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Friday, May 30, 2008
Appeal for Residents help with Anti Crime Campaign inTuebrook and Stoneycroft
Dear Neighbours
From tomorrow and over the next 6 months we hope to reach over 3000 local homes and provide significant anti crime kits free of charge
From our ward allocation we have purchased £6000 of anti crime kits to distribute
Part of the kit will include a device which will switch your home lights on and off when you are away e.g. holiday
The second part will be a smart water marker.
By putting your house number, followed by post code on all valuables, e.g. TV, bikes, DVD act. It will mean if stolen the goods can be traced back to you, it will help police catch the criminals.
Most importantly by aiming to get virtually every household in the district marked up by this invisible ink. We will have a real deterrent to prevent crime in the first place.
The smart water pens in a kit will actually mark up 6 homes
We are therefore asking you if you would look after 6 homes, your own plus five friends or neighbours in the Tuebrook/ Stoneycroft Ward
If you are up for helping out. Please e mail your name and home address and the five addresses you will look after. (at tuebrookhope@hotmail.co.uk)
We are approaching dozens of community groups and churches to help this campaign so we can roll out the 3000 kits with maximum speed
We have already done a presentation to the Tuebrook Hope Centre seniors Group and Tuebrook Line Dancers. If you have a community group we could speak to about the scheme, please let me know.
Having secured a large number of houses through groups and contacts such as yourselves,we will then individually knock outstanding households (thus why we need keep a list of homes assisted)
Over the last five years we have made tremendous efforts to drive down crime, this will be a major initiative not seen in any other district
Over and above this we as local councillors have requested again this year £45,000 is spent to purchase extra police patrols in the area
We are sure everyone will rally round and this effort will help build up a real sense of neighbourhood confidence, its a great opportunity to invite new residents join in.
Warmest regards
Steve, Chris and Hazel
author: Steve | 05/30/08 00:33
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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Liberal Party Response to proposed combining 2009 Local and Euro Elections
From Councillor Steve Radford
President of The Liberal Party
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935
07920090322
To Rt. Hon Hazel Blears MP
Secretary State for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
e mail to 2009elections@communities.gov.uk
Firstly may we thank the Secretary of State for Communities for consulting The Liberal Party over the proposal to combine Local and European Elections in 2009.
It is the robust view of The Liberal Party that there are considerable benefits reducing the numbers of times electors are expected to attend for voting in any reasonable period.
We have long held the view that there should be a democracy day whereby all elections are held on one day in any calendar year.
However if we are to combine elections on one "Democracy Day" there is a real danger that the local aspect" of the elections is unduly influenced by national political considerations, the impact being exaggerated by the first past post voting system.
Therefore we would only support this change as part of a more fundamental reform to energise local democracy.
This should include:
Consideration should be made for this to be a National (Bank) holiday
The Government should consider facilitating a public information booklet, whereby each and every candidate/party contesting that electoral area is able to make one modest election address in one booklet. This to be paid for and distributed as a booklet to each household from public funds
Local Councils should be able to vary the electoral systems to enable voting to take place by the Single Transferable Vote,
this would ensure there are no safe seats on any council and every vote has equal value wherever the resident lives.
We believe if councils were allowed to be elect by STV many would switch from annual elections to a four year cycle.
This option should at least be given to all councils operating the current multi member 3 ward system.
In the longer term ,it would allow more stability for wards whereby the numbers of councillors for the same ward could be increased or decreased to reflect population changes, rather than redrawing ward borders cutting across historic communities.
Again this would reduce the number of times electors are expected to vote whilst retaining a degree of stability that the current common annual local election system provides.
Lastly we have found the party list system used in the European Elections alienates many voters.
We would urge you to change this system to STV with the option to reduce the size of regions to areas more meaningful to the electorate.
We would oppose the combination of Local and European Elections, as it would have an unhealthy influence of national political issues blurring the local elections, unless it was part of a radical democratic reform of local government
including allowing communities to opt for STV.
We strongly urge you to broaden the remit of your consultation to include alternatives strategies.
Cllr Steve Radford
President of The Liberal Party
author: Steve | 05/29/08 08:37
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Monday, May 26, 2008
author: Steve | 05/26/08 23:15
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A City Councillor’s Personal View From Councillor Steve Radford
in Liverpool Scene Magazine
Election nights in Liverpool are never predictable; we never expect a national trend to take place here. Even a city-wide swing will have wide variations across the 30 wards. Whilst Liverpool is a major city, in many ways it is still an urban spread of many distinct village type communities.
Prior to the Council elections, as the leader of the opposition Liberal Party Group, I had a fair few phone calls from both Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders asking what we would do in the event of a hung council, as the third largest party.
