John Campion says " As a local organisation, we are always looking for new ways to communicate with the local residents.  The new blog service will provide up to date information from your local elected members."

The District Leader and several local Conservative councillors were in attendance.

The Bewdley Museum was put back into the Base Budget earlier this year by the Tory District Group, which would have closed under previous Health Concern plans.

The Guild Hall was open and the Charters were on display as well as many other interesting items from the Towns history.  It is important that the local people are able to see their civic buildings, and it is days like today that make that possible.

It is exciting to have a dedicated radio station for our district!  Another feather in Wyre Forests Cap!

Good to see Mike Oborski back in the chair and looking better after his recent operation.  It must be the prospect of fighting a By-Election that has given him a new lease of life ...... ;)

Then on to an Oportunity Bewdley meeting in Bewdleys' ST Georges Hall.  This was a presentation to partners on promoting Bewdley as a brand.  It was all good stuff and their work is to be commended.

The hot topic being the looming shake up of the countries Police Forces that has been covered in the press over the last couple of days.  The out look for how this will affect West Mercia is un-clear, but rest assured we will fight for what is best for the public, and not just what the Government wants us to do!

The Govt has also announced that they have given Sir Micheal Lyons more time to investigate how local Authorities are funded.  He was due to report back this year.  The current grant system means that Authoritys such as Wyre Forest lose out to a tune of £370,000 per year to ensure that other authorities recieve a minumum increase of 2.5%.  I say that this is not fair to the people of Wyre Forest, as it enevitably means that the District Taxpayer foots the bill.  Lets hope the former Birmingham City Council Chief Exec, Sir Micheal,  can come up with a fairer system!

Just imagine how good they will be when they are installed in the new state of the art Hub being built in the Town Hall.

The Labour Govt is commited to seeing forces with a minumum of 4000 officer or 6000 total staff (West Mercia has 2400 Officers and 1600 civilian staff).  I dont see the immediate advantages to the local communities, or the Council Tax payer that funds the service.  The changes are designed to promote efficency and improve the way in which higher level organised crime is dealt with.

My personal opinion is that as West Mercia is a high performing force, with a low spend, it doesnt need too much tinkering.  I believe that the Govt aspirations can be achieved by closer colaboration with our neigbours, not throwing the baby out with the bath water!

I wish John all the success...........................

The resignation is un-timely as he would have been up for re-election next May.  His early resignation is likely to cost the people of Bewdley approx £2000 to hold a By Election to fill his seat (Bewdley EAST ward).  I would have thought that the Towns Tax payer had better things to do with this money.

This is quite confusing as the local Liberals always seem to pointing out that the Lib Dems are an ineffective voice on the District Council, when they vote at all.  It just goes to show that when it comes down to it, there is not much between the two parties.  At least when you vote Conservative, you know what you are voting for!

It is good to be able to stand on the door step and tell local people that the Conservatives are working for them on the District Council, delivering The Lowest EVER Council tax increase, Multi screen cinema, more car parking, economic regeneration across the district, all whilst getting the councils spending under control.

We are campaigning on local issues, and what John Aston can do for the electorate, working with the Conservative Adminstration at the District and County Councils.  John Aston is a resident of the ward, and has been so for a long time.  The only other candidate to live in the ward is the Labour Candidate, you can read into that what you want!  John doesnt need to learn the local issues, as he lives them every day of his life.

Now that the work is started you can start to see how the Hub will function.  It is pleasing to see a building with such a long history be brought back into the function it was orginally built for, serving the people of Kidderminster!

All three Liberal councillors were absent.  Only one (Peter Dyke) had bothered to send his apologies.  There must have been something more important on elsewhere ........ a more cynical person than myself would think that there was a by election on somewhere.

I say that it is just not good enough! The Council Diary is set back in June for the whole year.  If you cant make it, send your apologies and arrange a Sub.  Councillors not turning up could mean that meetings cant take place, wasting officers and members time.

Rant over.

The former leader of the Council who was lost his district seat in 2004, and county seat in 2005, states that the tories are pushing ahead with a new district office, that will cost the tax payer tens of millions.  He states that the adminstration will have to borrow.  This is not the case.  That may be the way that the Health Concern administration did busniess, but it certainly is not the way we do buisness.

We want to see the District Council look at its six ineffecient offices, and see what FINANCIAL SAVING can be made from moving to one office.  The cost of building this single office WILL BE MET from existing resources.

Before mis-leading the good people of Wyre Forest, the former leader of the council should check his facts, but purhaps that is why he is the former leader of the council........

Whilst election day temperature had reached fever pitch, the Conservative District Cabinet had to refocus its attention back to the affairs of the district, as it held a meeting at 6pm last night.

The West Mercia Police Authority have announced they will consult on two options under the Govts reorganisation agenda.  The Options are:

1.  West Mercia Strategic Force - Level two criminality tackled through investment and collaboration with neigbouring forces.

2.  West Midlands Regional Force - A merger with West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire.

The Authority want the opinions of the communities they serve, and there is a questionnaire on the website; www.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk.

Get online and give your viewpoint ........................

The scheme will allow the OAP residents of Wyre Forest to travel extensively including outside the county. 

It seems they dont mind the association with the Liberals, when they are being endorsed during a by election (anything to stop the tories).  Now it seems that normal service has been resumed.

I enjoy a good fireworks dislay as much as the next person, but the fireworks "season" seems to get longer and longer each year.

Whilst I agree that the buildings' design has some merit, I am not suprised that it doesn't meet the official criteria for listing.  With the Civic Centre not being list it will give the Council far more choices when it is looking to reduce the costs of its accommodation needs.

St Marys was packed, with people from all generation.

There was an excellent address from the Mayors' Chaplin, that focused on "love thy neighbour" and reminding us that the children are the generation that will live with the consequences of our actions.

recommending an option for West Mercia that

would include a tie up with Staffordshire.  This

option has not been featured by either force. 

In fact, when West Mercia Scored this option,

it rated very poorly in improving level 2 policing,

which the whole exercise is supposed to be

improving! 

Looks like this Labour Govt is not in a listening

mood at the moment, but recent events in the

commons has shown that even Labour back

benchers have had enough.  Downing Street

today has said that MPs are out of touch with

the people, I would like to suggest that it is the

Prime Minister who is out of touch!

The Rt Hon Theresa May MP visited Wyre Forest at the weekend.

Theresa took time discussing local issues with local Conservative County and District Councillors.  Issues ranged from the impending Police reorganisation, to Immigration and 24hr drinking.

Theresa also attended the Annual Diner of the Wyre Forest Conservatives, which packed the Ball Room at the Ramada Hotel in Bewdley.

There must have been a couple of thousand people on the streets of Bewdley.  It was quite a sight.  The Town Council did a great job, but I think there is a few lessons for next year.  Well done to all those who got this event off the ground.

It is good to see Bewdley start to get back on its feet...................

Kind Regards

                -Tav.-

Your wish is my command ..............

Two leading liberal councilors have publicly called for the sacking of Cllr Desmond, following his letter in last weeks Shuttle.

Nathan is the Cabinet Member for Leisure Services (not Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Commercial Services as stated by the liberals), and has performed his role with considerable drive and professionalism over the last 18 months.  And long may he continue.

It would appear that the Liberals think Nathan was having a direct attack on Wyre Forest employees, perhaps the liberals didn’t read (or maybe understand) his letter properly, as he was commenting on a NATIONAL ISSUE, not a Wyre Forest specific issue.

Nathan is one of the first to commend our hard working staff at the District Council, and it is outrageous for anybody to say otherwise.  Nathan was making his personal view, he was not representing the view of the Council or the administration.  He was not commenting in his capacity as a Cabinet Member.

This country is based on a principle of free speech, where people can put their views freely.  Well it would seem that this is only true in the eyes of the liberals when they agree with it, or couldnt score any political points from it.

It is about time they grew up, and got on with the job of representing the people that elected them.

What this means to you and me, is that the Govt will announce how much money they are giving to local authorities next year (2006/2007).  The grant is very late this year, and there is big fears in local Govt that the grant will not be very generous, leading to a high council tax.  We have pledged locally that we will keep it low.  So the next few months will be interesting.

We introduced the lowest ever council tax increase this financial year (3.94%) in Wyre Forest, whilst at the same time achieving a balanced three year budget.

