I am proud to have the support of the Labour membes of the Leisure Select Committee on this one.
THE LIVERPOOL MURAL PROJECT BY COUNCILLORS LOUISE BALDOCK, WENDY SIMON, ROSE BAILEY, DAVE HANRATTY, PAULINE WALTON AND STEVE ROTHERAM
This Council notes that The Liverpool Mural Project is a unique project which is aiming to bring the skills and experience of mural artists from all communities of Belfast, working together and with community groups in Liverpool.
The Council further notes that their objective is to create distinctive non-political murals for Liverpool's 2008 European Capital of Culture year, celebrating Liverpool's proud history and culture.
This Council understands that the project has been supported and welcomed by many members of the Liverpool, Irish and Northern Irish creative and artistic community; Ken Loach, John Fay, Professor Marianne Elliott, Director of Institute of Irish Studies, Ian Jackson - The Liverpool Art and Culture Blog, Robert Ballagh, Professor Phil Scraton, Jimmy McGovern, Danny Morrison, Terry George, Peter Sheridan, Phil Hayes of the Picket, Christy Moore and many more.
It has also been the subject of many supportive letters in local newspapers.
This Council understands that the Culture Board have so far rejected the project for inclusion in the 08 programme on the grounds that it is "not edgy enough".
However this Council also notes that Phil Redmond has said he will re-examine rejected suggestions in an effort for 08 to reach out to more ordinary local Liverpool people.
Given this change of direction, and the big support this idea has, this Council calls on the 08 Culture Board to reconsider its decision on the bid from the Liverpool Mural Project and fully welcome and embrace it.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Ward walkabout with a cast of thousands
Wendy and I went on a big walkabout around Kensington last week, accompanied by about a dozen officers from the council, local housing associations and various other partners and residents.
We walked around that area of Kensington that is not in the new deal area, nor a zone of opportunity, nor HMRI, nor indeed anywhere that anyone ever prioritises, except us and the people who live there of course. Basically it was that area between Farnworth Street and Sheil Road, from Kensington to Boaler Street (and we did walk up to West Derby Road briefly along the side of St Michael's). Wendy and I planned the route with various stops on the way to point out things of interest.
During the walk we created a long list of about 50 items of concern or interest where we want to see improvements or priorities setting. These will then form a schedule which will go to the Neighbourhood Committee for inclusion as part of our local area agreement.
Some of them were as simple as rubbish that needs removing, some were empty sites where it would be good to build a couple of new houses for local people. Some were areas in need of new lighting, at least one was a small row of council houses that would benefit from redesigning. There were green areas that need proper upkeep, broken perimeters that need mending. Masses of stuff.
I dont know how much of it will happen, Wendy and I will of course monitor and track progress, but it was great to show these people round who had never been to Kenny before and really had their eyes opened - either because it was nowhere near as bad as they had thought it would be or much worse than they had imagined. I suppose that depends how often you get out of the office and walk the patch, doesn't it.
A really valuable experience, I hope as time progresses we will do similar walks in other areas of the ward.
We walked around that area of Kensington that is not in the new deal area, nor a zone of opportunity, nor HMRI, nor indeed anywhere that anyone ever prioritises, except us and the people who live there of course. Basically it was that area between Farnworth Street and Sheil Road, from Kensington to Boaler Street (and we did walk up to West Derby Road briefly along the side of St Michael's). Wendy and I planned the route with various stops on the way to point out things of interest.
During the walk we created a long list of about 50 items of concern or interest where we want to see improvements or priorities setting. These will then form a schedule which will go to the Neighbourhood Committee for inclusion as part of our local area agreement.
Some of them were as simple as rubbish that needs removing, some were empty sites where it would be good to build a couple of new houses for local people. Some were areas in need of new lighting, at least one was a small row of council houses that would benefit from redesigning. There were green areas that need proper upkeep, broken perimeters that need mending. Masses of stuff.
I dont know how much of it will happen, Wendy and I will of course monitor and track progress, but it was great to show these people round who had never been to Kenny before and really had their eyes opened - either because it was nowhere near as bad as they had thought it would be or much worse than they had imagined. I suppose that depends how often you get out of the office and walk the patch, doesn't it.
