Talks are underway to try and secure the Cocked Hat for the local Community, Cllr Michael Wyatt, local Lib Dem Councillor for the Greenhill Ward has asked Officers to try and save the building from demolition, and to see if we can turn the building into a mulit purpose community facility.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “I am trying every avenue to try and save this building for the local community. We desperately need a community facility, which will allow us to develop our plans to address the real issues that are affecting local people. I can assure everyone that we are working hard to bring more services and facilities to the residents of the Greenhill Ward”.

The Courts have given the owners until the 23rd August to either renovate the building or demolish it. Cllr Wyatt has asked for more time so Officers can see if we can obtain the building for the local community.

Your Lib Dem Cllrs will continue to keep you in touch. Cllr Wyatt would like to thank the many local residnents who have rang him during the past week, giving their support.

This week the District Council Officers announced they need to identify additional land for housing in North West Leicestershire. The amount of houses the Government have said we need is around 12000. 2000 of this could be built on land off Green Lane/Hall Lane, which is currently farmed.

Cllr Michael Wyatt expressed his concern over the possibility of an additional 2000 houses being built on land, which is clearly green wedge, which stops Whitwick and Greenhill becoming one huge built up area.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said at the meeting “I’m very concerned about the proposed site. The Council have always had a policy of maintaining the green wedge on the A50. I am also very concerned that by building on this land we will not only lose vital green wedge land but also it will cause Whitwick and Greenhill to lose their identity.”

 Cllr Wyatt and the Lib Dem Team have made it perfectly clear they will be opposing any plans, which will see the green wedge between Greenhill and Whitwick being destroyed by developers who clearly do not give a damn about the environment.

Please let us know what you think….

The future of the Cocked Hat public House on Cropston Drive is steadily moving in the direction of being demolished, but your local Lib Dem Cllrs are working extremely hard to see if it can be saved before the court’s deadline of 23rd August, which is the date the owners of the building have been given to improve the site or clear it, which means the building will have to be demolished.

Cllrs Michael Wyatt, Julie Roberts and Dominic McGill are trying to save the Cocked Hat from demolition, Cllr Julie Roberts said, “Over recent months we have had a number of meetings with Council officers to see if we can in anyway save the Cocked Hat from demolition and utilise the building as a Community facility for the Greenhill Ward. One thing we do not have in our area is a Community Building, which provides much needed services”.

Your local Councillors will keep you updated with any further development’s.

Shocking figures, obtained by the Liberal Democrats, show that the Government is planning to keep nearly £200m of council tenant’s rent this year.

Every year, the treasury decides how much local authorities need to spend on new homes and maintaining council houses. Thoses it deems to take more in rent than they need to spend pay a ‘negative subsidy’ to the Treasury, which is then redistributed to authorities in greater need.

However, this year the Treasury is collecting £195,816,938 more than it is redistributing. This extra money will remain with the exchequer and will not be spent on council housing.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “The tax on tenants is preventing local councils from investing in their housing stock, and crucially building new homes for the 1.67 million families on social housing waiting lists. It’s time to scrap the tenant tax.”

Cllr Michael Wyatt has asked the County Highways for a new bollard for the junction of Waterworks Road and Staple Drive. Cllr Wyatt has been contacted by a number of local residents who approached him for help.

Cllr Wyatt said, “I have asked the county highways to replace the missing bollard as soon as possible. Hopefully within the next few weeks or so a new one will be in place”.

Tory County Council Bosses are considering building an incineration site in north West Leicestershire, rumours have it Ellistown could be a potential site

Local Liberal Democrats are completely opposed to any incineration site being considered until all the Districts and Borough Council’s within Leicestershire have exhausted all avenues to recycle. North West Leics District Council is still one of the poorest performing councils within Leicestershire.

Bill Newton Dunn, Lib Dem MEP for the North West Leicestershire and the East Midlands said, “Any plans for an incineration site in Ellistown or any other area needs to be vigorously opposed. The Tory controlled County Council must wake up and see that local people want better recycling facilities and the opportunity to recycle more, not incineration sites polluting our Towns and Villages. The Tory Bosses need to get the basics right, and exhaust the recycling potential before imposing a health hazard onto the people of North West Leicestershire”.

Recently a new law was set by the European Union, which gives weight to the principle that recycling should be given priority over incineration when dealing with waste, but the latter will be permitted so long as energy is recovered from the material that is burned.

At last night’s meeting of the County Highway Forum, which is a forum of District and County Councillors, and Officers to discuss County issues, Cllr michael Wyatt spoke on the issue of the Meadow Lane Cross Roads.

Cllr Michael Wyatt submitted a petition last November urging the County Highway Officers to urgently address the speeding and illegal parking issue at the Cross roads.