I heard David Milliband, who is the local Govt Minister give an address and take some questions.  He does not appear to have his mind set on Local Govt re organisation, but said he just wanted to start the conversation.  I am not sure I believe him.

He interestingly said that Central Govt had a lot to learn from Local Govt.  The Conservatives are the largest party in Local Govt.  He appeared to get flustered when the question of regional Govt was raised, and failed to give a clear rebuttle.  It is strange how these issues all come together, Police Re organisation, Local Govt review, Local Govt funding review ............

Another point David Milliband reminded his LGA audience of was that he last addressed them on 8/7/05, the day after the London Bombings, and today, the day after the Oil Depot explosions.

We began the evening, honouring Cllr John Wardle MBE JP DL, by making him an Alderman.  It was inspiring to hear tales from his 50 year public service.

Then we went to the ordinary council meeting.  The agenda had been kept light, to ensure it was short.  Other parties submitted questions, and there was three motions.

The first motion was predictably about Nathans' letter to the Shuttle commenting on the national pension crisis.  Nathan had previously made a personal apology to Unison for any offence cause, he repeated this in the Shuttle, and he also made an un conditional apology to Council tonight.

The liberals motion asked for him to apologise further, then Labour amended the motion to ask him to resign.  After a drawn out debate, the amendment and original motion were lost.

I don't see this as a victory for the Conservative Party in Wyre Forest.  What we do need to do, is to recognise that an error in judgement has been made, and we now need to move on.

The high lights are:

• 2.5% Council Tax increases for the next three years (Inflation runs around 3%).
• £180k to improve the Public Toilets.
• Decriminalise on Road parking in Wyre Forest.  This will bring on road parking enforcement under the control of the local council.
• £17k grant towards completing the restoration of the War Memorial in Kidderminster.
• Money to improve the districts car parks, and to provide more spaces.
• CCTV systems for Stourport and Bewdley.

The Cabinet will hold a public meeting as part of the 26th January Cabinet to consult the districts tax payer on their budget proposals.

There was a review of the CCTV system in Kidderminster, now that it is almost a year old.  There was some very interesting statistics showing how effective it was in helping catch criminals.  There was some very valid points made, including how we should link our system with the Weavers Wharf and Swan Centre System.

It bodes well for the proposal to extend the system to Bewdley and Stourport.

All Stourport cash office transactions will be conducted the the Wyre Forest Community Housing Office, in Stourport High Street during this period.

On certain days, access to the Civic will be via the rear enterance, which will be clearly signed.  If you need further information contact the Council on k 820505.

The range of Council services available to the people of Stourport will be greatly increased once the new hub is opened.

His resignaton came after his admission that he was a recovering alcholic last week.  The media frenzy was too much to bear, and he subsequently lost the support of the Lib Dem Parlimentary Party.  He had no choice but to go.  I wish him luck in the future.

Dr. Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest) (Ind): If he has not done so already, will the Prime Minister find time to read at least the summary of the report from the Health Select Committee on primary care trusts? If he agrees with the thrust of the summary, will he try to persuade Ministers in the Department of Health that the proposed reorganisation of the NHS, the 25th since 1982, is the wrong one at the wrong time?

The Prime Minister: I do not think that it is the wrong time to consider these matters, given the shift to practice-based commissioning and payment by results. It is important that we look at the right way to configure the PCTs, and that is something that people are consulting on. However, the hon. Gentleman will know from his constituency—and, after all, he has a special interest in the matter—that there has been major investment in health care over recent years. Contrary to some of the publicity today, the result of that investment is the fact that waiting lists are at the lowest level since 1988. Also, many people who used to wait two years for an operation now get it within months

Dear Editor

I write further to A Lamb’s letter printed in this weeks Kidderminster Shuttle.

It is absolutely correct to say that Wyre Forest has received a fair and just financial settlement for 06/07.  This is only after several years of the District being short changed, for example £377k was re distributed from our grant last year to other Authorities.

The increase may look large, but you have to take into account the extra services that the Council has to provide; Free Travel for OAPS, Civil Contingencies, Election administration, to name a few.

It is also unfair to compare the Councils costs to inflation, as this does not take into account that the cost of employing people has risen 6% (Mainly Pension Costs), Energy has risen 25%, and fuel 13%.  I have championed an efficiency program that will see £1,722,000 saved over three years.  The picture is not quite so black and white as A Lamb appears to suggest.

I am very conscious that the Council Tax is a sensitive tax, that is why I am proposing setting a 2.5% increase for the next three years, which is half of the Councils current finance strategy.

Yours Faithfully,
 

Cllr John Campion
Cabinet Member
Finance & Corporate Affairs

What is the point of consultation if you have already made your mind up?

Rejection of the Govt offer to voluntarly merge with the other West Midland Forces.  The main reasons related to the lack of clarity as to the benefits of a merger, the lack of reassurance about maintaining a "local" service and the lack of any significant funding towards the anticipated £52m cost of the merger.  The Govt has recently stated that the estimated financial benefit of the merger has been reduced from £23m to just £12m.  Private business would not puch ahead with a £900m merger with such poor information.  The Govt needs to get its act together.

The Police Precpt will increase by an average 4.94% from April.  This was mainly due to a very low grant increase from Govt (just 3.2%) and the need to invest in Level 2 policing.

The Council have recieved an exceptionally bad settlement from Govt this year, and as such a 4.94% increase in its precept is required to protect front line services.  The County is also embarking on an efficiency program that will see over £10m saved in the medium term.

There was an amendment from the Lib Dem Group which was defeated, as it was short sighted, and not financially prudent.  There were also some small amendements from the Labour group, which were taken on board.

From a technical point, I couldnt work out why the Lib Dems supported the amendments, and then voted against the budget....... they seemed to have their wires crossed.

James is now back home, and recovering well.  We all wish him a speedy recovery.

The Famers Market and Art exibitions today, were just some of the attraction on offer.  Now the EA have finished all will hopefully return to normal.

It really is an example of how District Councils can work with a County Council to provide better services for the electorate.

"Local Council services in Wyre Forest may be affected by National Industrial Action being taken across the UK on Tuesday 28th March.

It is not possible to identify the level of distruption, but local Council services cannot be guaranteed on the above day.

All Council services including customer services, payment offices, refuse and recycling collections may be affected. Full services may not be available on the above day at any of the Council's offices.

If your refuse/recycling day is Tuesday, please leave your wheelie bin and recycling boxes out as usual. If your wheelie bin is not emptied, leave it out and it will be emptied the following day, Wednesday 29th March. If your recycling boxes are not emptied on Tuesday or Wednesday, please store them safely and put them out for collection on your normal collection day the following week.

Any trade waste collections that are unable to be completed on Tuesday 28th March will be collected on Wednesday 29th March.

Thank you for your co-operation. "

Perhaps if they spoke to the Local Councillors for the area (of which two are Liberals) then perhaps they would know why we cant publish the details.  I would have thought that the local Liberal Leader with his long experience in Public Office would know better, but then it is silly season and common sense seems to go out of the window.

The Weavers Cottages will be subject of a report at Cabinet tomorrow, from which there will be a public minute.

Tonight there was an exempt report to Cabinet about the cottages.  All members of the Council, including the two Liberal Cllrs from the ward would have recieved a copy.  So how many of the local ward Cllrs were present to argue their point? None.  They must be really bothered.

Below is a Council Press release in relation to the matter:

Weaver’s Cottages, known as 20, 21, 22 Horsefair, Kidderminster
A series of recent building inspections, including one from English Heritage revealed that No. 22 Horsefair, one of these three Grade 11 Listed Buildings, was structurally unsound at the lintel above the shop doorway, prompting Wyre Forest District Council to take action to protect the structural integrity of these buildings. To ensure safety for both the Public and Council workers on the site, protective fencing was erected.

Specialist structural engineers have now inspected the cottages following a suggested technique from English Heritage which provides a safe working environment for the repair works to be undertaken. Repairs include the rebuilding of the frontage of No. 22, which is presently structurally unsound.

Wyre Forest District Council has been in discussions with The Community Housing Group to enable them to enter the Weaver’s Cottages site under licence to carry out the repairs as a matter of urgency.  The Community Housing Group already has plans to re-develop the wider Horsefair site (which includes the Weaver’s Cottages) later in 2006.