A really valuable experience, I hope as time progresses we will do similar walks in other areas of the ward.
Know your place - somewhere behind the great ones
I have just read a great article on the website w4mp (working for an MP) which explains that MPs staff in the Houses of Parliament are now being told to go to the back of the queue, whether it is for a coffee or a pee or a place in the lift.
MPs being the precious creatures that they are, need to be given full freedom to queue-jump.
Well done Dean Trench for fighting back, a great piece.
MPs being the precious creatures that they are, need to be given full freedom to queue-jump.
Well done Dean Trench for fighting back, a great piece.
Doing my bit for National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
On Saturday the Liverpool Echo kindly printed a little piece about the work Liverpool City Council is putting in to support the national drive and combined it with my efforts to raise awareness.
On Monday I went to the House of Lords with 22 other survivors, friends and relatives of people who have been poisoned to officially launch the week. We had a two hour session with various people crucial to the campaign’s success. Lord McKenzie from the DWP who is spearheading the Government’s action, Department of Health senior civil servants, representatives from the oil and gas industries, CORGI and various safety awareness groups.
It was very moving, lots of tears, especially from those who have been subjected to long term chronic poisoning and now suffer from various neural problems, paralysis, brain damage, memory problems, speech difficulties, aches and pains. Several are confined to wheelchairs. These people suffer the most as the medical profession is inexperienced and ill-equipped to deal with their problems, many struggling to believe that something we all know kills you, can also cause problems for those who manage to survive an attack.
We drew up three main priorities
1. A centre of excellence somewhere in the UK where victims of poisoning could go for specialist treatment and advice
2. A call for audible CO alarms/detectors to be provided to people when they move house, when a tenancy changes hands, when new houses are built, when they book holidays, at the airport shops and so on
3. For gas appliances – cookers, boilers and fires, only to be sold to people with a corgi registered certificate.
Well done to Lynn Griffiths of CO Awareness for her work in putting this together, the week goes on to the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament, culminating in a big event in Dewsbury for the medical profession.
I got up at the crack of dawn this morning to be interviewed in the BBC Radio Merseyside studios. Snelly kindly invited me onto his programme to talk a little about what had happened to Michael, what the council is doing locally, in conjunction with the fire service and the public health people, and also to stress the need for people to get their appliances checked and their chimneys swept at this time of year as the heating goes back on after the summer break. You might be able to hear the interview if you check it out today on the playback, but I confess I have not tried myself.
On Monday I went to the House of Lords with 22 other survivors, friends and relatives of people who have been poisoned to officially launch the week. We had a two hour session with various people crucial to the campaign’s success. Lord McKenzie from the DWP who is spearheading the Government’s action, Department of Health senior civil servants, representatives from the oil and gas industries, CORGI and various safety awareness groups.
It was very moving, lots of tears, especially from those who have been subjected to long term chronic poisoning and now suffer from various neural problems, paralysis, brain damage, memory problems, speech difficulties, aches and pains. Several are confined to wheelchairs. These people suffer the most as the medical profession is inexperienced and ill-equipped to deal with their problems, many struggling to believe that something we all know kills you, can also cause problems for those who manage to survive an attack.
We drew up three main priorities
1. A centre of excellence somewhere in the UK where victims of poisoning could go for specialist treatment and advice
2. A call for audible CO alarms/detectors to be provided to people when they move house, when a tenancy changes hands, when new houses are built, when they book holidays, at the airport shops and so on
3. For gas appliances – cookers, boilers and fires, only to be sold to people with a corgi registered certificate.
Well done to Lynn Griffiths of CO Awareness for her work in putting this together, the week goes on to the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament, culminating in a big event in Dewsbury for the medical profession.
I got up at the crack of dawn this morning to be interviewed in the BBC Radio Merseyside studios. Snelly kindly invited me onto his programme to talk a little about what had happened to Michael, what the council is doing locally, in conjunction with the fire service and the public health people, and also to stress the need for people to get their appliances checked and their chimneys swept at this time of year as the heating goes back on after the summer break. You might be able to hear the interview if you check it out today on the playback, but I confess I have not tried myself.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Sticky ending?
On Wednesday the Kingsway tunnel under the Mersey (I think that is the Wallasey tunnel) was
shut during rush hour after a lorry spilled its load.