Last night Cllr Wyatt addressed the meeting by expressing the local residents disappointment at the decision taken by the Officers not to take any action. Cllr Wyatt continued by saying that “if they fail to to take action then someone could get killed.”

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors will continue to push for action at the Meadow Lane Cross Roads, If you would like to help our campaign then here are just a couple of things you can do today:

1. Contact the District Council customer service line on : 01530 454545 and log your complaint concerning illegal parking the Cross Roads                                          

2. Write a letter or email the County Council Highway Officers at County Hall in Glenfield  and complain about the need for more action to tackle the illegal parking and the need for pedestrian crossing at the junction.

Michael Wyatt would like to thank everyone who has already sent letters, e-mails and phoned the customer service line concerning the illegal parking.

Your Liberal Democrat Cllrs can give you an assurance that they will continue to fight for better road safety measures at the Meadow Lane Cross.

If any Council has stopped you getting access to information - or if there’s are details relating to a contract you wish to see then you may be able to do something about that in the next few weeks.  Under s14 & 15 Audit Commission Act 1998 any local government elector can inspect as part of the audit process the statement of accounts and auditors reports and may also inspect “all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to them. On top of that you can make copies of those documents. The timescale when this can be done is very limited (2-3 weeks) and usually advertised by the Council in one of the small print “official notices” section of the paper. The easiest way of finding out is probably to email the finances dept though. This website has information on the time periods for many councils. Basically anything to do with council finances can be accessed and becomes completely public domain. No exemptions for commercial confidentiality (though there are some for personal information such as salaries and expenses). Unsurprisingly Council’s don’t go out of their way to publicise this facility and it is rarely used! Further details at http://www.yrtk.org/2006/checking-council-accounts/ 

Last week after the grass cutting contractors visited the area again, many local residents have continued to express their disgust at the poor grass cutting service.  Lots of green areas are now looking a total mess due to the vast amount of grass cuttings lying on the ground, which is trying to rot down. Not only is there the previous grass cutting but now its been made worse by last weeks cut, which as just added more to the piles of rotting grass cuttings.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “I am urging local residents to continue expressing their disgust, and complain by ringing the County Council Customer service line on 0116 3050001. Its vital the Tory Bosses at the County Council understand that we want a decent service and not a second rate service, which is making our area look a complete mess”.

Over the next few days Aggregate Industries UK Ltd will be holding public exhibitions on their initial proposals for extending Bardon Hill Quarry.

Plans and drawings illustrating the proposals will be on display at the following locations.

9th July Greenhill Community Church Hall, Charnborough Rd Greenhill Coalville 2pm until 8pm.

11th July Copt Oak Village Hall, Whitwick Road 2pm until 8pm.

Representatives from Aggregate Industries will be on hand to answer questions and collect feedback regarding the proposal.

Cllr Michael Wyatt will be holding talks this week with Officers of the District to see if we can obtain the Cocked Hat and turn it into a Multi Purpose Community Facility, all services under one roof. Cllr Michael Wyatt has been looking at how we can provide more services for the Greenhill Estate.  

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “The Greenhill Estate is one of the largest estates in North West Leicestershire and unfortunately is still one of the most deprived area’s with Leicestershire. Having a Community Centre with all services under one roof would be a step towards tackling some of the key issues. The argument that we already have a community centre at the Charnborough Chapel building is nothing more than a white elephant. This does not and cannot provide the services we want to provide like, educational, social and health services which will have a positive impact on the local community. What I would like to see is the Cocked Hat being utilised due to its proximity and size.”

Your Liberal Democrat Cllrs will continue to push for improved services for the Greenhill Ward

Your Local Liberal Democrat Councillors have contacted the County Highway Officers to cut back the overgrown footpath next to the boundary fence next to Broom Leys School, after many parents approached the Lib Dem Team for help.

Cllr Julie Roberts has been assured today the footpath will be a priority, and within the next week it will be cut back. .

Your Lib Dem Cllrs would like to thank everyone who contacted them concerning this issue and will as ever keep up the pressure on the County Highway Officers to improve the service they are supposed to provide for local residents.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has been campaigning for over a decade for action to be taken at the Warrenhills Road and Meadow Lane junction, and at the Meadow Lane Cross Roads. Michael Wyatt submitted two petitions last November urging the county council to take action against illegal parking at the Meadow Lane Cross Rds and requested action be taken to have the speed limit reduced on Warrenhills Rd. 

