Jubilee News May 2016
Jubilee Ward News May 2016
Government Cuts Threaten Thornton Cleveleys Libraries The threat of closure to a large number of Libraries across Lancashire and our own libraries in both Cleveleys and Thornton should be a concern to us all. After all, Libraries are an important part of our community, and their value cannot be overstated. The Damaging Policy In recent weeks and months we have seen Government U-turns on their disability benefit cuts policy, their child refugee policy, and most recently their academies policy. These U-turns are very welcome but an unanswered question is how did they come up with those damaging policies in the first place? It’s the same “It shouldn’t be overlooked question on the that our Conservative MP, Paul Government’s huge Public Spending cuts policy Maynard, has continually voted and the impact on services. It for public spending cuts” shouldn’t be overlooked that our Conservative MP, Paul Maynard, has continually voted for public spending cuts despite the Government not having completed a thorough analysis of the impact of those cuts. The fact the Government didn’t do this and haven’t planned an acceptable way forward for various services is negligent and unprofessional at best. What did the Government believe would be the end result of their policy? Balancing The Books Labour argue that you don’t balance the books by hitting key public services such as social care, public transport, and libraries, whilst at the same time prioritising tax cuts to millionaires, letting big corporations pay less tax than their fair share, and allowing tax evasion and avoidance via tax havens such as Panama. The real solution to the incessant attack on Public Services is to persuade the Government to abandon their failed policies. It was Labour that defeated the Government on making further cuts to the police service and with public support we must try do the same with the cuts in funding to County Councils. In The Meantime Without a change of Government policy, services will need to adapt (like the buses with no subsidies). During the 12 week ‘Library’ consultation which is expected to go ahead from 18 May it is important that we all make our feelings known. Thornton Cleveleys Labour Councillors will of course be lobbying our County Council colleagues in an attempt to protect these vital services. We need to think outside the box, considering additional uses, sharing resources, and reviewing opening hours.
BY ? D E TS S O CU L C RY TO Bus Service Update
by Councillor Rob Fail With unprecedented Government cuts to Lancashire County Council (LCC) budgets something was always going to give. With little if any option, LCC withdrew subsidies for a number of local bus services as part of a plan to tackle a projected £262 million funding gap by 2020/21. Although Stagecoach stopped running a number of the Cleveleys services (74, 84 and 87), Catch22 have filled some of the void left by introducing services 22 and 24. One of a number of resident concerns which I took to the Wyre Council Transport Task Group in February was that Cleveleys residents wouldn’t be able to get to Poulton without going via Blackpool. Thankfully the introduction of the 24 service removes that concern, at least during the daytime, and with the 22 extending to Fleetwood there is at least another option to get there if walking to the tram or number one bus at Rossall Road / Broadway isn’t possible. The position with the revised bus services is still evolving and hopefully matters will improve further. If you have a particular difficulty with the new services then please provide me with details of your issue.
Do you need Rob’s help?
You can contact Rob via email - [email protected]; or telephone - 01253 863680
Getting Cleveleys Back On Track Councillor Rob Fail reflects...
In February we had the fantastic news for residents and businesses in both Cleveleys and Fleetwood that Lancashire County Council (LCC) and Blackpool Council had negotiated both the continuation of the maintenance subsidy and the re-introduction of the concessionary fares for those of pensionable age here in Wyre. I would like to thank all the Jubilee residents who supported the reinstatement and particularly those who completed the tram survey that I issued in December. The data was passed to LCC to help in negotiations. The Labour Group on Wyre Council campaigned hard for the reinstatement of the passes and it just shows that hard work pays off in the end.
Government Cuts
With budget pressures on almost every single council service, the reinstatement of concessionary fares was a bold but very welcome decision for all concerned. I have to say though that it was both sad and frustrating that the tram passes were withdrawn in the first place, but it just shows you what happens when policy, Government or otherwise, is not thought through. It is abundantly clear to me that the impact of the devastating cuts to Council funding (hundreds of millions in the case of LCC) was not even close to being properly assessed by the Government. It is also fairly evident from the Conservative literature over the last year or so that the MP, Paul Maynard, and local Conservative Councillors have been, and indeed still are, in denial with regard to the reason for the withdrawal of the passes. Their attempts to deflect the blame away from the crux of the matter have been both unhelpful and disingenuous and have only contributed to the delay in reinstating the passes.