What was that load?
Caramel
I was reminded of my entries earlier in the year about the stolen lorry of ice-cream and the stolen lorry of cadbury's flakes.
Now we have the topping!
shut during rush hour after a lorry spilled its load.
What was that load?
Caramel
I was reminded of my entries earlier in the year about the stolen lorry of ice-cream and the stolen lorry of cadbury's flakes.
Now we have the topping!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Phythian Park improvements
Wendy and I met Parks staff and Enterprise Liverpool staff and Neighbourhood Management staff today at Phythian Park to look at some of our proposals for how we would like to spend the big sum of money we have identified for park improvements and managed to push through the NRF budget.
We had a good walk round, past the pile of uncollected rubbish (I counted about five big fat brown rats scurrying all over it, lovely!). We had a look at the burnt down trees, the burnt out rubbish bins, the scarred and burnt benches (are you sensing a pattern here?) and the broken sports area.
We have agreed to seek costs to improve the benches, the bins, add new dog poo bins, add new railings, clean the park, relay the centre feature where benches and railings have been torn up, put the caps back on the gate posts, and plant some new shrubs and spring bulbs.
Exciting to finally see some progress here after I have been shouting about this for 18 months.
Incidentally the council insist on referring to the park as "Fielding Street POS" (public open space), the fact that no-one who uses the park would recognise that name is of no consequence to them, grrrrr
We had a good walk round, past the pile of uncollected rubbish (I counted about five big fat brown rats scurrying all over it, lovely!). We had a look at the burnt down trees, the burnt out rubbish bins, the scarred and burnt benches (are you sensing a pattern here?) and the broken sports area.
We have agreed to seek costs to improve the benches, the bins, add new dog poo bins, add new railings, clean the park, relay the centre feature where benches and railings have been torn up, put the caps back on the gate posts, and plant some new shrubs and spring bulbs.
Exciting to finally see some progress here after I have been shouting about this for 18 months.
Incidentally the council insist on referring to the park as "Fielding Street POS" (public open space), the fact that no-one who uses the park would recognise that name is of no consequence to them, grrrrr
Door knocking in Elm Vale
Liam and I have been out door knocking in Elm Vale.
It has been very interesting, we have done a few sessions now and often they say "Is there a local election then?" and I am able to say that there is not an election until next May, 7 months away.
We only ask about local issues and concerns, we dont ask about voting history or voting intentions, we are getting a lot of warmth and positive feedback, lots of casework and some really good ideas about what our priorities should be.
We are also phoning residents on the electoral register several times a week, at this rate we may even have got round to everyone before next May. I dont think I can ever remember a local election anywhere in the country where I have been campaigning where we have managed a full contact of every household in a year.
Of course it is early days but if we keep up this pace it will be quite possible. That is real public representation, isn't it?
It has been very interesting, we have done a few sessions now and often they say "Is there a local election then?" and I am able to say that there is not an election until next May, 7 months away.
We only ask about local issues and concerns, we dont ask about voting history or voting intentions, we are getting a lot of warmth and positive feedback, lots of casework and some really good ideas about what our priorities should be.
We are also phoning residents on the electoral register several times a week, at this rate we may even have got round to everyone before next May. I dont think I can ever remember a local election anywhere in the country where I have been campaigning where we have managed a full contact of every household in a year.
Of course it is early days but if we keep up this pace it will be quite possible. That is real public representation, isn't it?
IDEA training to take part in the Audit report into the council
A few of us opposition councillors had a training session last week on how the Audit Commission carries out its inspection into the doings of the council. This is so that we can meet them and detail our concerns, views and considerations in the best possible way.
In other words, we cannot just say "They are an incompetent shower and I wouldnt trust them to lie straight in bed/organise a piss-up in a brewery etc", we have to be a bit more thoughtful.
I have come away with a mountain of documents to read through about the last CPA (Corporate Performance Assessment) and questions to think about and answers to consider. It has to be done though, otherwise we are asked to agree to such statements in the council's own draft assessment as
"The council has provided strong leadership, stability and influence in developing that shared vision". Yeah right
"The Council has had a strong tradition of supporting the casework and community leadership roles of its elected members. "
This council fails to support me in my community leadership role, in fact quite a lot of time I think the LibDems prevent perfectly good officers from working with me, and Wendy, deliberately. And as for casework software, I am still waiting for some, having suggested we buy the Labour Party one, some 18 months ago, to no avail. I am still using a notebook, welcome 2007 and the modern age.