Cllr Michael Wyatt said “The County Highways bosses have responded to the two petitions with some good news and some bad. The good news being that they have listened to us, they have agreed to reduce the speed limit on Warrrenhills Road from 60mph to 50mph, which is a start, but the bad news is that they feel that illegal parking is not a problem and that they do not intend to do anything at the Meadow Lane Cross Roads to make it safer” “Concerning the Meadow Lane Cross Roads I am very disappointed we have not yet convinced them that action needs to be taken. I intend to continue our campaign and send the evidence I have, that there is a real danger of illegally parked cars at the Meadow Lane cross rds, which is causing a danger to other drivers and pedestrians. I would urge all residents to ring the District Council Customer service number, 01530 454545 and complain until they do finally wake up and take action.”

“Concerning the reduction in the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph on Warrenhills Rd, I welcome this, but I certainly feel this does not go far enough. What we need is the speed limit reduced to 40mph, which is a more sensible limit, especially when you have two school entrances within yards of the main road.”  

Your Local Liberal Democrat Cllrs would like to hear your views on these two important local issues. Please click on the comments link and tell us what you think about Illegal parked cars on the Meadow Lane Cross Rds and the proposed speed reduction on Warrenhills Rd. 

Your Liberal Democrat Cllrs will keep you updated as ever if there are any new developments.

Cllr Michael Wyatt and his colleagues are having discussions with Officers at the District Council to see how we can progress with their campaign for a Community purpose facility on the Greenhill Estate.

Cllr  Michael Wyatt said, “I’m determined to push for better community services for the Greenhill Estate. Greenhill is one of the most deprived area’s within Leicestershire. Yet we have no Community Centre, providing key services like health and education. What I want to see is a Community Building, which provides all services under one roof. I have already spoken to many local residents, and had a discussion with the local church who are expressing their wish to see an increase in direct services for the residents on the Estate.”

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors will keep you updated with any further progress on this project, and welcome any comments from residents. Please click on the comments link and give us your views.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has been leading the campaign for road safety measures to be installed at the Meadow Lane Cross Roads for over 10 years. Last November hundreds of local residents signed a petition supporting Cllr Michael Wyatt’s call for traffic lights, zebra crossings or even pelican crossings to be installed at the junction, which many local residents and children use on a daily basis.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “Im hopeful the County Highways officers will soon be reporting back on our request for better safety measures at the Cross Roads. Many local residents and I have been campaigning together for 10 years on this issue, I only hope the officers are finally going to listen to our concerns and give us what we need, that being a safer cross roads for everyone.”

Beware of Bogus Campaigners - If you are contacted by other Political Parties about this issue, ask them why are they now jumping on this bandwagon? Is it because they are desperate to be seen to be doing something, and they cannot think of anything else to campaign on!

Everyone knows the Liberal Democrats are the only ones campaigning all year round and not just at election time like all the other Parties.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has been handed a petition by over 100 school children asking for the speed limit along Meadow Lane to be reduced.

Many local children feel their lives are constantly being put at risk by speeding traffic, which travels along Meadow Lane near to the entrance of King Edward VII Community College and Castle Rock High School.

 Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “I will be delighted to present this petition signed by so many children to the County Highway Officers, which urges the County Council to reduce the speed limit along Meadow Lane, which will make it safer place for children to travel to and from school. We have been pushing very hard for action over a number of years, this petition will add weight to our call for the speed limit to be reduced”.

Conservative controlled Leicestershire County Council has admitted it is “unacceptable” that people have suffered long delays and, on occasions, poor standards of service from their customer service centre.

Since December, anyone calling the council about issues such as potholes in roads and waste have been directed through to the team, which also deals with e-mails and letters. Up to 20,000 calls a month have been received since then - double the estimated level. Council officers also said they had seen unexpected increases because of seasonal issues, such as grass-cutting.The customer service centre was set up in a bid to resolve most customer queries at the first point of contact. One senior Tory Councillor said, “We have given them a duff service”

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “I could not of put it better myself, many local residents have told me, and my team that they have tried many times to get through to the customer service centre only to get cut off or had to wait for an unacceptable length of time ”.

A Leicestershire County Council Cabinet member responsible for the grass cutting in Leicestershire has today said in the Leicester Mercury: “I have apologised to people complaining to me about the situation and I will hold my hands up.

“We have not done as good a job this year, and our standards have not been up to what the residents of Leicestershire expect. “We are doing so many good things in highways, and to suffer this is embarrassing. It will not happen again.

Cllr Michael Wyatt one of the leading members who has been highlighting the grass cutting fiasco said, “It’s about time someone came out and apologised, instead of them giving us excuses about the weather, and not having the right maps. All people want is a decent standard of grass cutting and not a second rate service, which we have all recently experienced. The Tories need to realise that sometimes cutting cost does not mean we get a better service”.

The children on the Greenhill Estate have given the new equipment a massive thumbs up. Many children who have used the equipment have expressed their delight by thanking their local Lib Dem Councillors for having the new play equipment installed.