The Future
Although the reinstatement is cause for renewed optimism in North Fylde, we should not rest on our laurels. In my view it is crucial that we continue to press for a Fylde Coast wide integrated transport plan that delivers fairness and consistency for all Fylde residents, and also try to tackle the Government’s inconsistent approach that exists across public transport. The current anomaly of not providing Councils with funding for tram concessions is, and remains, wholly unacceptable. Without funding Councils should not be expected to take responsibility.
Rejuvenating Jubilee Gardens by Councillor Rob Fail
In December’s Jubilee Ward News I reported meeting with the Council Officers to discuss improving Jubilee Gardens, and also to look at options for obtaining grant funding. Following some initial discussions a ‘Friends of Jubilee Gardens’ Group was formed on 22 Feb 2016 with the aim of rejuvenating the Park, promoting better use, and improving health and wellbeing. It was recognised that before the Group could move forward with ideas and plans for improvement, the Group needed to take a fundamental look at the make-up of the Park, its design, the positive aspects, and the problems it has. The Group wants the opinions of local residents and users to determine priorities and shape the Group’s remit. In the coming weeks, Friends Of Jubilee Gardens will be sending out surveys, so please look out for a survey if you don’t receive one with this newsletter. The Friends Group isn’t political; I would have been part of the Group whichever Party I supported. The important thing is the future of Jubilee Gardens, and it would be of enormous help to the Group if you could complete a survey. If you want a survey emailed to you, or you wish to join the Group then please get in touch with me.
Promoted by Rob Fail on behalf of Thornton Cleveleys Labour Party, both at 5 Ocean Way, Cleveleys, FY5 1FE. Printed by Pilgrim Marketing, 48 Calder Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 2TR
Government Cuts Threaten Thornton Cleveleys Libraries The threat of closure to a large number of Libraries across Lancashire and our own libraries in both Cleveleys and Thornton should be a concern to us all. After all, Libraries are an important part of our community, and their value cannot be overstated. The Damaging Policy In recent weeks and months we have seen Government U-turns on their disability benefit cuts policy, their child refugee policy, and most recently their academies policy. These U-turns are very welcome but an unanswered question is how did they come up with those damaging policies in the first place? It’s the same “It shouldn’t be overlooked question on the that our Conservative MP, Paul Government’s huge Public Spending cuts policy Maynard, has continually voted and the impact on services. It for public spending cuts” shouldn’t be overlooked that our Conservative MP, Paul Maynard, has continually voted for public spending cuts despite the Government not having completed a thorough analysis of the impact of those cuts. The fact the Government didn’t do this and haven’t planned an acceptable way forward for various services is negligent and unprofessional at best. What did the Government believe would be the end result of their policy? Balancing The Books Labour argue that you don’t balance the books by hitting key public services such as social care, public transport, and libraries, whilst at the same time prioritising tax cuts to millionaires, letting big corporations pay less tax than their fair share, and allowing tax evasion and avoidance via tax havens such as Panama. The real solution to the incessant attack on Public Services is to persuade the Government to abandon their failed policies. It was Labour that defeated the Government on making further cuts to the police service and with public support we must try do the same with the cuts in funding to County Councils. In The Meantime Without a change of Government policy, services will need to adapt (like the buses with no subsidies). During the 12 week ‘Library’ consultation which is expected to go ahead from 18 May it is important that we all make our feelings known. Thornton Cleveleys Labour Councillors will of course be lobbying our County Council colleagues in an attempt to protect these vital services. We need to think outside the box, considering additional uses, sharing resources, and reviewing opening hours.
