Decisive victory for Ormesby & Nunthorpe Lib Dems

Even bad weather didn't stop local residents giving decisive support to the Liberal Democrat candidate Ann Wilson in yesterday's by-election following the retirement of highly respected Lib Dem Councillor Eric Empson.

The result confirmed that the local Liberal Democrats are on track as Labour's main challengers -

Ann Wilson Liberal Democrat 1084 - an increased vote over 2007 of 13%
Labour 210 - down 5%
UKIP 103
Conservative 77 - down 15%.

New Councillor Ann Wilson said after the result was announced, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of such as highly espected Councillor as Eric Empson. I will do my best to repay the confidence peopple have placed in me and I look forward to representing all Ormesby and Nunthorpe on Redcar & Cleveland Council whatever their political affiliation."

Lib Dem Prospective MP Ian Swales, "This is massive result for the Liberal Democrats in the Redcar Constituency and is most encouraging for the coming General Election."

Local Ward Councillors Glyn & Irene Nightingale said, "We are delighted that residents of Ormesby and Nunthorpe have continued to show confidence in the Liberal Democrats - even in such bad weather."

Government threat to our heritage

The Government is planning to remove legal protection from listed buildings in Britain. The provisions are contained in draft legislation which will encourage local authorities to demolish listed buildings on economic or social grounds. This legislation threatens numerous buildings including 19 in the Redcar district alone.

Local conservationist Alex Stamp said "to remove legal protection is unacceptable and an astonishing indication of the Governments hostility where distinguished architecture is concerned., the idea that local Councils could demolish buildings such as Redcar clock, Saltburn war memorial or Middlesbrough railway station when they like will be a shock to local people. Professional bodies are already describing the move as a "wreckers charter".

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar Ian Swales is taking up the cause.

He said "I was saddened but not surprised when I heard of these proposals. The Labour Government's changes to Planning Laws are all designed to make demolition easy, smooth the way for developers and take local people out of the process. They have set up the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol who regularly allow developments despite local opposition. Redcar Lane, Redcar and Church Lane, Eston are two recent examples. They have also set up the Infrastructure Planning Commission who will be able to sanction nuclear power stations, airport runways and other large structures without reference to local people. Now they want to be able to bulldoze any of our fine old buildings that stand in their way".

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.