Local Election 2016

Local Election - Standish with Langtree Ward

Thank you!

Firstly, I want to say a huge 'thank you' to the team who helped me during the campaign. To the many supporters who leafleted with me and have the knuckle, letterbox scars to prove it, thank you!

Election Day on Thursday 5th May saw a turn out of 41.43% which is high for a local election and shows the passion residents have for Standish.

Unfortunately we did not win but came within 308 votes.  Congratulations to Ray Whittingham, the Conservative Candidate, who is our new Councillor for Standish.  I have known Ray for 40 years and know he will do a good job as, like me, he has Standish interests at his heart.  He knows he can count on me to support him when needed for the benefit of Standish.

This year's campaign was a difficult one for many reasons.  We fought an honest, positive campaign not getting involved in personal insults or name calling. Unfortunately some parties supporters did not, worse, making personal, unacceptable comments, even photo-shopping us onto a nazi flag. This was reported to the police. Fortunately these were in the minority and were muted by the majority.

Our leaflets were honest, factual and we were emailed and messaged many, many positive comments from residents.  Positive politics, for me, is the way to go.

The sitting Councillor was beaten into second place and unfortunately left the building when it became clear he would not win and did not stay for the declaration.

Because I love Standish, I will continue to work hard for our 'village' and its residents and some work has already started.

Thank you again for your love, care and support.  

Debbie 

Election Update

Local Elections 2016

Things have been really busy in the last few weeks following the notice for the Local Elections.  This year they will be held on Thursday 5th May and, if you have registered, you will have had your polling card delivered (you do not need to take this to the polling station but will only be allowed to vote if you are registered).  If you registered for a postal vote you should have received it last Friday (22nd).

The team and I have been really busy delivering our main election leaflet which showed details of what we have done and achieved over the last 12 months.  All houses in Standish should have received one but if you have not had your copy, please email us at debbie.parkinson2016@gmail.com and someone will deliver one to you. We have had lots of lovely comments on the leaflet and on its positive stories.

1400 Postal vote letters have also been delivered to those registered.

Canvassing has taken place in various areas around Standish and we have had a fantastic response from people in their homes.  Last Saturday Lisa Nandy MP joined us and residents made us both welcome on their doorsteps. It is lovely to meet so may friendly people. 

I have lost count of the emails and messages we have had supporting us.  Of course there are those that do not, but that is what it is all about, democracy.

Posters and garden stakes have been requested and these are being delivered and you will see them around Standish in the run up to the election.


Here are Wigan Council Labour Party Pledges for 2016 which I will back if elected. More details on the blog next week.

If you need a lift to the polling station on 5th May, please let us know.  We will be happy to help.

Promoted by David Wood on behalf of Debbie Parkinson at 191 Beech Hill Avenue, Wigan WN6 7QD

Wow What a Week!

Well this week started off with me starting my new job within the NHS. It has been a busy week, meeting members of the team and getting to grips with my new role.  The week was quite eventful with a road being closed close to the office which resulted in chaos!

Local Election May 5th 2016

On Friday I was confirmed as the Labour Party Candidate for this year's local election in Standish with Langtree Ward.  I am very proud to be chosen to represent the area in which I live and these are also my pledges for Standish:

I blogged a few weeks ago about the old Victoria Pit site and this week Wigan Evening Post published an article.  See it here..... 


http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/bid-to-turn-old-pit-land-into-parkland-1-7825746

I hope to meet many more of you over the next few weeks during the campaign.  

If anyone would like to display a garden stake or a poster please let me know and we will deliver one to you. 

Latest News

Standish Branch

An extra meeting was held by the Branch after we were contacted by a Governor from Standish Community High School. After discussions with members, the Governor and others in the community the Branch unanimously decided to oppose the decision for Standish Community High School to become a Multi Trust Academy, firstly with Southlands High School in Chorley.

Another Governor at the school, we understand, resigned due to this proposal.

