tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76208619734645946202024-02-06T21:50:05.140-08:00Sedgemoor Labour NewsSedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-75970340382527046842014-01-11T06:07:00.002-08:002014-01-11T08:01:45.017-08:00Tackling the Cost of Living in the Countryside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOzElx02x4T0sh8PVcMnUapmSBXOAcD36ABpLfJwLqIXqqdVnM8fhPvS5dlQN1aW-Sj-qAfHaIglT4d9L3nsGzokaPwCDCX99QLt2H3wsQV-_dfmNXIbo6ZuKkMru_TGBP4dIbR52m4lV/s1600/quantocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOzElx02x4T0sh8PVcMnUapmSBXOAcD36ABpLfJwLqIXqqdVnM8fhPvS5dlQN1aW-Sj-qAfHaIglT4d9L3nsGzokaPwCDCX99QLt2H3wsQV-_dfmNXIbo6ZuKkMru_TGBP4dIbR52m4lV/s1600/quantocks.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Labour has unveiled policies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to tackle the cost of living in the
countryside.</strong></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Party’s candidate for Bridgwater and West
Somerset, Mick Lerry, says rural communities are suffering badly – with incomes
falling while prices spiral upwards.</strong> </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mick said: “<em>Wages in rural areas have fallen in
real terms by £1,300 between 2010 and 2012 . And <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rural households have to spend <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>£2,700 more on everyday goods, compared to
those in urban areas.</em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<em>The Government has failed to tackle the
rising cost of household energy, water and transport . And it has failed to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>build new affordable homes, protect rural bus
services or keep the roll out of broadband on track. </em></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em>.”</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The next Labour government will <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tackle the rural cost of living crisis in our
rural communities by:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">· </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Bringing off grid energy such as oil under the
control of the new energy regulator that we will set up in 2015.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">· </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Delivering earlier Winter Fuel Payments to those
pensioners who are using off grid energy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">· </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cutting and freezing business rates for small and
medium sized businesses, on premises <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with a rateable value under £50,000.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">· </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Abolishing the bedroom tax which has an even
greater effect of displacing families and disrupting communities in rural
areas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">· </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Transferring £75 million from the Government’s
‘super-connected cities’ programme into a digital inclusion fund, so that
businesses and people in rural communities can learn how to make the internet
work for them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mick Lerry said “ <em>The Bridgwater and West
Somerset constituency includes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>many
rural communities – some of them among the most remote in England. People
living in our villages have been let down by the Tory-led coalition
government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Labour would reverse the
policies that have left so many people struggling to make ends meet.”<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF8j2uOHzHfmOXv8N4Rtc5ii9LfQysWhIEZsh7Uxzh7cRMqA1T6cL1QFowMUN9KBBm56HLJlr-FF1icxhhqWm7qwke_Z9iB1At3k2kQQtubhy7eXe_zFtKYrS8alzsWIqNhZMDDPlCs5U/s1600/Ed+and+Mick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF8j2uOHzHfmOXv8N4Rtc5ii9LfQysWhIEZsh7Uxzh7cRMqA1T6cL1QFowMUN9KBBm56HLJlr-FF1icxhhqWm7qwke_Z9iB1At3k2kQQtubhy7eXe_zFtKYrS8alzsWIqNhZMDDPlCs5U/s1600/Ed+and+Mick.jpg" height="200" width="176" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cllr
Mick Lerry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leader
of the Labour Group on SDC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Labour
Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">email:
michael.lerry@btinternet.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">mobile:
07775 905080<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-20769136162285853212014-01-09T13:15:00.002-08:002014-01-09T13:15:15.199-08:00Department for Work and Pensions admit that some tenants are exempt from the Bedroom Tax<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiz219EZrbCSxwNPDHelb7ifZORNu5eEzJVCOdswyQGFmE_39y9mMlnqTMSdYCIaZ5ztGQ76_SvtXcQREeHP94pPRvJRsDLTvB79Bm9dWPeirMqmjzjp3Il9mLvHeLi90mB-wTiUlAkad/s1600/bedroom+tax+protest+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiz219EZrbCSxwNPDHelb7ifZORNu5eEzJVCOdswyQGFmE_39y9mMlnqTMSdYCIaZ5ztGQ76_SvtXcQREeHP94pPRvJRsDLTvB79Bm9dWPeirMqmjzjp3Il9mLvHeLi90mB-wTiUlAkad/s1600/bedroom+tax+protest+1.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Mick Lerry joins anti bedroom tax protestors as they present</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">their 1,000 name petition to Sedgemoor</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Welfare rights workers have
discovered a legal loophole that could mean thousands of people are exempt from
the hated bedroom tax and the Department for Work and Pensions have sent out a
recent Bulletin informing Councils of the loophole.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bridgwater Parliamentary Candidate Mick Lerry says "<em>Labour is urging district
councils in Somerset to make sure people here are not being wrongly charged. </em></span></span><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tenants who have lived in the
same house or flat since January 1996 – and have claimed Housing Benefit
throughout that time – are the ones who could benefit.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The reasons are complicated.
They have to do with the rules that govern the “eligible rent” for social
housing. "</span><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> Wrongly Charging people</strong></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some councils are already
admitting that they have been wrongly charging people since April 2013. In the
South-West, Exeter City Council has begun sending letters to tenants it
believes should be exempt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The numbers involved are not
huge - Exeter estimates the exemption will only help 4 per cent of tenants. But
for those people, not having to pay this unfair tax will be a significant help.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mick Lerry, who is also the Leader of the
Labour Group on SDC said: “<em>We have argued all along that the bedroom tax is an unjust
attack on people with low incomes. It is very good news that a minority of
tenants seem to have legal protection".</em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mick also said: "<em>On the
8th January Sedgemoor District Council debated a petition regarding the Bedroom
Tax and I have also asked a revenue Officer as to how the council will respond
to the recent announcement from the Department of Work and Pensions, to repay
those tenants who are exempt from the Bedroom Tax".</em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<em>I hope that West Somerset
and other district councils across Somerset will follow the example of Exeter
in examining how many tenants should be exempt and making sure they get their
money back.”<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(The Bedroom Tax is a reduction in Housing Benefit,
which affects people who the government says have “spare” bedrooms in their
homes. Social housing tenants lose 14 per cent of their Housing Benefit if they
have one extra room; 25 per cent of they have two or more. Although the Bedroom
Tax is a central government policy, it is administered by district councils</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cllr Mick Lerry<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leader of the Labour Group on
SDC<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Labour Parliamentary
Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">email:
michael.lerry@btinternet.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">mobile; 07775905080<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9/1/14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-83025838125012927272014-01-08T09:33:00.003-08:002014-01-08T09:42:39.221-08:00BEDROOM TAX PETITION:COUNCIL VOTES FOR POLICY REVIEW<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut9RVQEkBRbP9pozP5mURu0LbeqVIMjkefqJlMazckXk2DlVTdh_SdA8UFpdN2pXDEUYEB12g3bLAZ_4b5B-Ym8wuIfhQnEap4pYOX72NFjy8SSOcGx-8uJgP-A_OreUgX6zSJh0z7Aep/s1600/SDC+bedroom+tax+protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut9RVQEkBRbP9pozP5mURu0LbeqVIMjkefqJlMazckXk2DlVTdh_SdA8UFpdN2pXDEUYEB12g3bLAZ_4b5B-Ym8wuIfhQnEap4pYOX72NFjy8SSOcGx-8uJgP-A_OreUgX6zSJh0z7Aep/s1600/SDC+bedroom+tax+protest.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Protestors brave the weather to fight the Bedrrom Tax</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A petition of 1106 names organised by the Bridgwater People's Assembly was presented to Sedgemoor District Council today calling on the council to urge the Government to repeal the Bedroom Tax, build new council houses and not to evict tenants because of the tax.</span><br />
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Petition organiser <strong>Gwyn Holland</strong> spoke at the meeting mentioning the example of a disabled friend who was caught in the trap of an unworkable and punitive policy whilst housing solutions weren't actually available. Describing the bedroom tax as 'iniquitous' and 'targeting those on lower incomes while the Government introduces tax cuts for the rich' he further stated the tax 'penalises tenants for a housing shortage which is the responsibility of politicians'.<br />
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Labour Leader <strong>Mick Lerry</strong> (Bridgwater Victoria) spoke in support of the petition and whilst noting that Labour would repeal the bedroom tax if it wins the next election, pointed out that mitigating actions need to be taken now. A previous Labour motion to council and actions agreed through the Labour chaired Scrutiny committees had gone some way to establishing these measures. The motion was seconded by <strong>Cllr Leigh Redman</strong> (Bridgwater Dunwear) and supported by the Lib Dem and Independent groups. <br />
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The response from <strong>Cllr Duncan McGinty</strong>, Conservative leader, was broadly supportive of the need to help the victims of the tax and confirmed that SDC would not be pursuing evictions. He counter-proposed however that the petition should be reviewed at the relevant scrutiny committee and that the Council lobby against the tax via the Local Government Association.<br />
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The Council voted on McGinty's proposal first which was carried by an overwhelming vote of all the Tories present whilst Labour, Lib Dem and Independents voted against in the hope that the petition as originally worded could be supported. The Tory majority won through and there was no chance to therefore vote on the original petition.<br />
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After the meeting <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> (Chair of Corporate Scrutiny) said "<em>This will give people a chance to have a full and open debate about the Bedroom tax at a special dedicated Scrutiny meeting and to recommend how we can best achieve the aims of the petition. When that meeting is set up I would invite anyone who can contribute to the debate to register to participate and turn up with concrete examples and solutions. Clearly we shouldn't be taxing bedrooms but building new ones."</em>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-74360081552752921502014-01-06T07:18:00.003-08:002014-01-06T07:18:36.693-08:00Sedgemoor Labour Leader urges MP to challenge Government Flood Failings<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8VgGTF8GtmH1zeHqYriInNmQcOgkqakfIcYlKpj7-1tRb84dhRV54DeOT3ovFzvRhLGoof4W6M2qFdrt5MWPYMGc0JqYtZrxKwyhJnv-PN7LQr2DVhpJoF1mNB83bqCdsH1GBRrvg68J/s1600/Brook+behind+st+Saviours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8VgGTF8GtmH1zeHqYriInNmQcOgkqakfIcYlKpj7-1tRb84dhRV54DeOT3ovFzvRhLGoof4W6M2qFdrt5MWPYMGc0JqYtZrxKwyhJnv-PN7LQr2DVhpJoF1mNB83bqCdsH1GBRrvg68J/s1600/Brook+behind+st+Saviours.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Recent flooding in the centre of Bridgwater</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
Guardian reported on 30th September 2013 that: "</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/owen-paterson" title="More from the Guardian on Owen Paterson"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Owen Paterson</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> told a fringe
meeting at the Conservative party conference.... that predictions by scientists
– that there could be major increases in temperature resulting in melting ice
caps and worldwide flooding – should not be seen as entirely negative".</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On
the 5th January the same paper reported that: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sir David King, the government's special envoy </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-change" title="More from the Guardian on Climate change"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">climate change</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, has said: Britain needs to face up to a radical change in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/weather" title="More from the Guardian on Weather"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">weather</span></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">conditions that could be the result of global warming, and spend
much more on flood defences. Amid the worst floods for decades, King said the
UK must do more to manage the problem, potentially doubling spending to £1bn a
year by 2020, as extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent".</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s1600/Mick+Lerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s1600/Mick+Lerry.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Cllr Mick Lerry, Labour </em></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>PPC Bridgwater & West Som</em></span></td></tr>
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<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yet
once again with heavy rainfall and adverse tides the Somerset Moors are
flooded. Houses have had to be evacuated. A flood summit was held in Somerset
in 2013 attended by Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, Tessa Munt MP and Jeremy Browne MP
and there were promises from government and the Environment Agency that
remedies would be put in place. Government has refused to fund the necessary
work to avoid flooding and recently the Environment Agency announced that 1500
members of their staff would be made redundant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ian
Liddell Grainger MP should be highlighting the failure of the Government to act
in to reduce the risk of flooding for local people, as the last Labour
Government did for the people of Gloucestershire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cllr
Mick Lerry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Leader
of the Labour Group on Sedgemoor District Council<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Labour
Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset Constituency<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">email:
michael.lerry@btinternet.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1270835087msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">mobile:
07775905080<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-5169543162351183102013-12-19T01:18:00.004-08:002013-12-19T01:18:46.972-08:00Labour Shadow Department for Energy and Climate Change visit Hinkley C site and Bridgwater College.
