Is it working ?

Jan 23, 2012 AnthonyMck branch No Comments

“Quality of Life” was the theme for discussion at the January meeting of Buxton Labour Party last week.

Protection of the environment and support for vulnerable people must be key platforms for Labour Party policy, local members agreed. “The Coalition Government’s austerity policies are not working”, argued Cllr Fiona Sloman. “We are watching unemployment rise while government debt will be double by the end of this parliament. Thousands are struggling to pay their food, energy and transport costs while wages for many are at a standstill”.

Members agreed that there is a better way to manage the economy by investing in long term projects such as schools and roads. Branch members did not support the High Speed Railway (HS2) proposals, seeing them as a distraction and a waste of money.
“Capitalism is at last being put under the microscope as more and more people question the morality of huge payouts to the rich who hide their wealth away in offshore tax havens while the majority are squeezed. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, same old Tories,” said Jane McGrother

“Many of the things we predicted are coming true”, claimed branch chair, Roger Cooper. “We said that cutting the public sector too fast and too far would result in high unemployment. The private sector was never going to be able to replace all those lost jobs”.

Deep concern was expressed at the destruction of the NHS. American style health provision seemed to be the aim of the government resulting in the longer waiting lists now evident. “We fear the pressure will result in patients feeling the need to go private. A shorter working week, a living wage, a decent pensions system for all and support for those who need it should be the goals of a rich country like ours”, said Cllr Keith Savage.

“We believe in everyone making a responsible contribution if they can but the proof of our civilised society is that we protect people with disabilities of all kinds who cannot. The government’s cruel policies on benefits will push many people into despair,” members agreed.

Buxton Labour Party will be setting up their own website and Google group to encourage debate and ideas. If you would like to join the discussions or join the Labour Party please contact 01298 24779 or log onto www.labourhighpak.info or www.buxton.labourhighpeak.info

People of Glossopdale “left in the dark” over relocation of Library

Jan 22, 2012 AnthonyMck Uncategorized No Comments

County Councillor Dave Wilcox this week claimed that the people of Glossopdale were being “left in the dark” by Derbyshire following advice to County Councillors not to proceed with a transfer of the library to the town centre.

He claims that the lack of consultation over potential sites for a library has been worthy of some of the cloak and dagger novels that the library loans to Glossopdale residents.

“There have been a variety of proposals floated for the location of the library in the last 18 months,” says Councillor Wilcox, “and whilst reports have gone to various committees, the people of the area have not been asked where they might prefer their library to be.”

“Having personally believed that there’s a case for a core town centre location, and being aware that resources to achieve this had been set aside by the previous County Labour administration, I’ve never been able to understand why the people of Glossop have not been given a reasonable chance to express a view.”

“Given the present economic situation, it’s important that we make the most open and sensible decisions about the future location of facilities, and get value for money whilst where possible, sustaining Glossop’s architectural heritage.”

“Although there are complicating factors involving trusts, parking, resource availability and structural issues around publicly owned buildings, the people in this valley are capable of looking at the options and expressing a practical view.”

“They have the right to expect consultation from the County Council which has been none existent in the past couple of years.”

Glossopdale Labour raises health concerns

Jan 16, 2012 AnthonyMck Uncategorized No Comments

Cllr Parvin with a local resident

Members of the Glossopdale Labour Party hit the streets on Saturday morning with their latest campaign raising concerns over the current NHS bill, and the hidden cost of the Government’s wasteful NHS reorganisation in Tameside and Glossop. New guidelines will force the local NHS to put aside £16,502,535 from their budget this year and next to pay for a costly NHS restructure that David Cameron repeatedly ruled out.

Old Glossop Councillor and NHS Worker Garry Parvin said:

“These shocking new figures show the Government’s reorganisation is costing the NHS even more than we first feared. It is scandalous that they are telling our local NHS to hold back millions of pounds for their own reckless plans whilst thousands of nursing jobs are being axed.

“Glossop and Tameside have already seen a 45% increase in the number of patients waiting longer than 18 weeks for treatment since Cameron became Prime Minister.

“Before his plans are even fully through Parliament, David Cameron’s reorganisation is hitting the NHS hard and costs are now topping £3.4bn across the country for the first time. Spending this amount on an unnecessary reorganisation is totally unjustifiable when every single penny should be focused on maintaining standards of care.

“At the election Cameron ruled out top-down NHS reorganisations. But only weeks after entering Number 10, he ripped up his own words and ordered the biggest and most dangerous upheaval of the NHS since it began.”