Standish High is a community school and the community is quite rightly proud of Standish High's achievements being one of the best schools in Wigan.   I worked at the school for 17 years and all 3 of my children attended there and the school currently employs approximately 150 staff.

The school has already admitted that High School staff will go to Southlands to teach to help them improve.  Who will teach Standish children then?  NQTs, Southlands staff?  

Will children in option classes with low numbers have to travel between sites? 

Parents at feeder primary schools have not been consulted and only 30 parents attended the recent meeting at the school. 

Following the meeting our new Chair Adam Blackburn started an online petition. If you would like to sign the link is here https://www.change.org/p/board-of-governors-of-standish-community-high-school-keep-standish-high-school-in-the-community?recruiter=373346192&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Ashfield Park/Victoria Pit Site/Donkey Field

Following our news a few weeks ago that the footpaths would be repaired temporarily and upgraded in the summer we will shortly have more news about the site and its protection...... watch this space!

Greater Manchester Labour Campaign Forum

I represented Wigan CLP along with Neil Turner at the inaugural meeting where business consisted of the new committee being elected.  Tony Lloyd gave a good speech and said he will also be accountable to the group and report back at meetings.  It is good that we have a voice and that Standish is represented.

Standish Voice - Christmas Market Sub Group

I attended the sub group meeting at the end of February.  Plans are going well for a real community event, a Christmas Market in Standish.   

The first fundraising event will be held on Friday 13th May at 7.30 at The Unity Club.  The Fashtion Show and Sales Company will offer up to 75% off usual sales prices of ladies clothing from sizes 6 to 20, selling labels such as ex Oasis/River Island/Miss Selfridge/CC/Evans/Next/Wallis/Topshop/M&S/Debenhams and New Look!

Tickets are just £4 each and can be purchased from The Country Store, on Chorley Road, Standish, or by calling Jacqui on 07835 123580. 

All the money raised from the night will go towards Standish's Christmas Markets Day, which is planned for Saturday, December 3.

Week ending 21.2.16

Standish Branch AGM

An extremely well attended AGM was held this week and I can announce we have a new Chair in Adam Blackburn, and new Vice Chair in Keith Lang.  I was elected again as Secretary with our Treasurer also remaining the same.

Some fantastic ideas were raised and we look forward to the local elections and another year in Standish helping both residents and organisations.

Ashfield Park

A resident telephoned me a couple of weeks ago concerned about the state of the footpaths following the recent heavy rain. After speaking with others and having a look myself I contacted the Council.  With the ground so water-logged after all the rain we have had, horses and walkers are churning up the footpaths on the old Victoria Colliery site between Ashfield and the railway which many dog walkers and others use. 

The Council have replied to me stating that they have carried out a site inspection and following this: 

"It is planned that repairs will take place on the worst sections of footpath. In the longer term it is envisaged that enhancements can take place to improve access in the area, including through this site. This will include measures to ensure that the site is suitable for use by all legitimate users, including walkers and horse riders."

Another example of Wigan Council supporting the use of Ashfield Park for Standish and it's residents.

The Crown at Worthington

Plans have been submitted by the former owner of The Crown to knock it down and build houses.  An online petition has been started - if you feel able please sign and support them to prevent this happening.  We do not need any more houses.

https://www.change.org/p/save-the-crown-at-worthington

Inaugural Meeting of Greater Manchester LCF

The first meeting will be held this week where I will be representing Wigan Constituency Labour Party.  I will update you in next week's blog.

 

Another good and busy week

Day to Day 

Helping people in the community isn't only about the big things but ordinary day to day things that are important to residents in Standish.  I have been able to help several, here is just one response.

'I have not seen you for a while to say thank you for your help in sorting out my problem I was having with my assisted bin collection. I have not had a problem since.thank you once again,and hope to see you again soon'

Since our recent leaflet was distributed, I have received several emails and phone calls asking for help or bringing things to my attention.  Rest assured I will be working hard to help everyone who has contacted me and have already responded to some.   

