Fire Station – Decision Day Tomorrow, Thursday 15th December

So after two years and 6 days of opposing this attack on our green belt, tomorrow, Thursday 15th December Wirral’s Planning Committee will make a decision to say Yes or No to the fire station.

This piece of land was offered up to the fire service for consideration on the 9th December, 2014 after the Labour Leader of the Council withdrew the land at Greasby.

For the last two years we have fought this at every stage, during consultation, at Council meetings, through letters and leaflets, you name it we have done it.

Yesterday, when the Planning Committee visited the site they were given a very strong and clear message by over 200 people, and that message was ‘Hands off our green belt’

We have ONE final opportunity to convince the Planning Committee to throw this application out, that opportunity is at 6pm this Thursday 15th December at Wallasey Town Hall when they will give its verdict on the application.

We need one last HUGE turnout of residents to reinforce our message. Please come along and let’s make this a night we can all be proud of, let’s make this the night when we win.  Remember, together we are stronger.

Please don’t leave it to others to attend they may be leaving it to you.

UPDATE: Plans for a fire station on green belt in Saughall Massie

Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign to save the Green Belt and fight the plan for a Fire Station at Saughall Massie, and to those who attended the planning committee meeting on the 10^th November.

You may be aware that at that meeting the Planning Committee Members deferred the decision in order to visit the site and see it for themselves. This will take place on Tuesday 13^th December at 11:10am and the public can attend.  I, along with Cllr Bruce Berry and Cllr Williams will be at the site from 10:50am if anyone has any questions.

So on Thursday 15^th December the Planning Committee will meet at Wallasey Town Hall at 6pm to make its final decision on whether to approve or refuse the application for a new Fire Station on our green belt.  The meeting is open to the public and given the public interest the meeting will be held in the much larger Civic Hall at the Town Hall.

The decision whether to approve or refuse this plan will be taken by the 13 Councillors from all four political parties in Wirral who make up the Planning Committee.  The Committee is chaired by a Labour Councillor from Leasowe.

At the last planning committee meeting on the 10^th November around 150 objectors attended and their presence and opposition was clearly noted by the elected members. So for both the site visit on the 13^th, and particularly the planning committee meeting on the 15^th we need as many people as possible to attend.

Me, Bruce and Steve  will be at the meeting and a huge turnout of residents will help to send a very clear message to the Council.  That message is simply “Hands off Our Green Belt”  

This is our FINAL opportunity to have this application thrown out, so please don’t leave it to others to attend, after all they may be leaving it to you

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who has put their faith and trust in me. I am delighted, honoured and privileged to be elected to serve for a fifth consecutive term in Moreton and Saughall Massie. Be assured that I will continue to do my very best for you all.

I am also delighted that the voters of Moreton and Saughall Massie soundly rejected Labours dirty tactics campaign, with their onslaught of personal attacks on me questioning my commitment, honesty and integrity.    The Labour campaign was one of, if not the dirtiest campaign I have ever seen in any ward or constituency throughout the UK.   Here in Moreton and the Wallasey Constituency the Labour Party have shown themselves up for what they really are!  Anyway enough of them.

The full result of the election is reproduced below

Candidate                              Party                    Votes                     %
Chris Blakeley                    Conservative           2384                57% Elected

Karl Greaney                      Labour                      1425                 34%

Beryl Jones                         UKIP                            301                 7%

Lindsey Stowell-Smith     Green Party                 86                  2%

Voting Summary

Total votes 4196
Electorate 10682
Number of ballot papers issued 4213
Number of ballot papers rejected 17
Turnout 39%
Share of the votes (%)
Chris Blakeley 57% Elected
Karl Gerard Greaney 34% Not elected
Beryl Rosina Jones 7% Not elected
Lindsey Stowell-Smith 2% Not elected

Rejected ballot papers 17

 

 

Tomorrow is Election Day

 

Clean Campaign Pledge – Moreton & Saughall Massie

Over a week ago I wrote to the other three candidates who are standing for the Council Elections on May 5th in Moreton West and Saughall Massie asking them to join with me, and sign the ‘Clean Campaign Pledge’  by the deadline of Friday 15th April.  More can be read on that by clicking HERE

As of writing this posting I have to report that disappointingly not one of the candidates, Labour, UKIP or Green Party have responded to my request to sign up to the pledge.   You will have to draw your own conclusions as to why?

Here is the Clean Campaign Pledge:

1. To show by our actions that politics need not be a dirty game, but can be a clean and positive activity, engaged in genuinely for the good of all.