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IUV-l6JqrmunNr5F9vYZ2HbQL98jrD0GDkSP7ZFT3cCawPybTFOAoYTesdVDASksDbBRZTtbIfCTt5XUaWXAQS7DYmNzKGLqGdTHk2SOQVJADrMt7ZTgLn4wqrw8oN8V45bL9BI9pXb3/s1600/Labour+MPs+and+Candidates+at+energy+centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IUV-l6JqrmunNr5F9vYZ2HbQL98jrD0GDkSP7ZFT3cCawPybTFOAoYTesdVDASksDbBRZTtbIfCTt5XUaWXAQS7DYmNzKGLqGdTHk2SOQVJADrMt7ZTgLn4wqrw8oN8V45bL9BI9pXb3/s320/Labour+MPs+and+Candidates+at+energy+centre.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Caroline Flint MP, Cllr Mick Lerry-Bridgwater PPC, </em></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>Tom Greatrex MP, Claire Moody-Labour SW Euro Candidate, </em></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>Neil Guild-Taunton PPC</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Caroline Flint MP and Tom Greatrex MP visited Hinkley C
and the Energy and Skills Centre at Bridgwater College, on Tuesday 17th
December. The aim of the visit was a fact finding tour, to establish the full
impact of the Energy infrastructure project. The team were impressed with the
developments at Bridgwater College and how local people could obtain training
and skills to move into the Energy industry.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lF5L3MPLt7RxyqfXk55iTI8V3oZWuL1joRyUzTfl_0ZWMurdICHtAMOts-HN91W94SN92vdNPIhm_DCLQyaK6Ss8CVQ4tA-RW3psM1KSSPK7JyhwPXI5Gyn9D-hOpjaRpj8iyiuTp7gq/s1600/Mick+with+Tom+Greatrex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lF5L3MPLt7RxyqfXk55iTI8V3oZWuL1joRyUzTfl_0ZWMurdICHtAMOts-HN91W94SN92vdNPIhm_DCLQyaK6Ss8CVQ4tA-RW3psM1KSSPK7JyhwPXI5Gyn9D-hOpjaRpj8iyiuTp7gq/s320/Mick+with+Tom+Greatrex.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Mick discusses the issues with Tom Greatrex MP</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mick Lerry, leader of Sedgemoor Labour group and PPC for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said: "<em>Members of the Labour Group were
able to discuss the implications of the construction stage of Hinkley C and how
it was important to avoid "boom and bust". We were able to explain
the importance of Community Benefit during the construction stage of the power
station. Highlighting the fact that Bridgwater and surrounding area should be
recognised as an Enterprise or Business Zone, able to retain all the business
rates to invest back into the local economy".</em> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Both MPs were interested in the proposals put forward by
the Labour Group and another meeting will be scheduled in early 2014 to discuss
the matter further. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cllr. Mick Lerry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West
Somerset. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leader of the Labour Group on SDC.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mobile 07775 905080 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-69019240547699864742013-12-16T05:59:00.002-08:002013-12-16T06:09:42.275-08:00LABOUR CANDIDATE CALLS FOR NEW HOMES TO TACKLE COST OF LIVING CRISIS<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDMFn2rBXONLFx0oDWhFlg1izZAKkMfnXibr_fOGDwRsTp4v8kjyVKIBLaqAfR6lvxPC_tX4PPMaB18fwb-PewIAAatigfLILtU9-n4DrWSVYN-yZkorUXOiSSIaBF2KnSE3upNyos89E/s1600/Ed+and+Mick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDMFn2rBXONLFx0oDWhFlg1izZAKkMfnXibr_fOGDwRsTp4v8kjyVKIBLaqAfR6lvxPC_tX4PPMaB18fwb-PewIAAatigfLILtU9-n4DrWSVYN-yZkorUXOiSSIaBF2KnSE3upNyos89E/s320/Ed+and+Mick.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Labour Leader Ed Miliband and Bridgwater PPC</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Mick Lerry call for new homes.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Mick Lerry, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Bridgwater & West Somerset, has called on the Government to take action to make home
ownership a realistic aspiration for working people and rents more affordable
by building much needed homes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According
to independent experts, under the current Government we are building less than
half the homes a year we need to meet demand. The gap between the number of
homes we build each year and what we need is unprecedented at over 100,000 each
year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A
housing shortage, combined with the cost of living crisis – with falling wages
and rising bills – is making rents increasingly expensive and putting home
homeownership out of reach for millions of working people.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back in 1997
it took an average family just three years to save for a proper deposit on a
home but today it takes 22 years. Private sector rents are now at the highest
level ever recorded.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One Nation Labour has plans to increase the supply of new homes in
England above 200,000 a year by the end of the next Parliament. To ensure plans
are in place on day one of a Labour Government, Ed Miliband today, Monday 16<sup>th</sup>
December 2013, launched a Housing Commission chaired by Sir Michael Lyons has
been launched to draw up a road map for delivering this ambition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mick Lerry, said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The security of knowing you can afford
to live in your home is the cornerstone of a strong society. It’s a basic
aspiration that working people want for themselves and their children – one
that should be open to everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Many people in Bridgwater and West
Somerset are facing a cost of living crisis and are struggling with housing
costs. By getting Britain building again a Labour Government will help tackle
ever-spiralling private rents and will make home ownership an achievable dream
once more for those that are currently priced out.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“David Cameron is presiding over the
lowest levels of homes built in peacetime since the 1920s and already families
are suffering from some of the worst housing shortages for a generation. This
is now part of a cost-of-living crisis for millions of people for whom the
dream of home ownership is fading into the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“At this time of year, when family is
so important, there are parents who fear their children will never get a place
of their own. And there are millions of young people who fear they may never be
able to get on the housing ladder; never able to invite their parents round for
Christmas dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If families are to prosper and our country is
to succeed, Britain needs new homes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-65778097581634278912013-12-14T05:19:00.002-08:002013-12-14T05:19:43.964-08:00ENERGY BILLS STILL TOO HIGH SAYS LABOUR PPC
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s1600/Mick+Lerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s200/Mick+Lerry.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Bridgwater PPC Mick Lerry</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">"Labour will deliver fairer </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">prices "</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Many households will be
going into debt this winter because of the increasing cost of energy. Even
where energy companies have reduced the price, because of the withdrawal of the
Green levy, the increase in energy is still above inflation. Many people in
rural areas have</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>limited
options for fuel, many of which lack mains gas. The Green levy helps to make
efficient use of fuel, which is particularly important for countryside
communities and residents on low incomes.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">t the same time a</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> committee of MPs has accused ministers of "<em>shifting the
goalposts"</em> to reduce the number of households in England classed as in
fuel poverty. The definition of fuel poverty would be changed by amendments to
the Energy Bill so that 2.4 million were classed as fuel poor rather than 3.2
million. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Labour candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset , Mick Lerry said: "</span><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The government plans to reduce energy bills by an average of £50 a year
in an effort to offset rising costs, is not enough. </span><span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Labour’s energy price freeze is needed.
Labour's price freeze would save money for 27 million households and 2.4
million businesses and our plans to reset the market will deliver fairer prices
in the future”.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">MP CALLED ON TO ACT<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em>"Ian Liddell-Grainger MP
needs to represent the community by asking the Government to sort out the
Energy market to protect people from fuel and financial poverty."</em></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cllr Mick Lerry, Leader of
the Labour Group on SDC and Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for
Bridgwater and West Somerset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #272727; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tel: 07775 905080 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-23189862579423356252013-11-28T14:24:00.001-08:002013-11-28T16:04:11.759-08:00SEDGEMOOR LABOUR LEADER MICK LERRY SELECTED AS PPC<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMDKLLp6KbVok8RkN5kU_jhyxz8mAi2s4F6SXuRSSix0OIZOHnbFSYxzRhl4IqrY556cJ_cABT2iOnVRHrjnmcTpXcHfhabqExhvN6bQdogV4vK-J_QjFVLsKoUP_jqKUrMmOVUwG_NoX/s1600/mick02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMDKLLp6KbVok8RkN5kU_jhyxz8mAi2s4F6SXuRSSix0OIZOHnbFSYxzRhl4IqrY556cJ_cABT2iOnVRHrjnmcTpXcHfhabqExhvN6bQdogV4vK-J_QjFVLsKoUP_jqKUrMmOVUwG_NoX/s200/mick02.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Cllr Mick Lerry-Labour PPC for</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Bridgwater & West Somerset</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Bridgwater and West Somerset Labour
Party has chosen a leading councillor, Mick Lerry, as its candidate for the
General Election expected in 2015.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Councillor
Lerry has lived in the constituency since 1976. He was a teacher for 22 years
at the Blake School in Bridgwater and served on the national executive of the
National Union of Teachers. He represents the Victoria ward on Sedgemoor
District Council and Bridgwater Town Council, and is leader of the Sedgemoor
Labour group. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="color: black;">Speaking after his selection by local Labour members Mick said:</span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I look forward to the challenge of being Labour’s
candidate in Bridgwater and West Somerset. I will be highlighting the need for
growth in the local and national economy, taking regard of energy
infrastructure. We must provide well paid jobs at the living wage or above, and
abolish the mis-use of zero hours contracts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I
am very concerned about youth unemployment, and the need to make sure that
women are not at the front line of the cost of living crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span></em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>“I
know many constituents - especially the elderly - will welcome Labour’s policy of
a freeze on energy bills. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I strongly
support Labour’s promise to remove the bedroom tax, which has increased the
cost of living for vulnerable people.”</em> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: red;"><strong>TEACHER, HOUSING DIRECTOR, UNION REP</strong></span></span></span></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s1600/Mick+Lerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s200/Mick+Lerry.jpg" width="130" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mick on an NUT demo</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As a union representative, Mick was
involved in negotiations and consultations with secretaries of state and other
ministers, promoting education and the role of teachers in England and Wales.
In his present role with Sedgemoor Council, he heads a group of 13 Labour
councillors. He has held meetings with shadow cabinet members to ensure a community
benefit from the construction of the Hinkley C power station. </span><span style="color: black;">Mick is a director of Homes in Sedgemoor
and is on the board of Victoria Park Community Centre. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; display: none; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hide: all;">e hea</span><strong><span style="color: red;">OUTGOING PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE WELCOMES SELECTION</span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Sedgemoor District Labour Group Chair <strong>Cllr Kath Pearce,</strong> who was the Parliamentary candidate last time round, welcomed Mick's selection. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><em>"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The co-alition government's policies have disproportionately
affected those on low income who are struggling to pay their bills
whilst brushing the scandal of the bankers' bonuses under the carpet.
They have fragmented the education system and are doing the same with
the NHS. Advances made under Labour to invest in "green" energy
generation have been completely undermined by this government. We will
have an opportunity at the next election to vote for a new Labour Leader
who has shown his determination to stand up for hard pressed
families by commitments to the Living Wage and by bringing the giant
energy companies to account. In this constituency, we are fortunate to
have Mick as our candidate, with his wealth of experience, both in the
Trade Union movement and as Leader of the Sedgemoor District Labour
Party. I, along with many others, will be campaigning hard for Mick to win
in this constituency and urge anyone who wants better opportunities <wbr></wbr>locally to join us."</span></em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKIY5d9CSo3R6eZYOyEXdR95SMiIeX2W4yLzBwMlAjBUljbyWMSZFDAcKWzN_5dLdZJIAiM4yaHvIMicYJMaSlKwAcsnI4mE0KsW1JxRhtmJVuJZvoGaSQlFJRmCnafklKjr7cNOu2Xrk/s1600/mick01+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKIY5d9CSo3R6eZYOyEXdR95SMiIeX2W4yLzBwMlAjBUljbyWMSZFDAcKWzN_5dLdZJIAiM4yaHvIMicYJMaSlKwAcsnI4mE0KsW1JxRhtmJVuJZvoGaSQlFJRmCnafklKjr7cNOu2Xrk/s200/mick01+%25281%2529.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Mick Lerry -candidate best placed</em></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>to unseat Liddel-Grainger</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Secretary of the Sedgemoor District Labour group, <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> , said "<em>We have had Tory MPs here since the 1950's and Labour has often managed to run them a close second. In recent years the Lib dems have taken that position on occasion and still failed to beat them. No-one now can see the Tory coalition partners as a genuine alternative and that vote will collapse - but people are desperate to get rid of Ian Liddel-Grainger. We have the advantage of knowing that the election will be in May 2015 and we have until then to build the campaign to make sure people realise that Mick Lerry is the only chance we have to do that in this constituency."</em></span></span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Contact:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mick Lerry: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> 07775 905080
<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b><a href="mailto:michael.lerry@btinternet.com"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">michael.lerry@btinternet.com</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-30687294183243743172013-07-17T10:30:00.001-07:002013-07-17T10:30:10.765-07:00Labour Group welcomes Government announcement on Community Benefit for Hinkley C<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BGC01BE7CBAj07tDa5wiegE_owQl_VsKJrwJVlk8JjEy4nwEVvxam-08MFk69F9tFI2CapMh-VYKaCN2pb85mui3feXaikygs785cU6r_YvkXZTn2uWx9l2Dczf__WqV3wHBr_Q69hSk/s1600/Mick+Lerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BGC01BE7CBAj07tDa5wiegE_owQl_VsKJrwJVlk8JjEy4nwEVvxam-08MFk69F9tFI2CapMh-VYKaCN2pb85mui3feXaikygs785cU6r_YvkXZTn2uWx9l2Dczf__WqV3wHBr_Q69hSk/s320/Mick+Lerry.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">SDC Labour leader Mick Lerry 'welcomes</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">community benefit announcement'</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Labour Group on SDC today welcomed the Department for Energy and Climate Change’s announcement on Community Benefit for
the operational period of Hinkley C, as the community should be
rewarded for hosting a nuclear power station</strong>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour leader Cllr Mick Lerry said "<em>The Labour Group have
lobbied Caroline Flint, Shadow Secretary of State for DECC, and she
asked about Community Benefit when the announcement was made on the
building of Hinkley C However the Labour Group also wants Community
Benefit to be given to the community and Bridgwater during the
construction stage of Hinkley C and for the extension of the existing
Nuclear Power Stations, where the operation stage has been extended".</em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">The
proposals will see the local communities around Hinkley Point C
compensated at a rate of £1,000 per Megawatt for the entire operation
of the plant. With Hinkley Point C expected to be in operation for 40
years, this could amount to £128 million<b>
</b>in funding. The money could be used for a range of local projects
for those who will not see any direct and tangible benefits themselves,
such as facilities for the elderly and measures to address fuel poverty.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> The Labour Group has been playing a key role on SDC as part of cross party</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">
campaigning on community benefit contributions for five years,
negotiating with Ministers, MPs and civil servants and
consistently raising this issue in Parliament, and the Council is
delighted to see all this hard work come to fruition.