The Glossopdale campaigners were also adding more signatures to the 490,000 people so far, who have signed the 38 Degrees Save Our NHS campaign Cllr Garry Parvin added:

“The people of Glossopdale did not vote for it and our doctors, nurses and patients have already expressed huge concerns at the plans. Yet Cameron is ploughing on with his Health Bill, ignoring public and professional opinion. The time has come for him to listen, put the NHS first and drop his dangerous Bill.”

“If you didn’t get the chance to see us on Saturday and would like to more know more about the campaign or get a copy of our leaflet visit our website at www.glossopdale.labourhighpeak.info or you can sign the petition at www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/Protect_our_NHS_Petition.”

Locals were also urged to sign the Government online petition started by the Chairman of the Tameside branch of the BMA (British Medical Association) Dr Kailash Chand OBE at epetitions.direct.gov.uk.

Glossopdale NHS Leaflet
GlossopdaleNHSLeafletJan2012.pdf
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Buxton Labour Highlight Health Concerns

Jan 16, 2012 AnthonyMck NHS No Comments

Members of Buxton Labour Party hit the streets on Saturday morning campaigning to raise awareness of the current NHS bill, and the hidden cost of the Government’s wasteful NHS reorganisation in the Derbyshire PCT area.

New guidelines will force the local NHS to put aside £45,297,052 from their budget this year and next to pay for a costly NHS restructure that David Cameron repeatedly ruled out before the general election.

Cllr Caitlin Bisknell said: “Locally we have seen the PCT vote to close the Corbar Birthing Centre, East Midlands Ambulance Service lost a major contract to the private sector, and the number of people waiting more than 18weeks for treatment has risen 109% – all as a result of this government’s agenda of cuts and privatisation.

“It is scandalous that while local maternity and dental services are being axed, our local NHS is holding back millions of pounds to pay for a reckless reorganisation.

“Even before these plans have been finally agreed by Parliament, David Cameron’s reorganisation is hitting the NHS hard with costs already topping £3.4bn across the country. Spending this amount on a reorganisation is totally unjustifiable when local services such as Corbar are being closed, despite massive local opposition.

“Just 18months ago Cameron ruled out a top-down NHS reorganisation, yet within weeks of entering Number 10, he tore up his own words and ordered the biggest and most dangerous upheaval of the NHS since it began – aided and abetted by his coalition partner, the LibDems.”

The guidelines are buried in the Government’s new NHS ‘Operating Framework’ document which puts the the nationwide cost of the NHS reorganisation above previous estimates of £2-3bn, with Primary Care Trusts now holding back £3.44bn over two years.

Caitlin added: “The people of High Peak did not vote for these changes and our doctors, nurses and patients have already expressed huge concerns at the plans. Yet Cameron insists on carrying on with his Health Bill, ignoring public and professional opinion. But the time has come for him to listen, put the NHS first and drop his dangerous Bill.”

Buxton NHS Leaflet
BuxtonNHSLeafletJan2012.pdf
Version: Jan 2012

1.4 MiB
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If you didn’t see us on Saturday but would like to find out more about our campaign or get a copy of leaflet, you can visit www.buxton.labourhighpeak.info. Labour is running a major national drive to unite the country in a call on the Government to drop its unwanted Health Bill and people are being urged to add their name to the Government online petition by Dr Kailash Chand at epetitions.direct.gov.uk.

January Street Stall’s

Jan 13, 2012 AnthonyMck Uncategorized No Comments

If you’re concerned about the predicted impact of changes to the NHS, then why not join Labour High Peak’s, Glossopdale and Buxton branches who are holding street stalls tomorrow on a NHS theme.

Glossopdale’s runs from 10.00am until 12.00noon at the entrance to the Glossop Market Arcade, while Buxton’s runs from 10.30am at Buxton’s Spring Garden’s

Glossopdale November Shopper’s Surgery

Nov 22, 2011 AnthonyMck Council Services, High Peak Labour Group, HPBC No Comments

This coming Saturday (26th November) sees the latest Glossopdale’s Labour Councillors Shopper’s Surgery.

The councillors will once again be available to answer any questions, comments and concerns that locals have whilst there are out and about in the centre of Glossop. As with the previous ‘shoppers surgery’ the venue is the Glossop Market Arcade and it will feature Councillors Colin Waude and Godfrey Claff who represent Howard Town, Graham Oakley from Whitfield, Garry Parvin from Old Glossop, Bob Mckeown from Hadfield South and Anthony Mckeown from Gamesley.

