[Liverpool Liberal Party]
>News, Views and Reports from the Liberal Party in Liverpool...<
 


Wednesday, October 31, 2007

 

Ref Tynwald Hill former Play Area

Application for 8 Semi Detatched Houses Approved

 We are delighted to confirm the application has now been granted by the Planning Department.This is despite us having to overcome the restrictive HMRI policy inhibiting housing in Stoneycroft

 Whilst we can not control the development, it will now be up to the new owners to start work as they see fit

 We hope by passing the application in such a quick fashion it will encourage them to proceed

 Thanks for such an overwhelming support from residents ,which no doubt contributed to this speedy decision

 Warmest Regards

 Councillors Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton

Liberal Party Councillors for Tuebrook and Stoneycroft

author: Steve | 10/31/07 13:35 | comments

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Delays hit plans for top school

LIVERPOOL’S first superschool is on hold after its planners were sent back to the drawing board.

Education officials were hoping to get the go-ahead from the council’s planning committee yesterday to rebuild ageing, split-site West Derby comprehensive on playing fields in Tuebrook.

But their £27m scheme – the first of a series of plans to rebuild or refurbish Liverpool’s secondary schools – met with a stinging response from councillors.

They refused to approve the plan, telling officers they wanted more details about which other sites were considered and what the impact on traffic would be.

They also heavily criticised a proposal to replace the lost open space behind the Peter Lloyd leisure centre by turning part of nearby Newsham Park into playing fields.

Officials have to return to the council’s planning committee

Assistant education director Tim Warren said: “Children need a proper environment where we can make a real difference to their lives. Some of those benefits will be shared by the community.

“There are some unwanted changes within this proposal for local people. But ultimately, the greater benefits of this scheme massively outweigh them.”

But councillors accused officials of not providing enough detail on crucial elements, such as how much extra traffic would be generated and how playing fields would be replaced.

Liberal group leader and Tuebrook councillor Steve Radford said: “We are enthusiastic supporters of a new school, but emotional blackmail should not be used to give us a substandard site.

“We would suggest Lister Drive industrial estate gives us the ideal opportunity to build a new school.”

The planning committee decided the plan should be deferred to a later date.

Liverpool’s Building Schools For The Future programme was first unveiled in the ECHO four years ago.

The project is being paid for by the government, which has allocated £420m to the city.

author: Steve | 10/24/07 19:03 | comments

‘Green space’ campaigners halt plans to build school

PROTESTERS have succeeded in halting plans to build a school on Millbank playing fields, off West Derby and Bankfield Roads in Tuebrook.

Councillors have now called on education officials in the city to seek a brownfield site for a replacement building for West Derby Comprehensive.

Opponents campaigned for the site to be spared with a “save our green space” message to members of the council planning committee.

The council’s planning committee had been urged by planning officers to give the go-ahead to the £27m scheme, saying replacement playing fields would be found.

Instead, the committee backed an amendment from Liberal Democrat member Peter Allen calling instead for officers to seek an alternative brownfield site.

The scheme, part of the massive Building Schools for the Future Programme, will be held up while alternative sites are examined.

Politicians said they were unhappy at the loss of green space as well as the problems of traffic chaos in the Bankfield area.

Last night, local Liberal councillor Steve Radford, one of the key objectors, welcomed the decision. He said: “Other local authorities have been able to build new schools without resorting to using greenfield sites, so why can’t Liverpool do the same?”

The plan would have meant both West Derby Comprehensive School and the Ernest Cookson School of Excellence being located on Millbank playing fields site, close to the Peter Lloyd leisure centre.

The campaign, led by KLiberal Party Leader, Cllr Radford, based objections to the proposed plan on potential loss of playing fields, car parking issues, flood risk assessment and traffic issues as well as access to the proposed premises from busy West Derby Road.

Tuebrook residents protested that traffic on West Derby Road would be congested, disrupting one of the main traffic arteries into the city.

One local resident protested: “I just don’t know how we are going to handle it. It’s just so congested, somebody will eventually be killed and if all this is to be built on Millbank, it will not be safe there.”

Some residents raised concern over their safety saying they would need strong barriers in front of their homes.

“We have lost a number of playing fields over the years and are losing a lot of green areas and haven’t much left,” said another objector.

author: Steve | 10/24/07 19:00 | comments

Plea for Marconi pensions to be safeguarded

A MASSIVE £2.5bn pension scheme, responsible for thousands of former Merseyside Plessey and Marconi staff, is about to change hands to an offshore company, in a deal worth almost £400m.

Former Marconi personnel manager Steve Radford revealed last night he has written to Merseyside MPs to enlist their support to ensure the pension pot is protected.