Councillor Anne Hingley, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Rural Affairs said,

“I am pleased that a suitable solution has been found which will protect these important listed buildings and enable them to be included as originally planned in the wider regeneration of the Horsefair area by the Community Housing Group.”

Been out in Oldington & Foley Park this morning delivering another quality newsletter to the residents.  We regualarly go out in a team on a saturday morning blitzing one or two District Wards all year round, not just at election time like some political parties...............

It of course praised the hard work of the District and County Council.  There was an interesting article on the replacement of the Bus Shelter in Parry Road.  This bus shelter has been the subject of two articles in the Sutton Park Newsletter reporting on the action taken by the ward Councillors, as Parry Road falls in Sutton Park not Oldington & Foley.  You would have thought that if you wanted to stand for District election, you would know your ward boundary .......... Are they that desperate to hijack our issues they have to go to neigbouring Wards to do it?

“It seems to be a real possibility that King Charles I High School would have to be rebuilt on a new site — most likely in the vicinity of the existing Comberton Middle and First School and Stourminster Special School complex.”

It also goes on to describe how the King Charles I site would then be re-developed for over 200 Houses............ This simply is NOT THE CASE>>>>>>>> THERE ARE NO CURRENT PLANS TO REBUILD THE SCHOOL at another location.  To suggest otherwise is scare mongering, once again the local Liberals causing upset to the local resident just to whip up a bit of election material.

^{Anti Sleeze, Tough on crime & the tough on the causes of crime, and 24 hrs to fix the NHS.}

With the revelations this week, all those new labour voters must be wondering if it was all window dressing and Labour are just the same socialists of old?

It happily states on the front, that the main thing going for the candidate is that he "works with Lib Dem Cllrs editing and delivering FOCUS to keep you informed about what is happening in our area".

This cant been the most time consuming of jobs as firstly there is only two other (out of 42) Lib Dem Cllrs in Wyre Forest and they cant be too serious a party as they have only fielded three candidates for the 14 district seats in thursdays election.  The second point is how many leaflets have they delivered in Oldington since the last election?????  I would be willing to bet it is significantly less then the tories or even labour.

Lib Dems; Working Hard for you only at election time.

Well, that is exactly what is happening outside St Johns FIRST School, Blakebrook Kidderminster.  We will be in touch with the local police & Highways to see what can be done to deter these selfish motorists.

Out is the venerable Cllr Stokes as leader, and in is Cllr Martin (only elected a week ago to Broadwaters, after being sacked by the electorate two years ago in Franche).

Out is Independent Kidderminster Hospital & Health Concern Group name and in is Independent Health Concern ......... does that mean that they have given up on Saving Kidderminster Hospital? Perhaps I missed that press release.

The following was a comment sent by Tavis Pitt

It was good that the Govt listened to the people, and does it mean that the new Home Secretary will follow suit and save West Mercia which is the best performing force in the Country?

To find out more about the Health Merger click here

I was very proud of the nomination for my fellow ward councillor, Cllr James Dudley, who was elected unanimously to be Chairman of the Council for this year.  James is an excellent ward councillor and enthusiastic Cabinet Member, and he will be an exceptional Chairman.

The Conservatives were re-appointed as the minority administration for the forthcoming year, led by Cllr Clee as Leader of the Council.  The Cabinet remains unchanged but has been reduced in size to five and the other Cabinet members will absorb James Dudleys’ Cabinet roles.  The Councils scrutiny structure has been adjusted to bring it in line with the three Council Priorities of Service, Prosperity and Efficiency.  Cllr Mike Oborski was elected to chair the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee, which is the Councils main scrutiny committee.

It was good to see the public gallery full, though I didn’t see Tavis………….

Read BBC report here

This all comes at a time when it has been leaked that the proposed merger would cost the tax payers some £600m across the country and that the Police Service could lose some 25,000 officers.

I think that the Police Service does need to evolve in the UK, but I fear that the current proposed changes will undo some of the progress that has been made in West Mercia.

To find out the latest releases concerning the proposed merger of West Mercia Police go to the Police Authority Web Site.

Read full BBC new story here

Cllr Mike Shellie was elected Deputy Mayor.

I wish them both well for the forthcoming year.

As some may know the Market management has been let by the Council to an external contractor.

It was the first day when the private contractors were running the market, and what a difference it made.  The stalls were uniformly laid out, and had a uniform Skirting and Cover arrangment.  The whole thing looked very proffesional, a vast improvement.

I hadnt got my camera with me to show any photos but it is definately worth a visit next Thursday.

There will be a range of activities from Football, music, skateboarding demos, and childrens games.

It looks like the weather is going to play ball, so it should be a good day.  It all starts at 12 noon.

My thoughts go out to the mans' family who must be devastated.

He says he wants to listen more, and solve some of those niggling problems.  Like if they merge the West Midlands forces, the Council Tax precept equalisation will see a 38% increase for the Birmingham rate payer!

Yesterday Worcestershire County Councils' Cabinet approved the proposed changes to the catchment areas in Wyre Forest, as part of the Wyre Forest Schools Review.

The changes to the catchment areas can be found at www.worcestershire.gov.uk.

The changes to the catchment areas have come after extensive consultation with parents.  It is interesting how few formal objections have been made to the proposed changes.  It is mainly down to the approach of the officers, they have held surgeries around the district, used the project board and consulted local members.  The review will see in excess of £100m invested into Wyre Forest Schools over the coming years.

Its an exciting prospect that we could give the residents of the area access to Police, Housing Company, adult education, Health Care, Youth Workers.... all at the focus of the community, the school.

An interesting photo of the alterations to the Town Hall in Kidderminster.

It was exceptionally hot in the chamber.  The heat was not helped by the hot air spouted by the Liberal Leader.

One of that main points of debate related to a post on The Wyre Forest Agenda website................ well I suppose it makes a change for me not to be in trouble.

Wheelie Bins – The Policy Explained

I write in response to the various letters and articles regarding wheelie bins in the last two weeks editions of the Shuttle/Times and News.

As Cabinet Member for Commercial Services it is my responsibility to oversee the refuse and recycling collection within the District.

As you may be aware, every Council in the country is set strict recycling and waste minimisation targets by the Government, who, in turn have them imposed on them by EU regulations. These require Wyre Forest District Council to obtain a recycling target of 28.3% of all waste collected from domestic collections by 31st March, 2007. The District Council is proceeding well against this target and with the current weekly collection of recycling and fortnightly of domestic waste we have moved along way from our performance which was a little below 6% prior to the introduction of this service and we are currently achieving 26.5% of household waste recycled.

If the Council fails to reach these targets, the Government has the power to impose fines and to remove previously paid grant aid, both of which would have a significant impact on Council tax levels in the district. Any requirement to repay grants, which currently total £1.8 million, would mean that other Council services would have to have substantial cuts in order to fund the repayments, which I am sure everyone would agree would have an unacceptable and detrimental effect on local services which is something that I and my Conservative administration would wish to avoid.

A key part of the strategy is the fortnightly wheeled bin collection and although I agree, that in very hot weather, additional care should be taken in the way that households dispose of and wrap their waste, prior to being placed in the wheelie bin, the overall strategy of fortnightly collections is one that cannot be abandoned if we are to meet the strictly imposed targets.

The cost of the current refuse service is £17.51 per household, per annum. If we were to introduce a weekly collection this would increase the collection costs by just over £700,000 per annum, taking the total cost of the service to £1.5 million which would equate to £35.02 per household per annum.

Wyre Forest District Council’s recycling achievements are seen as good practice in the County and other councils such as Worcester City and Wychavon are in the process of trailing similar fortnightly collections. It is recognised by many local authorities that in order to meet the strict waste minimisation targets, fortnightly collections are an effective method and Wyre Forest is one of some 120 local authorities throughout England and Wales who currently operate fortnightly collections.

Readers may be interested to know that as a Council we have agreed with all other local Councils in Worcestershire to introduce a twin wheeled bin collection service from 2009, which will hopefully give substantial improvements to the levels of recycling, as well as giving a more flexible and controlled refuse service and alleviate householders from having to sort their recyclables into different boxes.