</span><u></u><u></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">A Sedgemoor spokesperson said "<em>This
announcement will mean the local community will be justly compensated
for hosting what is a major national infrastructure project</em></span><em>,<span style="line-height: 150%;">
required in order to meet a national need, but where the impacts are
felt locally. This represents a fair settlement for the community
affected and ensures consistency with similar forms of community benefit
for onshore wind and shale gas."</span></em><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"></span> </div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-37764670645710781482013-07-04T00:14:00.002-07:002013-07-04T00:14:34.502-07:00Bridgwater Post Strike - Labour councillors urge support<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY8iWRWpEFNAnf6zs9SYXlU_qHl8pGgncAMK_ToN-Hxk8OVJFgWWj0EKHTHrEGjta1WR5DMdpGsSFNLZrRGytaQEw4KLfOsia6X4iN4P_wh259oOc4SXRIDU3ziVToc4xE9JbqbQQgcX8/s150/DAVE+CHAPPLE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY8iWRWpEFNAnf6zs9SYXlU_qHl8pGgncAMK_ToN-Hxk8OVJFgWWj0EKHTHrEGjta1WR5DMdpGsSFNLZrRGytaQEw4KLfOsia6X4iN4P_wh259oOc4SXRIDU3ziVToc4xE9JbqbQQgcX8/s200/DAVE+CHAPPLE.JPG" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Dave Chapple CWU</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bridgwater Postal workers have started a series of strikes. The Bridgwater Mercury, apart from giving Forum space to the usual bevy of self important right wing web stalkers, produced a report described as 'misleading' by Shop Steward <strong>Dave Chapple</strong>. Here he responds to that misinformation in a letter to the editor.</span></div>
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<em>As the CWU shop steward at Bridgwater Royal Mail Delivery Office I would like to clarify some of the issues arising from last week's 'Mercury' report on our successful strike ballot, and, in particular, the misleading statement made by Royal Mail's Rhys Jones that they have "tried hard to engage with the CWU locally."</em></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Courier New",courier,monaco,monospace,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;">
<em>We value the excellent relationship we have with the public we serve.</em></div>
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<em>We are also proud to work for one of this country's oldest and last remaining public services.</em></div>
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<em>This is why local people need to understand why we have been driven to enact our last-resort democratic right to strike.</em></div>
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<em>In Bridgwater's Friarn Street depot, bullying by far too many overpaid managers, cuts to full-time duties, refusal to honour signed agreements and promises, have triggered our decision to strike.</em></div>
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<em>The £800 mentioned is the only issue that actually concerns money, and is not the crucial issue at stake: however, we ARE owed it!</em></div>
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<em>As to "engaging with the CWU locally" and, hopefully, agreeing with us a way to prevent these strikes, well, Royal Mail have known about this impressive ballot result for 15 days now, and they STILL haven't yet bothered to meet with the union! </em></div>
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<em>Most of us get up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1673533790" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">5am</span></span> or before to walk or cycle ten to fifteen miles a day doing a job we love, and we want to carry on doing that, but Somerset people do need to know THE hidden background fact: Royal Mail is being run down to privatised ruin!</em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
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<em>So if you see us about before the strike days, speak to us, and we can tell you the truth. </em></div>
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<em><strong>Labour councillors urge support</strong></em></div>
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Kath Pearce & Brian Smedley ,Labour councillors for Bridgwaters Westover ward, where the sorting office is based have urged Party members to support the Postal Workers and to show solidarity by joining them on the picket line. </div>
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Bridgwater South County Councillor <strong>Leigh Redman</strong> (left) said "<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><em>Solidarity
to the Bridgwater Posties expressing their right to strike today, it is
a shame the management have left them with no choice!"</em></span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-44275808853222633322013-03-22T03:48:00.004-07:002013-03-22T03:48:38.831-07:00Labour Group calls on Council to condemn Bedroom Tax<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d87a5eO7eGZO6hwerAF2_-fOSxXSvpTZLXkqdV9NgkS9UHqyn34qICOQsdjCbHChtaDMlGt95KfTA9YzCpzvhdayZMwvGyVlEpqwJ8WjkOTqLYpjCJhnN4ohCpTHKg-U3bntTwIA0nfK/s1600/no+bedroom+tax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d87a5eO7eGZO6hwerAF2_-fOSxXSvpTZLXkqdV9NgkS9UHqyn34qICOQsdjCbHChtaDMlGt95KfTA9YzCpzvhdayZMwvGyVlEpqwJ8WjkOTqLYpjCJhnN4ohCpTHKg-U3bntTwIA0nfK/s320/no+bedroom+tax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Labour councillors are calling on Sedgemoor
District Council to condemn the unfair Bedroom tax which will hit people in
Sedgemoor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Labour group leader Cllr <b>Mick Lerry </b>(Bridgwater Victoria) says <i>"Labour councillors have tabled a motion at the Council meeting on Wednesday 27th March which condemns David Cameron’s unfair Bedroom tax, and which highlights how vulnerable people are being hit and
calling on the council to examine the measures they are putting in place to
support local people."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Bedroom Tax Motion</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s1600/Mick+Lerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsJzX2mJUhEcuEllvBhTt6FUFQsVWUPbc6r-p0GDZGq4AV0Cy7YuYZd2XXDYMTs39mZT1zZyk1skPBSIxMlnWIdUDrwbYcRVY0O4Y3llRJTPNzMFPbrpBDhOPtBS_Pk43ytH2YTVlD9F7/s320/Mick+Lerry.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">Labour leader Mick Lerry "Unfair tax"</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>"The Government will cut housing benefit for people
with a spare room in their social or council let home, despite the DWP impact
assessment acknowledging that there is a shortage of smaller properties for
tenants to move to. Instead, the Government expects families to pay extra
rather than move house. This will not solve under occupancy, but will hit low
income working families, disabled people, and families of soldiers who are
serving their country. If families are made homeless or pushed into expensive
private rented accommodation the policy could cost more than it saves.
Sedgemoor District Council, in the implementation of the bedroom tax; will use
discretionary payments to make sure that families and people are not made
homeless or forced into debt, because of the bedroom tax." </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Meeting of Sedgemoor District Council will start at 2.30 on Wednesday 27th March and will be held at Bridgwater House, King's Square. Members of the public are also able to speak on any item on the agenda for 3 minutes but must give 2 working days notice of their intention to Democratic Services team leader Andrew Melhuish (01278 435332)</span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-58996718395378073292013-03-10T14:11:00.003-07:002013-03-10T14:11:38.436-07:00Happy Mother's Day<br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> To
all of the Mums out there I hope you have had a happy day and have been
spoilt be it breakfast in bed or in my case a big bunch of Daffodils.
It's great to be appreciated for doing a good job. What a shame Mr
Cameron doesn't agree.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From
next month new mothers will see a change to matenity benefit.Instead of
it keeping up with inflation the benefit will be frozen at 1 per cent.
Inflation is currently 2.7 per cent. This is part of a three year cap
on benefits. Once again families are being hurt and the wrong people
are being hit. The governments argument is that tax allowances have
increased for those on low incomes. But what if you are out of work?
When times are hard are our children really the ones that should be
targetted? Where is the commitment to end child
poverty?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need more
women in politics to protect our loved ones. Only 32 per cent of
councillors Nationally are women and in parliament men outnumber women
by 4 to 1. When you come to vote on the 2 May think who will represent your
views on families in Somerset.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Barbara O'Connor</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Labour Candidate for Bridgwater East & Bawdrip</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somerset County Council Elections</span></div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-51233013776574446062013-02-06T03:57:00.000-08:002013-02-06T03:57:03.295-08:00"You and I will never agree on the morality of this!" Says Westover councillor as Rickards robustly defends Tesco Fee Payment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_5hkd_j4LX6wb_kUEnvGmMes2rur6hBQVPyNu0BOMdeSM-iIoxFb9z-HjpWK6lCQ2j25_vuebc4FHmkhVnjSMVJCWTgU3q9xh0B6mtXrS_99HeqGlFDE72I8_br5dKuRanFPnNrKudNy/s1600/kerry+on+mastermind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_5hkd_j4LX6wb_kUEnvGmMes2rur6hBQVPyNu0BOMdeSM-iIoxFb9z-HjpWK6lCQ2j25_vuebc4FHmkhVnjSMVJCWTgU3q9xh0B6mtXrS_99HeqGlFDE72I8_br5dKuRanFPnNrKudNy/s320/kerry+on+mastermind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Following the revelations last December that Sedgemoor's chief Executive Kerry Rickards had authorised the payment of £20,200 worth of fees towards Tesco's planned development on Bridgwater's Brewery Field in a deal arranged with Somerset County Council, the man in the hotseat finally faced his critics at his own councils Corporate Scrutiny Committee this Monday (4th February 2013).</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Committee Chairman <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Labour,Bridgwater Westover</span></em>) allowed members of the Public and Councillors to directly question the Chief Executive and then opened up the meeting to members of the Scrutiny Committee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>'the Council simply rolled over'</strong></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Julian Taylor</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Labour, Bridgwater Eastover</span></em>) asked <em>'What went so wrong with the negotiations with Tesco that things had to be resolved in this way? This is the first time that Sedgemoor has paid or reduced a planning fee and it looks like this was either a considered decision over a long period of time or that the Council has simply rolled over and given in to a major multinational."</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>'you and I will never agree on the morality of this'</strong></span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQXpHdwwClfQFP-p4m3gCn8gOeTrimWLwofrFFdhqcahFeLJ_ymwu4XBGyQ5-9aOZYPRVgaJ2LMqiFoh0OF4eVkbqqx_6Sxggv4d6oO9FZOXwgoJCYNdmOFABkV5Ywnc_fsFp8gSq3qQ0/s1600/IMG_6142P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQXpHdwwClfQFP-p4m3gCn8gOeTrimWLwofrFFdhqcahFeLJ_ymwu4XBGyQ5-9aOZYPRVgaJ2LMqiFoh0OF4eVkbqqx_6Sxggv4d6oO9FZOXwgoJCYNdmOFABkV5Ywnc_fsFp8gSq3qQ0/s320/IMG_6142P.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<em><span style="color: red;">You chose to subsidise a company that is making</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">£39billion of pre tax profits!" Cllr Pearce</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Kathy Pearce</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Labour, Bridgwater Westover</span></em>) said "<em>Why wasn't Council fully informed of the facts of the matter when members first asked these questions at Full Council on 24th October and why did it have to take over a month for us to unearth these facts through subsequent investigations? The moral issue here is that Somerset County Council are making big cuts - some 45million pounds worth , and yet you chose to subsidise a company that is making 39billion pounds pre tax profits. It seems that you and I will never agree on the morality of this."</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>'Tesco....promise loads then forget about it'</strong></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Ian Tucker</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Labour, Bridgwater Dunwear</span></em>) said <em>"This idea to pay the fees was clearly instigated by Kerry Rickards and you were under no obligation to. It seems you are so afraid of losing the Tesco deal yet the reality is that their record shows they promise loads and then forget about it once the deal is done."</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>'Only carrying out council policy'</strong></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Kerry Rickards</strong> defended his position saying that he was "<em>Only carrying out Council policy."</em> He explained that "<em>The previous decision of Council was to dispose of the Northgate site to Tesco Stores ltd"</em> and that "<em>The planning application had been received on 26 September 2012, but in october an impasse was reached regarding the calculation of the planning fee concerning the definition of the undercroft parking area, and in order to resolve this stalemate"</em> and in pursuance of council policy he had intervened to solve this and "<em>had the authority to make this decision".</em> He said this decision had been <em>".. taken in 3 seconds during a 5 minute conversation with Kevin Nacey at Somerset County".</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>"Are Sedgemoor actively pursuing Tesco for recovery?"</strong></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Mick Lerry</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Labour, Bridgwater Victoria</span></em>) pointed to a letter between Labour County Councillor <strong>Dave Loveridge</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Bridgwater North & Central</span></em>) which had been circulated and which asked Somerset County directly if the deal <em>"..required Tesco to reimburse them at some point." </em> To which SCC had replied "<em>SCC fully expects to have its contribution returned if SDC is succesful in obtaining further fees from Tesco."</em> Cllr Lerry asked <em>"So is there an agreement to reimburse Somerset and are Sedgemoor actively pursuing Tesco for recovery of the full ammount?"</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>'Never say never'</strong></span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr Rickards replied "<em>In the unlikely event that this is offered, Somerset will be reimbursed, but we are not actively pursuing this . However, never say never."</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>'like pulling teeth'</strong></span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gshO0bkkxLu8RM2Qax294YzTAmaGSzrvlDF3xj0c8WgU2lychBJt3FHiSaUT7YuZ3o9Wn0fiUZXTWQBAAQYdV_LRvHgrPq2QNteJ-q_GynHB-WGvOXuMFHbJ0OgY_sGgCFPx1qKl9JSI/s1600/IMG_6294P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gshO0bkkxLu8RM2Qax294YzTAmaGSzrvlDF3xj0c8WgU2lychBJt3FHiSaUT7YuZ3o9Wn0fiUZXTWQBAAQYdV_LRvHgrPq2QNteJ-q_GynHB-WGvOXuMFHbJ0OgY_sGgCFPx1qKl9JSI/s320/IMG_6294P.