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.”

Labour’s scheme for 115 houses on SWAN’S CORNER FIELD


The Labour Council has now come clean on what they plan to do with the field at Swan’s Corner. It’s part of a scheme to build 5765 new houses up to 2021.
And their favourite locations include green field sites like their scheme to build 115 houses at Swan’s Corner.

Bang goes Labour’s promise to protect green areas

Labour’s 2007 Local Election Manifesto
Labour said, they would -
"Put in place policies and strategies to maintain, enhance and extend green spaces.
Have policies to rigorously enforce the protection of all green areas."

Your Lib Dem Councillors, Eric Empson and Glyn & Irene Nightingale think Labour have again reneged on an election promise to local people.
It has never been so important as now to protect green spaces.


WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN OBJECTING TO THE LABOUR COUNCIL'S PROPOSALS TO BUILD ON A GENUINE GREEN FIELD SITE.
PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION OVERLEAF - TODAY!


We, the undersigned, object strongly to any new housing on the green area at Swan’s Corner.


Name: Address:
Tel:
Email:

Please print out and return to -

Cllr ERIC EMPSON
28 Woodside Tel: 322014

Cllr GLYN & IRENE NIGHTINGALE
161 Ormesby Bank Tel: 315565

OR - FREEPOST RRKX-SBSS-JRTS
Liberal Democrats 39 Coast Road, Redcar TS10 3NN

“Government incompetence has been costly to Northern Rock” – Ian Swales

Responding to the decision by the Government to nationalise Northern Rock, Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Redcar constituency, said:

“This decision is welcome but was also inevitable and should have been taken last year. Instead, Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling have been paralysed by their own indecision. They put off the only sensible course of action right until the very end. This is hardly a sensible way to run the Government.

“Had Labour followed the advice of Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable last year, the uncertainty that has been so damaging to Northern Rock and to the British economy would have been avoided.

“The Conservative proposal that Northern Rock should be put into administration and run down would be a disaster. Not only would this not get taxpayers money back any faster but it would be the one way to guarantee that every single job at the bank would be lost, most of them in the North East. Temporary nationalisation will not be easy for Northern Rock, but it at least offers hope that the bank can have a long-term future and eventually be sold when conditions are better.”

Ian Swales is the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar

SAVE OUR POST OFFICES

Ian Swales with local Councilllors Glyn Nightingale (left) and Eric Empson (right) outside Lazenby Post Office

REDCAR Constituency’s Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Ian Swales, says Labour’s new plans to close 2500 post offices will hit local communities across Britain.

That’s nearly 1 in 5 post offices to close and this includes local post offices in Park Avenue, Redcar and Lazenby. These new closures are on top of the 7500 post offices already closed by Conservative and Labour Governments. The closures will mean long journeys for many just to pick up a pension or send a parcel.

Local people deserve much better!

Labour have already closed 4000 post offices in Britain.
The last Conservative Government closed 3500 post offices.
The Lib Dems are fighting to save our post offices.

STEPS TO SAVE OUR POST OFFICES

1. Invest £2 billion in post office network - open new branches where needed.
2. The Post Office freed from Royal Mail restrictions to let it develop new business.
3. A new legal requirement for the Government to maintain the local Post Office network.

Please print out and sign our "Save our post offices petition"

I/We the undersigned call on the Labour Government to stop the closure of 2500 post offices across Britain. We need more post offices, not more cuts.

Name/s _________________________________________

Address_________________________________________

Phone_________________ Email____________________

Return to: FREEPOST RRKX-SBSS-JRTS,
Redcar & Cleveland Liberal Democrats,
39 Coast Road,
Redcar,
Yorkshire, TS10 3NN