We made it clear we would judge any administration on the following three criteria:
(1) the need for sound finance - Liverpool City Council is in my view a landlord of mass neglect, with many of the derelict buildings throughout the city being council owned!
(2) building on parks and open spaces – which would seem to be going against the very purpose for which they were created in the first place and which is just as much in need of today as yesterday
(3) the pathfinder policy, whereby thousands of terraced homes in working class communities are demolished – this has to be looked at afresh. In my view this laying waste whole housing districts must be stopped, for it is a peacetime equivalent to the military pathfinder policy of WWII in Germany
Council Housing Experts, that are paid hefty consultation fees confessed under cross examination, that they believe there are an additional 12,000 terraced homes that should be demolished on top of the current 3,000 homes already planned. As this would be politically explosive, the council officers are in complete denial as to what was said at the public enquiries.
The real victims of the council and partner Housing Associations boarding up houses and effectively blighting areas are those of us who have worked, saved and bought our modest terraced homes. The Joseph Rowntree Trust has gathered research suggesting that the average person, post demolition and compensation, would be approximately £35,000 worse off.
As the election results came in there was a real hope that the ruling Liberal Democrats would be forced to negotiate with The Liberal Party Group. The bulldozers were under threat.
Nadia Stewart, formerly of the Croxteth Labour party, who had previously fallen out with Cllr Rosie Bailey, walked to the Liberal Democrats giving then the magic 46 seats. The bulldozers were thus safe and thousands of terraced communities should now be wary that they are not next on the planned run-down to demolition.
One sign of hope is that the Labour Leader Cllr Joe Anderson recognises that this policy, funded by government, needs to be reviewed.
As Liverpool continues to demolish thousands of affordable homes, the waiting list for housing has soared to record heights. Cllr Joe Anderson also recognised that if the Labour Group had been closer to winning, this policy would have to be reviewed in a bid to garner Liberal Party co-operation.
In fairness he is experienced to consider the real harm the policy has done to local communities.
The next local elections are two years away. However just one further defection or a by-election could bring the whole balance into question and the bulldozers of four national building companies who have achieved an effective monopoly over sections of the city might find themselves put to grass.
Cllr Steve Radford
Steve is Leader of The Liberal Party Group and has served many years on the Housing Committee
author: Steve | 05/26/08 11:29
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Dinner Mattered more than Leighton Dene and Boaler Street care facilities
Cllrs Steve Radford and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Group
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
07920090322
Dear Editor
We wish to protest at two deeply disturbing aspects of the council's first annual meeting this year
You would have thought after being hammered by the electorate at the local elections the Lib Dems would have been in a listening mood, far from it !
They pressed ahead after a brief debate to stick with the closure of both Leighton Dene and Boaler Street Rehab and Care facilities.
Even more disturbing was that the newly elected Labour Mayor only allowed two speakers from both Lib Dems and Labour on this debate ,as there was a pressing need to sit for dinner
Having supported the call for a special council meeting on this issue we were more than disappointed at this debate being adjunct to the council annual meeting and given such a truncated time for debate.
As far as we were concerned the future of first class care facilities mattered more than a council dinner
Secondly, last year we had 8 scrutiny committees, they have now been reduced to 6.
The worst example must be a committee is now somehow expected to oversee Housing, Recycling , Parks/Environment, Community Safety and a host of other Neighbourhood issues.
We fear it represents a deliberate attempt to prevent elected members scrutinise the administratu=ion, officers and leading councillors alike.
There is a real danger that the council will make even more major mistakes , like the Matthew Street Festival Fiasco, if ordinary councillors have fewer and fewer opportunities to oversee the administration
The Liberal Democrats proclaim transparency and accountability , in practice they are are undermining democratic accountability at every turn
Councillors Steve Radford and Chris Lenton
Liberal Party Group
author: Steve | 05/21/08 11:19
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
New super school would look 'like Walton jail'
May 12 2008 by Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL’S first £27m super school was today likened to Walton jail.
Campaigners criticised an artist’s impression of the new West Derby Comprehensive, saying it looked more like a prison than a school.
They also claimed proposed parking spots would do little to prevent a growth in traffic on the already car-clogged Bankfield Road.
Council officials today stressed all views would be taken on board as consultation got under way. They stressed the futuristic school would transform “the quality of education for current and future generations of children.”
Playing fields behind Tuebrook’s Peter Lloyd leisure centre are earmarked for the site.
It will replace the existing ageing school, which is split across two sites off Bankfield Road and Quarry Road.
Special school Ernest Cookson, in nearby Mill Lane, would also move into the complex as part of a £400m makeover of the city’s schools.