Cllr Julie Roberts said, “It’s great to hear that the children really like the new equipment. We were determined to make sure the children have the right play equipment. The age group we have catered for needed more stimulating equipment, it looks like we have got it just right”.

Footpaths on the Greenhill Estate are finally getting resurfaced after years of campaigning by your Liberal Democrat Councillors, requesting that the Tory County Bosses tackle the growing number of unsafe footpaths in the local area . 

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “Im delighted to be able to report the footpaths on the Estate are finally being resurfaced. We have been waiting for years, some of the footpaths have been crumbling and becoming unsafe to walk on. At least now we are finally seeing things getting better”.

Councillor Michael Wyatt has contacted the local Police Inspector concerning a group of people who are starting to use the area near to the Greenhill Shops for a place to drink themselves stupid. many residents have contacted the Lib Dem Team for help.

Many local people have said they are not happy allowing their children any where near the play equipment when the group of drunks are there. Reports of verbal and offensive remarks have been made by the group to locals who use the shops.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has asked the Inspector to make the area a priority and to enforce the law to the maximum to make the perpetrator’s understand that this behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”

The County Council Highway contractors have once again failed to provide a good standard of service by not cutting  a large grassed area on Kenmore Crescent.

Many local residents are furious at the poor service the Tory Bosses at the County Council are providing. Well over 600 complaints have been recieved at the County Council Customer Service Centre.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “This is another reason why more and more people are fed up with the Tories. All they seem to do is cut corners, which leads to poor service delivery and a lot of angry residents who are  continuing to pay ever increasing council tax.”

Michael Wyatt has contacted the County Highways Officers concerning the un-cut grass verges in the area. Hopefully it will be cut soon and will not be forgotten next time.

This week new play equipment has finally been installed on Cropston Drive. Many local children have already started to enjoy the new equipment, which is more challenging.

Cllr Julie Roberts said, “It’s good news that the new play equipment is finally been installed. We promised we would try and get more play eqiupment for the older children on the Estate. We are delighted to see the council have listened and acted upon our request for more facilities for older children.”

Another reason why more and more local residents are supporting the Liberal Democrats

Police Force launches Summer Drink and Drug Drive Campaign

Leicestershire Constabulary’s Road Policing Unit wants YOUR help to identify and catch drink and drug drivers this summer. As part of the Force’s annual Summer Drink and Drug Driving Campaign, members of the public are being urgedto call the police to pass on information about anyone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Calls can be made to Leicestershire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 0116 222 2222, or in an emergency, when lives are at risk, to 999.

However, this summer the Road Policing Unit is also launching its own dedicated answering machine on which members of the public can leave information, anonymously if they wish, about persistent drink or drug drivers. The number is 0116 248 2017. This will not result in an immediate police response, but it will help officers to build up intelligence on persistent offenders so that targeted operations can be planned to catch them.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has again contacted the Leicestershire County Council to express his disgust at the grass cutting service supplied by the current contractor, which is supposed to cut all grass verges within the local area.

 Cllr Wyatt was told today that the grass ‘will be cut within 10 days.’

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “Thank you to everyone who took the time to express your feelings about the disgusting service we are getting from the Tory Bosses at County Hall. I only hope that the grass is cut within 10 working days, otherwise I, and I hope you will, all join me 0n the 17th June to once again make them realise that we are not prepared to put up with a sloppy second rate service.”

If you have not already express your disgust like many other local residents and would like too, then ring today on  0116 3050001 and make them realise that a second rate service is not acceptable. 

Your phone call can make a real difference.

Your Liberal Democrat Cllrs are pleased to be able to inform you that at last action is being taken against the owners of the Cocked Hat. At a hearing of the courts, which was implimented by the District Council after pressure from your local cllrs, the owners were given until the 23rd August to either demolish the building and clear the site or put the building into a safe and secure state.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “At last we are seeing action being taken. The owners cannot be allowed to get away with leaving this building in such a dangerous state. The whole site needs clearing and making safe and secure. Hopefully by the end of the summer we will finally see this eye sore gone once and for all.”

Local Lib Dem Councillors have finally got the Council to take action against the owners of the Cocked Hat site on Cropston Drive Greenhill, after many residents approached their local councillors to have the site cleaned up.

Cllr Julie Roberts said, “We have demanded action is taken against the owners of the former Cocked Hat Public House, the site is nothing but a blight on the Estate. We are working very hard with local residents to keep the Estate clean after decades of neglect by Labour. We are continuing to press the Officers on the District Council for the site to be cleared, and demand the owners put forward their plans for the site as soon as possible so we can get rid of this eye sore, which is having a detrimental affect of our area.”

 Your Lib Dem Councillors will continue to press for action. They will also keep you updated with any future developments or planning applications for this site, if any are submitted. 

