain.

Nick Clegg’s letter in full:

I am writing to you with regard to your ongoing enquiries into MPs’ expenses.I am, of course, glad that you are looking into cases where MPs have spent too much of taxpayers’ money and asking them to repay it. The British people have been deeply angered by MPs’ excesses and have every right to ask MPs to make amends. I have instructed Liberal Democrat MPs to cooperate fully with your investigations and abide by any reasonable requests for repayments.But when your inquiry was first announced, I think most people expected the worst offences such as flipping to come under the toughest scrutiny.

The letters sent this week, however, appear not to focus on these offences. If your review is to be seen as credible it must expose every single one of those MPs who claimed for a non-existent mortgage or ‘flipped’ their second homes purely for personal gain, some of whom then went on to avoid Capital Gains Tax. Some of these MPs appear to have made tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds in profits with the help of taxpayer subsidies. They must be exposed and these illegitimate profits returned.If we want to begin to rebuild faith in politics, there can be no half measures; full compensation must be paid by MPs who have abused their constituents’ trust.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Clegg MP
Leader of the Liberal Democrats

You can read the full Telegraph article here.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg responds to Gordon Brown's statement on Afghanistan.

We on these benches have argued that we cannot continue to fight this war on half-horsepower with half-measures and half-baked thinking.

Time is running out for the mission in Afghanistan and we need a radical change in direction. The PM has set out a number of conditions on which the deployment of extra British troops will depend. But isn’t the ultimate condition that they should have a realistic chance of success? And that this requires above all a credible new strategy?The public is rightly cautious about a drip, drip accumulation of British forces in Afghanistan without any overarching strategy to work from or realistic goals to work towards.

More troops may be necessary, but they will not be sufficient to guarantee success.I welcome the PM’s announcements today on new Merlin helicopters and more Mastiff and Ridgback vehicles, though we need more detail on when these will be actually available on the ground. And also, can the PM confirm whether or not the poorly armoured Snatch Land Rovers have been withdrawn from service as the Government has promised in the past?But does the PM not agree with General McChrystal’s conclusion that just “focusing on force or resource requirements misses the point entirely” and that there is more to this than just boots and equipment on the ground? Does he not agree that the key and central failure in Afghanistan is the lack still today of a co-ordinated international plan?What then is he doing to advance a political surge, to run alongside the new military surge?As Secretary of State Clinton said this week, “Not everyone who calls himself a Taliban is necessarily a threat to the UK or to the United States.”

So what is the Government doing to bring about the defection of reconcilable elements of the Taliban? What programmes, budgets and staff has he allocated to reconciliation and grass-roots diplomacy? Beyond the borders of Afghanistan, what progress is being made to bring other countries in the region together to share intelligence on the Taliban and Al Qaeda and tackle the opium trade? On military strategy General McChrystal has highlighted the need to defend urban centres. Does the PM concede that it is now better for our forces to focus on defending highly populated areas rather than to operate from remote outposts in the Taliban-dominated countryside?

Finally, the Karzai Government has spectacularly failed to win the trust of the Afghan people. It is beset by corruption, crime and the influence of the warlords. The Prime Minister talks about the need for a “more inclusive political process” but [let me press him again on the issue I raised earlier.] Does he agree that regardless of electoral outcomes, only a Government of National Unity can now deliver a platform for progress in Afghanistan?

Council bus service consultation event at Ormesby Library

The consultation event produced the inevitable conclusion that there are not enough bus services to key destinations from Ormesby Bank without needing to change buses.

The services that remain after Arriva alterations all now travel down Cargo Fleet Lane.

According to Council officials there were calls for:

• The re-introduction of the 66/67 circular service that previously gave direct access from the Nunthorpe area to Morrisons on Ormesby Road, James Cook Hospital on Marton Road, the One Life doctors' surgeries on Linthorpe Road into Middlesbrough.
• The extension of the route of Service 27 and other services that turn in the Overfields/ Allendale Road area to travel up Ormesby Bank and turn around at Swan's Corner.
• An additional stop to the limited stop Service 93 at the top of Ormesby Bank to provide the direct route from Nunthorpe to Whitby.