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<em><span style="color: red;">Tesco have avoided paying a £20,200 planning fee" </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">Chairman Brian Smedley</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Committee 'noted' the report. After the meeting the chairman <strong>Cllr Smedley</strong> said <em>"There doesn't seem to be an issue that Mr Rickards has not acted within his rights in this matter. The question remains about the morality of that action. Whether at this time SDC or SCC should be seen to be caving in to a powerful multinational and effectively subsidising its planning bid when this isn't the norm for other local developers. The other issue for us is clearly the tooth-pulling nature of trying to get these facts out of them. The fact remains at the end of the day that as a result of this decision , Tesco have avoided paying a £20,200 planning application fee and had their application registered with the help of public funds."</em></span>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-14015037909866215972013-01-31T04:25:00.000-08:002013-01-31T04:25:11.235-08:00SEDGEMOOR APPROVES COUNCIL TAX SCHEME "Regressive Tax on Working Age Residents" say Labour<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK_KMR7kgJE5daW6RSYmquOJ5OVa7LJjSe6yG_h2JZurxNAQvVfXXNYUBeIRzZWBI3Rb5CUwQAIlqXXAXGhA6fe9m8NQVniGw61nCCGzKA_zyzF7YneEIJ4cEe-yIOZhEa_JPX4Zz1HTd/s1600/Photo0493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqK_KMR7kgJE5daW6RSYmquOJ5OVa7LJjSe6yG_h2JZurxNAQvVfXXNYUBeIRzZWBI3Rb5CUwQAIlqXXAXGhA6fe9m8NQVniGw61nCCGzKA_zyzF7YneEIJ4cEe-yIOZhEa_JPX4Zz1HTd/s320/Photo0493.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Mick Lerry rises to put the Labour position</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sedgemoor has become the final District Council within Somerset to agree how they will deal with the Coalition Governments new Localisation of Council Tax plan. Under the Legislation, Councils are faced with National support cutbacks of 10% whilst being compelled to put the burden onto benefit claimants.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour Leader <strong>Cllr Mick Lerry</strong> (<span style="color: red;"><em>Lab,Victoria</em></span>) branded the Legislation "<em>a regressive tax on working age residents on low incomes"</em> and moved a Labour ammendment to this effect. Sadly this was only supported by Labour members and the 2 Highbridge independents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>"There could be some issues with collection"</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sedgemoors Finance officer <strong>Alison Turner</strong> said Sedgemoor had consulted widely on the changes and in particular had listened to it's Community Scrutiny Committee chaired by Labour's <strong>Cllr Julian Taylor</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Lab,Eastover</span></em>) which had argued for the maximum possible support to offset the potentially devastating effect of the changes. Mrs Turner admitted "<em>there could be some issues with collection".</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sedgemoor voted to set the support at 85% - in line with South Somerset & West Somerset -where Labour councillors had recently fought to lift the Tory proposal from 70%- and a better deal than in Taunton Deane and Mendip where the figure was set at 80%.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>"Regressive tax on working people"</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Lerry</strong> said "<em>This is yet another tax on people and it's sad that we find ourselves in this situation. We will support the 15% position in the circumstances because it's fair, cost neutral and won't put additional pressures on other precepting authorities - particularly Bridgwater Town Council which would suffer unduly from a poorer settlement. We have fought to put in place a hardship policy and we accept there will be a higher proportion of uncollected tax . We have also taken special measures to protect child maintenance. But this scheme is a regressive tax on working people on low incomes and it will not help put people back into work."</em></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3mLWgh8W7HaJsPZALb9LiDMVa1A7IWVuvITp7YlSe69Xbj2QbHsSneozdjp4ZzW6ED5jhLigbjfCTzwx5CM2l3F8ERWQT1Sqc-7X1kVhRG4IdH2O0jfK1OkKYO0aMOYbLKYV8nx7jEOW/s1600/Photo0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3mLWgh8W7HaJsPZALb9LiDMVa1A7IWVuvITp7YlSe69Xbj2QbHsSneozdjp4ZzW6ED5jhLigbjfCTzwx5CM2l3F8ERWQT1Sqc-7X1kVhRG4IdH2O0jfK1OkKYO0aMOYbLKYV8nx7jEOW/s320/Photo0494.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: purple;">Cllr Baker- ex Liberal , now Tory, but will his guilt now take </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: purple;">him elsewhere? Cllr Williams 'has a chat'.</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>"Guilty intervention"</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr David Baker</strong> (<span style="color: blue;"><em>Con,Wyndham</em></span>) made a sudden break with his bewildered colleagues outlining exactly why the tax was unfair and how it would hit people on low incomes and proposed a further ammendment to take funds from reserves to reduce the payment to 8.5%. He was seconded by independent <strong>Chris Williams</strong> (<em><span style="color: #38761d;">Ind,Highbridge</span></em>) but found no further support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Mick Lerry</strong> said <em>"Cllr Baker doesn't see that this will still have to be dealt with in a years time . It's no good just stamping your feet and saying 'No'. This has a knock on effect to the other precepting authorities. If people don't like this then they need to vote out the Government at the next election."</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Mark Healey</strong> (<em><span style="color: blue;">Con, Puriton</span></em>) leapt to his feet saying "<em>The SDC position is more than fair and when I hear Cllr Baker I wonder if I might as well just give up working and get a divorce and I'd be better off! And to listen to Cllr Lerry anyone would think there was an election coming up!".</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cllr Healy is a Candidate for the County Council elections in May.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-FOVvRARNt2iIkNKeOaHhJV4P5_Hneb2l2XVMNsCf2duDpYPFS8RUQf71MRzwO2GwS056WDkB_mzLOhPoGg-B0wfJUVMHcWxVLgQ9B8fkGqpzAv6DaAJ25vUF-eaD4Z-NeHD7LhX9BEM/s1600/Photo0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-FOVvRARNt2iIkNKeOaHhJV4P5_Hneb2l2XVMNsCf2duDpYPFS8RUQf71MRzwO2GwS056WDkB_mzLOhPoGg-B0wfJUVMHcWxVLgQ9B8fkGqpzAv6DaAJ25vUF-eaD4Z-NeHD7LhX9BEM/s320/Photo0492.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: orange;">The Lib Dem benches. 100% empty</span></em>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>"Appallingly poorly attended meeting"</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> (<em><span style="color: red;">Lab. Westover</span></em>) commented afterwards "<em>The meeting was appallingly poorly attended and I wonder if a lot of this was due to the Monitoring officers well publicised advice that members in receipt of benefit weren't able to take part or vote in the meeting. This was a depressing affair and Labour supported the fairest option available which also protected Bridgwater towns position . It was odd to see Cllr Baker suddenly get a social conscience, but I suspect his position was more one of guilt at what his party was doing and knowing full well he wouldn't get his ammendment passed. It was also not a surprise to see the Lib Dem benches totally empty again, despite them winning the Highbridge by-election last week as I thought they might have something to say and make an impact with their new councillor. But that was probably just wishful thinking."</em></span>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-88886183294970050882013-01-24T16:32:00.004-08:002013-01-25T02:11:05.736-08:00HIGHBRIDGE BY-ELECTION-LIB DEM VOTE DROPS BUT THEY STILL CLING ON <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-irGGXatHwNpRPpJKFu_8PXO9AfriH-rsfUobItEPTnZBBnFqjL7_da1HRcg6umz3VKPJmnNND_3k40avcfU7zzcrrlvyA-1XRrYLaDaiNp6xN6FvLTnsMpTrvbQ7hdHgVh6V1lyyC-E/s1600/Photo0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-irGGXatHwNpRPpJKFu_8PXO9AfriH-rsfUobItEPTnZBBnFqjL7_da1HRcg6umz3VKPJmnNND_3k40avcfU7zzcrrlvyA-1XRrYLaDaiNp6xN6FvLTnsMpTrvbQ7hdHgVh6V1lyyC-E/s320/Photo0474.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Lib Dems -Munt, Groves & Co await the result</em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The hard fought Sedgemoor District Council By-Election for the Highbridge & Burnham Marine ward has ended with the Lib Dems clinging onto their seat after a massive effort including visits from top brass party leaders , their sitting MP Tessa Munt and party members from across the county on the day. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The result was as follows</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HELEN GROVES <span style="color: orange;"><strong><em>(Liberal Democrat)</em></strong></span> 379 (30.4%)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BILL HANCOCK <span style="color: blue;"><em>(Conservative)</em></span> 288 (23.10%) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SALLY WILLIAMS <span style="color: lime;">(</span><em><span style="color: lime;">Independent</span><span style="color: lime;">)</span></em><span style="color: lime;"></span> 253 (20.35%)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">RICKY HOLCOMBE <span style="color: red;"><em>(Labour)</em></span> 249 (20.03%)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">PURPLE WATKINS <span style="color: purple;"><em>(Independent)</em></span> 68 (5.47%)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The election was fought on a bright but chilly January day becoming increasingly colder as the evening wore on. The turnout was 22% and it got dark and cold quite early on. And icy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Lib Dems drop 7%</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYmdjPjXxnlM9VRAXkbLgkV2_vma5ze_FQMzqahgHGVeUVzNOb2U8RKmRYtrBnrozZ6H50E9yEBh7U7QkWcqPBb4VIxKB9l2up1s7N_0W-n74YxR_t1ARl0pcK9B_293P5zAvzp9CJE6k/s1600/Photo0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYmdjPjXxnlM9VRAXkbLgkV2_vma5ze_FQMzqahgHGVeUVzNOb2U8RKmRYtrBnrozZ6H50E9yEBh7U7QkWcqPBb4VIxKB9l2up1s7N_0W-n74YxR_t1ARl0pcK9B_293P5zAvzp9CJE6k/s320/Photo0475.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Labour-Tremendous presence from across Somerset</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lib Dems - extremely well organised - had even managed to book a room in the building next door to the main Polling station, in fact within feet, where they set up computers, printers and operated their main committee room running off the same wifi as the Council election officers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A massive multi leaflet campaign scaring voters into voting LibDem to 'stop the Tories getting in' -which is essentially the 'Ashdown factor in action' proved as hard a nut to crack as it had elsewhere in Somerset where this rot has set in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Desperate to distance themselves from the poisonous Lib Dems nationally, the Groves campaign tried to position itself as 'local' and painfully 'non political'-despite the incredible hypocrisy inherent in that blandishment. In the end they polled 30% - a drop of some 7% from the result last time round of their resigned former leader Joe Leach, who wasn't very much in evidence at the Polling stations. But then he's gone into banking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>'Labour-Independent' anti Clegg vote combined could have swung it</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour, who had the best physical presence on the day with members from all over the county dropping in to help, was nevertheless unable to crack this malaise. However, a key feature of the election was the presence of the 'independent' local (ex libdem) candidate-whose supporters had been fighting their former chums since the last District election in 2011. Both Labour and the Independent-anti-libdem polled 20% each, a devastating split-vote blow when added together that 40% worth of anti-Clegg votes could have kicked out the Lib Dems and created a sensation in Highbridge.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiKdinPxPuHXCnIDuOj4cQHgAyZeh0z9MS-v5Lg7CGszzAUUG-FVacJtgHatQkJkWSge9d9KLRiVzjrq6VZtyJ8LC92lu0l8exCal2j18gq8vPnKKldqd4N-5QN0-rKZ-Y03tzTXU9MrX/s1600/Photo0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiKdinPxPuHXCnIDuOj4cQHgAyZeh0z9MS-v5Lg7CGszzAUUG-FVacJtgHatQkJkWSge9d9KLRiVzjrq6VZtyJ8LC92lu0l8exCal2j18gq8vPnKKldqd4N-5QN0-rKZ-Y03tzTXU9MrX/s320/Photo0466.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Labour candidate, former coal miner Ricky Holcombe (left) , praised his supporters saying "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><em>The best result ever is our solidarity and determination to win for Labour in 2013. County Council election here we come!"</em></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Hard core Tories -a solid rock of complacent smugness</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The scariest result was the Tory vote. The Highbridge demographics have changed since it was a safe Labour seat back in the early 80's and since then a residual Tory core vote has managed to score relatively high without doing much work. With no presence at all on the day the Tories came in second with 23% of the vote, although down on the district election, still a kick in the teeth that there's still a hard core of self centredly complacent voters happy to back Cameron and spit on the hardships of the working class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Purple has a nice car</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtXdZ2KmPhauIIeEWUBbvAOfJFYvmzfE-u6OEV5ldhYMZqpNlnKA3HDTM2g5Kom7G18WaykFpPpkRxADY8pOF-D87K7yhyphenhyphenWVfWcq1ifYrRpl8lJw_lFTmR3nSVKA4DvPJ-wF0bEqD5YBj/s1600/Photo0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtXdZ2KmPhauIIeEWUBbvAOfJFYvmzfE-u6OEV5ldhYMZqpNlnKA3HDTM2g5Kom7G18WaykFpPpkRxADY8pOF-D87K7yhyphenhyphenWVfWcq1ifYrRpl8lJw_lFTmR3nSVKA4DvPJ-wF0bEqD5YBj/s200/Photo0468.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a 5th candidate. Purple Watkins (right & purple) picked up 68 votes, 5% of the total, which is good for a composite colour. He had nice blond and purple hair and quite a cool pink car. not to mention the bondage style trousers and new romanticesque cowboy boots. One Lib Dem said <em>"He shouldn't be allowed to stand if he don't take this seriously."</em> And he should know.....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFD97brgyeeTOoKlLuGu0eqh2lPfKHXavi5dL05r6OyMSDsBQQ7bcLvYaowSRVvrhdrKpzIsf2oGjB83w4wl6nVN7Q_YbbQf67RIhoJsIAolB2nm-bWy0sZI10ZzpDq7Yj9Yu-8bVEDTk/s1600/Photo0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFD97brgyeeTOoKlLuGu0eqh2lPfKHXavi5dL05r6OyMSDsBQQ7bcLvYaowSRVvrhdrKpzIsf2oGjB83w4wl6nVN7Q_YbbQf67RIhoJsIAolB2nm-bWy0sZI10ZzpDq7Yj9Yu-8bVEDTk/s200/Photo0472.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple's (pink) car</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sedgemoor Labour Group secretary Cllr Brian Smedley said <em>"It's a shame we couldn't take advantage of the Lib Dems divisions in Highbridge but at the end of the day that division worked in their favour. To win places like Highbridge the Labour vote has to regain confidence in itself and it's ability to win. Good organisation and Unity from the Labour camp all over the County is a positive sign for the future and this trial run puts us in a good position for the County elections in May."</em></span>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-76857385574671209712013-01-12T02:38:00.000-08:002013-01-12T02:57:56.883-08:00NO WELCOME IN HIGHBRIDGE AS CLEGG DROPS IN 'TO OFFER SUPPORT'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg today 'drops in' to try to save his beleagured parties chances in the Highbridge by-election caused by the sudden resignation of Sedgemoor Lib Dem leader Joe Leach. Clegg and Wells MP Tessa Munt (who covers Highbridge as part of her constituency) both voted with the Tories this week to get through the Welfare Benefits Bill . Some of their party voted against and some abstained -but not these 2! So committed are they to supporting their disastrous and unpopular coalition with the Conservatives</strong>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>WHAT WILL CLEGG FIND IN HIGHBRIDGE?