"Inevitably the Council has had to take some difficult decisions and demonstrate a clear rationale and leadership in doing so. This has included a significant rationalisation of school provision to remove surplus places and the modernisation of key care services."
Modernisation of care services? Took a hatchet to them, more like…..
I can agree with this next part though
"A strategy which has seen the lowest council tax rises in the country over the last 10 years has moved the city from the highest level of tax to its present ranking of 102nd. This has however (snip), left the Council with an increasingly challenging financial position. In this context it is currently seeking alternative mechanisms to fund the one off expenditure in 2008/089 financial year on the Capital of Culture to avoid further detriment to service levels or reserves. This remains an area of significant corporate risk to the delivery of the priorities."
I only got to page 6 and I have already thrown it across the room three times.
Good job I have had the training otherwise this early response that I wrote when I first saw the draft official response would be just what the Audit Commission was getting when I meet them later this month.
In other words, we cannot just say "They are an incompetent shower and I wouldnt trust them to lie straight in bed/organise a piss-up in a brewery etc", we have to be a bit more thoughtful.
I have come away with a mountain of documents to read through about the last CPA (Corporate Performance Assessment) and questions to think about and answers to consider. It has to be done though, otherwise we are asked to agree to such statements in the council's own draft assessment as
"The council has provided strong leadership, stability and influence in developing that shared vision". Yeah right
"The Council has had a strong tradition of supporting the casework and community leadership roles of its elected members. "
This council fails to support me in my community leadership role, in fact quite a lot of time I think the LibDems prevent perfectly good officers from working with me, and Wendy, deliberately. And as for casework software, I am still waiting for some, having suggested we buy the Labour Party one, some 18 months ago, to no avail. I am still using a notebook, welcome 2007 and the modern age.
"Inevitably the Council has had to take some difficult decisions and demonstrate a clear rationale and leadership in doing so. This has included a significant rationalisation of school provision to remove surplus places and the modernisation of key care services."
Modernisation of care services? Took a hatchet to them, more like…..
I can agree with this next part though
"A strategy which has seen the lowest council tax rises in the country over the last 10 years has moved the city from the highest level of tax to its present ranking of 102nd. This has however (snip), left the Council with an increasingly challenging financial position. In this context it is currently seeking alternative mechanisms to fund the one off expenditure in 2008/089 financial year on the Capital of Culture to avoid further detriment to service levels or reserves. This remains an area of significant corporate risk to the delivery of the priorities."
I only got to page 6 and I have already thrown it across the room three times.
Good job I have had the training otherwise this early response that I wrote when I first saw the draft official response would be just what the Audit Commission was getting when I meet them later this month.
Fairfield Crescent and Prospect Vale TRA
Wendy and I went to the Fairfield Crescent and Prospect Vale TRA last week. Their first in a year sadly but I think we are back on track now. I came away with 8 action points, it was a packed agenda.
I was disappointed to read last year's minutes where a certain ex-councillor had told the meeting that a CPO had been applied for, for Kenny market (not true) and that the issue re houses on Prescot Drive/Road was imminently going to be solved (we have our first chance of resolving this next Monday but dont hold your breath).
It fell to me to explain the history and the reality of each issue without ever actually saying anything party political or pointing the finger at anyone or any party, quite a challenge. I was so non-partisan it made my teeth hurt.
Anyway there was a really good turnout and our next meeting promises to be really good, I have agreed to invite all sorts of agencies and partners to update residents on things like the new fire station that is planned on Beech Street, the real plans for Prescot Drive/Road (if there are any), the HLF bid for Newsham Park and etc.
I was disappointed to read last year's minutes where a certain ex-councillor had told the meeting that a CPO had been applied for, for Kenny market (not true) and that the issue re houses on Prescot Drive/Road was imminently going to be solved (we have our first chance of resolving this next Monday but dont hold your breath).