A Guernsey-based company has made an offer to buy Telent, a residual company set up following the collapse of Marconi and GPT in the 1990s.

The board of Telent are recom- mending shareholders to accept the offer, which will give the new off-shore owners control of a massive pension fund, affecting thousands of ex-employees across Merseyside of what was once one of the region’s biggest employers, Plessey, Marconi and GPT.

The prospective new owners of Telent and its pension scheme have assured Merseyside pension-ers that the management of the scheme will be in safe hands.

Cllr Radford, leader of the minority Liberal group on the city council, represents the Marconi/Plessey pensioners on a pension fund consultative com-mittee, representing views of fund members to Telent.

Cllr Radford has asked local MPs to raise the issue in the House of Commons to seek guarantees that their future pensions are protected.

He said: “I, like tens of thousands of other Plessey, GPT and Marconi employees living in Merseyside, want to enlist the support of our MPs over this takeover. While the takeover is good news for Telent share-holders, I am not sure the 63,000 global members in the pension scheme, will see it that way.”

Cllr Radford said the takeover will give access to the Pension Corporation of pension funds worth £2.54bn, and an escrow pot worth more than £500m.

He said: “My main concern is Telent have managed the pension fund in a prudent way, using low risk gilts and bonds that give assured income. My worry is the Pension Corporation will not invest in the same investment vehicles.

“I do not want to see the Government relaxing rules of the rights of firms to interfere with or dispose of final salary pension schemes. I believe there should be tighter rules to protect pensions.”

Telent employs 2,000 people and is based in Coventry. In the year to March, 2007, Telent generated a profit of £24m.

author: Steve | 10/24/07 18:55 | comments

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

BANKFIELD FIELDS VICTORY

 The Planning Cmte voted 5 to 4 to reject the application to build on Millbank and demand education look at alternative brownfield sites

 Thanks for everyones support _ we are  both elated and exhausted

 We are so grateful for everyone who sent in the petitions, wrote to local newspapers, helped deliver leaflets

 Nor could we have have done it without so many resdents turning up and so many speaking at the Town Hall

 We know many were really nervous about speaking, but the impact was astounding.

We are so proud of the community we represent and the confidence and support you have given us wanting to ensure we do have a new school for the future in the best location but not in the middle of dangerous congestion

 Steve, Chris and Hazel

author: Steve | 10/23/07 16:50 | comments

Monday, October 22, 2007

Liverpool Echo Letters Page 22nd Oct       Turn up to protest

RE: Proposed new school for West Derby Boys. The operative word here is proposed.

The planning meeting does not take place until Tuesday October 23 at 10am, so why are they spending money already and have men, plant and machinery on the playing field, doing bore testing?

Are we being shafted yet again by this council and it is all cut and dried and we are just going through the motions?

If we don't want any more building on the few green spaces we have in the city, I would ask everyone to turn up at the planning meeting to show support.

It is Tuebrook today, it could be you tomorrow.

There is brownfield site available, much more suitable for traffic etc, in Lister Drive, but because it means spending some money to extend the site, they won't consider it.

J. B., full name and address supplied

author: Steve | 10/22/07 22:12 | comments

Friday, October 19, 2007

CAN we thank the dozens of individual residents, Tuebrook Central Residents Association and local police for providing supporting evidence to alleygate the entry between Windsor Road Pierhead Estate and Marlborough Road.

Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton

author: Steve | 10/19/07 20:22 | comments

Bars face ‘open your loos to all’ rules

NEW bars and restaurants in Liverpool could be forced to open up their toilets to non-customers.

The move is being considered in an attempt to increase the number of loos available to the public outside the city centre.

There are 10 official conveniences in Liverpool city centre, but none in surrounding communities, compared with up to 19 in places including Manchester and Birmingham.

Toilet blocks were closed permanently years ago, with shoppers and pedestrians advised to use supermarket facilities instead.

But amid concerns from councillors that there are no public toilets in popular areas including Lark Lane, officials are discussing using planning laws to improve the situation.

When new bars and restaurants are given planning permission, a condition could be imposed forcing them to allow non-customers to use their WCs.

A council spokesman said: “Public toilets in residential areas were closed due to their poor condition, association with anti-social behaviour and the fact they did not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

“In Liverpool, many shops, pubs and restaurants make their toilets available to the public.

“But there is an opportunity to make more formal arrangements, which will require public premises to allow non-customers to use their toilets.

“This will be achieved through the planning process.”

Meanwhile, the council has confirmed it has no plans to reopen mothballed facilities in high streets across Liverpool’s suburbs. Instead, it is planning to sell many of the sites to developers so they can be either converted into other uses or demolished.