</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour candidate in the by-election, <strong>Ricky Holcombe</strong> says <em>"For many years Highbridge was a safe, solid and stable Labour seat on Sedgemoor and crucial to the party which otherwise was largely Bridgwater based. Since the Lib Dem/SDP came on the scene and confused people with their ultimately broken promises the seat has become the most marginal in the District swinging backwards and forward between all the parties. The Lib Dems took it last time but immediatly split into 2 as no sooner had they put the Tories into Government with their coalition causing massive loss of support, that got worse when Clegg and his MPs broke their pre-election promise not to raise Tuition fees. Now they're even attacking peoples benefits while leaving Millionaires alone! That's what voting Lib Dem has meant to the people of Highbridge."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><strong>LIB DEMS FIGHTING EACH OTHER</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Highbridge is Sedgemoor's key Marginal-anyone could win.</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clegg and Munt will drop into the neglected ward only to find the 'official' Lib Dem candidate attempting to claim she "Isn't political", the Independent liberal claiming she "isn't political", the Tory candidate (who recently left the Lib Dems ) claiming he "isn't political". Ricky says, <em>"The problem is that the solutions are political and on Sedgemoor the Tories run the show, like they do on the County and in Government-and with Lib Dem political support. Today they'll be bringing Munt, Laws,Heath and Browne to Highbridge -all of the 4 Somerset LibDem MPs. ALL of these voted with the Tories last week- they didn't have the guts to vote against or even the decency to abstain. "</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: red;">VOTE LABOUR THIS TIME</span></strong> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlJN-OjvfjeVgDjsI5sV895MZJDNIxgaGJIkSDSWe7hbgUHE0XjUSks_jKYrwqzZ9tGvbwmHJMiltM3i9YsHaBZbMaizTVEnRv5eQD1fBhmzYok6buC04xz4RV-4ZD3c-4NNLTmnA0G-1/s1600/ricky+holcombe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlJN-OjvfjeVgDjsI5sV895MZJDNIxgaGJIkSDSWe7hbgUHE0XjUSks_jKYrwqzZ9tGvbwmHJMiltM3i9YsHaBZbMaizTVEnRv5eQD1fBhmzYok6buC04xz4RV-4ZD3c-4NNLTmnA0G-1/s320/ricky+holcombe.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour's Ricky Holcombe (right) , who has had upwards of 30 people out on the doorsteps helping him so far on the campaign, adds<em> "In Westminster and in Sedgemoor Labour are the opposition. On Sedgemoor there's 13 Labour councillors already and with the Lib Dem leaders resignation they're now down to just 1. They made no impact anyway and their attendance record has been poor. On the other hand Labour is making all the running on Sedgemoor. We're united, we're winning by-elections and Highbridge needs to send a message to these Lib Dems -of whatever label - that enough is enough!"</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Campaign hotline 07717467720</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">email <a href="mailto:somersetlabour@gmail.com">somersetlabour@gmail.com</a></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">web <a href="http://www.somersetlabour.co.uk/">www.somersetlabour.co.uk</a></span></em>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-56377026749739292402012-12-18T02:43:00.003-08:002012-12-18T02:44:43.928-08:00Labour Candidates attack County 'Sells offs'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9GxxXGOHOehE0v3WZcfLMP2c7PAy8qFqBj3yQhhZmQNa7uxtp7TCOLYhWrmt6S2IcwHVS2zB6wKU2db56FudplFoo4KMk8SHsBuAc06UE8jamXuml9xvic6PAW6nSsEeK-Bd8jVDGODR/s1600/ricky+highbridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9GxxXGOHOehE0v3WZcfLMP2c7PAy8qFqBj3yQhhZmQNa7uxtp7TCOLYhWrmt6S2IcwHVS2zB6wKU2db56FudplFoo4KMk8SHsBuAc06UE8jamXuml9xvic6PAW6nSsEeK-Bd8jVDGODR/s320/ricky+highbridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Ricky Holcombe "What will we see disappear next?"</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>SOMERSET County Council , who recently admitted using public money to contribute towards the supermarket giant Tesco's planning fees in Bridgwater, has announced that it has raised £9million by selling off some of its assets since April. Both moves widely condemned by Labour councillors.</strong></span><div style="line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Council says that <em>"Money raised by the sales will be used to refurbish schools and build new roads. Among sites sold off were the former Records Office in Taunton, for £395,000, and Nynehead School, for £126,000."</em></span></div>
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<em><strong>"Those on the least income suffer"</strong></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour candidate for the County Council ward of Highbridge, <strong>Ricky Holcombe,</strong> who is also standing in the District Council By-Election in January, criticised the announcement saying </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><em>It isn't a shock to see this happening under a Tory / Lib dem government .They famously sold gas electricity and water utilities off to anyone with no protection to the consumer As a result of this we are now seeing the highest ever fuel poverty figures nationally and rises in fuel bills across all of the main companies with no help other than weak promises from the Tories . Once more those on the least income suffer while the rich are given cuts in corporation tax. What will happen next year when they spend the money? What will we see disappear next?"</em></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labour candidate for Bridgwater East & Bawdrip, <strong>Barbara O Connor</strong>, added "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><em>They are selling the future assets of our children. Where is the long term view of their needs?"</em></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></span><br />Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-10498990630206073702012-12-05T15:43:00.003-08:002012-12-05T15:44:23.695-08:00SEDGEMOOR LIB DEMS ON THE RUN AS LEADER RESIGNS<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: orange;">Joe Leach -'a career change'</span></em></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">LIB DEM LEADER RESIGNS -</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">BY-ELECTION CALL IN HIGHBRIDGE</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>The Liberal Democrats in Sedgemoor have been in retreat for years. Wiped out in Bridgwater they fought a battle with their own rebels at the last District elections in Highbridge which saw 2 independents take seats and the Lib Dems on Sedgemoor council further reduced down to 2. Now their dynamic young leader Joe Leach has announced he too is throwing in the towel.</strong><br />
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Leach's resignation will mean a New Year By-election in the marginal ward of Highbridge which has swung between all the parties over the last decade and is the tighest election ground in the district. With the Lib Dems on the run nationally due to their broken promises and their decision to put the Tories back into power they are heading for oblivion if recent by-election results are anything to go by.<br />
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Cllr Leach said his reasons for quitting were <em>'a career change'</em>. The Lib Dems came 8th in the recent Rotherham By-election. <br />
<br />Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-29896971584984533972012-12-03T12:53:00.003-08:002012-12-03T12:53:41.444-08:00LABOUR GROUP TAKE TESCO FEES ISSUE TO SCRUTINY COMMITTEE<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><em>SDC Corporate Director Bob Brown (pictured above attempting to</em></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><em>get protestors to vacate the doomed Splash pool) today admitted Tesco's</em></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><em>planning fees were paid by the County Council</em></span></td></tr>
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</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>A day which had started with Sedgemoor Corporate Director Bob Brown admitting after weeks of pressure from the Sedgemoor Labour group that part of the Tesco planning fee for Northgate had been paid out of public funds - in fact by the County Council - ended with Battle lines drawn at the Corporate Scrutiny committee meeting as Tory Councillors voted down an urgent motion to investigate the matter at a Special meeting.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Addressing the meeting, <strong>Cllr Julian Taylor</strong> (Labour Eastover) outlined the facts of the case saying that it was "<em>Morally indefensible that council tax payers money should be spent subsidising a multi billion pound corporation"</em> and that it was now "<em>right and proper that the Council called a special meeting of the Scrutiny committee to investigate how this happened with all the correspondence involved along with the Chief Executive who made the decision."</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Ian Tucker</strong> (Labour Dunwear) said "<em>The council has got to be seen to be acting fairly."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>"a smokescreen"</strong></em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Labour leader Cllr Mick Lerry "This is NOT</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">a minor matter- any refusal to scrutinise would</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">be seen as a smokescreen"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Mick Lerry</strong> (Labour Victoria) moved the motion to call a special meeting saying "<em>We need this meeting now to clear this up. This is not a minor matter it relates to the Governance of this Council and public money has been used to clear an impasse where both Councils are landowners who seek to benefit from the sale. We want to know what discussions have been had between SDC & SCC and any refusal to scrutinise this would be clearly seen as a smokescreen. "</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Bob Brown</strong>, standing in for Kerry Rickards, said "<em>This issue is a planning matter and the only decision to be made now will be by the Development Control Committee in deciding the planning application on planning grounds. The neccessary fee has been paid in full - not by Tesco but by one of the landowners, Somerset, but this is not unusual. This matter does not prejudice Sedgemoor District Council in it's role as Planning Authority and the application must proceed untainted."</em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>"Not Sedgemoors problem"</strong></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Jane Moreton</strong> (Conservative,Huntspill) said she <em>"wasn't opposed to scrutinising the way planning fees are dealt with" </em>but felt "<em>this is not Sedgemoors problem as it is Somerset who paid the bill."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Nobby Turner</strong> (Conservative Kingsisle) added "<em>Sedgemoor have not paid a damn thing so it;s up to County if they want to scrutinise this. If this is just another attempt to kick Tesco's into a hole then I'm having nothing to do with it."</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Bob Filmer</strong> (Conservative Brent) Chair of Development Ctte said "<em>SDC has not paid SCC has, I really don't think it's up to us to look into this."</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meeting voted 6.4 to reject a special meeting with the 6 Tories voting to reject and the 3 labour and 1 Highbridge Independent voting for further scrutiny.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><strong>"seen to be transparent"</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chairman <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> (Labour Westover) said "<em>The purpose of this committee is to scrutinise Sedgemoors proceedures and to be seen to be transparent in doing so. All we're asking for is a level playing field-before someone builds a supermarket on the one we have."</em></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtuTlKICBkhcgv1Oc8dGDt8EQbQ_M0dou6UAU4PpJbxnVu12sn0VO5Z_L4YLmFnmyv46B9GIAjUgl-SGEuQzNqDkUrLD5WJZo9XvuA_a1F30GP5NMLtCuLBtufcX9KOfYjfX6hqpqc9a1/s1600/cllr+andy+govier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtuTlKICBkhcgv1Oc8dGDt8EQbQ_M0dou6UAU4PpJbxnVu12sn0VO5Z_L4YLmFnmyv46B9GIAjUgl-SGEuQzNqDkUrLD5WJZo9XvuA_a1F30GP5NMLtCuLBtufcX9KOfYjfX6hqpqc9a1/s320/cllr+andy+govier.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><em>"Labour County Council Group leader Cllr Andy Govier</em></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>has agreed to refer the matter to County Scrutiny"</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Lerry</strong> ammended his motion to remove the words 'urgent' and 'special meeting' and this time the vote resulted in Tory councillors Moreton and Turner swinging in favour whilst 4 Tories still held out for refusal. Now with a 6.4 vote to proceed the item was scheduled for the normal Scrutiny meeting of February 4th when Planning matters generally were also on the agenda. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Dave Loveridge</strong> (Labour County Councillor for Bridgwater North) said after the meeting <em>"I have asked the Labour chair of Scrutiny on County, Andy Govier, to put this matter on the agenda of the next County Scrutiny committee. County are asking people to accept 150 million pounds of cutbacks to services and at the same time it turns out they're paying the planning fees of a company that made 35 billion pounds profit!"</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> said "<em>In a round about way the Scrutiny process worked. We investigated a very controversial issue , got it into the public domain and members recognised the need for further scrutiny. It will be interesting to see what response County give now that Sedgemoor have basically said 'it wasn't us it was them!'."</em></span>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-13884212253728784052012-11-29T18:12:00.001-08:002012-11-29T18:12:36.822-08:00LIB DEM COLLAPSE OPENS THE DOOR TO LABOUR IN SOMERSET<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPz4Z7ETc8CZVlRwdUMsErD7YfVseRs43OMqy9p7bnbWSOOjt8JsiygnJWZgRwuhYgVpvNA_-QMvcWnPOpNdP6MUSG4BQMpIqO3xh8rLwFY_5YixXULqy2cEjA2PtDhwG-8Zf_OUpe5TK/s1600/Rotherham-labour_2413212b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPz4Z7ETc8CZVlRwdUMsErD7YfVseRs43OMqy9p7bnbWSOOjt8JsiygnJWZgRwuhYgVpvNA_-QMvcWnPOpNdP6MUSG4BQMpIqO3xh8rLwFY_5YixXULqy2cEjA2PtDhwG-8Zf_OUpe5TK/s320/Rotherham-labour_2413212b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Jane Champion wins in Rotherham</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Tonights by elections have seen the collapse of the Liberal Democrats. Coming 8th in the Rotherham By election, 4th in North Croydon and beaten into 3rd place by UKIP in Middlesborough shows that the disastrous decision of Nick Clegg to enter a coalition as junior partners to the Tories and breaking all their promises on the way has left them high and dry as a party losing members, voters and any actual purpose.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dangerous result of the Lib Dem collapse has meant an increasingly dissilusioned electorate turning to emotive right wing fringe parties such as UKIP and 'better the Devil you don't know' independents as was seen in recent Police Commissioner elections. The latter-totally unaccountable, unrepresentative and loose cannons are often a facade for anti-Labour fronts as has happened in the Bristol Mayor elections where Labour has rightly stayed clear of the so called 'rainbow' coalition of Tories and Liberals .