Standish in Bloom

I attended the first meeting of the year of 'Standish in Bloom' lots of innovative plans to make Standish an attractive place to live.  So many great ideas and people willing to help.  Watch out for more news and dates of future meetings and opportunities to volunteer.

Owen Jones came to Wigan

Far from the 'champagne luvvie' title that some given Owen, he proved to be a true 'pie and peas' man, although living in the South he originates from the North and Wigan gave him a huge welcome.  Newtown Labour Club was full to capacity.  With Labour Membership more than doubling in Wigan since the General Election it was good to see so many there.  I was lucky to be able to speak to so many people who all gave fabulous feedback.  A truly inspiring speaker who talked a lot of good sense.

Politics with a Pint! by Adam Blackburn

Following the General Election of May last year, the number of Labour Party members has nearly doubled, and our branch in Standish has been no exception. The main strength of the Labour Party has always been the breadth of its membership, drawing on people from all walks of life; in Standish, we have a great mixture of genders, people from all sorts of jobs and professions, and ages ranging from early twenties to middle eighties. The strength of the movement comes from getting all of these people together, sharing their experiences, ideas and perspectives, and coming together to try and change the country for the better.

With this in mind, we decided to organise something a little bit different yesterday to the usual branch meeting. Deciding that if there are two things which unite Labour members, they would be a shared love of talking politics, and a mutual appreciation of doing so over a few drinks, the concept of Politics with a Pint is simple: get people in a room, order a round, and get chatting. We had a really good discussion, starting with the junior doctors on strike and somehow ending up on what would happen to British people, who had moved to Spain or France after retirement, if the UK left the EU (answer: we don’t know!).

I have to admit that I was sceptical at first, but I think everyone left the Labour club feeling like they’d learned something, and had contributed to the discussion in their own way. We had a few members who were unable to make this particular evening who would be keen to come to one in future, so hopefully we can make this a regular thing and try to engage as many of our members as possible. As Owen Jones – who recently visited Wigan – says in this article, Labour needs to do more than just hold branch meetings, and doing Politics with a Pint seems like a good place to start. We will be announcing the date and time of the next one on the Facebook page, so if anyone with an interest in Labour politics wants to get involved, they are very welcome to join us. 

Last Week in Janury

I can't believe that January is over already and this last week has been busy.

'The Deal' Came to Standish

After I emailed the Council way back in September, they promised The Deal would come to Standish in January.  I understand other organisations and residents also requested they come here as they had been everywhere else in Wigan.  I believe our Councillors had not wanted to engage with this initiative. During the week lots of activities took place and skips were placed around Standish and were filled and replaced, allowing residents to have a clear out and have furniture etc removed free of charge.  

On Thursday evening 'The Deal in Action' meeting was held at The Unity Club. It was extremely well attended.  It was interesting to hear the presentations and find out what organisations are doing in Standish.

The question and answer session was forthright and mainly focussed on the building of new houses and roads in Standish as expected.  Mostly positive questions dealing with how to cope with the situation we have, although one lady did get rather heated.  I didn't agree with her comments about Standish being a dump though.  It was also confirmed, after questions were asked, that if a By-Pass was built, money would have to be raised (about £19million) to build it.  This would probably have to be done by selling land on either side of it for Housing! Residents whose houses back onto the land have told me they do not want a by-pass on green belt land or it being paid for by allowing more houses to be built!

I don't think that Wigan Council get everything right for Standish, and I don't agree with everything that they do, but I feel strongly that we need to work with them and organisations such as Standish Voice and the Community Forum to make things happen in Standish.  Simply shouting insults and fighting with them won't work. This is the tactic currently used here.   

Consultation has taken place with many of us completing the questionnaire distributed by Standish Voice and so we now have a clearer picture of what Standishers want and we can work towards that.  It will, of course, take time, but this is already happening with 'The Line' being renovated and upgraded to enable cyclists and walkers to use it.  This is a direct result of negotiations with Standish Voice, of which I am a member, and The Council.  Standish Voice announced that the Neighbourhood Plan should be ready by late summer and this will help protect Standish from builders.