Yet again the Tory Bosses on the District Council have said NO to reviewing the current concessionary travel on offer to the over 60’s in North West Leicestershire.

The Liberal Democrats contacted the Tory Deputy leader Matthew Blain after many pensioners asked us for help. Cllr Blain replied to Cllr Wyatt’s request and said, “As you are aware we have reviewed the situation fully as part of the budget process at the start of the year and decided to retain the existing scheme.”

Many local residents who have concessionary travel cards are outraged that the Tory Bosses will not stump up the £17,000 to allow them to travel before 9.30am. The Tories have a massive £250,000 flush fund, which they intend to spend on pet projects. The Liberal Democrats only want them to spend a small fraction of this money on providing a decent, non discriminative service for our over 60’s.

Cllr Michael Wyatt, leader of the Lib Dem Group on the District Council said, “Im not surprise the Tory Bosses have once again refused to look at the pre-9.30am concessionary travel. They clearly do not care enough about our pensioners who have paid so much into the system. £17,000 is a very small price to pay to give our pensioners their right to a decent, good quality service.”

The Liberal Democrats will continue to push for the pre-9.30am concessionary travel to be funded.

The Conservatives have recently been making a great deal of noise about the need to compensate people who lose out as a result of Labour’s decision to double the 10p income tax starter rate. But they refused to support a compensation package when one was proposed last year. In June 2007, in the House of Commons, after the tax rise was first announced, the Liberal Democrats and a small group of Labour backbenchers proposed an amendment to the Government’s Finance Bill which would have made the Government compensate those people on low incomes who would end up paying more under Labour’s tax grab plans. 

Where were the Conservatives? “We cannot support it,” said Conservative spokesperson Theresa Villiers MP during the parliamentary debate. Only one Conservative MP voted for compensation, and he has since resigned from the party!

The Conservatives only woke up to this issue and started making a fuss this year, after the changes came in, when they saw the press were interested in it. More than a year after the Liberal Democrats first raised the issue.

At the District council meeting on the 13th May the new Chairman of the Council announced there is to be a review of the free booze for Councillors. Cllr Michael Wyatt has been leading the campaign for many years to have free booze for Councillors scrapped.

The Liberal Democrats were the only ones calling for this waste of Council taxpayers money to be stopped, they even put forward a motion at the budget meeting in March urging the Tory Bosses to scrap the free booze, which Labour, Tory and BNP members voted against.

The Cabinet will be making a final decision on charging Councillors for refreshments at their next meeting on the 17th June.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “It’s great news that the Tories are finally going to support and implement our policy of scrapping the free booze for Councillors.  Allowing Councillors to drink alcoholic drinks free of charge is nothing but a complete waste of council taxpayers money, especially when they continue to raise our council tax and make excuses to why they have increased charges.” 

The Liberal Democrats have constantly pushed for this freebie to be abolished since 2003. Now it’s 2008, it’s only taken them 5 years to finally realise that free booze is wrong, and is no longer acceptable in this day and age.

More and more local residents are complaining about the poor grass cutting service the area is getting, after the Tory bosses at the County Council handed over the cutting of our grass verges to a private contractor instead of the District Council Parks Division who have provided this service for many years.

The County Council has received many complaints after their contractors failed to provide a good service. In some cases many grass verges have been left uncut, which is making the area look untidy.

Cllr Dominic McGill Said, “Yet again the Tories are trying to cut corners and it’s backed fired. There was nothing wrong with the past District Council Parks Division doing the job other than cost. They should of realised that doing the job on the cheap will lead to a shoddy service”.

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors have already passed on many complaints directly to the Tory County Council. If anyone wishes to make a complaint you should contact the County Customer Service Centre on 0116 3050001. 

Hundreds of local residents are backing a campaign by local Liberal Democrat Councillors to have CCTV installed at the shops on Cropston Drive Greenhill. The idea was put forward by Councillor Michael Wyatt after local Lib Dem Councillors were asked by many local residents to help tackle the anti social behaviour and intimidation they have been receiving from a small group of youths outside the local shops. Many residents feel they cannot go to the shops in the evenings, when there are groups of youths hanging around. Many local residents have reported being on the receiving end of obscene and offensive remarks.

Cllr Michael Wyatt, leading the campaign for CCTV said, “It’s sad when we have to go to these lengths to make people feel safe in their own neighbourhood but hopefully by having CCTV at the local shops this will help to give residents the confidence that action is being taken. I only hope the Tory Controlled Council and the local Police will back this campaign, which many residents are backing”.

If you have not already signed the petition and would like too, then contact us today and we will make sure your name and address is attached to the petition.

The BNP’s shocking voting record so far on North West Leics District Council.