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzzp1K6aaqL_jYHB5JDaSL2itSoVVY1awfRVpcmQI9Ojh8b3YMO8yExPbyQiP1O_29MZ08WdHnR7XZRDCn3-D1bD6YsgUxG_AgGVVacLjSd6QdQp4n9YAd85cSq6RDFIkT-VvfVszoQ97/s1600/mid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzzp1K6aaqL_jYHB5JDaSL2itSoVVY1awfRVpcmQI9Ojh8b3YMO8yExPbyQiP1O_29MZ08WdHnR7XZRDCn3-D1bD6YsgUxG_AgGVVacLjSd6QdQp4n9YAd85cSq6RDFIkT-VvfVszoQ97/s320/mid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Andy McDonald wins in Middlesborough</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In places like Somerset where there are elections next May it means Labour has to step up to the mark and fight in areas where it hasn't traditionally been successful as the encumbent Lib Dems who had recently been voted in as 'the best way of keeping the tories out' will lose votes dramatically as that argument no longer holds. Labour needs to fight every County Council seat to prevent a massive Tory majority and fight to win!!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rotherham</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: red;">1st Labour 9,866</span></strong></em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2nd UKIP 4,648 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3rd BNP 1,804 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4th Respect 1,778 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5th Tory 1,157 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6th Eng Dem 703 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7th Ind 582 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8th Lib Dem 451 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9th TUSC 281</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10th Ind 51</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11th EDL 29</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_9QP1FyE28XzOEak2RJbKxcL69SkXPVnUw0Y7V-NHeasu9Jm1gmyPaEWXMc7z5iZ-7tdeMCbBWCsyGGiyyA0TcrKvvVOeiF1zENNBx_3a091HsjvIKSIWd_1gqSKB2cLbPsdL2bxNImF/s1600/croy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_9QP1FyE28XzOEak2RJbKxcL69SkXPVnUw0Y7V-NHeasu9Jm1gmyPaEWXMc7z5iZ-7tdeMCbBWCsyGGiyyA0TcrKvvVOeiF1zENNBx_3a091HsjvIKSIWd_1gqSKB2cLbPsdL2bxNImF/s320/croy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Steve Reed wins in Croydon North</span></em></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Middlesborough</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>1st Labour 10,201</em></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2nd UKIP 1,990</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3rd Lib Dem 1,672</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4th Tory 1,063</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5th Peace Party 1,060</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6th BNP 328</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7th TUSC 277</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8th Ind 275</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Croydon North</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>1st Labour 15,800</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2nd Tory 4,137</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3rd UKIP 1,400</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4th Lib Dem 860</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">5th Greens 855</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">6th Respect 707</span><br />
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-26503752676413504752012-11-28T15:45:00.000-08:002012-11-28T17:45:03.407-08:00Outrage as Council Chief authorises payment of Tesco planning application fee<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Labour Councillor's question moral and </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JY86uR_ur8YwQI0kZS0O2yFntSPnEil15JGsMTY6XahyfLIAERPZynf4QsRISBBYKATZnKcyyRraGIAhnSlldQx7cwakObmtJDylSNjmFWCiJJh43dTwkTP6i4LAlsspNA7ZMCZbQt-_/s1600/tesco+dump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JY86uR_ur8YwQI0kZS0O2yFntSPnEil15JGsMTY6XahyfLIAERPZynf4QsRISBBYKATZnKcyyRraGIAhnSlldQx7cwakObmtJDylSNjmFWCiJJh43dTwkTP6i4LAlsspNA7ZMCZbQt-_/s320/tesco+dump.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">technical legality of payment</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> <strong><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of September Labour Councillors were gearing themselves up to respond to the long awaited submission of the Tescos planning application for a megastore on Bridgwater's Brewery Field. When by the end of october this was still sat in the Councils in-tray they naturally began to ask questions. </span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: small;">The Sedgemoor Tories had gone to great lengths over the past years to make the Northgate area available for a new development including demolishing the popular Sedgemoor Splash swimming pool and putting the site out to potential developers. Only the multinational giant Tescos came up with the goods for them.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><em>"Considering the level of opposition to the closure of the Splash, the loss of the green open space and the potential for long term damage to the town centre should a Tesco extra be built on Northgate the Labour group were keen to get into the planning process as soon as possible "</em> said <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> who represents the Westover ward where the store is to be built <em>"and with this in mind we asked at Full Council on October 24th why the Application was still in the in tray only to be told there were 'technical reasons' which couldn't be divulged."</em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><em></em></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><em><strong>'technical issues'</strong></em></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Not content with this the Labour group continued to investigate to get to the bottom of the matter and on November 12th had a special meeting with Corporate Directors including Chief Executive Kerry Rickards who confirmed that the 'technical issues' had been a confrontation between SDC and Tesco about the level of the planning fees which he had finally chosen to resolve by paying a proportion of them from Council funds under his delegated powers.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><em><strong>'News sparked outrage'</strong></em></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lbhlt5otDrHLwyUv9HATyDbf8HPaQRaGm7x1XoIhP-TX7tsBi0wNXO_PDROSkeVYKYzJfMvxJRhBQyY7oHCS2DQ-bxYQtBDsGnaxftzaR0t5kgl3Nc9xD2Fg4azmD_3IantBXiVvI6p5/s1600/cllr+tucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lbhlt5otDrHLwyUv9HATyDbf8HPaQRaGm7x1XoIhP-TX7tsBi0wNXO_PDROSkeVYKYzJfMvxJRhBQyY7oHCS2DQ-bxYQtBDsGnaxftzaR0t5kgl3Nc9xD2Fg4azmD_3IantBXiVvI6p5/s320/cllr+tucker.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Cllr Tucker "indefensible waste</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">of public money"</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> This news sparked outrage amongst the Labour group members present with <strong>cllr Kathy Pearce</strong> (Westover) commenting <em> "There are small traders such as those at West Quay who have been constantly told there is ‘no budget for a hardship fund’ yet there seems to be one for a Multinational</em></span>" and <strong>Cllr Ian Tucker</strong> (Dunwear) who said <em>"This is a disgraceful and indefensible waste of public money in a move that can only be seen as lining the pockets of one of Britains richest company's. It's simply a slap in the face of many small businesses who wish to expand but struggle to meet the normal planning fees."</em></span></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">"<strong>Three seconds to decide</strong>"</span></em></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Chief Executive responded by saying that for him this was not a difficult decision as it took him only three seconds to decide to waive the fee and he was prepared to defend this position in the Press. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A delegation of senior Labour councillors - group leader <strong>Mick Lerry</strong> and Chairs of the two Scrutiny committees <strong>Julian Taylor</strong> and <strong>Brian Smedley</strong> discussed options with the Monitoring Officer for reviewing this decision with members and getting the issue aired publically and have now agreed that the subject should form an agenda item on the Corporate Scrutiny Committee meeting of December 3rd.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><em><strong>"transparency and accountability"</strong></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chairman of Corporate Scrutiny , <strong>Cllr Smedley</strong>, said <em> "<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><em>Given the fundamental importance of respecting and upholding the separate roles of the Council as a landowner and as a Local Planning Authority if public confidence is to be maintained in the Council’s ability</em> <em>to determine Tesco’s planning application for the Northgate Development in an entirely impartial manner when it clearly has such a large financial interest in the outcome, it is vital that there is complete openness, transparency and accountability regarding the background to, details of and reasons</em> <em>for the Chief Executive’s decision made on 31 October 2012 to pay part of Tesco’s planning application fee for the Northgate Development despite this being Tesco’s responsibility under the terms of the sale contract (Development Agreement) for the Northgate Site dated 5 October 2011."</em></span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong>Cllr Taylor</strong> (Eastover) said <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/16px verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">“</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I am very concerned that when the council is expecting householders to pay full planning application fees for alterations to their homes that a multibillion pound company, Tescos, should be offered a reduction in the fee. Whose side are the council administration on , ordinary people or big business?”</i></span></em></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmxrm0RWgVqh2-ftLCMAER4uyHfRKFxwef5-mt-qrTVB3JpUy-07RkH3Erm3bZT7fPOM_TZ547-wc46xnpkfdCYVPbG2jRWvnQ-WLdlmzOLDUjPx6mMaLKtb7ep9E0axjhpaBotQyHI3-/s1600/smed+scrutiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmxrm0RWgVqh2-ftLCMAER4uyHfRKFxwef5-mt-qrTVB3JpUy-07RkH3Erm3bZT7fPOM_TZ547-wc46xnpkfdCYVPbG2jRWvnQ-WLdlmzOLDUjPx6mMaLKtb7ep9E0axjhpaBotQyHI3-/s320/smed+scrutiny.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Brian Smedley Chair of Corporate Scrutiny</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><em></em></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong>Cllr Smedley</strong> has circulated every Sedgemoor Councillor with a confidential note regarding his personal views on the matter in hand in advance of the meeting.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The Corporate Scrutiny Committee meeting will be held at 2.30 on Monday 3rd December.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><em></em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><em></em></span></span></span><br />Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-91382697167813277412012-11-14T19:06:00.000-08:002012-11-14T19:06:13.871-08:00YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE LABOUR ON NOVEMBER 15TH<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeVOeKGguzLCI8YhBxj2B9n5Ie-OoHEenw2tyl7Gr2XaJVEQJocmm5TMGFPGlXgXzgcwZkCPoD3j0mbTFihL1b48zSdfzY2S7Wf9ygyunGmT-Evini0F8KbaiHHDfkBh0I52t6mgrxPvS/s1600/Dr+John+Savage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeVOeKGguzLCI8YhBxj2B9n5Ie-OoHEenw2tyl7Gr2XaJVEQJocmm5TMGFPGlXgXzgcwZkCPoD3j0mbTFihL1b48zSdfzY2S7Wf9ygyunGmT-Evini0F8KbaiHHDfkBh0I52t6mgrxPvS/s320/Dr+John+Savage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">Dr John Savage-the LABOUR Candidate</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thursday November 15th is Election Day for the new post of Police & Crime Commissioner for the Avon & Somerset area and the Labour candidate is </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dr John Savage</b>. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why are these elections being held?</span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The coalition argues that the introduction of elected commissioners,
who will replace local police authorities, will improve police
accountability, free up officers for frontline duties and increase
public confidence in the service. Commissioners’ duties will include
appointing and dismissing chief constables, agreeing budgets and setting
local policing priorities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The brainchild of the Conservatives, who first proposed elected
commissioners in their 2010 manifesto ,the policy was included in the Coalition Agreement, which
pledged to<i> "introduce measures to make the police more accountable
through oversight by a directly elected individual".</i> The commissioners
will face re-election every four years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtAtvDWgyUdI1eF5e41gPJ5ZL2xsgsx8qStdXEYALssIm4HlnnLO_0UDOUf2BhHN_JGX6e_MzbAFCT-Qn2tu3r7ZW96KURvUSSILD-NvY3w4ejKM5MmyzAhqrwceXcPXUgNYYbKa6TAg-/s1600/plebpass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtAtvDWgyUdI1eF5e41gPJ5ZL2xsgsx8qStdXEYALssIm4HlnnLO_0UDOUf2BhHN_JGX6e_MzbAFCT-Qn2tu3r7ZW96KURvUSSILD-NvY3w4ejKM5MmyzAhqrwceXcPXUgNYYbKa6TAg-/s320/plebpass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue;">Will Current Tory popularity with the police be a factor?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does Labour think?</span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Labour voted against the policy in Parliament on the grounds that it
would end "a 150 year tradition of keeping politics out of policing"
and cost the government tens of millions at a time of police cuts. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The party considered boycotting the elections but eventually
announced that it would stand a full slate of candidates, who would