For example, the toilets at the junction of Lark Lane, Aigburth Road and Livingston Drive are being auctioned.

Liberal group leader Steve Radford, who has campaigned for action to be taken on closed conveniences in West Derby Road, Tuebrook, welcomed the move.

He said: “They are an eyesore a magnet for dumping, and gangs throw rubble off the roof.

“But they occupy a prime location and that land could be used for something meaningful.”

nick.coligan@liverpool.com

 

author: Steve | 10/19/07 20:16 | comments

Monday, October 15, 2007

Seven Days -  D Day to Save Bankfield Playing Fields

Dear Friends

 Can you please pass the word urgently we will need as many people as possible attend the Planning Committee, Town Hall Dale Street at 10.00 on Tuesday 23rd October, the postal strike will hinder me getting letters out

 In order to prepare for that meeting can you also invite people to a further public meeting at the Hope Centre this Sunday 21st October at 2

 However the most important thing is getting as many people as possibleto the planning committee week Tuesday for 10.00

 By the way we are the firsat item to be debated

 The recent builders on site are only running test bore holes. Planning permission has not been given

 Flyers are being printed for the weekend

 Thanks

 

Steve Radford

author: Steve | 10/15/07 21:41 | comments

Tuebrook and Anfield Children's Parents Services

Last updated: 4/10/07

    Weekly Activity Timetable (Venue1)

All activities/services shown on this page take place at our satellite site named below (unless stated otherwise in table):

Anfield Sports & Community Centre, Lower Breck Road, Liverpool L6 OAG

 

 

 


This timetable is continually being updated to include new and exciting services for you and your family.

So to avoid disappointment please ring to check activity details before you attend.

Mums, dads/male carers, and grandparents are all welcome to attend our activities

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

AM

 

Stay & Play

9.15am – 11am

Led by:

Positively Inspiring Parents (PIPS) and Sue.

For parents and

 their children  to play and learn together.

 

Baby Massage

11.15am – 12 noon

(for babies from

 6 -12 weeks old)

     Led by: Midwife/

            CC staff.

To encourage baby relaxation and bonding between parent and baby

 

REED in Partnership

10.00am – 12 noon

(every 2 weeks - starting 18th July)

Drop in Advice and guidance to assist lone parents into employment.

 For more information call Hayley on 222 5575

Health Visitors   Developmental Reviews

9.30am – 11.30am

(for babies up to 2 years)

Led by:

Health Visiting team.

 Developmental checks for babies up to 24 months.

 

 

 

New

 services starting

soon

PM

Listening Together

2.00pm  - 3.00pm

(6 week programme starting 1st

October)

Led by: Fran.

For children aged 2 and their parents to help develop early listening and language skills thr ough play activities.

 

Post Natal Clinic

1.30pm – 3pm

Led by: Midwife

Offering support and advice to parents of babies aged up to 4 weeks

 

  

New

 services

starting

soon

Behaviour Matters

1.00pm – 3.00pm

(10 week programme starting 20th September)

Led by: Family Learning.

Tips, advice and support to help you cope with your child’s outbursts.

NB: for places on course and for crèche (if req) please contact Pat on tel no below

 

Stay & Play inc Story & Rhymes

1.30pm – 2.45pm

Led by: Pat.

Have fun with your child and encourage their learning through play. Enhance and develop your child’s speech and language

 

                        = means you need to book your place/s before attending this activity service by ringing 260 8458

               = Crèche places (limited) for pre-school children is available for this activity. To book please ring 260 8458

 

 

   Weekly Activity Timetable (Venue 2)

All activities/services shown on this page take place at our satellite site named below (unless stated otherwise in table):

Tuebrook Hope Centre, St John’s Church, Snaefell Avenue, Liverpool L13 7EA

(Entrance is via St John Church on West Derby Road – follow path around church to Tuebrook Hope Centre)

 

 

 

 

 

 


This timetable is continually being updated to include new and exciting services for you and your family.

So to avoid disappointment please ring to check activity details before you attend.

Mums, dads/male carers, and grandparents are all welcome to attend our activities

 

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

AM

 

 

 

New

 services starting

soon

 

 

Babbling Babies

10.00am – 11.00am

(6 week programme starting 2nd October)

Led by: Irene.

Ba Ba

For babies under 12 months old and their parents. To help promote communication and social interaction.

 

Infant Massage

10.30am – 11.30am

(5 week rolling programme starting 1st August)

Led by: Irene. Suitable for newborn babies up to age 12 months.

 

Stay and Play

10.00am –

11.15am

 

Led by: Fran.