5 items have been registered as 'Assets of Community Value', including Ashfield Park, adding yet another layer of protection on it.  The Council have approved and signed this and the documents were handed over at the meeting on Thursday.

One thing that did come up was the builders removing trees that are suspected to have preservation orders on them.  If you do see this happening on any of the sites (the plans and trees can be seen on the Council's website) please report it immediately.  Wigan Council have promised to act promptly now that they know this may be happening.

Heather Mullineaux from the Council also asked for volunteers to help with speeding traffic.  You may know that most side streets are now 20mph. If you are having problems with fast cars in your street, you and your neighbours are able to request a kit to help monitor the traffic.  If they are proved to be speeding, the Council have said they will act. Police will not monitor speeding cars in side streets and simply do not have the resources.   If you would like details of how to get a kit please contact Heather.

Although our three councillors were in attendance, many were asking why they were not there as they declined to be introduced to the meeting.  Along with this they have refused to have their photographs published on the Council website. Seems strange for public officers to try and remain anonymous.

Standish Labour Campaign Day

Our first Campaign Day was held yesterday, Saturday 30th January.  41 members of the Labour Group plus many Branch Members attended and delivered leaflets throughout Standish.   We braved Storm Gertrude's wind and hail but all was done in a very short time.  Many hands make light work as they say.

 Photo before work carried out

Although not elected last year, I have been doing day to day work with residents, removing fly tipping, assisting residents with bin problems, getting the Pepper Lane/Preston Road roundabout re-painted, installing the fabulous defibrillators and most recently adding a kissing gate (getting the funds to make and install it) to a footpath to prevent motor cyclists speeding through (a request made of our councillors who unfortunately did not act).  I will upload a photo of the completed work shortly.

We have lots of hard work to do before the May election but it is encouraging to know that we more than doubled our vote last year from the previous year and had more than double the number of votes in Standish Ward alone than Gareth Fairhurst did in the whole of Wigan for the General Election. I will work hard for the people of Standish, that I can promise you.

General News

A few residents have asked me about the announcement regarding the closing of the Morrisons store in Wigan.   Although the Council and MP do not have any control over businesses, whether local or national, I have written to our MP to ask if she could make enquiries as to why they have chosen to close and to ask them to consider the elderly in Wigan who regularly use this store.

Car Parking -

Residents have asked if we can get the Council to reduce the fees in The Grand Arcade car park.   Unfortunately this car park is privately owned and the council has no control over it.   Apcoa own the car park and I will be complaining to them and boycotting this car park in the future.  http://www.apcoa.co.uk/parking-in/wigan/grand-arcade-wigan.html

Here is a link to Wigan Council car parks.  Civic Centre and Chapel Lane pay and display car parks are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Parking-Roads-Travel/Parking/Wigan-car-parks.aspx

Defibrillators Run on Batteries!

Recently there was a group created on Facebook which has now been turned into a Closed Group to allow them to make comments and have discussions without others seeing.  

I have been told that one person on the page has blamed a few recent power cuts in Standish on the Defibrillators.   Each Defibrillator has a 7 year battery.  I check the units each week and if used, as they have been, the batteries are replaced by North West Ambulance Service.   So no, they do not cause power cuts!

Week Commencing 11th January 2016

Activities this week

At the start of the week I attended Leigh Town Hall as I was invited to The Labour Group Meeting as a prospective candidate in this year's local election.  The meeting was very informative and it was nice to meet everyone there.

Fairhurst Avenue  - Before Christmas I was approached by residents concerned by motor cycles driving at speed down Fairhurst Avenue and also down the footpath which leads onto Preston Road.  One lady was almost hit in a head on collision.   After investigating, I found the land owners and requested permission for a 'kissing gate' so that pedestrians and prams etc could access the footpath, but not the motorcyclists.  I am pleased to say that permission has been now been granted and the funds found so the work will start soon.  Full details will be published when work is complete.  