campaign against cuts and the privatisation of policing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why it is important to vote and Vote Labour?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One major concern about the Coalition Governments motivation for holding these elections is that there is a hidden agenda for 'Privatisation'. <b><span style="color: #20124d;">The 38 Degrees organisation</span></b> has circulated a warning saying <i><span style="color: red;">"In a few hours private security <strong>companies like G4S could be on their way to controlling big parts of Avon and Somerset police</strong>. The new <strong>police and crime commissioner elections are tomorrow (Thursday 15th)</strong> and there’s a big danger that pro-privatisation candidates could get in with just a few votes.That’s why <strong>we need to sound the alarm and get our friends and family to the polling stations armed with the facts</strong>.<br />Hardly anyone knows that these elections are even happening - <strong>experts reckon less than one in five people could vote</strong>. That means <strong>there’s a huge danger that we could end up with commissioners that few people even voted for privatising our police forces</strong>. <strong>Voting is easy </strong>- you just go along to your polling station, probably the same place as you would vote in a general election. <strong>Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm</strong> so it's easy to go before or after work and you don't even need to bring your polling card with you."</span></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHVCnuiSnQLp9sNtMDIDQAJK5tfNVrDtaZJatcElrgVunajg3xLDTMLbTq8UaMzrLLEuxcWTQUHyaQLUqyGwO5LVJg3oX26Z9yud9tJOXBprc2acGc5D95uosKUupkNeqLoUWYQnG2ZFG/s1600/ken+mad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHVCnuiSnQLp9sNtMDIDQAJK5tfNVrDtaZJatcElrgVunajg3xLDTMLbTq8UaMzrLLEuxcWTQUHyaQLUqyGwO5LVJg3oX26Z9yud9tJOXBprc2acGc5D95uosKUupkNeqLoUWYQnG2ZFG/s320/ken+mad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue;">The departing Tory candidate leaves his mark on County Hall</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Stop the Cuts-Oppose Police Privatisation-Vote Labour</b></span></em></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></em>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tory popularity is at it's lowest for ages within the Police due to the cutbacks and made worse since the uproar over the <i>'Plebgate'</i> scandal where the Tory Whip allegedly talked down to Police in Downing street. For us in Somerset there is a special reason to vote Labour -We can't allow the Tory candidate Ken Maddocks to win this election with his disastrous record of cutbacks when he was leader of Somerset County Council and the person best placed to win is Labour's Dr John Savage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>John says;-</b></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I will work tirelessly for a closer relationship between the needs and desires of the public and the work of the police.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oppose any further reductions of front-line policing and fight for a fairer allocation of funds.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Build on the success of neighbourhood policing and ensure victims of crime have a voice at the heart of policing.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop a long-term, strategic vision for policing in Avon and
Somerset that meets the needs of the public throughout the forces area.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have over 40 years of business experience working in senior
roles in the public and private sectors and have held responsibility for
annual budgets in excess of £1 billion. I have a track record of
success in delivering change and improvement in large organisations
including the Learning and Skills Council, the Regional Development
Agency and, latterly, as Chairman of University Hospitals Bristol NHS
Trust.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are difficult times. More is expected of our police while
budgets are cut. There are no easy answers but I will ensure the police
service prioritises neighbourhood policing over privatisation and that
the service really listens to the public it serves.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given my commitment to the service and the experience to be able
to make a difference I believe I am the right person for this important
role. It will be an honour to have your support."</span></i><br />
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-90959792533037268392012-11-03T10:21:00.002-07:002012-11-03T11:03:48.453-07:00COUNCILLOR TELLS PLANNERS "LISTEN TO THE TRADERS"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr2hK9t7aROzEs3BhWXKypQU88ZypGebw11qYt7O-1lNqYFtIdQ0A5I73Slsvwwy3oNP3__zUY7I_NjR19jRwjg7ntrcXfHnsnn-rj1O6Q848GC1GO6HEUt-p1zEYr2ldZ_HTiul1jgO7/s1600/ian+tucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr2hK9t7aROzEs3BhWXKypQU88ZypGebw11qYt7O-1lNqYFtIdQ0A5I73Slsvwwy3oNP3__zUY7I_NjR19jRwjg7ntrcXfHnsnn-rj1O6Q848GC1GO6HEUt-p1zEYr2ldZ_HTiul1jgO7/s320/ian+tucker.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Cllr Ian Tucker "Taking the campaign to</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">the traders on the front line"</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Councillor Ian Tucker (Labour,Dunwear) has undertaken to contact Town centre traders to find out their views on the impending Tesco development. Ian has recently been elected to be the Town Councils representative on the BRI (Bridgwater Retail Initiative) and has been in constant communication with a growing number of traders since his appointment.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Cllr Tucker has urged Traders to make their views about Tescos known to the Planners who will be meeting at the end of November to discuss whether or not to support Tescos application.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">The first major response came today from <strong>David Coles</strong> of Past & Present Furniture Store in Monmouth Street</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mr Coles said "<em>My views have always been clear about Tesco and they are that we do not need or want an even bigger supermarket than any already in place. It is laughable to say that 62.3% of Bridgwater residents are in favour and it is simply manipulation of statistics. The amount of spin doctoring about the starry eyed Bridgwater folk virtually begging Tesco to come is Alistair Campbell esque! I ran a straw poll over a couple of months at my shop earlier this year, asking people if they wanted another large supermarket in the town, off centre. The interesting thing was I never had one absolute positive yes. The one person who did not give a negative response was suffering from the usual Bridgwater apathy and didn’t really care either way."</em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><strong><em><span style="color: black;">"This is NOT some 'benevolent local trader."</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"> <em> "The thing I find really irritating is the naivety of the public at large believing that this is actually real competition to the other big players in town which will drive down prices, this is simply a myth. This will simply put pressure on medium and small enterprise in the rest of the centre and cause closures of further businesses. I can easily envisage the loss of the likes of WH Smith and even some of the Angel place occupants, even Boots may be lured away from Fore Street at best, gone at worst Superdrug similarly not to mention the independents out in the town. The other joke is about the money that will now not leak from the town by being spent at Tesco. This is not some benevolent local trader, the money made is not staying and being spent here, apart from some from the low wages of the staff, which currently do not meet the living wage standard of £7.20per hour. A good proportion of the 260 mostly part time jobs created will replace employment lost elsewhere through closures and efficiency pressures due to this development, but at least the members of staff will benefit from “extended organ donation leave” (what the hell is that all about!!)."</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibkQ3VYfOJAta4oQDSDOICOtwFQeXFS8HIXP79ZNrP4fLzMm-Yf8GbJJTsNuUQIxqWxH3a8UlHUqqxMJs6Xkw3WBQ2KqD3LK3FiAH3pZ_hTVLPD6eAJqoTMqg6f11K778H5dlPtUvgIfN/s1600/david+coles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibkQ3VYfOJAta4oQDSDOICOtwFQeXFS8HIXP79ZNrP4fLzMm-Yf8GbJJTsNuUQIxqWxH3a8UlHUqqxMJs6Xkw3WBQ2KqD3LK3FiAH3pZ_hTVLPD6eAJqoTMqg6f11K778H5dlPtUvgIfN/s1600/david+coles.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">David Coles "We need Leisure facilities </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">and not supermarkets"</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><strong><span style="color: black;">"Traffic impact Seriously underestimated"</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><span style="color: black;"> <u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mr Cole continued "<em>I feel that the traffic impact has been seriously underestimated and again it is ridiculous to suggest that there will not be a “significant increase in traffic on the network as it already exists and is currently going elsewhere”. Have the council given real consideration to the impact on the Canon roundabout at busy times? Currently the traffic queues across the roundabout as it backs up on the Clink with traffic trying to get to the Sainsbury and Wickes sites and turning left to go to ASDA. Throw in all of the festive or bank holiday type traffic with the new Tesco traffic plus Hinkley point project traffic and hey presto, a town that no one in their right mind would come within 5 miles of. It will be very interesting to see what happens with the proposed link road between the Clink and Leggar, as I can foresee Sainsbury having an influence as to whether this actually happens, and I am sure they will be like Asda and Morrisons, welcoming Tesco with open arms!"<u></u><u></u></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><strong><em><span style="color: black;">"If we want to have nothing but supermarkets...."</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="color: black;"></span></u></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"We have all seen the disastrous effect of ASDA on Eastover and this will be the same at the top end of town. If we want to have nothing but supermarkets and cafes then full steam ahead and watch the rest of the town die away. I for one will not be crossing the threshold of this development."<u></u><u></u></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><span style="color: black;"><em> <u></u></em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"Thinking in terms of the bigger picture, this could also undermine any efforts towards the Eastover triangle and the possibility of partial pedestrianisation of East Quay/Riverfront as we will have such huge traffic bottlenecks that it becomes impossible to close off any existing routes. "</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><em><strong>"Shame on Doug Bamsey"<u></u></strong></em><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><span style="color: black;"> <u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><em>"I think sadly it is inevitable that this will happen and shame on Doug Bamsey for persuading the executive that this is the best option for Bridgwater. If I am right in believing that our population is estimated to increase to 80000 by 2020 we need leisure facilities not supermarkets and an infrastructure that can cope with it."<u></u></em><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-8943955086327161292012-10-31T11:29:00.000-07:002012-10-31T11:29:25.733-07:00LABOUR MAKES THE CASE FOR COMMUNITY BENEFITS<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKIY5d9CSo3R6eZYOyEXdR95SMiIeX2W4yLzBwMlAjBUljbyWMSZFDAcKWzN_5dLdZJIAiM4yaHvIMicYJMaSlKwAcsnI4mE0KsW1JxRhtmJVuJZvoGaSQlFJRmCnafklKjr7cNOu2Xrk/s1600/mick01+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKIY5d9CSo3R6eZYOyEXdR95SMiIeX2W4yLzBwMlAjBUljbyWMSZFDAcKWzN_5dLdZJIAiM4yaHvIMicYJMaSlKwAcsnI4mE0KsW1JxRhtmJVuJZvoGaSQlFJRmCnafklKjr7cNOu2Xrk/s320/mick01+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Cllr Mick Lerry leading the Labour campaign </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">for Community Benefit</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Report by the Labour Leader on lobbying for Community Benefits</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>As part of SDC's cross party lobbying to try and secure
community benefits for communities hosting nuclear power stations, I have been
involved in the following activities with Bob Brown, Corporate Director, to
present the community benefits argument to key politicians in the Labour Party.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In September just before the Labour Party Conference, Bob
Brown and I visited Caroline Flint MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and
Climate Change, to discuss community benefits. This was a very productive
meeting and Caroline Flint MP did table a number of written questions in
support of SDC's campaign, as reported in Hansard:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline
Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To
ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to
announce a public consultation on community benefits for new nuclear power. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="st_171"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101649001027"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121016w0001.htm_spnew15"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101649001382"></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr
Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There
are currently no plans to publicly consult further on community benefits for
new nuclear. It is important that a package for community benefits is set out
as quickly as possible to provide clarity for local communities. In recent
years DECC has<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="column_265W"></a><span style="color: black;">consulted extensively with
local authorities, parish councils and community groups, including seeking
their views on community benefits, and this dialogue will continue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
if his Department will take steps to ensure that any future policy on business
rate retention for new nuclear power allows for the community to benefit at the
construction phase as well as the operational phases of development. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="st_479"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101649000247"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121015w0009.htm_spnew27"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101649001165"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Brandon Lewis:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our proposals for business
rates retention will enable authorities to benefit from growth in business
rates revenues generated in their area. Business rates are due for payment when
individual hereditaments are considered to have become fit for beneficial
occupation. The question of when that applies will be a matter for the local
valuation officer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjymVKARGSVRTkuwIz-JQjD9aRe8XaH1wIolOCBD49utOw1EeF3VbaMIu-fhggvbxwbD3LC3Mw2VrSZJgEKxMUIyK5B7daFXtFc-o6B5ROBekaYPOf3_0OyqWmVXLeFS3fJiIQtziugtqA/s1600/caroline+flint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjymVKARGSVRTkuwIz-JQjD9aRe8XaH1wIolOCBD49utOw1EeF3VbaMIu-fhggvbxwbD3LC3Mw2VrSZJgEKxMUIyK5B7daFXtFc-o6B5ROBekaYPOf3_0OyqWmVXLeFS3fJiIQtziugtqA/s320/caroline+flint.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Labour MP Caroline Flint, putting the case in Parliament</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
whether his Department has commissioned analysis of international examples of
community benefit models for nuclear power; and whether he plans to draw on any
such models in formulating future policy on nuclear power. </span></span></em></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">International models have
been examined and considered as part of the process for developing proposals on
community benefits for sites that host new nuclear power stations in the UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of
State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions he and officials in
his Department have met with their counterparts in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(a)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the Department for Communities and
Local Government,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(b)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>HM Treasury,<i>(c)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the Cabinet Office and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(d)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>other departments to discuss the issue
of (i) community benefits and (ii) business rate retention for new build
nuclear projects. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="st_332"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623000183"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121015w0006.htm_spnew3"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623002051"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ministers have discussed
this issue with counterparts from other interested Departments at Cabinet
Committee discussions of Infrastructure and the Growth and Localism agendas.
