Conservatives said NO to the Labour Green Bin TAX by 1 of the 8

 I am 1 of the 8

There, I said it...... I am 1 of the 8

What does that mean? I hear you ask. Well, 8 very worried and concerned Conservative Cllrs at Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) had the audacity to call for a special meeting of Council to debate and vote on the Councils waste strategy instead of it being discussed at an "informal" meeting of Council last week.

That's right - one of the most contentious and arguably the most divisive proposal this Labour Council has made since coming to power in 2015 was about to be swept through without proper debate, without giving residents an opportunity to come to Council and look Cllrs in the eye and without a meaningful vote. Any vote would be non-binding and the decision made elsewhere and "in balance" of comments made at the informal meeting.

Stich up anyone? One lump or two with that? So I, along with 7 others called for a special, F2F meeting of Council. The Labour hounds of incredulity were unleashed upon us.....putting safety of Cllrs and Council employees at risk, the government was accused of "letting people get sick and dying" my one of the more delightful (and shouty) Cabinet members who happens to be the deputy leader of the Council.

Yet Labour run Halton borough Council, next door, across the road, actually held a F2F meeting the night before and all was well. The very same week as "you are going to kill us all" from Labour - two of Winsford's finest Labour Marxist Cllrs announced they were going to open a nightclub......if it looks, like hypocrisy, smells like hypocrisy and walks like hypocrisy then it probably is hypocrisy eh?

But I as 1 of the 8 did not call for this meeting in fun. Oh no.

I have NEVER had so many residents tell me how unpopular any proposal of Council has been compared to this one. Let's put that into context, not the Gypsy and Traveler site proposal in Whitegate, not the maximum Council Tax rises from CWAC Labour EVERY year for the last six years, not the Greedy Pig development, not the 20mph scheme, not the Car Parking Charges, not even the Chester Bus Lanes.....nothing at all has stirred the residents like this. So much so that we conducted a survey.....the results were very interesting indeed

Resident who oppose the Green Bin Tax - 94%  - Still Labour didn't listen

Labour voters who oppose the Green Bin Tax - 90%  - Still Labour didn't listen

Residents who oppose a move to 3 weekly collections - 83% - Still Labour didn't listen

and we didn't ask residents questions we only wanted to hear the answer to - residents were not "guided" to supply one answer as in a similar fashion to the original consultation on the waste strategy that paid £88,000 in consultancy fees - the original consultation did not even have the courtesy to ask residents if they opposed a proposal of a Green Bin Tax. 

Labour's headlong rush to blame the Government for everything is reckless and could mean they will miss out on further funding for mandatory green bin collections. 

While everyone goes back to work, while our food and transport workers, our NHS workers and our business owners and shopkeepers meet the challenge of recovering from COVID together, we Cllrs cannot hide in a bunker and we must have scrutiny on key decisions, especially those as unpopular as this. 

I  called for this meeting on behalf of those who elected me and who will suffer from this new Green Bin Tax - those hard working, tax paying residents of Winsford, those concerned that we look after our environment by not encouraging our residents to burn, dump or place waste into our grey bins, those who simply cannot afford another Tax on their already hefty bills.

I am 1 of the 8

P.S. Despite Labour complaining that the special meeting costing £6000 (I refer you to the consultancy fee above) - the Labour Chairman (lets call him Mao) shut the meeting down with 30 mins to go - proving once again that Labour don't provide value for money

Give me an L for "proportionality" and what that means for you in Winsford

 

Hello Winsford, or at least the part of the town that actually reads this...

I have a question for you.

Do you remember your GCSE (Or GCE) or even "A level" maths? Keeping your head down to learn those lovely topics such as algebra, functions, powers, statistics, trigonometry and even indices to name but a few.

But you never did proportionality did you? Aha, got you there because it seems to me at least, it's only a real subject in politics because in politics, proportionality means prizes (no, not points mean etc...).

What it means is that when things are "tight" or when a multitude of parties have been elected then all the places on a committee are given out proportionally.

