Conservative Transport Plan lacks ambition to tackle the challenges ahead

Lib Dem pressure on the Environment Select Committee helped bring about changes from the Draft Transport Report, including a commitment towards running bus services on routes that local people can actually get to. Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson Howard Marshall says Lib Dems in government have helped create the Localism Bill, to return the balance of power back to local communities, and it’s now up to Wiltshire Council to follow through with this change, and listen to what local people need.

Howard also commented “This plan contains a lot of aspirations, for instance concerning routing freight away from towns, but the hard facts of how this is going to happen, and where the money might come from, are brushed under the carpet. We need clear commitments, not least with funding, and that’s what the Lib Dem opposition budget has made clear”.

Lib Dem Councillors are pressuring Wiltshire to follow other local councils leading the way on reducing transport’s environmental impact. There are all sorts of ideas to help the environment, and they don’t have to cost a lot. Bath now has an environmentally-friendly ‘Green Bus’ project, and it didn’t cost them a penny; all the money came as a special grant from central government. This year schemes are running to teach ‘eco-driving’ skills to council drivers across the West of England, delivering an expected reduction of 10% in emissions, and of course, fuel costs. These schemes could be saving us money here in Wiltshire.

Q: Why do you think the Council isn't interested?”

Comment On Climate Change

Local campaigner and Lib Dem environment spokesman, Cllr Howard Marshall, said “Wiltshire has a beautiful environment, and we must protect it. The council has a poor record on fighting climate change. Between 2005 and 2007 Wiltshire emissions shot up whilst the South West as a whole made big reductions in its carbon footprint. The council are dragging their heels.
Cllr Marshall continued “These enormous fines will only increase year-on-year. We need to take action now for new green jobs in Wiltshire, and to protect our environment for future generations.”
“Wiltshire Lib Dems have produced a fully costed, easy to understand budget which shows that the council can help the local environment and save money at the same time, for instance, through better recycling collections.”

Huge fine as Council misses environment targets

Local residents have been short changed again by Wiltshire Conservatives, as the Council receives an enormous fine for failing to invest in measures to reduce CO2 emissions. The council have seen Wiltshire emissions grow by more than 3%, whilst the rest of the South West has seen an average reduction of over 2%, giving Wiltshire Council one of the worst records in the country.

The £600,000 fine comes as a result of the council missing their obligations to clean up Wiltshire, and ensure a clean, green future for us all.
Lib Dem Group Leader on the council, Cllr Jon Hubbard said “We understand in these financially difficult times, the Council needs to make some cuts, and new investment is tight. But putting money into energy efficiency is something that will save Wiltshire money, and something that the Conservative-run Council should already be doing, and should have been doing for several years
“This fine is now going to hang like a noose round our necks for the next few years, draining much needed money from frontline services to pay for the Conservative administration not properly planning ahead”.
Central government has imposed fines on local Councils of £12 for every tonne of climate change- causing carbon dioxide that the Council emits, through a scheme called the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Westlea Housing...A triumph for Westlea Housing Tenants

Six months ago I was involved, along with Councillor Mercy Baggs in trying to get a family that was living in damp overcrowded conditions re housed. After several visits and many phone calls finally Westlea Housing agreed that there was a damp issue and that it was not just condensation as they had been insisting.

Today the family have moved into proper accommodation which is not damp and has sufficient rooms for the family needs. Well done Westlea Housing for finally seeing sense.

Westlea Housing Association is a charitable Registered Social Landlord providing housing and support services. "We are committed to providing support to enable individuals to live independently in the community". http://www.westlea.co.uk/

Have Your Say On Future Voting

Soon it will be time to brave the elements and go to the polls again. On May 5^th 2011 you will be able to have your say on one of the most important decisions in political history. How will your vote count in future elections.? Your choice will be to retain the first past the post system that we all know and which is the cause of our "sea saw" government system with each party desperate to get a majority of MPs elected every 5 years.

Or the alternative which will take account of all votes cast and appoint MPs on a proportional basis. This system is used in many civilised countries such as Switzerland and results in a much more stable government.

In the Alternate Vote system proposed by the referendum, voters will still be electing just one candidate associated with one geographic constituency. Instead of simply voting for one candidate choice on the ballot paper (with an 'X'), the voter would instead rank one or more of the candidates in order of preference. If after first preferences have been counted, no one candidate has a majority of the votes cast, then the bottom candidate will be eliminated and their second preferences will be redistributed accordingly. The process continues repeatedly until one candidate reaches a majority and wins.

For more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Alternative_Vote_referendum,_2011#Proposed_AV_system

Q. Do you think this is a good idea or not?

ABBERD BROOK-THE BIG CLEAN UP

Abberd Brook is an example of how the Area Board has been successful. There were a number of issues put in to the Area Board about the unkempt state of the brook and its surrounding area and as a result a working group was set up to look at what could be done to resolve the problems. I was lead member on that working group and was successful in obtaining the help and commitment of local people to be part of the process. The group developed very quickly and I was able to hand over control to local people who call themselves Friends of Abberd Brook. Because they are now a community group they are able to access funding streams not available to the Area Board. The group has funding and is able to pay for some of the issues to be resolved. This is an example of how we can empower the local community to help itself and the hope is that more members of the community will be encouraged to get involved and take a pride in their environment.
Q. Would you be able to help the Friends of Abberd Brook?

BOXING FOR ALL

Last September saw the start of my pet project, Calne’s first Boxing Club. I was fortunate to have the help of some very dedicated enthusiast from day one and the club has been a huge success because of their dedication. The club provides an alternative interest for Calne’s youth. The club meets on a Tuesday and a Thursday evening at 6.oopm for juniors and 7.30 for seniors. Currently we have over 220 members including the Boxercise sessions mostly for ladies, and the recently started GB award scheme. If you are interested in this type of exercise then visit the Calne Boxing Club website.
Q. Does this kind of exercise appeal to you?