In the meantime, with the Council’s current investment and fleet and strict recycling targets it is not possible to change the current policy of fortnightly wheeled bin collections. Simply, to reverse the collection regime, with wheeled bins collected weekly and recycling fortnightly, would pose significant health and safety problems with the lifting and sorting of boxes at the kerbside. Furthermore, it would mean enormous costs operationally to the Council, as explained above, together with the repayment of large Defra grants and we would not meet the Government’s recycling targets.

As Cabinet member and as an elected member of Wyre Forest District Council, I do appreciate and acknowledge everyone’s different views, comments and concerns on the subject and I would not wish anyone to feel that their voice had simply been ignored. I can assure you it has not. It is very easy, without the full facts to call for a weekly wheelie bin collection and fortnightly recycling but I hope now that residents have had the full facts explained that they understand the position that we are in. This Conservative administration is committed to delivering the best possible public services across the board to the taxpayer and to low council tax increases. Therefore, to reverse this decision would be financially irresponsible to the people of the Wyre Forest particularly when the system is to change in 2009. We inherited this system from the previous Health Concern administration and for all of the above reasons in my letter we are where we are, therefore, there is no alternative but to stick with the existing system until the new scheme is introduced in 2009.

Marcus Hart
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Commercial Services.

The answer seems to be lots!

It was impressive to see the wide range of leisure activities that the Council either offers or participates in.  It was good to see the use of leisure in a targeted way to combat anti social behaviour in certain areas.

The tour ranged from Hot Spot activities, the leisure centres, to Ladies Football and skateboarding.

Check out the District Councils web site www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk for the full list of leisure activities on offer.

I was amazed to see that nine school governers have resigned from Bewdley High School over an appointment which took place last year........ a delayed reaction?

I would have thought that if they were concerned over disruption to childrens education, then the last thing that they should do is distrupt it further by resigning from the body that runs the school.

At question time the questions submitted were from the Kidderminster Hospital Group and ranged from the Town Hall in Kidderminster, Disability equality, buses, houses, skateboarding, white wickets changing rooms to the councils garage facilities.

I think that it was fair to say that the answers given were robust and strong.  It is useful to be able to bring to Councils attention the administrations progress in certain areas.  If it was the Hospitals Groups intention to try to embarrass the administration then I think they fell short.

I cant believe that the other Wyre Forest Web sites haven't had a pop about the new Conservative logo.

My opinion for what it is worth, is that the party has successfully improved its image over recent months.  I am just not so certain that the public would instantly say "conservative" when they see the new logo, but I suppose that it will come with time.

More details can be found at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/wyreforestschools

Only one article ever appeared and now the section has gone all together..... some cynical people may think the section should have been called "working for you (but only at election time)".

There is some local opposition to the new (unfinished) steps and ramp at the front of the Town Hall in Kidderminster.
 
The scheme was not the Tory controlled District Councils first choice.  The original proposal was much more traditional in style, but was rejected by English Heritage.  It seems that the glass wall approach is preferred by English Heritage as the original features of the listed buildings are not obscured.  It is down to a matter of personal taste, but I think that the design will grown on people with time.....

I may be confussed because I was certain that the same indivual had joined the Lib Dems during the Aggborough & Spennels by election last year.  To be sure, I searched the local lib dem web site and found the following:

We Support Samantha

2.59.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 16th Oct 2005

"From one of Wyre forest Lib Dem`s newest recruits

"Enough is Enough Its time to vote for Samantha Walker and the Liberal Democrats"

Nigel Addison(Wolverley Man)

Former Tory Wyre Forest District Councillor".

Then the following on the Hospital Groups website:

HEALTH CONCERN offer a hale and hearty WELCOME to
NIGEL ADDISON
former Tory Councillor for Wolverley
who has joined the Health Concern ranks
and will be happy to hear from local residents in the Wolverley area
on local matters

The more interesting part is, that the Current Hospital Group leader, Howard Martin, was a candidate in the same by election .......

"Dud hub...

Lady phones us. Recycling bins by Offmore Community Centre are overflowing. Fran phones main Council Number. It takes 7 minutes to get through! When she gets through staff don't know who to tell!

If they can't even do that what exactly are they there for?

Fran is now rattling Chief Executive's chains!"

The above featured on the Liberals web site today.

It annoyed me for a couple of reasons.

Firstly the Wyre Forest Hubs' telephone answering stats are excellent (avg 13secs in Sept which is best in the County) and secondly Cllr Mrs Oborski is equiped with a Council telephone directory, so rather then use the Hub she could have dialed the Comercial services directly.  She is also equiped with a Council Laptop, so she could also have emailed..............

The Hub telephoney is currently located in a temporary facility at Green Street until it shortly moves to the Town Hall in Kidderminster.  The location is far from ideal, as its noisy and high in people movements, so rather then knocking our hard working staff Cllr Mrs Oborski should recognise their achievements.

County Wide Stats for September: 

Percentage of Calls answered within 15 seconds:

Bromsgrove  53%

Redditch 47%

Wyre Forest  76%

Malvern Hills  71%

Worcester City  41%

The ARZ will give the local Police an additional tool in the fight against anti social behaviour.  The powers will only be used when alchol is connected to anti social behaviour so it wont effect people having picnics etc in the park.

The Sutton Park Conservative Team will now hand over the responses to the District Council.

As part of the works the Music Room, Council Chamber, Court Room, and Mayors Parlour have all been redecorated.  The new lick of paint has really brought out some of the wonderful detail of the building.

The Mayors Balcony has also been repaired after it was damaged some years ago.

The Worcestershire Hub contact centre at the Town Hall will open on the 14th November this year, with the offical opening some time later in the year.

Apart for the not yet completed front enterance, the improvements were generally well recieved by members.

The big test will be what the public make of it when it opens on 14th November.

It’s been a busy old week, starting with a scrutiny panel looking at Shared Services, to Single Site at Full Council, Shared Services coming to Cabinet and the Government announcing the White Paper looking at Local Government.

The Shared Services issue is a massively complex and emotive issue for Wyre Forest District Council.  The facts of the case seem to change as to whom is quoting them.  It would seem that the Hospital Group are jumping on the Band Wagon, and just opposing the issue for Political Capital, which is pretty sad.  The underlying issue is that the business case identifies that Wyre Forest District Councils participation in Revenue and Benefits shared service could save the District Tax payer up to £470,000 per year.  I certainly think it warrants a good hard look at the issue before dismissing it out of hand.

Single Site.  It was good to see Council tackle an issue which has been dogging the Council for a number of years.  Our plans will see the Councils existing assets used to provide a new Civic Centre in Kidderminster which will accommodate all of the Councils office staff.  It will also see a new depot in Kidderminster and a new Civic Hall/Riverside Theatre for Stourport.  The plan will see a reduction in the annual cost of providing accommodation for the Councils staff.

The White Paper.  I’ve only just begun wading through the paper which is over an inch thick.  The headlines seem to be directly elected mayors, directly elected leaders, lighter touch assessments, more local by laws.  We will see the full extent as I continue to wade through it!

Dear sirs

Re:  No Question Over Savings for Tax Payer

I write following Cllr Knowles letter printed in this weeks shuttle.

There is no question over whether the District Councils plan to move to a single office will provide hundreds of thousands of pounds in savings for the Tax payer, because it will.  The proposal is backed by an independent report and the majority of the Districts elected representatives.  The scheme will modernise how the Council works, whilst at the same time making sure we are spending more money on your services, not on the offices we occupy.  The scheme will also provide a New state of the Art Civic Hall / Theatre in Stourport.

If Cllr Knowles had read the recent white paper from his Labour Government he would know that there are no plans to get rid of the District Councils in Worcestershire.  I am surprised by his comments that he wants to see them abolished as he is a former District councillor, Chairman of the District Council, and a candidate in this years District elections!  The Wyre Forest Labour Party should stop sniping from the side lines, and work with us to provide better services for the residents of Wyre Forest.

Yours sincerely

John Campion

The plan being debated was to merge the Revenue and Benefits services in Worcestershire.  The plan would see no changes to the front line service the users receive but would benefit from a slimed down management structure and from the economies of scale of a larger organisation.

The opposition parties took the opportunity to politically posture and voted down the minority Conservative administration and threw out the plans.