Offivials have promised local Lib Dem Councillors that they will collate all of the comments that are arising from the consultation and report them to Arriva to see if they can get them to sort out some of the problems that have arisen.

The consultation results are entirely predictable. We have consistently called for these changes. Ann Wilson, a key member of our local team, collected hundreds of signatures for our petition which called for these changes.

Arriva must know already that local people think their service is totally inadequately in our area.

Huge gulf between Cameron’s sunny rhetoric and grim reality of Tory policy

Commenting on David Cameron’s speech to the Tory party conference, Nick Clegg’s Chief of Staff, Danny Alexander MP said:

“This speech demonstrates the huge gulf between the sunny rhetoric of David Cameron and the grim reality of Tory policy.

“The Tories claim to be honest on spending, but their proposals barely scratch the surface.

“They claim they can fix the country’s finances, but their plans are economically illiterate. Cutting spending now would plunge us back into recession.

“They claim to care about the poorest, but will only slash taxes for millionaires.

“They expect to have the keys to Downing Street handed to them, but at a time of crisis they have the wrong solutions and the wrong priorities.”

It just shows that, if local people want real change, the Liberal Democrats offer the best alternative to Labour's failures.

See http://www.libdems.org.uk/policies.aspx for the ideas that the Liberal Democrats are suggesting to bring real change for our area

Ian Swales & Nick Clegg promote Save our Steel Campaign

Ian Swales & Nick Clegg promote Save our Steel Campaign

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar, Ian Swales took the Save Our Steel campaign to the recent Liberal Democrat conference.

He is pictured with Lib Dem leader and Sheffield MP Nick Clegg.

Nick said " I am very concerned that our Government is not working with other European Governments to ensure a level playing field for our steel industry."

Ian Swales said "we have to get as many people as possible behind the campaign to save the local steel industry. I was fortunate to be able to state the case to so many parliamentarians at the Conference."

Lib Dems Support 10:10 Climate Change Campaign

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council will next week call on councillors to back a campaign aimed at driving forward cuts in the authority’s carbon emissions.

Councillor Irene Curr (Coatham Ward) has submitted a motion to the Council meeting on 15 October calling on the Labour-run Council to sign up to the “10:10 Campaign” to reduce carbon use.

The 10:10 campaign calls on individuals, businesses and other organisations to work towards a 10% cut in carbon emissions in 2010.

The campaign also aims to show world leaders that there is public support for dramatic cuts in global fuel consumption in the hope of encouraging an international agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which meets in Copenhagen in December.

Councillor Curr said:
“The Council should be giving a lead on carbon reduction. 10% will be a tough target to achieve, but if the Council has the will to do it I am sure it will be possible.”

Her colleague, Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Carling, seconded the motion, adding:
“I hope that many local residents and businesses will also sign up to the 10:10 Campaign.”
“In these tough economic times it makes sense, not only for the environment, but in cutting fuel bills too.”

Ian Swales joins Lib Dems carrying the torch for North East Olympic hopes

North East Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to bring the Olympic flame to our region as part of the UK celebrations in 2012.
Led by Berwick’s MP Sir Alan Beith, Liberal Democrats from around the north east have written to Lord Coe as Chairman of the London Organising Committee asking for the flame to visit the North east. Other signatories are: Fiona Hall MEP, Cllr John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle City Council; Cllr Jeff Reid, Leader of Northumberland County Council, Ron Beadle, parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North; Greg Stone, parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East; Carol Woods, parliamentary spokesman for Durham City; and Ian Swales, parliamentary spokesman for Redcar.
Sir Alan Beith said
“The Olympics is a wonderful opportunity to encourage many people to get involved in all kinds of sporting activity. Bringing the Olympic flame to the north east will remind people that although the focus of the Games is London, we can all get involved.”
The Lib Dem team presented Lord Coe with a letter inviting the Olympic Flame to the North East at an event to promote London 2012 at the recent Lib Dem party conference in Bournemouth.
Ends.

I'm shocked at lack of support for local business

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar Ian Swales has responded to the news about lack of Government support for the local chemical industry.

He said: "I am shocked that the Government is doing so little to protect this country's vital strategic industries. Lord Mandelson's reply amounts to an insult when we're talking about such a big slice of the national economy. This is not just about jobs although that is absolutely vital for Teesside. It's also about security of supply for the important materials that our society needs. I worked at Wilton and Billingham for over 20 years. I can't believe that the Government would allow the chemical infrastructure here on Teesside to collapse.