In CWAC, this means that because Labour have the majority (but don't have the majority big enough to control the council fully) they get to select most of the committee chairpersons (the "prizes" as they often come with extra "responsibility allowance" to the normal "allowance" we get).

Right then, moving on - proportionality makes a lot of sense when the political make up demands it and all parties (especially beneficial for independents if they form a "group"  more on that later) get representation on nearly all the committees the council run. Remember that the committees are quite large at CWAC and there are 70 Cllrs. WTC have 15 Cllrs, 10 of which are Labour.

At  town and parish council level  - which Winsford is a fairly bog-standard one - the rules of  proportionality do not apply USUALLY.

So what makes WTC so very different? Well our Labour representatives of the "corbynism is alive and well" brigade who haven't quite cottoned on that its over for that brand + momentum + marxism etc... and since elected have overly politicised our town council.

What that means in practice is that they have no intention of letting independents (who are "old Labour" stalwarts until they were forced out of the party by the Corbynistas) sit on any meaningful committees.

Those three independents have not formed a group (unlike our "quiet as lambs" Liberal Democrats who are complicit to Labour - demonstrated by their inability to give any sort of opposition to them) and as such are three separate "groups".

Labout throw the proportionality curve ball to keep those independents off things like the finance committee but they are allowed to attend the planning committee - why is that you ask? Well, looks like the Labour members have been missing a few planning committee meetings so to keep the Committee going (called quorate) they need the independents.

Watching the car crash of a Town Council meeting "it's really well attended because we get people [Labour party stalwarts] watching and yet no one actually participates or asks a question" and AGM the other night - once again we see the Labour bully tactics and moral high ground grab in all it's glory.

How? Well, when asked by Cllr Kennedy (independent) about proportionality and its unfairness, Cllr Savage stated.....

"The rules of proportionality don't actually apply at Parish/Town level but we have, to be fair, the Labour group...decided to apply them to give the opposition members and opportunity to sit on committees"

Here is the plain English version...

"We, the Labour Group are not letting those guys go anywhere near the committees we don't want them to because we don't like the scrutiny. However, we know the optics look bad on that  so we brought in a rule not applied elsewhere to make sure we can either get them on the committees we need them on or sideline them to committees which no real decisions are made on. We are wonderful aren't we and so very gracious for doing that".

So here is a thought for you all.

I am going to step out on a limb here and say that this town should consider whether the over politicising of its town council is a good thing or not. Maybe it's time for all (non-Labour) political parties or interested residents to unite under a new banner and bring this controlling and ultimately failing force to an end at the place it matters most - the ballet box. All done with a dose of proportionality, of course. Just a thought

P.S. I have provided a link whereby you can look at CWAC Cllrs expenses, allowances and responsibility (WTC Cllrs do not receive any allowances)

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/councillors-and-committees/councillors-allowances/documents/members-allowances-2018-19.pdf

Winsford "welcomes" another 32000 reasons in 2021 to be thankful to Labour - but don't please ask questions why

 Happy New Year to you all

Without wishing to be all "Star Warsy" to you it is good to see that there is a "New Hope" on the Horizon as the Government pushes out the COVID Vaccines into our Towns, Cities and Rural locations in an unprecedented action that as of the time of Writing has Vaccinated over 4 million people.

It's coming up to Budget time here in Winsford and in CWAC (or tax raising time if given it's correct name under the two Labour Councils) and while we have to wait for the double whammy from Labour - last night our esteemed Cllrs voted for another 7% increase in Band D precept for the hard working Tax payers in Winsford. "Just 8p a week" should be the new Labour slogan (not "New Labour" - these lot of Corbynistas are far too hard left for that).

I need to be very clear here - the Tax increase for Winsford will be a staggering £31,931 MORE than 2020

So let's look at what that Tax increase will be spent on......

More money for the participatory budget - not withstanding that there is £6K remaining not spent from the budget this year despite the Town Council reducing the fee they were paying for the platform. Labour are still spinning this as a positive but next year will have 6K less in it than this year.

The money spent on the Guildhall is increasing by £15K again this year to a magnificent 45K - this project can easily be afforded by the sale of the Greedy pig land, which the Council still has not confirmed yet (more on this later).

