This Week's Blog

Local Elections 2016

This week Standish Labour Branch held their Selection Meeting.  I am very proud to say that I was selected to be the Labour Party Candidate in our Ward. I am dedicated to working hard for the benefit of Standish and its residents and hope you will support me next May.   

I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail!  

In the News! 

Did you get your copy of The Wigan Courier this week? Read about the true cost of the Ashfield Park Public Inquiry here: http://issuu.com/markstephenashley/docs/wigancourieroctober_21st15_422f9f36fcddd9

Also published in this week's Wigan Observer and also online at Wigan Today was the reported profanity of Cllr Gareth Fairhurst  http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/dispute-over-park-inquiry-costs-1-7529785

My late Grandmother always taught me that to swear was to lose an argument as you had nothing real to say..... I think she was right! 

Standish Voice

Following our Selection Meeting I went across to the Unity Club for this month's meeting of Standish Voice.  Standish residents should by now have heard of our Neighbourhood Forum who are consulting with residents and businesses to create a Neighbourhood Plan.  

Mike Worden is the Assistant Director Planning and Transport at Wigan Council and came to explain the Allocations Plan and the consultation process.  This can be found at https://www.wigangov.uk/Council/Strategies-Plans-and-Policies/Planning/Allocations-Plan/Allocations-and-Development-Management-Local-Plan.aspx

It was good to hear how Wigan Council have listened to residents and included Policy H3 for Standish.   You can have your say on the plan until mid December. 

I have been in discussion with the Council and have organised a drop in session to be held at Standish Library so that all who want to see the plan and discuss its implications with the Council have a chance to do so.   The date is being finalised but will be either 24th or 25th November.   I will update you as soon as possible.

At the Meeting The Chair Gill Foster handed Mike Worden the first of the 'assets of community value' which is land or property of importance to our community and offers a level of protection.  These included: Ashfield Park, Standish Library, Standish Community Centre, The Line and The Wreck. 

Greater Manchester Mayor and PCC Tony Lloyd 

visits Wigan 

Tony Lloyd this week visited a Wigan Labour Party meeting.  Many of us do not agree with the way that Devolution has been inflicted upon us but I thought Tony spoke with honesty and conviction.   He answered questions and those he couldn't answer he was honest to admit and promised to find the answers 

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Halfway Through October

Wigan's Allocation Plan - Have Your Say for Standish!

Wigan Council are asking for our views on the Wigan Allocations Plan.  This will decide things such as where housing, industry, open space and parks go.  It will also decide other policies including Green Belt protection, Gypsy sites and Retail Provision.

There are drop in events around the Borough and I am discussing organising one with the Council for Standish in the next couple of weeks.  I will let you know as soon as we have a date.

The most important section of the document talks about future housing provision in Standish. It says that no more housing will be considered in Standish until 80% of the homes already passed are occupied and it can be shown that the infrastructure can cope with more housing.  It also proposes a 'green corridor' from Rectory Lane to Fairhurst Lane. 

You can look at the Allocation Plan here:

http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Strategies-Plans-and-Policies/Planning/Allocations-Plan/Allocations-and-Development-Management-Local-Plan.aspx

Remember - Help Protect Standish!  Contribute and have your say!

Keep Our Children Safe!  Man seen taking Photos of Pupils at Standish High

http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/man-seen-taking-photos-near-school-1-7519980

If your child is walking to and from Standish High School, the advice is to ensure they are walking in groups and not alone. This is the second report of this behaviour!

Standish Allotments Vandalised - Did You See Anything?

Allotments at the rear of St Marie's Church in Standish were vandalised last Saturday night.  Did you see anything suspicious?  Let's catch these mindless vandals. If you have any information please ring the Police on 101.

Ashfield Park Inquiry - Expenses!

This week Wigan Council published a detailed account of the costs for the Ashfield Public Inquiry.  Councillor Gareth Fairhurst called it 'baloney' and proceeded pull the costs to pieces on his blog - shame on him as he hasn't published a full account of the donations he collected and his expenses despite repeated requests from those who donated amongst others - Cheek of the man!!

Sad news!

As I said in last week's Blog the incident at Lidl last Saturday involved a very close family friend.    Sadly following a heart attack and cardiac arrest, Standisher Harry Prytherch passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Wigan Infirmary where staff had done all they could for him.

Harry Prytherch was the original drummer with the Remo Four.  A gentle man who will be missed by many.  So many messages have been received on his passing, even one from Sir Paul McCartney.  RIP Harry our love and thoughts are with his wife Doris and family.

Would you know how to do CPR?

80% of all Cardiac Arrests happen in the home (British Heart Foundation).   Want to learn how to carry out CPR and perhaps save a life?

I will be delivering the third free First Aid Session in Standish Library at 6.00 on Wednesday 25th November at 6pm.   To book a place call the Library on  01257 400496