The surgery will run from 10.00am till 11.30am

Cllr Anthony Mckeown said “our first two shoppers surgeries have proved to be busy for the councillors in attendance with a whole range of issues from bins to parks and lots of things in between been raised”

As a new addition this month ‘technology permitting’ the councillors are hopping to be able to offer residents who can’t attend, the opportunity to raise issues during the surgery by posting them on the Glossopdale Labour Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/glossopdalelabour and if the tech doesn’t work as expected the councillors will respond afterwards.

Cllr Mckeown added ”Whilst the surgeries have been busy, if you can’t get there on Saturday morning, but have an issue to raise – get in touch councillors aren’t just available at surgeries”

You can see contact details for Labour Councillors on our website at www.glossopdale.labourhighpeak.info or alternatively (for all borough councillors) on the borough council’s website at www.highpeak.gov.uk

Saturday surgery

Oct 28, 2011 AnthonyMck Uncategorized No Comments

Glossopdale’s Labour Councillors are once again giving local residents a
chance to question their councillors whilst out shopping this coming Saturday (29th October)

The chance comes from their monthly combined councillor’s
surgery at the front of Glossop’s Market Arcade across from Norfolk Sqaure.

The surgery which is running this Saturday (29th October) from 10.00am until 11.30am features Councillors Colin Waude and Godfrey Claff who represent Howard Town, Graham Oakley from Whitfield, Garry Parvin from Old Glossop, Bob Mckeown from Hadfield South and Anthony Mckeown from Gamesley.

If you can’t get there on Saturday morning, but have an issue to raise – get in touch councillors aren’t just available at surgeries and you can see contact details for Labour Councillors on our website at www.glossopdale.labourhighpeak.info or alternatively on the borough council website at www.highpeak.gov.uk

Shopping surgery !

Sep 23, 2011 AnthonyMck Council Services No Comments

Glossopdale’s Labour Councillors are giving local residents a chance to question their councillors whilst out shopping this coming Saturday at a unique new surgery venue.

The chance comes from their first combined councillor’s surgery at the front of Glossop’s Market Arcade across from Norfolk Sqaure.

The surgery which is running this Saturday (24^th September) from 10.00am until 11.30am features Councillors Colin Waude and Godfrey Claff who represent Howard Town, Graham Oakley from Whitfield, Bob Mckeown from Hadfield South and Anthony Mckeown from Gamesley.

Deputy Leader of High Peak Borough Council Cllr Anthony Mckeown said “Local councillors are always looking at ways to improve how we can get in touch and we know the Market Arcade is quite busy on Saturday’s, so instead of you coming to us we will be there to answer any questions, comments or queries that you may have for us”

Councillor Mckeown added “Councillor’s aren’t just available at surgeries and across Glossopdale, we are trying a range of methods to get and keep in touch. If you can’t attend on Saturday, we still want to hear from you and there’s a variety of other ways you can get in touch and let us know your concerns.”

You can see details for Labour Councillors on our website at www.glossopdale.labourhighpeak.info or alternatively on the borough council website at www.highpeak.gov.uk

Winter Gritting Budget Cuts

Aug 4, 2011 AnthonyMck Council Services, DCC No Comments

At a meeting of Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet on the 2nd August, proposals were put forward by the Conservative led administration of the county council to make cuts to the current level of gritting provided across the county.

Given the problems that were experienced last year, you would have expected proposals to improve the service rather than cut it.

By clicking play below, you can hear Cllr Anne Western the leader of the Labour Group on the county council discussing the issue on the Radio Sheffield Breakfast Show. The full clip is just over 10 minutes long but well worth listening too.

Congratulations from Yvette

Jun 12, 2011 AnthonyMck Elections 2011, HPBC No Comments

At a Labour Party fundraising event last week, Yvette Cooper MP, Shadow Home Secretary, congratulated Cllr Caitlin Bisknell on her election as Leader of High Peak Borough Council – and on Labour forming a minority administration.

“The scale of Labour successes has been grossly under reported”, said Yvette to a packed venue in Denton. “People are realising that although the deficit must be addressed it is not necessary to cut services so fast and so hard. You have achieved a very good result here in the High Peak and Labour Councillors are now in the frontline in many councils across the country”.

Cllr Bisknell, Leader of the Labour Group agreed, saying, “It will be up to Labour Councillors to listen to people affected by the cuts implemented by this coalition government and to minimise those affects wherever possible”.

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Author:	Godfrey
Date:	January 16, 2012

Author:	Jane M
Date:	January 16, 2012

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