It fell to me to explain the history and the reality of each issue without ever actually saying anything party political or pointing the finger at anyone or any party, quite a challenge. I was so non-partisan it made my teeth hurt.
Anyway there was a really good turnout and our next meeting promises to be really good, I have agreed to invite all sorts of agencies and partners to update residents on things like the new fire station that is planned on Beech Street, the real plans for Prescot Drive/Road (if there are any), the HLF bid for Newsham Park and etc.
Nephew Alex is elected to School Council
My phone rang tonight and it was my 8 year old nephew Alex.
He was ringing to say he has just been elected to his school council and had been to their first meeting today.
Apparently it was a bit of a nail-biter. He and Owen had 11 votes each, and a third boy had 3 votes. He dropped out and the 3 votes were cast again, Alex won 13-12.
He said his heart was beating and his tummy was in butterflies while they counted the ballot papers, I know just how he felt!
I am really excited about it, I think school councils are great and shall really enjoy helping him with advice and support.
Apparently he told his class that his Aunty LouLou was a councillor and had been on a night out with Gordon Brown (!!) and that was what swung it for him. They start their spin early it seems.
Well done Alex, I hope you get as much pleasure out of representing your class as I do out of representing my ward.
He was ringing to say he has just been elected to his school council and had been to their first meeting today.
Apparently it was a bit of a nail-biter. He and Owen had 11 votes each, and a third boy had 3 votes. He dropped out and the 3 votes were cast again, Alex won 13-12.
He said his heart was beating and his tummy was in butterflies while they counted the ballot papers, I know just how he felt!
I am really excited about it, I think school councils are great and shall really enjoy helping him with advice and support.
Apparently he told his class that his Aunty LouLou was a councillor and had been on a night out with Gordon Brown (!!) and that was what swung it for him. They start their spin early it seems.
Well done Alex, I hope you get as much pleasure out of representing your class as I do out of representing my ward.
Consultation into charges for the marked register
The Department for Justice has launched a consultation into charges/fees being asked for copies of the marked register.
We have until the 18th October to comment.
Our bill here in Liverpool this year was astronomical, we must respond in our droves!
It has gone up from about £10 per ward to about £50 per ward.
I will be asking for marked registers to be free to candidates. I dont see why anyone who is not a political party should want or need to see them, so I dont care how much they pay.
We have until the 18th October to comment.
Our bill here in Liverpool this year was astronomical, we must respond in our droves!
It has gone up from about £10 per ward to about £50 per ward.
I will be asking for marked registers to be free to candidates. I dont see why anyone who is not a political party should want or need to see them, so I dont care how much they pay.
Treasury announces new public service agreements for the next three years
I noticed today that the Treasury has publicised its 30 PSAs for the coming three years. You can see them here
I was particularly interested in PSA 20 which is titled "Increase long term housing supply and affordability"
Halving the number of people in temporary homeless accomodation by 2010 is a real vote winner with this local councillor.
I was particularly interested in PSA 20 which is titled "Increase long term housing supply and affordability"
Halving the number of people in temporary homeless accomodation by 2010 is a real vote winner with this local councillor.
PMQs today - extremely unedifying
Read what the BBC has to say about today's PMQs here
I heard some extracts on Radio4 on my way home from work this afternoon.
Extremely unedifying, put me in mind of the bear pit that is Liverpool city council chamber, that is extremely unedifying too.
How much of a coincidence is it that all the key players are men?
I heard some extracts on Radio4 on my way home from work this afternoon.
Extremely unedifying, put me in mind of the bear pit that is Liverpool city council chamber, that is extremely unedifying too.
How much of a coincidence is it that all the key players are men?
The Jewish Chronicle covering our Deane Road Cemetery project
See the story here
It was months ago when they interviewed me, I had forgotten all about it.
The woman from the Heritage Lottery Fund is coming tomorrow to see if our project might be suitable. Time for some heart-felt prayers please everyone.
It was months ago when they interviewed me, I had forgotten all about it.
The woman from the Heritage Lottery Fund is coming tomorrow to see if our project might be suitable. Time for some heart-felt prayers please everyone.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Looking up - exhibition in St George's Hall Heritage Centre
You will recall my entry on the Yellow House and the great work they are doing.
Claire and I went to see their new exhibition on Saturday afternoon at St George's Hall.