Whilst speaking in support of the plans, Cllr Clee reminded Council that the Conservatives did not have a whip on the issue, but it was obvious that the supposed “independent” hospital group did have a whip.  I thought they were supposedly just a group of independents……. It seems they are only independent when their dictatorial new leader says they can be.

The Conservative Administration will continue to drive through their efficiency measures in the District Council, and continue to drive down the cost of delivering quality services to local people at a price they can afford.

Mike is a "giant" in Wyre Forest politics, and a gentlemen to boot.

I, and Wyre Forest Conservatives wish him well, and long may his fight continue.

My first survey is about making Wood Street / Park Street one way (I've had two votes so far as of today).

Comment recieved:

Dear Editor,

At Wyre Forest District Councils meeting last Wednesday we saw a coalition of councillors join forces to vote against saving the taxpayers of this district £450,000 per year that we could have used to keep the Council Tax down and provide further services.

The majority of members decided not to accept the independent report from Price Waterhouse Coopers for working under a shared service arrangement with our neighbors to collectively save the Council Taxpayers money.

We are disappointed that the council have rejected the business case and to leave things has they are. Status Quo is clearly not an answer and we have seen in the Governments new white paper "strong and prosperous communities" that shared services and partnership working is now the only option available if we are to prosper as a District.

Early in the New Year we will be receiving Sir Michael Lyons review on Local Government Funding.

We believe that under the Lyons review our Revenue Support Grant (this is what government in London gives us to survive) will be cut if we do not have clear working examples of partnership working and will lead to continued pressure on your Council Tax that we believe is already too high.  We have reduced the Districts Council tax Liability by nearly £1,000,000 over recent years but there is a long way to go, and we believe that cost saving measures like this, that would have NO IMPACT on the service you receive should be supported, not used as an opportunity for political posturing.

It was sad to see the business case be personalised in the way that is was.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Clee Leader of the Council

Marcus Hart Deputy Leader

John Campion Cabinet Member for Finance

Anne Hingley Cabinet Member for Housing Health and Rural Affairs

Nathan Desmond Cabinet Member for Leisure Services

The full agenda can be found here

First it was supposed to be reported in the Summer this year, then Autum this year, then before Christmas, now its in the spring next year.  Either Sir Micheal hasnt got any new ideas for funding local public services, or his New Labour masters dont like them.

To find out more read the coverage on the BBC News website.

Six months into the Conservative controlled County Councils drive to provide free bus travel for all OAPs in Worcestershire, it is good to see that there has been a real bump into the number of users.

Latest figures show that users under the scheme could be making up to 1/3 of all passenger journeys in Worcestershire.  This bump in users is helping to stem the steady decline in passenger numbers in Worcestershire.

It is important to get all ages of people back onto the buses, as the steady decline in passenger numbers mean reductions in service which cant always be replaced by subsidised routes.

NB Worcestershire County Council extended the Govt scheme which only provided off peak travel within Wyre forest, to include on Peak Travel across Worcestershire and the surrounding Counties.

The meeting was sparked by the Governments recent white paper looking at local Government.  In my opinion, today’s meeting was just like the white paper, a “bit of a damp squib”.

Highlights from the year past – Moving the District Council forward with the single site issue, reducing Council tax, opening the hub in the re-modelled Kidderminster Town Hall, building White Wickets changing rooms, seeing Bewdley Museum have a massive increase in visitor numbers, getting re-elected for Sutton Park, fighting off the proposed police merger, Free bus travel for OAPs, improving the way in which the District is cleansed.

Low points – Shared services, we didn’t get our message across to a sceptical District Council.  Continued decline in bus services in Wyre Forest.

Looking forward to 2007 – Decriminaliastion (which is even better than Decimalisation) of parking in the district.  This will see parking enforcement coming to the District Council, and under the control of local decision makers.  Continuing to improve the services provided to local people.  Moving forward with the Worcester Street project (KTC3).  The prospect of reducing the County Councils budget, due to very low Govt grant, which will at some point have an effect on services.

I’m sure there are things I’ve missed ……….. but lets hope next year the highlights continue to out weight the low points.

Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous 2007!

It would seem that the slash in numbers is to divert resourses to the Mets and away from rural forces such as West Mercia.

West Mercia had planned to recruit 400 new PCSO's, but now will only be able to recruit less than 300.  It would seem Gordon is tightning the purse strings before he takes over the helm............................ all at the expense of communities such as Wyre Forest, who need the additional presence on the streets that PCSO's provide.

A few of the ones that I am aware are:

Wyre Forest District Budget Consultation will take place a 6pm on Thursday 25th January at Earl Balwin Suite, Clensmore ST, Kidderminster.  To find out more go to www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/lychee/spu/press/budgetplans.html

West Mercia budget Consultation is via a presentation next Tuesday, go to www.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk to find out more.

Have your say .........

There is a massive petition against road pricing signed by over 180k people!!!  If you want to add your name go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/traveltax/ 

Yep Tories investing in local facilities in partnership with private business............

Liberal Website 22nd January 2007

It is one of those small stories (the old skate boarding parrot that they use as the last item on the news) that actually has a bigger impact.

The reporter opened the item by being very complimentary about the new look to the Town Hall, and even recommending people to come and visit!!  It was all light hearted and (I think) meant as a bit of fun.  It was good to talk about the major investment we have made into this part of the District.

To find out more, or add your name click here

The above is posted on the Health Concern Web site......... I know that it isnt kept up to date that often, but they appear to have missed that he was also an independent and a Liberal Democrat since leaving the Conservatives ....... if he isnt successful in May, maybe the Labour party will have him next?!?!

On a more serious point, it annoys me that the Health people state they are independent, yet they sit as one, vote as one, and are all members of the same political party........ not really that independent at all!  What is the difference between them and the main stream political parties? well the main difference is you know what you are voting for with the rest of us as we have published manefestos and well established beliefs!

Comment by Tavis Pitt 6.2.07

John you are correct, the difference in mainstream political parties and Health Concern is published manifestos and well established beliefs. The Labour party following their manifesto created through well established beliefs (i.e. downgrading conventional hospitals for PFI hospitals) brought about Health Concern's creation. The Conservative party have lost the last three general elections because they are sticking to their manifestos (they introduced the PFI) and well established beliefs, and the majority of the electorate know this because they voted for Richard Taylor rather than Mark Garnier.

I think the point I was trying to make was that it is better to have constant, well thought out beliefs than swinging in the direction of the popular thinking, and or keep moving parties to the one you think will do you most good electorally!  Why wasnt Nigel Health Concern when he stood in Wolverley in 2004????  Why has he joined now, some people may think that it is just because he beleives it will get him elected!  John

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 glasses of wine.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous YES!

The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table And poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling he Empty Space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes... There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.  he professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.

No matter what others may think, I had a massive amount of respect and admiration for Mike (my politics tend to stop at the chamber door), whom had extended every courtesy to me in my short time in politics.  He always had a friendly word, or an interesting story, and when he rose in the chamber you always listened.

They say that death is about the living, and this is never more true than with Mike, his legacey is all around us in Wyre Forest.

My thoughts are with Fran..............

John Campion

The main points are:

Total budget for Police Authority - £184.297m for 07/08

Precept of £157.66p for ave band D household in West Mercia, an increase of 4.94%.

find out more at www.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk .

DISSEMBLING - creation or adoption of a false appearance so as to elicit a false impression on the part of somebody else.

Well that certainly told us!

We have announced local activist Tracey Onslow as our Candidate.  The Liberals have announced local political stalwart Graham Ballinger (announced the day the By Election was called...... coincidence maybe?), but where are Labour, Lib Dems, or Health Concern?  They all have web sites, but no candidates announced.

Have the other parties become such an irrelevance to Wyre Forest politics that thay arent putting a candidate up?????  They had better get their skates on as nominations close this week.

Cllr Martin has a broad election history in Wyre Forest:

Stood in Franche in 2004 and lost…..

Stood in St Marys County Division 2005 and lost …

Stood in Aggborough & Spennells By Election 2005 and lost …

He has successfully won elections in Franche (2000), Hoobrook (2001) and Broadwaters (2005).

He certainly likes to make sure as many of the residents of Wyre Forest get the opportunity to vote for him on the Ballot paper as possible……………… when he is done with Kidderminster is it off to spread the word in Bewdley & Stourport?