BY ? D E TS S O CU L C RY TO Bus Service Update
by Councillor Rob Fail With unprecedented Government cuts to Lancashire County Council (LCC) budgets something was always going to give. With little if any option, LCC withdrew subsidies for a number of local bus services as part of a plan to tackle a projected £262 million funding gap by 2020/21. Although Stagecoach stopped running a number of the Cleveleys services (74, 84 and 87), Catch22 have filled some of the void left by introducing services 22 and 24. One of a number of resident concerns which I took to the Wyre Council Transport Task Group in February was that Cleveleys residents wouldn’t be able to get to Poulton without going via Blackpool. Thankfully the introduction of the 24 service removes that concern, at least during the daytime, and with the 22 extending to Fleetwood there is at least another option to get there if walking to the tram or number one bus at Rossall Road / Broadway isn’t possible. The position with the revised bus services is still evolving and hopefully matters will improve further. If you have a particular difficulty with the new services then please provide me with details of your issue.
Do you need Rob’s help?
You can contact Rob via email - [email protected]; or telephone - 01253 863680
Getting Cleveleys Back On Track Councillor Rob Fail reflects...
In February we had the fantastic news for residents and businesses in both Cleveleys and Fleetwood that Lancashire County Council (LCC) and Blackpool Council had negotiated both the continuation of the maintenance subsidy and the re-introduction of the concessionary fares for those of pensionable age here in Wyre. I would like to thank all the Jubilee residents who supported the reinstatement and particularly those who completed the tram survey that I issued in December. The data was passed to LCC to help in negotiations. The Labour Group on Wyre Council campaigned hard for the reinstatement of the passes and it just shows that hard work pays off in the end.
Government Cuts
With budget pressures on almost every single council service, the reinstatement of concessionary fares was a bold but very welcome decision for all concerned. I have to say though that it was both sad and frustrating that the tram passes were withdrawn in the first place, but it just shows you what happens when policy, Government or otherwise, is not thought through. It is abundantly clear to me that the impact of the devastating cuts to Council funding (hundreds of millions in the case of LCC) was not even close to being properly assessed by the Government. It is also fairly evident from the Conservative literature over the last year or so that the MP, Paul Maynard, and local Conservative Councillors have been, and indeed still are, in denial with regard to the reason for the withdrawal of the passes. Their attempts to deflect the blame away from the crux of the matter have been both unhelpful and disingenuous and have only contributed to the delay in reinstating the passes.
The Future
Although the reinstatement is cause for renewed optimism in North Fylde, we should not rest on our laurels. In my view it is crucial that we continue to press for a Fylde Coast wide integrated transport plan that delivers fairness and consistency for all Fylde residents, and also try to tackle the Government’s inconsistent approach that exists across public transport. The current anomaly of not providing Councils with funding for tram concessions is, and remains, wholly unacceptable. Without funding Councils should not be expected to take responsibility.
Rejuvenating Jubilee Gardens by Councillor Rob Fail
In December’s Jubilee Ward News I reported meeting with the Council Officers to discuss improving Jubilee Gardens, and also to look at options for obtaining grant funding. Following some initial discussions a ‘Friends of Jubilee Gardens’ Group was formed on 22 Feb 2016 with the aim of rejuvenating the Park, promoting better use, and improving health and wellbeing. It was recognised that before the Group could move forward with ideas and plans for improvement, the Group needed to take a fundamental look at the make-up of the Park, its design, the positive aspects, and the problems it has. The Group wants the opinions of local residents and users to determine priorities and shape the Group’s remit. In the coming weeks, Friends Of Jubilee Gardens will be sending out surveys, so please look out for a survey if you don’t receive one with this newsletter. The Friends Group isn’t political; I would have been part of the Group whichever Party I supported. The important thing is the future of Jubilee Gardens, and it would be of enormous help to the Group if you could complete a survey. If you want a survey emailed to you, or you wish to join the Group then please get in touch with me.
Promoted by Rob Fail on behalf of Thornton Cleveleys Labour Party, both at 5 Ocean Way, Cleveleys, FY5 1FE. Printed by Pilgrim Marketing, 48 Calder Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 2TR