"Looking up" is a photography exhibition by young people under the tutelage of George and Gosia Mc Kane, where they explored the city centre, focusing on the upper floors of buildings. They photographed friezes, gargoyles, mosaics and so on, and then researched the buildings, the meanings of the imagery, the history of the buildings and the architecture.
It is fascinating, thoughtful and surprisingly moving at times. I particularly enjoyed the photo of detail on my own favourite building, the breathing chimney for the Birkenhead tunnel which sits behind the Port Authority building.
The exhibition will be there probably until the beginning of November - Yellow House is taking a group of young people to Auschwitz later this month so wont be free to remove the exhibition until after that. Do go, you will really enjoy it.
Edit: I have just noticed this is my 300th entry on this blog. I am glad it was about something so positive, showing Liverpool and Liverpool's young people in such a good light.
Claire and I went to see their new exhibition on Saturday afternoon at St George's Hall.
"Looking up" is a photography exhibition by young people under the tutelage of George and Gosia Mc Kane, where they explored the city centre, focusing on the upper floors of buildings. They photographed friezes, gargoyles, mosaics and so on, and then researched the buildings, the meanings of the imagery, the history of the buildings and the architecture.
It is fascinating, thoughtful and surprisingly moving at times. I particularly enjoyed the photo of detail on my own favourite building, the breathing chimney for the Birkenhead tunnel which sits behind the Port Authority building.
The exhibition will be there probably until the beginning of November - Yellow House is taking a group of young people to Auschwitz later this month so wont be free to remove the exhibition until after that. Do go, you will really enjoy it.
Edit: I have just noticed this is my 300th entry on this blog. I am glad it was about something so positive, showing Liverpool and Liverpool's young people in such a good light.
No Autumn General Election
It seems the PM has been reading my blog and agrees with me that my feet wouldnt take the strain of a fourth election in 8 months. (Speke byelection in March, local election in May, Warbreck in September.)
Hurrah! He is such a thoughtful man.
Labour women were on tour in Picton on Saturday morning, leafletting. Such neglect with filthy, dirty streets and decay everywhere. You can see just how far Kensington is improving when you contrast it with Picton (and I am not just talking about the New Deal area). It is about time the Council got stuck in and made cleaning the place a priority, it must be very demoralising for local people to put up with such filth and there is no need for it.
Hurrah! He is such a thoughtful man.
Labour women were on tour in Picton on Saturday morning, leafletting. Such neglect with filthy, dirty streets and decay everywhere. You can see just how far Kensington is improving when you contrast it with Picton (and I am not just talking about the New Deal area). It is about time the Council got stuck in and made cleaning the place a priority, it must be very demoralising for local people to put up with such filth and there is no need for it.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Elvis on Blundell Street
Last night (Thursday) I went to Blundell Street, off Jamaica Street, for a night with Elvis. This may probably be my last Elvis post, ever, so let's make the most of it.
A big group of us friends from the Richmond on Church Road went down to Blundell Street, I forget the name of the club, but it is probably called Blundell Street, unlikely though that may sound. We had a two course meal (I had duck pancakes and chicken breast stuffed with chillies and mozarella cheese with fresh vegetables) and a half bottle of wine each (or a bottle between two if you like), with a floor show from the King himself and a disco for £20 per head.
Pretty much a bargain really, for a great night out
I think there was 11 of us, I didnt actually count, but it was a big enough group to really get into the evening. Several people commented on how special it felt and how we ought really to go out away from Allerton Road/Church Road/Wavertree High Street more often.
Elvis was good, funny, cheeky, lots of wandering up and down and around the audience, sitting on people's laps, getting them up to sing with him, taking them off for snogs etc (!!)
The dancing was fab, as usual I was first up and last to sit down, apart from the moment when Pat leapt into my arms during a rigorous bit of Rock n Roll and somehow managed to stamp on my foot in the process. Today I have a huge black bruise and a lump, she owes me big time!
If you are planning a Christmas Party or a Birthday Party, can I recommend this?
Great photos, don't you think? Elvis, the table assembled, and yours truly with a very happy smile.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
BBC talking of a million disenfranchised voters in an autumn general election
I think the BBC has misunderstood the situation with the register of electors.