"The suggestions from the industry looked very sensible and no less than companies will be getting elsewhere. With so much of our industry now foreign owned, companies will choose which plants to keep and where to invest based on many factors. A supportive political climate both locally and nationally is absolutely key.

"With its failure to back both our steel and chemical industries and failure to move Civil Service jobs here it looks as though the Government is quite content to see Teesside become an industrial wasteland with mass unemployment."

Osborne’s proposals are Lib Dem Lite – Cable

Commenting on George Osborne’s address to Tory party conference, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:

“This set of deficit reduction proposals is Lib Dem Lite.

“The sum total amounts to nothing more than a drop in the ocean and will not deal with the structural deficit.

“What is more, Osborne has in effect guaranteed that these policies will merely pave the way for a return to traditional Tory politics – hitting the public sector now to pay for tax cuts for millionaires later.

“Only the Liberal Democrats have made a commitment to bringing public spending under control whilst making taxes fairer across the board.”

Leaked letters expose how little has been done to safeguard 10,000 jobs

Can you believe it?

When local industry sought help from Lord Mandelson's Business Department they got a frosty reply, according to a report in the Gazette today. "I was sorry to hear about the recently announced closures of some chemical plants on Teesside," he said.

Governments across the European Union are helping their industries facing tough business conditions. They include Holland, Germany and Poland. But not the UK's Labour Government.

Local Lib Dems have supported the Save Our Steel campaign, but we have repeatedly pointed out that the buck stops with Gordon Brown's Government. It's no good local Labour MP Vera Baird doing her usual thing of campaigning locally for one thing and backing her Government when she's back home in London.

We need a Lib Dem MP who will consistently represent local people and industry at Westminster

See -
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2009/10/06/leaked-letters-expose-how-little-has-been-done-to-safeguard-10-000-teesside-jobs-84229-24863233/4/

National Trust says sale of land for East Middlesbrough bypass would be dereliction of duty

From the Evening Gazette, 5 October 2009 -

'SELLING off land at Ormesby Hall estate for an East Middlesbrough bypass would be a dereliction of its duty, says the National Trust.

The proposed new single-carriageway road is at the centre of a controversy between Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils.
Middlesbrough Council wants the road to be built with a number of measures to alleviate traffic problems on routes into the town from the south.
Redcar and Cleveland’s Cabinet has confirmed its opposition to the road plan. It prefers to make progress on alternative measures to ease traffic congestion - especially the Marton Crawl.
In taking its decision, the Cabinet pointed to the opposition to the plan from the National Trust.
The route of the proposed bypass from Swans Corner at Nunthorpe to Longlands in Middlesbrough would require land at the edge of the Ormesby Hall Estate, which is owned by the National Trust.


Nick Dolan, the National Trust’s Property Manager for Ormesby Hall, told the Gazette the National Trust had been involved with previous studies, which had found the building of a new road to be an impractical solution on a number of grounds.

“Whilst the National Trust is keen to support sustainable solutions to Middlesbrough’s transport problems, and is willing to maintain an open dialogue with both Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Councils, the National Trust is an independent charity established for over a century to protect valuable open space, and this vital protection of land will continue.

“The Ormesby Hall Estate was given to the National Trust by the Pennyman family to ensure such a ‘green lung’ remained for local people and other visitors to enjoy.

“Therefore it would be a dereliction of our legal duty to approve the loss of this important land to development.”'

Lib Dems Councillors for Ormesby and Nunthorpe have passed on details the National Trust's position to local residents on the road for years.

It is time Middlesbrough Council's Mayor recognised the reality of the situation and started looking for realistic and sustainable solutions to local traffic problems.

The response to the Lib Dems' petition to keep local green space earlier this year showed the overwhelming wish of local residents to oppose the road and Redcar & Cleveland's Labour Council's scheme for 115 houses on the Swan's Corner field.

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar, Ian Swales, has appeared on the BBC Politics Show criticising the new Regional Grand Committee. The Committee met in Middlesbrough last Friday and is an attempt to bring Parliament out of Westminster into the regions.