 Voted to increase Rents for Council Tenants by more than inflation

Voted to keep the free booze for Councillors after Council meetings

Voted to keep free parking for Councillors in Coalville

Voted against pre-9.30am Concessionary bus fares for our pensioners

Voted against Lib Dem proposals to keep our Council Tax rise below 2%

In just 12 months, the BNP have clocked up a record of shame in North West Leicestershire. They claimed to be in touch with the public but have ignored the views of residents on so many of the issues which matter to YOU.

Your Local Lib Dem Councillors have today launched a Garden Competition for the Greenhill Estate. Cllr Julie Roberts said, “We are determined to help clean up our area.  Many local residents and tenants take great pride in their gardens and by having a gardening competition we are hoping we can encourage more people to do their bit to improve the area in which we all live”.

Cllr Dominic McGill said “We have decided to launch a Garden Competition so tenants and residents of the Greenhill Estate can show off their hard work and hopefully win a prize for their efforts. The council decided last year not to have one, so this year we have decided to have our own”.

 The Competition will be open to all residents and tenants of the Estate. Anyone interested in taking part can obtain a form by clicking here :  Competition form or send an e-mail to northwestleicslibdems.com  Entry forms will also be available in the Community Shop from Monday 5th May.

Judging will take place at the end of July.

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors have spoken to many tenants and residents on the Greenhill Estate over the past few weeks. Over 75 requests for help have been received, from repairs to new recycling bags and boxes. Your Local Councillors would like to thank everyone for the very warm welcome they have received and your kind words of support.

Cllr Dominic McGill said, “It was really nice to meet so many people. All the complaints and comments have been or are being dealt with. I can assure everyone that we will continue to speak out on behalf of the people we were voted to represent, and continue to fight for a better deal for the Greenhill Ward”.

The Liberal Democrats have once again called upon the Tory Bosses on the District Council to reconsider their objections in giving our pensioners their right to concessionary travel before 9.30am. The Liberal Democrat Councillors on the District put forward in their budget £17,000 to cover the cost of pensioners travelling by concessionary travel before 9.30am.

Tory, Labour and the fascist BNP voted against giving our pensioners their right to travel before 9.30am. Only the Liberal Democrats spoke out against the continuing raw deal our over 60’s are getting from the Tory controlled Council.

Cllr Michael Wyatt put forward the proposal to fund the pre-9.30 concessionary travel by introducing parking charges for staff, who currently park free while everyone else pays.

Michael Wyatt said “Its was disgraceful when the Labour Bosses refused to allow our pensioners to travel before 9.30am. Now the Tories are in control they have decided to continue Labour’s appalling policy, treating our pensioners like second class citizens. North West Leicestershire is the only authority in Leicestershire not giving our pensioners an opportunity to use their concessionary travel before 9.30am”.

The Liberal Democrats will continue to push for the pre-9.30am concessionary travel for our pensioners.

More good news.

New swings have been installed on the Park after Cllr Michael Wyatt questioned the council why they had been taken down over a year ago. The old ones were taken down due to health and safety checks, which showed they were unsafe.

The Council then forgot to order new ones until it was pointed out by Cllr Michael Wyatt that they were still missing. Better late than never.

Liberal Democrats working all year round and not just at election time.

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors have requested the bus shelter on Greenhill Road be cleaned after graffiti was sprayed all over it. Officers at the council have assured us they will be going out today to inspect the bus shelter, and they have told us that the graffiti will be removed within the next few days.

A number of local residents have contacted their local Lib Dem Cllrs after being told fridges and freezers are now subject to a removal charge of £15. Before, fridges and freezers were removed free of charge by the local council. Since the Tories have taken control they have decided to impose a £15 charge.

Cllr Dominic McGill said, “Nothing surprises us any more. The Tories will charge for anything. They don’t care about giving the people a decent service. What we are concerned about is the people who can not afford the £15, or don’t have any transport to get rid of their old fridge or freezer. By charging for the disposal of fridges and freezers we are now going to see an increase in fly-tipping of these items, which have environmental harmful gases in them”. 

If you do have transport fridges and freezers can be disposed of free of charge by taking them to the County Council Household Waste Recycling Sites at Ashby Road, Coalville or Lount.

If you have any bulky items you would like to dispose of  then contact the Council who offer a chargeable collection service. Please note that collection can take up to two weeks. If you are receiving any benefits then you will be entitled to a free collection service.

To arrange for a collection of bulky household items you will need to contact the Customer Services team to confirm the items you would like to have collected and where you will be leaving them.

1. Call the Customer Services team on 01530 454572 to arrange for collection.
   The easiest and quickest way to make your payment is over the phone by debit or credit card.