Well at least you have to give him points for trying, still no candidate from Labour or the Lib Dems.  Perhaps Labour has joined in with the Liberal / Lib Dem love in.

By Elections are called by two voters, not political Parties.

The two residents who called the By Election in St Chads are NOT members of the Wyre Forest Conservative Association.

The Conservatives will campaign on positive issues in the ST Chads By Elections, Raising locals issues and working to get something done about them for local residents.

It is sad that supposedly main stream political parties (such as the Lib Dems) don’t give their supporters the chance to vote for them in all elections, they didn’t even bother with a candidate in the last two general elections.

It is also decided un-democratic for the decision to be taken in smoke filled rooms about who the electorate will be able to vote for on their ballot paper.

If this were the market place then I think an allegation of price fixing would quite rightly be levelled.

It may be an opportune time to use a new word I have learnt: Perhaps the Liberals and Lib Dems should stop dissembling!

The St Chads candidate was democratically elected by the local conservative party and will be offered to the electorate on April 12^th, when they will be able to vote for her or not.  If you were a member of the party you could have played a role.

The point I am making (and you are missing) is that the Lib Dem and Liberal voters wont get a chance to vote for the party they support as they wont stand, you have to vote for second best which isnt democracy.  You will always get to vote Conservative in Wyre Forest District, County and General elections.

The evening was started with some truly moving tributes being paid to Mike Oborski.  It was humbling to hear from all sides of the chamber tributes to a man that gave his all to the District.  One of the most poignant comments was that fact that Mikes legacy was all around us.

It is ironic that the budget meeting started with tributes to Mike, as I would bet that this budget meeting was exactly the type of meeting he would have enjoyed, a good debate with a bit of humour thrown in.

The Labour Group submitted their amendment, which focused on “de-funding” the single site, and bringing back weekly refuse over the summer months.  They also have some ideas towards trees in the District.  I have a true respect for the Labour Group, but their amendments were submitted knowing they would be defeated.

Health Concern also submitted a half hearted amendment which didn’t make financial sense in the long run.

Anyway, the out come was the administrations revised budget was adopted and the Council Tax set for next year.

The Council tax will increase by under £5 per year, and there will be £750,000 additionally spent of services……………….

I think I have a face more suited to radio that television ...............

Local, supposedly “independent” super bloger and local activist, Tavis Pitt has come out as a Liberal Supporter.  You may know his Wyre Forest web site, The Wyre Forest Agenda.

Tavis, who was supposedly outraged at the calling of a By Election in St Chads, seconded Graham Ballingers nomination to stand in said By Election.  Grahams candidature was announced on the same day as the by election was called, so he must been selected in advance.

I am actually a little disappointed.  Independents can normally (and regularly do) take the moral high ground as they aren’t bound by supposedly dirty party politics.  I normally used Tavis’s reaction to issues as a “Man in the Street” measure, but now he too is tainted by organised politics which I thought he detested.

Well now we know I suppose.

Some further points ........ it has been pointed out that you dont have to be a member of a party to sign someones nomination.  What you do have to do is believe that the person you are nominating is right for the job.  If that person is standing under political colours, then you also have to believe in their politics.  By signing a Liberal candidates nomination paper, you are a Liberal supporter no matter how you try to dissemble!

I dont believe I am attacking Tavis, I am just pointing out that he isnt as independent as he has claimed.

I dont blame Fran & Mike for signing Dr Taylors nomination, he was seen as this independent, big white horse coming to save Wyre Forest.  I do note that they also didnt like what they nominated as they didnt sign it again in 2005!

Massive amounts of local people were keyed up about what Health Concern could deliver, now as we have seen their support decline, massive amounts of people are dissappointed with their actual performance.............

Cllr Marcus Hart was also elected to stand as Deputy Mayor next year.

Both appointments were un-opposed and were carried unanimously.

The team were well received on the doorstep, with lots of local issues being raised by residents.  The team will be out over the coming weeks across the division.

I would have thought that a seasoned professional, such as Graham Ballinger would want to run a positive, issue based campaign for the St Chads By Election, but no all the Liberals want to do is "slag" everybody else (or just us) off.

Is the St Chads liberal election campaign Graham’s or Fran’s??????  How long can Fran pull Grahams strings?  Isn’t it about time the apron strings were cut and Graham spoke for himself?

Two points really, firstly Nigel wouldnt know what positive campaigning is as he is more a "what others havent done" as opposed to "what I will do for you" type of politican.

The other point is that isnt he allowed to edit Health Concerns own website?????? or do you have to be with the party (that apparently isnt a party) for longer that five minutes before you get the password????

8.38.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Mar 2007

At the Harrogate Conference in March, Ming Campbell gave his support to Wyre Forest Liberal Democrats in their campaign to select a PPC for Wyre Forest. Ming is seen in the picture with Jock Gallagher Local Campaigner for Bewdley.

Above is an extract from the Wyre Forest Lib Dems web site.  First scan I thought they were announcing a PPC, then second read I'm not so sure.......

Is Sir Ming just happy the Wyre Forest Lib Dems are still functioning and are looking for one? or that they have found one?  If you know what Sir Ming is happy about, then let me know!!

Previously the Lib Dems and Liberals stood aside for Doc Taylor.  Now they are all putting forward parlimentary candidates, does that mean they arent happy with his performance?

It has been announced that they are going to split the responsibilities, and create a new department.  One of the Home Offices big problems always was that it couldn’t communicate within its self.  My worry would be now that as separate entities they will communicate even less.  Law enforcement needs to be joined up, fix the bigger picture rather than just control the outcome.  It is about changing the attitude, and this is done working together.  The two previous Home Secretary’s were control freaks (ie Police amalgamations), but John Reid seems to have a better approach.

John Reid has got a big job ahead, I hope it carries it through, and doesn’t let it defeat him.

Read the BBC coverage here.

I want to remind you of the facts: 

• Millions of pounds being invested in Wyre Forest Schools to improve facilities
• Educational standards have NOT fallen thus far through the review. (apart from normal variations)
• The amount of oversubscribed schools (Primary & Secondary) is not any worse than previous years.  The process isn’t helped by local politicians in election fever whipping up a false crisis.
• Mobile classrooms are being used.  This fact is un-avoidable whilst the millions of pounds worth of new facilities are being built.  A modern mobile classroom is an adequate teaching environment, Interactive whiteboards, light and airy, bathrooms, DDA accessible etc……
• The development of school sites will see the progression of extended school, integrated into the school, to be off benefit to the society it serves.

Is the review pain free? No, but it isn’t the doomsday scenario that was predicted by some (most noticeably by Health Concern), and is doing what it set out to do, which is to drive up educational standards in Wyre Forest.

Major issues range from Highways, education, bus services and Council Tax.

We have also put out three leaflets since the By Election was called from which we are also getting a vast amount of issues raised.  Tracey is busy dealing with all issues that have been raised.

Tracey was highlighting highways issues on the corners of Ashdene Close and Chaucer Crescent with Tennyson Way………….. apparently an issue ignored by the residents current liberal representation.

Tracey has offered to show the Liberal Candidate around the St Chads division any time he wants to know where it is and what the local issues are……….oh no, it is Fran pulling the strings and they would rather whip up a false crisis over the Wyre Forest schools review.

The St Chads By Election has brought the County’s decision makers into the heart of the division.

The majority of the County’s Cabinet have been on the doorstep in St Chads supporting Tracey, including the Leader of the Council, Dr George Lord.

Local activist and County Councillors have been well received by the residents of St Chads.

In the “special” it isn’t that bad on the whole……… it doesn’t even criticise the Conservatives too much (well ok, it does quite a bit).

One of the articles takes about the fact that Tracey is also standing for Sutton Park in the District elections.  The premise of the article is that where will her loyalties lie?  Tracey is a very capable individual, and will make an excellent District and County councillor.

This made me think………… is this not a little hypocritical of the Liberals?  So I looked at the facts:

• Tracey is the ONLY canididate in the St Chads By Election to actually live in the ward…….
• Graham Ballinger stood for the Chaddesley & Blakedown County seat in ’05, when he represents Greenhill on the District……….
• Fran represents St Georges & St Oswolds on the County, yet represents Offmore & Comberton on the District……..
• Their District candidate for Habberley & Blakebrook lives in Farfield which is in Offmore & Comberton…………
• Their Franche District candidate lives on Offmore ……..
• Their Offmore & Comberton District candidate lives on Spennels…….