The school, designed with the input of pupils, will include facilities ranging from cutting-edge computer equipment to a four-court sports hall, lecture theatre and recording studios.
But residents have objected, saying playing fields should not be sacrificed. They also predict big increases in traffic.
Tuebrook Liberal Party Cllr Hazel Williams said promises of car parking on the new school’s Bankfield Wing playground would not be enough to alleviate traffic .
She was also scathing about the design.
She said: “I am sorry to say my honest opinion is it looks like a jail and has the same look about it as Walton prison.
“From the word go, myself and Tuebrook residents have nothing against the school, but it’s in the wrong location and these plans have done nothing to change that view.”
Town hall planners insist the benefits of placing West Derby comprehensive on a single site outweigh objections.
A council spokesman said the detailed plans would be submitted in August.
He said: “We are seeking the views of parents, pupils and local people about the design and this will help influence the detailed planning application.”
author: Steve | 05/14/08 14:12
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Labour Attacks on Frank Field M.P.
18 Kerman Close
Liverpool
L12 5NH
0151 226 7873
FOR PUBLICATION
To the Editor
Gordon Brown's satraps should go back to their natural environment
underneath rocks rather than attack Frank Field for illustrating his
consistent support for those in poverty and their willingness to
undermine the low paid for positive headlines. It is obvious that Mr
Field and those associated with him wished for the government to get
its act together and indicate without equivocation that the income tax
increase on five million low-income people would not stand. This is
why they halted their rebellion some days before the Local Elections.
What the Chancellor then issued was totally unsatisfactory. The only
point the Chancellor made clear was that many people would not be
compensated and those who were might not find it backdated to the
start of the financial year.
Given the lack of clarity from the Government it is correct that those
who actually care about this issue need to keep up the pressure since
it could be November before the picture is fully fleshed out. People
on low incomes cannot plan on the basis of an unclear promise nor can
they pay a utility bill with a nod and a wink from Gordon and Co. As
things stand the obvious conclusion must be that the majority of the
Labour Party is comfortable with increasing the rate of income tax on
some of those least able to afford it. Given this state of affairs,
the black propaganda and briefing against Frank Field is evidence that
a smear campaign against an individual who has assiduously worked
against poverty for a generation is more natural to New Labour than a
policy change to aid those on low incomes.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Chris Lenton, Liverpool Liberal Party.
author: Steve | 05/13/08 15:43
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Friday, May 09, 2008
Walton residents hit out at 24-hr booze sales plan at Asda
Photograph of street meeting including Liberal Party Cllrs Steve Radford, Chris Lenton and Clubmoor Spokesperson Dennis Gaskell
May 8 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo
We don’t want 24-hr booze sales at Asda
RESIDENTS have hit out at a supermarket’s plan to sell booze 24 hours a day.
They fear problems with nuisance youths will spiral out of control if they can buy alcohol around the clock from Asda, in Walton.
The Utting Avenue store has applied to Liverpool council for a licence to sell beer, wine and spirits 24 hours a day, and keep its cafe open from 11pm to 5am, seven days a week.
Asda today claimed it would only use the late licence at particularly busy times, such as the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
But residents living near the store, which currently opens 8am-10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays, fear it will be the tip of the iceberg.
They have called on the council to reject the licence application, which was submitted last month.
David Marshall, 67, of Richard Kelly Drive, who lives opposite the store, said: “Our homes are only 100 yards away and we just know what will happen.
“Groups of people will come past in taxis on their way home from town and drop in there at 2am to carry on boozing.
“They will be able to have a party every night of the week.”
Liberal councillor Steve Radford, who is supporting residents’ opposition, said: “This area of Walton is essentially residential and the increasing ease with which youths are accessing alcohol is disturbing.
“Legislation has gone too far in favour of businesses being able to open at any hour they want.
“Residents in this area are already suffering so it would be utterly irresponsible to increase the supply of alcohol.”
An Asda spokesman insisted the store was not planning to open 24 hours a day full-time.
He said: “This is about enhancing our offer to customers when we need to, at times like Christmas and New Year.
“This licence would allow us to provide our full offers at these times of the year.”
The spokesman said Asda staff are trained to ask anyone buying alcohol who looks under 25 for identification.
