This Week's Blog

Doing the Job Your Councillors Don't!!

Before

This week I have been involved in removing rubbish after fly tipping at the top of Ormsby Close.   

Residents contacted me to complain about the furniture dumped on the footpath.   Working with Councillor George Davies (Labour - Wigan Central)  We were able to get the Council to remove it immediately.

After

This route is frequently used by one of your local Councillors but no action was taken - another example of their ineffienciency and lackadaisical attitude whilst drawing their Council allowance!

Tuesday 

On Tuesday evening I attended the AGM of Standish Voice at The Unity Club.  The Committee was re-elected.  I have attended most of the meetings in the last year and Standish Voice are doing a great job in preparing the Neighbourhood Plan to protect Standish, our Village!.

Wednesday

Wednesday saw the Council Representatives attend the Drop in Session I organised at Standish Library for residents to view the Allocations Plan and ask questions.   The drop in was well attended.  Thank you also to Standish Voice for attending to also answer questions and who will be giving their opinion on the plan.  You can have your say until 15th December when the consultation finishes.   http://wigan-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/allocations_plan_initial_draft

In the evening, I delivered another Free First Aid Session which was again well attended.   I also showed the Landlady of the Silver Tally, with the rest of the group how to use and check their Defibrillator which she had brought with her.  Thank you.   There will be more free courses in the New Year and perhaps one for 10 - 16 year olds which has been requested.  

We tested the new first aid dummies, very different to those I used over 20 years ago but much easier to transport. 

Thursday

On Thursday evening I attended the General Meeting of Wigan CLP where the speaker from SWAP gave a very good outline of their work with the asylum seekers and refugees in Wigan (do you know the difference between an Asylum Seeker, a Refugee and a Migrant?).  There were some touching and painful stories and we must continue to help these people who are not here as economic migrants but are frightened and looking for a better life for themselves and their families.  There is no truth to the rumours of a rise in crime, indeed the Police stated it has dropped over the last 2 years, of a break in at the Methodist Church (the Minister confirmed this) and there has been no Asylum Seekers photographing young girls at the High School!.  

Lisa Nandy gave a heartfelt talk about the decision to bomb Syria soon to be taken in Parliament and asked for our views over the weekend.  As she said, she has to face the parents, friends and relatives of those in the armed forces who will be involved and it is a decision that needs to help make us more secure, so the decision has to be the right one.  We all know Jeremy Corbyn's views and I feel that a free vote would be the way to go.

UPDATE:  See Lisa's decision and why 
 http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/wigan-mp-to-vote-against-uk-air-strikes-on-syria-1-7599955

I was voted onto the new Greater Manchester LCF Committee.  The first meeting will be held in the New Year, enabling Wigan Labour to have a say in Devo Manch. 

Planning Application - Langham Road

Wainhomes have put in outline planning permission for another 80 homes at Langham Road site.    We need as many people to object to this as possible to ensure that this goes before Planning Committee and that permission is not granted.   Building these houses would create a 'rat run' so that cars could travel from Pepper Lane through the new houses currently being built and exiting on Langham Road/St Stephens Road. 

Please lodge your objection by writing to the Council at  Wigan Council, Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1YN  

Should you wish there is a draft letter here which you an copy and paste, print, sign and post.

Wigan Council,

Town Hall,

Library Street,

Wigan, WN1 1YN

For the Attention of Planning Department

Re: Application Number  A/15/81542/OUTMAJ – Langham Road

I wish to strongly object to the planning application by Wainhomes for outline permission to build 80 houses on Langham Road site.

These houses would add to the current traffic problems, creating a ‘rat run’ from Pepper Lane, through the new housing estate currently being built at Cat I’th Window/Pepper Lane and opening the road between Langham Road/St Stephens Road would create unnecessary traffic flow onto the already busy main road.

The additional 80 houses are not wanted in Standish and the Core Strategy target has long been reached.

Please put these plans in front of the planning committee where I recommend the plans be rejected.

Yours faithfully

……………………………………………. Signed

……………………………………………..Address