The register is published in January each year, based on where people were living the previous October. However a rolling register has been in operation for several years now and new people can be added to the register at any time if they have moved house in the interim.
As a local councillor I get an update every month of people who have joined the register in my ward. Anyone who registered before August 10th 2007 will have been added to the register of electors on 3rd September.
Then there is a three month suspension while Electoral RegistrationOfficers carry out their annual checks. The next revision is then in December.
It is not yet two months since the temporary closing of the register.
Surely this mass hysteria about 1 million disenfranchised voters must be challenged, or am I missing something here?
The register is published in January each year, based on where people were living the previous October. However a rolling register has been in operation for several years now and new people can be added to the register at any time if they have moved house in the interim.
As a local councillor I get an update every month of people who have joined the register in my ward. Anyone who registered before August 10th 2007 will have been added to the register of electors on 3rd September.
Then there is a three month suspension while Electoral RegistrationOfficers carry out their annual checks. The next revision is then in December.
It is not yet two months since the temporary closing of the register.
Surely this mass hysteria about 1 million disenfranchised voters must be challenged, or am I missing something here?
Increases in Minimum Wage
From Monday 1st October;
For workers aged 22 and over the minimum wage increased from £5.35 to £5.52 an hour. For 18 to 21-year-olds, it rose from £4.45 to £4.60 and from £3.30 to £3.40 for 16 to17 year olds.
The minimum annual leave entitlement also rose, up four days days to 24 days per year for full-time workers. A further increase to 28 days will take on 1 April 2009.
Minister of State for Employment Relations, Pat McFadden, said:
"Up to six million workers, including 3.5 million women and 2.5 million men, will benefit from the extra annual leave. Businesses will also benefit from a more motivated and productive workforce. In addition, more than a million workers will be better off as a result of the minimum wage increases."
For workers aged 22 and over the minimum wage increased from £5.35 to £5.52 an hour. For 18 to 21-year-olds, it rose from £4.45 to £4.60 and from £3.30 to £3.40 for 16 to17 year olds.
The minimum annual leave entitlement also rose, up four days days to 24 days per year for full-time workers. A further increase to 28 days will take on 1 April 2009.
Minister of State for Employment Relations, Pat McFadden, said:
"Up to six million workers, including 3.5 million women and 2.5 million men, will benefit from the extra annual leave. Businesses will also benefit from a more motivated and productive workforce. In addition, more than a million workers will be better off as a result of the minimum wage increases."
Monday, October 01, 2007
Tories want to effectively get rid of inheritance tax
George Osbourne has told Tory Party conference today that he wants to effectively abolish inheritance tax by making it payable only on those estates worth a million or more.
What a big difference that is going to make.
Here are the facts.
IHT is a form of death duty on estates valued at more than £300,000
About 40,000 estates a year are subject to IHT
It includes the value of a house - unless it is left to a UK-domiciled spouse
So, what does that mean in effect?
It means that only 40,000 families are affected by this at the moment. 40,000 families, now that is hardly the show-stopping wide-reaching policy initiative that is going to set the 60 million people in this country on the path to voting Tory is it?
And if you leave your home to your husband or wife, they dont have to pay IHT on it either.
So who is currently paying IHT?
Ermmm.......rich people who probably voted Tory anyway.
Is it me? Am I missing something?
The big idea for the General Election from the man who wants to be the Chancellor of the Exechequer benefits only 40,000 rich families.
What planet are these people on?
What a big difference that is going to make.
Here are the facts.
IHT is a form of death duty on estates valued at more than £300,000
About 40,000 estates a year are subject to IHT
It includes the value of a house - unless it is left to a UK-domiciled spouse
So, what does that mean in effect?
It means that only 40,000 families are affected by this at the moment. 40,000 families, now that is hardly the show-stopping wide-reaching policy initiative that is going to set the 60 million people in this country on the path to voting Tory is it?
And if you leave your home to your husband or wife, they dont have to pay IHT on it either.
So who is currently paying IHT?
Ermmm.......rich people who probably voted Tory anyway.
Is it me? Am I missing something?
The big idea for the General Election from the man who wants to be the Chancellor of the Exechequer benefits only 40,000 rich families.
What planet are these people on?
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