     2.  Please click the list below for examples of what they can and cannot accept on the bulky household waste service

http://www.nwleics.gov.uk/waste_services/documents/List_of_Acceptable_Items_01.04.08.pdf

Cllr Michael Wyatt has contacted the council, asking them to look at alternative litter bins, after an increase in the amount of bins being deliberately set on fire over the past two weeks.

Recently there has been at least one plastic litter bin set on fire every week, your Lib Dem Councillors have already recorded over thirty bins over the past two years that have been hit by arsonist. The cost of each bin is roughly £85, including time to install it, 30 bins being replaced has already costed the taxpayer approx £2550 extra in the Greenhill Ward alone.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said “The Council needs to address the issue of using plastic litter bins. The cost and the danger of the bins being set on fire is escalating out of control. This extra cost of £2250 could of been spent on better things to improve the area in which we live. Not only is the cost effectiveness of the bins needs to be looked into, but also the danger they pose when they are set on fire, due to many being installed in bus shelters, and near to people’s homes”.

Cllr Michael Wyatt is your local representative on the Bardon Quarry Liaison Committee. The Committee is a forum at which the quarrying and associated activities at Bardon can be discussed so that concerns expressed by local residents can be drawn to the attention of the quarry operators.

 If you have any concerns about the workings of the quarry, be it dust, noise or anything else which might be within the remit of the quarry workings, then contact Councillor Michael Wyatt on Mikewyatt1@hotmail.co.uk or you can contact him on 07773341531.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “I continue to make sure local residents complaints are passed directly to the directors of the Quarry. At our last meeting complaints from local residents were discussed, and addressed by the management. We only meet twice a year but this allows us to make sure any problems residents bring to our attention are dealt with immediately. We also have an opportunity at the meetings to discuss any future plans the operators may have for the site. If anyone experiences any problems concerning the quarry then please contact me and I will do my best to try and help”.

Cllr Julie Roberts has today announced our latest campaign for a Community Centre for the Greenhill Estate. Your Lib Dem Cllrs have already spoken to Officers at the District Council to look to see how we can progress this idea. More and more houses are being built and still we have no Community Facility. Yes we have a small Community Shop but this is not good enough for what is needed.

Cllr Michael Wyatt managed to get backing for a feasibility study some years ago, which highlighted the need for a Community Centre on the Estate. The study showed there is a clear need within the Community

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “We have highlighted the need for a Community Centre before, but the previous Labour run District Council refused to back our call for such a facility. The Greenhill Estate desperately needs a Community Building, which will provide various services all under one roof, a Multi Purpose Community Facility, which will not only allow other agencies to provide services, but a place the local community can meet, and actively get involved in making the place we live a better place for all .

At last nights scrutiny meeting the Tories won 1st prize for making it a complete waste of time to ask for anything to be scrutinised. Cllr Michael Wyatt asked for the decision to close the Market Hall to be scrutinised so members can have their say.

The Tories hardly said anything and did not understand the importance of allowing people a say on such a decision, which will have a huge impact on Coalville.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “It was a complete waste of time. The Tories proved to everyone that they are not going to listen to anyone, or take any notice of the concerns expressed by the Market Traders, local people and elected members. The Tories will eventually realise the hard way, that ignoring the wishes of local people will be their down fall”.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has requested the decision of the future of the Coalville Market be discussed by scrutiny members, so elected members can look at the reasoning behind their decision to close the current Market Hall.

Councillor Wyatt’s decision to have this item included at tonight’s scrutiny meeting was due his concerns over the lack of consultation, and the failure by the council to bring to light the concerns of the viability of the Market to scrutiny members.

Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “I asked for this to be bought to members so we can ask questions relating to why they have failed to make us aware of the problems surrounding the viability of the Market before now.

Taking such a drastic decision to move the Market should of been discussed much earlier, and elected councillors should of been given an opportunity to see what action, if any could of been taken to avoid the closure of the current Market Hall”.

The new play equipment for Cropston Drive is on order and will be installed soon. 

PC Sarah Gerrard and the Council’s Environmental Department Officers have organised a community litter pick at Sharpley Park on Saturday 19th April, 10.00 am.

Local residents are welcome to join in, and help to clear up some of the litter around the perimiter of the park.

If you would like to come along and help please just turn up on the 19th at the Playing Field on Sharpley Avenue. Equipment and gloves will be available.

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors have received a number of letters and e-mails from local residents asking how they can express their concerns about the chinese authorities treatment of the tibetan people.

Below is a link to a website to contact your local MP. Click on the link and send your comments.

Cllr Michael Wyatt has already sent a message on behalf of all three councillors urging our local MP to support our call for the Prime Minister to boycott the opening of the Olympic Games. 