There has also been a series of regular and ad hoc meetings between officials
over the last eight months with the aim of bringing forward proposals for
community benefits for sites that host new nuclear power stations by the end of
2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of
State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions he and officials in
his Department have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(a)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>met with representatives of and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(b)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>visited local communities affected by
the proposed Hinkley Point C development. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Since the original public
consultation in 2007 which led to the publication of the Nuclear White Paper in
2008 officials from my Department have made<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">a
series of visits to the Hinkley Point area to meet representatives of
interested parties, including four visits in the last few months. We intend
that these contacts should continue and have established a Strategic
Development Forum to facilitate this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRluA4TJubPlxf0TSAx8tUrs-ptXTPRC46PuiyS7IjU7V0KA-awZjqHleSk7DSxuokTHsXc8bBR61t1jTft1Q10eCU3jCCkTfARVDNLAesO_josUdCm6sUFarWw4fe-6HVFVivOT8gFOaw/s1600/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRluA4TJubPlxf0TSAx8tUrs-ptXTPRC46PuiyS7IjU7V0KA-awZjqHleSk7DSxuokTHsXc8bBR61t1jTft1Q10eCU3jCCkTfARVDNLAesO_josUdCm6sUFarWw4fe-6HVFVivOT8gFOaw/s320/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Labour Councillor Leigh Redman discussing Community benefit</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">in Unity House with Labour MP Ben Bradshaw</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="qn_325"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121015w0006.htm_wqn5"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623000186"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623002054"></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline
Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To
ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's
policy is on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(a)</i> community
benefits and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(b)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>business rate retention for new-build
nuclear projects. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Proposals on community benefits for
sites that host new nuclear power stations are currently under consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(a)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the Secretary of State for Communities
and Local Government and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(b)</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the Chancellor of the Exchequer on
community benefit for new nuclear power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ministers have discussed this issue
with counterparts from other interested Departments at Cabinet Committee
discussions of Infrastructure and the Growth and Localism agendas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change what work his Department has undertaken to take
forward the proposals of the Science and Technology Select Committee in its
report, Devil's bargain: Energy risks and the public, for the use of
partnership models and community benefits in the new nuclear build process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Department is currently developing
proposals for community benefits for sites that host new nuclear power
stations; these proposals are being developed in consideration of the
recommendations of the Science and Technology Committee report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change with reference to page 62 of the National
Infrastructure Plan 2011, what steps his Department takes to bring forward
proposals by 2012 for reform of the community benefit regime with regard to
nuclear power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="st_337"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623000193"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121015w0006.htm_spnew8"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623002061"></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Department has analysed overseas
examples of community benefit regimes, developed different scenarios and had a
number of discussions with colleagues in HM Treasury, Department for
Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office to bring forward proposals
on community benefit by the end of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with
reference to the National Infrastructure Plan 2011, whether community benefit
will be available to communities that are affected by a new nuclear development
hosted by a neighbouring authority. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="st_324"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623000123"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121015w0005.htm_spnew62"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101623002035"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Department is
currently considering proposals for a community benefit package for communities
hosting new nuclear. Details of any decisions will be made available by the end
of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of
State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the National
Infrastructure Plan 2011, what plans are in place for achieving community
benefit for communities affected by Hinkley Point C. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mr Hayes:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Plans for a community
benefit package for sites that host new nuclear power stations are currently
under consideration. The National Infrastructure Plan committed Government to
bring forward proposals by the end of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Caroline Flint:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
what consideration he has given to extending business rate retention to include
low-carbon energy projects. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="st_475"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101649000229"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="121015w0009.htm_spnew23"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12101649001157"></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Brandon Lewis:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Government's proposals
for business rates retention will enable local authorities to benefit from the
business rates paid by all businesses in their area, including those from
low-carbon energy projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As members will see the questions tabled by Caroline Flint MP
relate to Hinkley C and the issues regarding the retention of extra business
rates for hosting communities. Caroline Flint MP also explained that she would
forward details of our discussion to her own team and the shadow teams in the
Treasury and Communities and Local Government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh217gKxSPAvy9HiEtwEP71zID-gXVM8CnwSq4S6B_NLPQ6fPIvFk9LQkHsslkI4ohOtX_45QDe1Go2UG6VfIC4SuOM5A2pc8EEf9IgsC6yCSxvVoGbY_DoNFlzTi4lqhiG-VLEdciYpv/s1600/Baroness+Royalle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh217gKxSPAvy9HiEtwEP71zID-gXVM8CnwSq4S6B_NLPQ6fPIvFk9LQkHsslkI4ohOtX_45QDe1Go2UG6VfIC4SuOM5A2pc8EEf9IgsC6yCSxvVoGbY_DoNFlzTi4lqhiG-VLEdciYpv/s320/Baroness+Royalle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Labour Baroness Jan Royall who recently visited Bridgwater</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">to support the case for Community Benefit</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At the Labour Party Conference I had a meeting with Tom Greatrex
MP, shadow Minister for Energy, who had been briefed by Caroline Flint MP and
he was very supportive of our campaign. Tom Greatrex MP will also visit Hinkley
"C" for a fact finding tour. I spoke to Chris Leslie MP and Rachel
Reeves MP, both in the shadow Treasury team and I have followed up our
conversation by sending them information on community benefits for hosting
communities. I met Peter Hain MP, where I was able to discuss community
benefits relating to proposals for the Severn Barrage. I asked Chris Leslie MP
a question at a Fringe meeting on the "Banks and Investment", as to
how community benefits could support small and medium enterprises in the supply
chain for major developments, such as the building and servicing of new nuclear
power stations? Bob Brown put forward a suggestion at a Fringe meeting on "Energy
and the National Grid", on community benefits and planning, where Tom
Greatrex MP was a speaker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Baroness Jan Royall has also visited Bridgwater and she will raise
a debate in the House of Lords, on economic growth and community benefits for
major developments. Baroness Royall has been helpful in trying to arrange a
meeting with Hilary Benn MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and
Local Government. This meeting will take place on November 7th, where I will be
able to discuss how the business rate can be connected to community benefits,
for hosting communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><strong>Cllr Mick Lerry<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Leader of the Labour Group on Sedgemoor District Council<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">25th October 2012<o:p></o:p></span>Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7620861973464594620.post-2247297111394808612012-08-29T09:27:00.002-07:002012-08-29T10:20:54.944-07:00BEN BRADSHAW MP VISITS BRIDGWATER<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeZ1pI-Vxo2DNuvlXz6nIVvj57HjPaGsUfk194sqQiBdWVBdBwj9EYIssxAAm3X3WE-qP1FGXFkQCFTOyPtpHsJWVjOPPaIzJXMK4HWEv2Fqm1c3WU7gKSvEzI-OANT7uOs7N3Jg66KFf/s1600/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeZ1pI-Vxo2DNuvlXz6nIVvj57HjPaGsUfk194sqQiBdWVBdBwj9EYIssxAAm3X3WE-qP1FGXFkQCFTOyPtpHsJWVjOPPaIzJXMK4HWEv2Fqm1c3WU7gKSvEzI-OANT7uOs7N3Jg66KFf/s320/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">"Welcome by the Mayor Graham Granter"</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Labour MP for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw, made a special visit to Bridgwater today at the request of Labour Councillors to add his weight to the campaign for some kind of Community Benefit as a result of the new Hinkley Point power station development.</strong><br />
<br />
Labour District and Town Councillor for Dunwear ward, Leigh Redman, has been fronting Bridgwater's case and explained the issues in a letter to the former Minister with special responsibilities for the South West Region and called for his support.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRluA4TJubPlxf0TSAx8tUrs-ptXTPRC46PuiyS7IjU7V0KA-awZjqHleSk7DSxuokTHsXc8bBR61t1jTft1Q10eCU3jCCkTfARVDNLAesO_josUdCm6sUFarWw4fe-6HVFVivOT8gFOaw/s1600/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRluA4TJubPlxf0TSAx8tUrs-ptXTPRC46PuiyS7IjU7V0KA-awZjqHleSk7DSxuokTHsXc8bBR61t1jTft1Q10eCU3jCCkTfARVDNLAesO_josUdCm6sUFarWw4fe-6HVFVivOT8gFOaw/s320/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Cllr Redman explains the extent of the transport issues that </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">EDF will face and need to help resolve.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>'Biggest building project in UK"</em></strong></div>
<br />
<br />
Leigh Redman said "<em>Hinkley will be the biggest building project in Britain, not just the South West, and Bridgwater will bear the brunt of this. Each turbine will be the size of Wembley stadium - four times as big as we have at present. With 700 lorry movements a day and 30,000 new workers in the area - 26,000 of them ancilliary workers with sub contractors, the strain on the transport system in the town will be considerable."</em><br />
<br />
Ben first met Labour Activists at Unity House to hear the case for Bridgwater and what such a development could bring to a town which includes several wards within the top 5% of deprived areas in the country , the influx of new workers with noticeably larger comparative wage packets and it;s near medieval transport network.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9D_4dPuHRRk7i3VQ5ITkAS3ep5OAtPXnf3DTQWjzxIMe9NH7kz6MZDuG1_N7dTfgVvad4lks6x2HcHH7hgvhuuXoEKOaAlzng-ouB1_7pspc9Ng8UcYVBUwDwLiGS5g5TOvIlJLuwV1f/s1600/Ben+Bradshaw+MP+In+Bridgwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9D_4dPuHRRk7i3VQ5ITkAS3ep5OAtPXnf3DTQWjzxIMe9NH7kz6MZDuG1_N7dTfgVvad4lks6x2HcHH7hgvhuuXoEKOaAlzng-ouB1_7pspc9Ng8UcYVBUwDwLiGS5g5TOvIlJLuwV1f/s320/Ben+Bradshaw+MP+In+Bridgwater.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Ben gets a tour of Bridgwater from party members</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>"Town needs something sustainable to come out of this"</em></strong></div>
<br />
After this meeting a group of Councillors accompanied him to Bridgwater House where a formal discussion was held with Chief Executive Kerry Rickards, Council leader Duncan McGinty and Corporate Director Bob Brown who set the scene. " <em>We are trying to make the case for Community Benefit to the Secretary of State , that this is a live issue which 10 other sites are also looking at. Bridgwater is an area of high fuel poverty and a power station will be built right next door so the community needs to see some benefit from this. We need the town have something sustainable come out of the project and not end up with a ghost town when they leave."</em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>"Community Payback"</strong></em><br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSM3URIGSyROjibojMzBs09PSZSfgsrg_sZFzLOoon1wXws-uYcuTQsStc3zsQuOmgGzN1Psepg-qtclZDPsoUhYcp0A_sbq9Ubyko8Kfclk1Ts3fMu6QNU3MZIn7O4kYTACNur3E6f0M/s1600/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSM3URIGSyROjibojMzBs09PSZSfgsrg_sZFzLOoon1wXws-uYcuTQsStc3zsQuOmgGzN1Psepg-qtclZDPsoUhYcp0A_sbq9Ubyko8Kfclk1Ts3fMu6QNU3MZIn7O4kYTACNur3E6f0M/s320/labour-mp-in-bridgwater_0041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red;">Ben talks business with Sedgemoor District Council</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chief Executive Kerry Rickards said "<em>We have just achieved the largest mitigation settlement ever which we raised from the initial £1million offer to £100 million but we have to maintain this pressure to get community payback like they achieved in the Shetlands with the Oil fields. On the one hand we're getting jobs and and a wages spent in our area but we also want a sustainable legacy for future generations."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><strong>"Strongest possible case"</strong></em><br />
<br />
Ben Bradshaw said "<em>This is clearly a Regional issue and I am happy to pursue the case for community benefit and also to table relevent questions in the House. I'm glad to see a cross party position on this and all sides standing up for Local Government."</em><br />
<br />
All party leaders on Sedgemoor will be taking Sedgemoors lead officer, Bob Brown, to their various party conferences next month, to make the strongest possible case.<br />
<br />Sedgemoor Labourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252952313940215320noreply@blogger.com2