So, if your are going to criticise others for not living in the wards they represent, or wanting to represent different areas at different levels, you perhaps need to make sure your own house is in order.

The Liberals have represented this part of Kidderminster for 30 plus years.  Why are they so worried about us?  I think this is the fourth leaflet since the By Election was called……… if they have given the excellent service to the people that they claim, why are they so worried about us?

I think we should just be grateful we aren’t getting them back on body bags. 

Do I think that they should be able to sell their story?  Probably not, but it will put some press closure to the issue, and if there were national secrets that could be released there is no way the Govt would let them do it.  I hope they use the money for a big holiday for their family!

Cllr Martin said he appreciated the hard work and dedication shown by Cllr Stokes over the last two years – “Ken has done a great job for us in what was a very difficult time – he will continue to be a valued and respected member of our group until he retires” he said.

Health Concern 9^th May 2006

Full text here

Above is a press release from the Hospital group after the May elections last year.  One of the reasons quoted for Ken Stokes being ousted as leader was the fact he was retiring.

Well he must have changed his mind, as he has put himself forward for re-election.

This type of indecision sums up Health Concern.  I don’t mind this one though as I have a great amount of respect for Ken, and he is one of the few Health Concern members that is also a good councillor.  He will be missed from the Council. (and NO this doesn’t mean I don’t support our Candidate, whom I know will do a fantastic job when elected in May).

Obviously the big event of my week was the By Election on Thursday.  We had some fantastic help and I think we fought a good issue based campaign.

I can cope with the gloating from Fran, especially as they have worked the area for 30 years, and they worked hard this election, even shipping in help from their new friends the Lib Dems.  They delivered 4/5 leaflets in the run up, then an eve of poll and polling day leafet so they must have thought we were a threat.  (if Fran thought she was wining why did she arrive at the count with a face like thunder and a mood to match?  Then when the counting got under way and it was obvious Graham had won, did she mellow and return to the normal charming person she can be?)

If we weren’t to win then the Liberals deserved to win.  I am genuinely pleased for Graham.

What I can’t stomach is the gloating from Health Concern.  Their web site appears to claim some kind of support from the electorate that is giving them the spring board for success in the District Elections in a few weeks.  Are they on another planet?  Their candidate (The leader of the District Health Group) got a measly 252 votes (420 behind us, and 807 behind the Liberals).  I would say that this is an embarrassment!  They state that this is a rejection of Conservatism at County Hall, if that is the case, then why did they come third? Scraping home just past Labour, who didn’t even show up?

I believe that the electorate are recognising Health Concern for the electoral charlatans that they are.  What binds them together?  They want Kidderminster Hospital back?  So do I, and I would say that every political group in Wyre Forest wants the same thing.  The District Health Group is just hanging on the electoral coat tails of Dr Taylor.  What will they do when (as widely rumoured) Dr Taylor stands down at the next election?  Especially as it is also rumoured that the Lib Dems haven’t contested the Wyre Forest Seat in the last two Generals on the understanding that Dr Taylor will endorse the Lib Dem candidate when he steps down!(I wonder is Howard Martin knows this?)  Dr Taylor needs to come out and state what deals have been done with the Lib Dems.

At least when you vote Conservative, Liberal, Labour you know what you are getting, with Health Concern it an electoral lottery!

PC Gray was an Armed Response officer with West Mercia Constabulary who attended a domestic incident which led to him being shot and killed.

As a member of the West Mercia Police Authority I have had the honour to work along side these brave and honourable officers, who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

This week has so far seen Cllr Mike Salter elected as Mayor of Stourport on Severn.  Congratulations to Mike and June.  They have both given stirling service to the town of Stourport and they will both be excellent ambassadors for the town.

After having to bring back two members from holidaying on the South Coast, 9 freshly elected Health Concern Councillors elected a brand new Health Concern Town Councillor to the role of deputy mayor for Stourport.  All this from a party that claim not to be political………… there certainly was a whip on!

Bewdley Town held its monthly meeting, discussing a wide range of local issues including an excellent report from its County Councillor!  I congratulated the Mayor for her excellent year in office and updated the Council on some issues I am progressing in the Town.

West Mercia Police opened a new Police base in the Horsefair.  This is part of a significant investment by West Mercia to get its local police teams rooted in the areas it is trying to work with.  The facility is “compact” but contains most facilities an officer would need to conduct his duties.  The importance that the Constabulary places on this type of initiative was marked by the attendance of the Chief Constable Paul West, in what has been a very emotional week for the force with the loss of PC Grey on Monday in a firearms incident.

Thursday was the annual meeting of the Worcestershire County Council.

We elected Cllr John Smith to become Chairman of the County Council and Cllr Alwyn Davies to become Vice Chairman.  There were opposition nominees for the Chairman and Vice Chairman from the Lib Dems and Labour.  The Conservatives had the majority in the chamber 28 to 27 opposition members.  The meeting went on to establish the political structure for this municipal year which will continue to be lead by Dr George Lord as Leader of the County Council.

In the afternoon I met with opposition Group Leaders on Wyre Forest District Council, to discuss the forthcoming Annual meeting of the Council.  No group has a majority on the District Council, so it isn’t as straight forward as County.  The decisions will be taken at Full Council which meets Wednesday 16^th May at 6pm in the Civic Centre.

Last night capped off with a post election get together for Tory Councillors and party activists.  Good food, wine and the obligatory speeches……..

Today, I’m trying to catch up with the emails, letters, telephone calls that are piling up, then I’m off to Manchester to visit some friends who have just had a new baby………… and then next week we start all over again.

Whilst a full program for the day is set it, it is reported that most of the people waiting to greet these important visitors had either cancelled or not bothered to wait.  But at least they had a nice sit down in the sun shine, so not a waste of a trip then.

The main bit that interested me was the quote from Nigel Addison:

“now feel sure that when I join the ranks of the Health Concern District Councillors in May, I will have the backing of Howard in my attempts to get better funding and services for the area”

Health Concern Website April 2007

Does this mean that Nigel was not so certain that he had the support of the Health Leader?  Was he not certain he was in the right party and the visit was hastily arrange to re-assure him??????  Look out Labour, get the membership card ready, it looks like the “local man from Wolverley” is looking for another new party!

As we are in election period......... i;m allowed to be a bit political.

As it is election time, it is also the only time that Health Concern bother to contact the electorate (ie a leaflet).

In the leaflet it is, shall we say, policy light........... you would never know that they ran the council three years ago ......... there is no championing of their past successes ..... what it does promise is that they wont attack other political parties, just to get elected.  Opps, on the same page they attack proper political parties for "blindly following national policy" and the scandal of the waste of money on single site.  Else where in the leaflet it slags us off for ; single site (again) Wyre Forest Schools review (do they know its not a District function?) and the fact that we are out of touch with the electorate.

If this isnt attacking other parties, then I would hate to see it when they are.

No mention of the big policy announcement for improved funding for the rural areas .......... perhaps the visit and promises in Wolverley is now just a distant memory?

After nine years of neglect, the Liberals have put a leaflet out in Bewdley in the run up to the local elections next week.  They gladly state they have neglected the electorate of Bewdley, in support of Dr Taylor, I'm not sure what that has to do with local elections.....................

Liberal leaflets in Bewdley are somewhat of a collectors item (rarer than rocking horse droppings), rumours have it that they are changing hands on ebay for not inconsequential sums!

Another Liberal leaflet states that as their candidate lives in Sutton Park, and two of the three Tories don’t, then she is the best choice.  I have two problems with this, James Dudley and I both live in Sutton Park, and their candidate has stood three times in Aggborough & Spennells (where she doesn’t live).   If you are going to play the “I live in the ward” card, you need to be at least a bit consistent.

I am delighted to Welcome Jenny Greener and Tracey Onslow into the Councils Conservative Group.  Both new Councillors join the Council with significant majorities.

The best bit about the elections being over?  Now all councillors get to do what they were elected for ...... ie making the District a better place to live, work and visit.

The Liberal leaflet firstly degrades the Conservative candidate for apparently having no education, when he does.  Apparently the fact that the Conservative candidate runs a take a way means he is unfit to be a councillor.  Personal attacks that is un-warranted.