He added: “We do not believe we have a problem with young people drinking in and around the store.”
author: Steve | 05/09/08 21:35
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Thursday, May 08, 2008
Printed Daily Post Letters Page 8th May : LFC Planning Debate
Dear Editor
No where greater was the collapse in the Lib Dem Vote and swing to Labour than the Anfield Ward
No doubt a significant contributing factors was the closures of Leighton Dene and Boaler Street rehab facilities and care facilities in Venmore Street
the administration could now show a signal of listening to the people by reconsidering their decisions in respect of these locations
Over and above that is a real bitter resentment that the Lib Dems lied by stealth over the whole Anfield Stadium issue. The plan was never for a 60,000 stadium
but a move towards a 75,000 seat stadium irrespective of the inability of the traffic schemes to cope
It was really disappointing at the first planning committee of the new municipal year the newly elected Labour Councillor for Anfield did not even appear,
showing the same disinterest of previous Lib Dem Councillors for Anfield for the biggest decision for Anfields future
It was truly noticed by all objectors with disdain
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group
author: Steve | 05/08/08 09:57
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Defections and Double Standards
open letter from Cllr Steve Radford
Dear Editor
Cllr Anderson (Letters Page Daily Post 8th May) hits out at Cllr Nadia Stewart defecting to the Lib Dems, her having been elected as a Labour Councillor, a matter I agree with
Is this the same Joe Anderson who welcomed defector Cllr Frankael only weeks earlier?
Cllr Anderson says he was in the process of pushing Nadia Stewart out of the Labour Group for poor attendance.
If that is the case he would have my sympathy, for we in The Liberal Party have formally disciplined former Liberal Party Councillors in Clubmoor for failing to carry out their duties, they were then opportunistically welcomed into the L:ib Dem Group
Without doubt many parties suffer from some councillors at some time or other not pulling their weight, however it was because this Government forced councils to pay all councillors a flat allowance irrespective of how many committees they serve on. let alone attend. Wiithout doubt the levels of attendance have dropped acroiss all committtees where the work is done
Can we urge Cllr Anderson to speak to his own government to corrects this nonsense
Lastly if Cllr Anderson has taken disciplinary action against Cllr Nadia Stewart for failing in her duties where is the evidence of that ?
For in the case of Clubmoor Labour Cllr Ben Williams persistent non attendance at any public events since the beginning of the year, we have no evidence of any disciplinary action being taken against him
In fact far from it , Cllr Anderson it appears intervened to prevent the Councillor resigning and had his Labour Group carry on having him appointed and paid for the Chairmanship of the Clubmoor Croxteth Norris Green Area Committee
There appears a blatant double standard to Cllr Andersons alleged actions in respect of non-attendance by Clr Stewart and the protection of Cllr Ben Williams
,This is compounded by a clear double standards in welcoming the defector Beatrice Frankael whilst condemning Cllr Stewart in the same breath for the same action
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group
author: Steve | 05/08/08 09:53
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Liverpool FC: Third stadium plan gets go-ahead
May 7 2008 by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL FC have been given the go-ahead for their third stadium plan - but it is still unclear when work will start.
Councillors approved the proposal for a £350m, 60,000-seater ground in Stanley Park at Liverpool town hall yesterday .
It was the third time in five years the council has backed a stadium scheme from the Reds.
But the futuristic design was given a rocky ride by some critics, who described it as “a giant extractor fan dropped from outer space” and “an architectural caricature of terminal five at Heathrow”.
Eventually, the nine-man planning committee approved New Anfield unanimously, hours after visiting the site and witnessing restoration work in the rest of Stanley park.
Chairman Dave Irving said: “It is quite exciting and will certainly benefit Anfield’s regeneration.”
Liverpool were today unable to give a start date for the stadium.
After American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett took over in February last year, they ordered a redesign and that plan was approved last summer.
It was then shelved and redrawn again by Dallas-based architects HKS earlier this year when the tycoons decided it was too expensive.
The scheme approved yesterday showed a number of changes, notably a smaller underground car park beneath the stadium and a reduced height.
Anfield resident Brian Woodbridge, a Reds supporter, said: “I think it is a wonderful stadium and the last one wasn’t bad.
“I want them to build a big stadium – 100,000-seater, if they like – but not on our park.
“Would you consider it being built on Sefton Park or Calderstones Park? Of course you wouldn’t.”
Liberal councillor Steve Radford told the committee: “If anyone else, such as Everton, wanted to build this giant extractor fan on one of our historic parks, they would be told ‘no’.
“It is hypocritical to object to Knowsley council building on green space when you are doing the same yourselves.”
Sam Ryan, representing the club, said the proposal was much the same as the one approved in July last year.
She said: “This is a much more viable development, but it remains in line with the original objective of being high-quality.”
The scheme will be sent to the government to be approved or “called in” for a public inquiry.
author: Steve | 05/07/08 16:53
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Saturday, May 03, 2008
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Steve Radford
Robert Millington
Kathryn Dadswell
George Powell
Jennifer Mary Brown
Peter Squire
Maggie Stewart
TUSP
Socialist Labour Party Leader - Arthur Scargill