For mums, dads/male carers, granddads, and their children, enjoying interactive play.

Infant Feeding/

Breast Feeding

Support

10am –  12 noon

Led by: Midwifery team.

For parents/carers, and mums-to- be, who would like advice and guidance on infant feeding and/or breast feeding. Drop in and meet other parents in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

PM

 

New

 services starting

soon

 

 Young Parent  Group

1.00pm – 3.00pm

(every 2 weeks -

 starting from 14th August)

Led by: Youth Service and Sue.

Come along and meet other young parents with their children. Will include: pamper sessions and talks on key topics.

 

What’s Sleep!

1.30pm -  3.30pm

(starts 17th October)

Led by:

Fran and

 Irene.

Advice and support to parents on sleeping.

 

 

 

New

 services

starting

soon

 

 

 

New

 services

starting

soon

 

                                            = means you need to book your place/s before attending this activity service by ringing 260 8458

                  = Crèche places (limited) for pre-school children is available for this activity. To book please ring 260 8458

 

author: Steve | 10/15/07 12:27 | comments

Monday, October 08, 2007

Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councillors
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
07920090322
 
Dear Editor
 
Can we please advise and thank the dozens of individual residents, Tuebrook Central Residents Association
and Local Police for providing supporting evidence to alley gate the entry between Windsor Road Pierhead Estate and Marlborough Road
Without doubt this was one of the worst trouble spots for vandalism over the last year
 
We are delighted the Traffic and Highways Committee supported the application at its hearing on Monday 8th October,
we look forward to the gate being erected within the month
 
Lastly we would assure residents further hot spots in Claude/Lampeter/ Clarendon Roads, Woburn Hill /Bowley Road
 and in the Rockhouse, Morecambe street area are scheduled for alleygating this financial year
 
Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Councillors

author: Steve | 10/08/07 18:22 | comments

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Alley Gate Hearing Monday 8th October at 9.30 Millenium House

Marlborough - Windsor Roads

Liberal Party Councillor Steve Radford will be urging Councillors authorise the gating of a passageway between Windsor Road and Marlborough Road, Tuebrook. Come along and make your views known. The views of three hundred residents have been sought by letter

author: Steve | 10/07/07 16:08 | comments

Cllr Steve Radford
President of The Liberal Party
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
07920090322
 
Dear Editor
 
Regardless of the prime Minister's decision to postpone the expected election, Liberal Party members are confident to take up the challenge whenever it comes
 
At out 122nd Liberal Party Assembly the Party adopted radical and distinct policies including:
 
Abolishing the current inheritance tax system and the numerous exemptions
 
Replace it with a tax based on taxing the recipients at a marginal rate of 10%, not 40%
 
Giving all British born young people a capital grant of £10,000 at 25.
 
Where young people from age 18 are able to show use of the money for educational courses, vocational training, start up of businesses or home purchase the grant to paid earlier.
 
This exciting policy of universal inheritance will help young people to break out of the poverty trap and encourage enterprise
 
Liberals also proposed integrating income tax and national insurance into one system ,with tax only starting from a threshold of £10,000. Millions of low paid would be immediately taken out of a repressive tax system. At the same time the excessive bureaucracy of numerous overlapping benefits would be cut back and simplified
 
Liberals are determined to restore the work ethic and cut the dependency culture in society
 
Debating the new EU treaty Liberals are demanding the British people have the right to vote on this new Euro Super State and want to reverse the centralising powers of the EU
 
Whenever the election comes ,we wish to turn the country round, close the inequality in wealth gap and engineer a tax and benefits  system that encourages work , savings and enterprise
 
 
Cllr Steve Radford
President of The Liberal Party
 

author: Steve | 10/07/07 16:00 | comments

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Cllr Steve Radford

Leader Liberal Party Group

 

Dear Editor,

 I was pleased to support residents from the Stanley Residents Association in objecting to the Stanley Public House becoming a 40 bed hostel.(planning Committee 2nd Oct)

 There is already a disconcerting presence of the Salvation Army Hostel here on Prescot Road, Stanley

 The application lacked training or communal facilities for looking after the 40 or so singe young men

 Most astounding of all this area is designated for redevelopment into a light industrial estate.

 The view of the Planning managers that a hostel for under 25 single men would not undermine efforts to redevelop the area for a light industrial estate ,I thought was beyond belief. Fortunately Planning Committee members rejected the application

 We would like to see the new West Derby School, with its science and commercial interests , integrated in the redevelopment of the Stanley Lister Drive business / industrial estate

 

Cllr Steve Radford

Leader Liberal Party Group

author: Steve | 10/03/07 00:08 | comments