2. To tell the truth about what we stand for and have achieved, and about what others stand for and have achieved.

3. To refrain from personal attacks.

4. To make only honest and reasonable promises.

5. To ensure that our respective campaign teams abide by this pledge, whether in print or in conversation with residents

6. To fight a clean, positive and honest campaign around the issues that concern the people of this community

7. In particular, to be honest about public spending, and not to scaremonger in ways that may frighten the most vulnerable members of our society, such as children and elderly people.

Mayor Agrees to Calls for Girtrell Court Debate

Starts

Following concerns raised by campaigners fighting to save Girtrell Court, the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr. Les Rowlands, has agreed to calls for an extraordinary meeting of all 66 councillors.

The demand for the meeting followed concerns that public statements from members of Wirral’s Cabinet were confused and, at times, contradictory.

Cllr. Chris Blakeley said: “In the last 14 days, we have been told, ‘yeah, but no, but maybe’ by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health over the future of Girtrell Court.

“At the same time, the Leader of the Council pledged to be open and transparent only to then delegate the decision to the Cabinet Member and Director, out of public view and with no reference to the rest of his Cabinet.

“This whole sorry saga has proved to be traumatic to the staff and families; it has appalled the trade unions and ward councillors in Saughall Massie. I believe the Cabinet Member should now make it clear what, if anything, she has decided and on what evidence. Neither I, nor the families, believe the repeated claims about ‘extending choice’ – it is, in truth, about closing services.”

Councillor Blakeley has now emailed the Head of Law to seek confirmation of the date of the meeting and to ensure that notice is given to petitioners, families, staff and unions.

Ends

No Decision in Public, Closure in Private!

STARTS

Campaigners fighting to save the Council’s only respite care facility have revealed that the Authority has now banned families from making any bookings at Girtrell Court after March. At the same time, staff have been issued with redundancy notices, stating their jobs are ‘to be deleted’.

At two meetings of Constituency Committees (Wallasey and West Wirral), members of the Cabinet and the Director of Adult Social Services assured families that ‘no decision’ has been taken and that the closure plan is ‘out for consultation’ ahead of the Council’s budget meeting next month.

Councillor Chris Blakeley said: “This week, we have learned that these public assurances are meaningless. Families are now in a state of limbo as they cannot make bookings for respite care after March while staff have been told to leave. Yet, even at this late stage, the Town Hall has failed to find acceptable, alternative provision.”

ENDS

Councillors to set up the ‘Friends of Girtrell Court’

STARTS 

Councillors in Moreton West and Saughall Massie are writing to those affected by the proposal to close Girtrell Court, asking for support to set up a ‘Friends’ group that would fight for the centre to remain open. 

Councillor Chris Blakeley said: “As we have seen with previous campaigns, the danger can be that those who oppose the closure of a facility don’t speak with a single voice and are then subject to ‘divide and rule’ tactics from the Town Hall. 

“By setting up a Friends Group, comprising people who use the centre, their carers and families, as well as staff and trade unions, I believe we can demonstrate to the Town Hall how important this Centre is – not least for the 140 people who depend on it.”  

“While the Town Hall has chosen to hide behind ‘data protection’, they have agreed to circulate a letter from the three councillors to service users and staff. I’m really keen to hear from anyone who receives our letter, either giving their own views on the closure plan or who wish to volunteer and help us set up the Friends.”     The letter to service users and staff can be read by clicking HERE

ENDS

If you want to become a Friend please complete the form below.   Thank You

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Is there a price to pay?

This afternoon I have been looking through hundreds of emails between Officers of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) and Officers of Wirral Borough Council WBC) which have been released after an FOI request.

All the emails relate to the desire of MFRS to close Upton and West Kirby Fire Stations and build a new one, originally in Greasby, but now proposed on Green Belt/Urban Green Space in Saughall Massie.

Lots of interesting reading some suggesting land swaps between MFRS and WBC others talking of planning policy restrictions on the site WBC have offered and that MFRS want. Seems WBC acquired the land from MFRS for its new youth hub (The Hive) in Birkenhead, on what is described as a ‘peppercorn rent’.

I am beginning to wonder if there is a quid pro quo?

Liverpool City Region Leaders Recognise the Success of a Conservative Government!

I am delighted that Cllr Phil Davies, Labour Leader of Wirral Council and Chair of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority, along with the other five Merseyside Labour Leaders recognise the turnaround in the economy and the creation of jobs as a result of a Conservative Government.   This can be evidenced from the following paragraph in the LCR devolution bid.

“The City Region Economy is more resilient compared to the past and well positioned to capitalise on strengthening the UK economy.  Economic growth rebounded strongly in 2013, comparable with its peers.  The number of people in employment continued to grow, driven by the creation of 23,000 private sector jobs since 2010.  The stock of business in the City Region increased particularly through small business growth and higher rates of self employment.”

Well said, Phil, Rob, Andy, Joe, Ian, Barry, Leaders of Wirral, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and St Helens.