The back of the leaflet then tries to whip up some kind of anti Muslim feeling by stating words such as “extremist” and “fundamentalist”.  In fact, I would go as far as to say that the article is nearly racist.

Do the Tory party get it right all the time? No.  Do we produce articles that we would think better of in hind sight? Yes.  I would never deliver this type of rubbish that belongs in the gutter.

The Liberal party have some massive talents, Fran who has given decades of service to the District, Hold many positions of responsibility, Graham, who is a County Councillor, and also holds senior political positions.  This is frankly beneath them, and no wonder voters are more and more apathetic.  I hope those that were involved in its production and distribution are ashamed.

The highlight for me was obviously being elected Leader of the Council.  It is a role that I take with humility.  I am immensely proud to be part of the minority administration during the last three years and I hope I can take my group and the Council forward over the next 12 months.  Minority politics is about getting things done through consensus, working the scrutiny structure to make sure the kinks are iron out early in the process.  The other highlight is also reforming a minority administration for the fourth year, with a Conservative Cabinet, and regulatory chairs.

Health Concern would play no part in the structure I was proposing tonight.  I had offered to nominate them for three major vice chairs of scrutiny committees.  But no, it wasn’t good enough as it didn’t suit a party of their stature and refused to play any part.  They moved an amendment that increased the main scrutiny committees to 18, and replaced Graham Ballinger (as chair of a scrutiny committee) with a Health Concern nominee.  We debated the amendment, during which the Leader of Health Concern launch an extraordinary attack on two Conservative councillors for no apparent reason.  Fresh from his un-provoked attack, he then went on to insult the memory of the late Mike Oborski with an extraordinary attack on his record as leader.  It was disgraceful that a senior Councillor would attack a dead mans record in front of his widow for political gain.  I hope as the Leader of Health Concern calms down, he recognises that he has crossed the line and issues an immediate apology to Fran.

Anyway, when the vote was put, the Health amendment was lost, so in a very melodramatic fashion they walked out.  It is an odd sight, nine 50+ year olds walking out of a meeting because they lost a vote.  I don’t know what they hoped to gain from walking out, as there was still important business that needed voting on.  Do the electorate know that the Councillors they vote for, firstly wont participate in Council life, and secondly walk out when they don’t get their own way.  I don’t have an issue with Health Concern, I just have a problem with their District Group Leader, the sooner Howard Martin is replaced as group leader, the sooner Health Concern will play a more active part in Council life…………..

In the pre-prepared (they obviously planned to walk out from) media release by Howard Martin, it states I am immature and inexperienced.  It seems hypocritical when he led his band of merry men from the chamber because they didn’t get their way to call me immature!

Cllr Mike Shellie was elected to be the Town Mayor of Kidderminster for 07/08.

Cllr Marcus Hart was elected to be Deputy Town Mayor of Kidderminster for 07/08.

Mike Shellie has been an excellent Deputy Mayor and I’m certain will be an excellent Mayor.

I had the honour to propose Marcus to be Deputy Mayor, I know he will be a loyal deputy to Mike.

Tonight is not only about welcoming the new Mayor and deputy, but also celebrating the achievement of the out going Mayor.  Paul Harrison has had a truly great Mayoral year, and has attended many, many events and raised thousands of pounds for local charities.

Citizenship ceremonies.  I was able to attend today a citizenship ceremony at County Hall, at which three new Wyre Forest residents were formally accepted into our society.  This is the first one of these I have been able to attend.  I had alsways not thought much of these events, dismissed them as “a bit new age” and just lip service.  How wrong I was.  The candidates have to go through a lengthy process, which culminates in this service.  The process really does make new residents understand and commit to the society that they want to join.

Newspaper interview.  Not so certain that that headline of “Whipper snapper looks to the future” in the shuttle this week, was really the angle I was going for with this interview………….

Health issues.  I have been out and about meeting the Health organisations in Worcestershire as part of my new role as Health Scrutiny Chairman at Worcestershire County Council.  Many, many facts and figures, the running theme seems to be the substantial reduction in budgets that everyone is suffering from.  The Acute trust having to save in excess of ten million this year alone, and are aiming to be in balance next year, the mental health trust having to find three million, again aiming to be in balance at the end of the year.  All of this money has to come from somewhere, and ultimately means that less is spent on users.  Another interesting fact that the mental health trust in Worcestershire has some 47 sites in Worcestershire, and yet has to send hundreds of patients out of the county to receive the specialist care that cant be provided here.

In my opinion it is irresponsible for Health Concern to continue to falsely raise the expectations that A&E will return to Kidderminster, and Howard Martins continued attachment to a popular Dr Taylor’s coattails is embarrassing to say the least.  It is amazing to see this tiny change in health arrangements as a victory for Health Concerns merry men on the District Council.  It was NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM!  Health Concern district group care so much about health provision that they walked out at the District Annual Council and didn’t stay to nominate anyone from their number to serve as the Districts representative on the County Health Scrutiny Committee.

Dear Sir,

Re:  Taxi Fleet Debate

I write following the letter printed from Mr Trevor Owen on the 31 May 2007, in relation to the above.

Firstly, may I place on record my admiration for the majority of taxi drivers that do a fantastic job of providing a taxi fleet to the residents of Wyre Forest.  I am sure that the majority of residents would recognise that the Taxi Trade is working with the District Council to further improve the taxi service received by the District.

It is important to remember that when the deregulation process was started by the District Council there were only 83 licensed hackney carriage vehicles serving nearly one hundred thousand people in the district.  Deregulation has seen 20 vehicles added to the fleet over two years and then a move to no restriction on numbers.  This move to ‘no limit’ on numbers has been controlled by improving the quality of taxi vehicles that are able to ply for trade in Wyre Forest.  Under the scheme that the Council has introduced, all taxis added to the fleet will be accessible to all, including disabled travellers.  Prior to deregulation only very few vehicles were accessible to the disabled and now during deregulation we have already seen the number of disabled accessible type taxis increase to 27 out of the current 100 vehicles that are now on the taxi fleet. 

I believe that in the modern times we live in everybody has an equal right to hail a hackney carriage in the street, whether you are able bodied or disabled.  The only way that we will achieve this is by improving the taxi fleet.  By the very nature of a taxi being disabled accessible it does not in any way reduce the accessibility for most other types of user.  I believe, along with professional advice, that by using purpose built taxis we are improving both the safety aspect of the customers’ experience as well as the levels of comfort and flexibility that is available.

I can understand Mr Owen’s concerns in relation to the slightly higher cost of purpose built taxis as he controls by far the most significant portion of the taxi fleet in the District.  Part of the rational in deregulating the District’s taxi fleet is to disband what some might describe as a cartel that has existed within our District in recent years. 

 I think the majority of people would recognise that we have to have a significant proportion of our taxis that are plying for trade in the District to be disabled accessible.  How do you fairly decide which of our current one hundred licensed taxis in the District are to be disabled friendly?  How do you fairly require one taxi driver to spend more on his taxi than another taxi driver who will be charging exactly the same rate for the service they provide?  I would suggest that we have a duty to make a level playing field for the taxi market in the District, and that is exactly what the Council’s policy will produce. 

I am not so arrogant to say that we will not change the Council’s policy in light of any new evidence presented to us, but what I can say is that taking into account the latest Government guidance on the subject the strategy in Wyre Forest is at the forefront of national thinking. 

Yours sincerely

John-Paul Campion

Leader of the Council

To put the record straight, I didn’t say it wasn’t anything to do with Dr Taylor, I said it was nothing to do with the Health Concern District Group!  They (the District Group) have no effect on Health Policy in Wyre Forest, and for them to say otherwise I would suggest is misleading the public.

Health Concerns self appointed District leader says the Tories Supported Fran Oborski over Howard Eeles for the District Rep on the County Health Scrutiny at annual Council.  He is wrong again, as there wasn’t even a contest.  There was no Health Concern Councillor in the meeting to propose Cllr Eeles.  You have to be in the room to make a difference.

It is about time Health Concerns’ District leadership grew up, and took an active part in the Council they were elected to, rather than launching their own ambition to succeed Dr Taylor as a Health Concern Parliamentary candidate.

Petulant - ill-tempered or sulky in a peevish manner (encarta dictionary) as there seems to be a rash of dictionary references........