Michael Wyatt said, “The situation in Tibet cannot be ignored, we need to stand together and send a clear message to the chinese authorities that what they are doing to the people of Tibet is totally unacceptable. The people of Tibet are entitled to live in peace, and should be given back their independence”.

http://www.writetothem.com/

Your local Lib Dem Councillors have contacted residents on Kenmore Crescent on turning the grassed area off Kenmore Crescent into a communal garden. This will alllow not only for the council to clean up the area but also allow local residents to help us come up with a design, which is pleasant and improves the environment in which we all live.

 Cllr Dominic McGill said, “Our election pledge to the local people was that we intend to clean up our area. The Lib Dem teams actions to date is paying dividend. We have made great strides within the ward and we intend to continue to work with not only the council, but other agencies and local residents who want to make the area a better place to live”.

The Coalville Times has today printed an apology to Councillor Michael Wyatt, for printing a letter in their letters page from a BNP Councillor, which was a vile personal attack on one of the most respected Councillors in the area.

Legal action is being sought against the author of the letter.

(Coalville Times Page 3 dated 4th April 2008 Apology).

After comments from the fascist BNP saying free booze was no longer available after full council meeting in the Coalville Times last week, the lib Dems asked the chief exec of the council to clarify the situation and give us the true facts.

 Yesterday the chief exec of the council sent an e-mail confirming what the BNP have been saying is NOT TRUE, free booze is still available, and the BNP, Labour and Tory members can continue to use this facility.

The BNP even admitted on one of their websites they have used this facility. The Liberal Democrats have never used this facility, and we will continue to expose this waste of public money, which the BNP, Tories and Labour participate.
 

Councillors Dominic McGill, Julie Roberts and Michael Wyatt are having regular meetings with East Midlands Housing Association to discuss local issues. If you are a residents in Agar Nook and have any issues you wish for us to take up on your behalf please let us know so we can continue to make a real difference.

So far new railings have been put up on Rochdale Crescent to help stop cars parking on the corner making it dangerous. Also after meeting with East Midlands Housing they agreed to put a fence on the footpath off York Place.

New border fencing has been put around the grassed area on Rochdale Crescent to make it safer for children playing on the green.

Local BNP fascists have tried to cover up the fact free booze is available after full council meetings for councillors. According to the BNP in a letter to the Coalville Times the free booze was stopped last May. They say the council agreed to have a honesty box.

Infact this was never put into practice due to legal reasons. The Lib Dems tried to scrap the free booze at the last budget meeting but this was defeated after BNP, Labour and Tory Councillors voted against the Lib Dem Budget proposal to scrap freebies for Councillors including free parking permits.

The truth is, the booze tab is still being picked up by the council taxpayer. Anyone wanting confirmation that council taxpayers money is still being used to pay for free booze can write to the chief executive of the council.

 Cllr Michael Wyatt said, “This is typical of the BNP, they have not got a clue whats going on. They say one thing and do another. Thats why more and more people are turning their backs on the BNP.  How can anyone believe what they say when they can not even get their facts right”.

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors are pleased to announce new equipment and a new footpath on Cropston Drive is finally being installed.

 Your Liberal Democrat councillors requested the footpath after local residents asked local Councillor Julie Roberts for help. Cllr Julie Roberts said, “We are delighted to see at last the new footpath and new equipment being installed. We will continue to push for more improvements to the area. Labour neglected the area for decades, now you have three local Lib Dem Councillors we are finally seeing the area change for the better”.

The Tory bosses at the District Council last night showed their complete embarrassment after being exposed for their lack of vision by the Liberal Democrats.

 Michael Wyatt said “At the meeting members of the ruling group voted against our budget, which would of scrapped free booze for councillors and free parking permits. Our proposal was to only raise the council tax by 1.5%, which is the lowest ever rate increase put forward by any political party in North West Leics”.

 The Tories voted to keep the free booze, free parking permits and raise council tax by 2%. They also voted to create a whopping £250,000 Tory slush fund. 

We can only hope they will spend this money on better services for the people of North West Leics, but knowing the Tories they will try and spent it on Tory pet projects, which will not really make any difference to the vast majority of the people of North West Leics.

At the Environment Scrutiny committee Councillor Michael Wyatt, a member of the committee asked for a report to be brought to members so they can scrutinise the continued fiasco surrounding the future of the Market. 

Cllr Michael Wyatt, Leader of the Lib Dem Group said “The confusion around the future of Coalville Market is becoming a complete farce and needs to be addressed urgently. I have asked for a report to be represented to members of the committee so we can scrutinise what’s going on and give market traders an opportunity to express their concerns.  We cannot continue to allow the Market to sit in limbo. It’s nothing but a disgrace. The people who use the market and the traders need to know the truth. Rumours are ruining trade and making this council look stupid”