Parking in Standish

As all of us know parking in Standish is totally inadequate and with both Aldi and Lidl now clamping down on parking in their car parks, and residents being fined, the situation is getting worse.   This week I was told that due to inconsiderate shoppers parking on Preston Road, directly outside Lidl, trying, I assume to get as close to the door as possible, yellow lines have been painted between the entrance to Lidl and the junction at the top of Avondale Street. 

Drivers trying to exit from Avondale Street and also from Lidl car park were unable to see traffic to turn safely due to these few people parking, many with 2 wheels on the footpath making it harder for pedestrians also.   

Standish Voice have started a petition to Wigan Council asking for the allocation of parking in or near Standish centre. 

The link to the petition is here, Please help us to improve parking in Standish, sign and pass on to friends and other residents in Standish.

https://www.change.org/p/wigan-council-we-need-more-public-car-parking-in-standish

The Deal Comes to Standish

Wigan Council's 'The Deal' is coming to Standish during the week 24th - 29th January.   Standish is one of the last places to see The Deal in Action as our local councillors have refused it.   After several residents, after seeing The Deal advertised in other places within Wigan, asked when it was coming here, I spoke way back in September to senior officers within the Council and asked if we could organise the Deal for Standish and was promised it would be sorted for January.  I understand Standish Voice and some residents also requested it.

There will be several things happening including free medical checks for 40 - 74 year olds and Standish Community Forum, Standish in Bloom information sessions.   

The events will also include a question and answer session with The Leader and Chief Executive of the Council at The Unity Club on Thursday 28th from 6.30pm.

Come along and find out how we can work together for Standish!

You can read about 'The Deal' on The Council's website for more information.   https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/The-Deal/The-Deal.aspx

Back to Work and Local News

I, like many of you returned to work last Monday which was quite a shock to the system.   I had spent two weeks forgetting which day of the week it was and not having to rush out at 7.30am each morning.
I did however get to see a lovely sunrise on my way to work.

T

The Crown at Worthington

It was with sadness that I read that The Crown pub at Worthington had been closed.  Reports of financial difficulties have circulated in the last year or so but my husband and I have spent many happy evenings there, including Burns Night with friends.   I was particularly sad to read the comments to the Wigan Evening Post article and comments from staff at how they had received the news.  Very sad!

You can read the article here. http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/crown-at-worthington-closes-down-1-7661082

Reporting Problems

We have all read about the problems with flooding in the area.   I reported the blocked drain and subsequent flooding at the top of James Square to Wigan Council.  

Driving to Wigan & Leigh Hospice for my voluntary work, the road past the bend leading to Haigh Hall was also flooded and there were no signs.  The flood waters were too deep to drive through so I and a cyclist turned round (good practice of my three point turn!) and diverted.   I reported the flooded road to the Council and flood signs were put at the side of the road in both directions to alert drivers.

I have previously put the link to the local 'Report It' app on both the Standish Labour Facebook and Twitter pages but if you want to report floods, blocked drains, missed bins or anything else you can do so here:

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/MyAccount/Report-it-help.aspx

or you can download the app to your phone.  You are able to take a photo of the problem and send it directly to the council with a message.

You will get an email back confirming your report has been filed and also a response when the work is done.  The Council instructions are here

The 'My Report It' app is available for iPhone, Windows and Android phones.

It can be downloaded from the relevant app store e.g. Play Store 

'The Deal'

With many Standish residents asking why Standish had not yet had 'The Deal' I wrote to the Chief Executive on 22nd September who told me that Standish Voice and residents had also asked about this.  She promised that Standish would be included in January.  I understand that The Deal Question and Answer session with  the Council Leader and Chief Executive has been booked for Thursday, January 28. The full session will be from 4pm to 9pm at the Unity Club.  Standish Voice will be involved.  More details to follow.