Ian said "It was an interesting bit of theatre but contributed little to the Government of the region. The fact that only 14 of the regions 30 MP's bothered to turn up shows that it is already low in their priorities right from the start.

"The Committee also shows the absurdity of the first past the post electoral system. Full attendance would have seen 28 Labour MP's and just 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Conservative at the Committee. The recent European elections were held under a fair voting system and the region returned 1 Labour, I Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat to Brussels.

"Finally I would question the wisdom of adding to the cost of running Parliament and taking a large number of police away from their normal duties. When so many of our local front line services such as social workers, neighbourhood police and the probation service are making cutbacks it seems insensitive to bring this show into town."

Watch Redcar's prospective Lib Dem MP Ian Swales on the Politics Show: http://tinyurl.com/y99wgch

HAVE YOUR SAY ON BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE

HAVE YOUR SAY ON BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE

REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council is currently undertaking Statutory Consultation on its Building Schools for the Future plans.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: "This consultation forms part of the next stage in our exciting plans for Building Schools for the Future. I would like to encourage everyone to come along and have their say on the proposals."

Councillor Jeffrey, added: "The Building Schools for the Future programme is a vitally important part of the jigsaw that will eventually see 21st Century learning environments for all ages designed to engage and inspire young people, their teachers and the wider community."

The consultation which runs until Sunday 25th October, focuses on the following proposals:

*to discontinue Gillbrook College and expand Eston Park School

*to discontinue St Peter’s Catholic College of Maths and Computing, South Bank and expand Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided School – A Specialist Science College, Redcar

*to discontinue Freebrough Specialist Engineering College. An Academy at Freebrough is planned. This will be subject to a proposal by the Secretary of State. This will not affect the day to day operation of the College. A full and thorough consultation process about the Academy will take place next month.

Have your say at one of the following drop-in sessions:

Expansion of Eston Park School: Wednesday 23rd September, at James Finegan Hall, Eston, 4pm-6pm and Wednesday 14th October, at City Learning Centre, Eston, 5pm-7pm.

Catholic provision in Redcar and Cleveland: Wednesday 30th September, at James Finegan Hall, Eston, 4pm-6pm and Wednesday 21st October, at Sacred Heart RC School, Redcar, 5pm-7pm.

An Academy at Freebrough: Wednesday 7th October, at Freebrough Specialist Engineering College, Brotton, 5pm-7pm.

The full consultation document is available on the Council's website www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk, follow the link from the homepage.

Ian Swales pledges to “do his bit” for British Armed Forces

Ian Swales pledges to “do his bit” for British Armed Forces

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Redcar, has pledged to do his bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Ian Swales met with representatives from The Royal British Legion at the recent Liberal Democrat party conference in Bournemouth where he was presented with a copy of the Legion’s manifesto for the next general election.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs and parliamentary candidates to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of Public Affairs, said, “We’re really grateful to Ian Swales for making the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns. Our message to every candidate standing at the general election is very simple: ‘It’s time to do your bit’.

“The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties,” he added. “Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration”.

Ian Swales said, “I was delighted to meet with The Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. I have pledged to do my bit and would encourage everyone to do the same by visiting the general election manifesto website – www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk - to find out more.”

TAMIFLU SHOCK

RESIDENTS LET DOWN BY SWINE FLU ARRANGEMENTS

Residents in Redcar and Cleveland are being let down by the swine flu arrangements.
Those needing Tamiflu are expected to go to either Stockton or Whitby to pick up the drug.

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar has personal experience. He said: “I had some flu symptons and rang the help line. After a long pre-recorded introduction I was put through to two of the staff arguing between themselves and they couldn't hear me. Eventually I got through and was given all the help I needed. However I was amazed to be told that I had to nominate a "buddy" to go all the way to Teesdale in Stockton to pick up the Tamiflu. The pharmacy is only open between 2pm and 6pm. The nearest public transport is at Thornaby railway station which is over 10 minutes walk away for a fit person.

"Many residents will have problems with these arrangements especially those who are elderly or infirm. Not everyone knows someone who could spend most of an afternoon travelling to Stockton and back.

"It's unbelievable that Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust has not provided a single pick up point.”