But here is the big question...the really big question - how does the council come up with an increase of nearly £32,000? 

Well, in a single word.....SALARIES. Yep - in a time of uncertainty and pulls on the public and private purse, the wisdom of this Labour run Council is to increase salaries by £48.5K and to hire a deputy clerk to help out in little old Winsford. Not Manchester, Liverpool or indeed Birmingham but in Winsford....a deputy Clerk!!!

Really? Yep, Really. 

Labour will spin this increase as a pay increase for their staff and as hiring an apprentice - (neither of these I would object to) but it actually hides the fact that they are planning to hire a deputy Clerk. 

OK - this was the broad outcome of last nights meeting. Maybe the not actually the most important part either. Let's look how the meeting was started....

Cllr Pardoe - Deputy Mayor of Winsford

"...Proposers of items have the opportunity to introduce an item and sum up the debate. All other Cllrs are permitted to speak ONCE per item. This ensures each Cllr has the opportunity to speak on every item if they wish and provides a fair framework for debate. At committee meeting these rules have occasionally been relaxed to allow for more detailed discussion but due to the number of items on full Council meeting agendas, enforcement of the rules is essential, they ensure Council business is conducted efficiently. Without these rules, debates become an argumentative ping-pong and that is not what the residents of Winsford want nor is it in the best interests of our Town. in common with physical meetings, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, these rules of debate are common place at all levels of government and have long been a part of the Winsford Town Council standing orders and are nothing new"

This nearly one minute diatribe firmly sets the Labour expectation of debate in this town - which is they don't want any. they don't want any dissenting voices and are taking a classical centrist approach whereby the narrative and discussion is controlled by them.

Let me ask you two questions....

Why would a fair, open, honest and transparent Parish council wish to start a Council meeting in this way?

What do you think when you look at the Whitegate Parish Council introduction to their Parish Council meetings?

Chair "Hello everyone, good to see you all again - do we have any public speakers here tonight"

The contrast is stark - one Parish Control tightly controlled by Labour, the other Parish Council, non-political, trying to work on behalf of all residents.

Let me write that introduction  how I really read it

"Proposers of items have the opportunity to introduce and item and sum up the debate. All other Cllrs can speak but there are plenty of you we don't like and have made life difficult for us so we don't want you asking too many questions. We will relax the rules when it suits us, but not tonight so we can appear to be working efficiently. Some residents will fall for it for sure. Enforcement is essential otherwise you take press and air time from us and we don't want the scrutiny. To legitimize this, we are re-stating the old rules that no one cared about until we got here - like it, or lump it"

There you go - that's it until 2023, more tax hikes and no debate under Labour. Welcome, sadly, to Winsford under Labour.

The wonky lines of WInsford and the extra ones in Chester

 Hello again,

I do hope you are all still safe and keeping yourself and your families well during these very trying times.

I write this a little downhearted today as we are heading into another lockdown (in England) and more uncertainty.

I am also more than a little downhearted that things continue to go from really worse to gob-smackingly even more unbelievable in Winsford Town Council and back to the same old nonsense at CWAC.

Where to start then?...is the big question...hmmmm

Maybe the WTC as it's right here on my doorstep and so easy to point out the ridiculous state of affairs when a man called Jeremy comes to power and drags half the North Wests most fervent Marxists along with him.

Ahhh... that Jeremy eh? What a lad, working class, leads from the front, always supportive of his own bosses and so beloved by some that they bring him to Winsford and persuade him (and Labour Voters in 2019) that having far leftie views and often not living in Winsford is enough to get you elected to WTC (and CWAC) so that you can declare "Corbynism is alive and well in Winsford" AFTER Keir gets elected!

Where is he now?...you all ask (well, maybe five of you)...is he in Winsford? At the "Red"?  NO???? - That's right - NO, he is probably drinking a camomile after Keir suspends him and he "hopefully" goes quietly into the night. Maybe, just maybe, there is a hope Cllrs, L, E, H, S and C will follow him when he goes as "I only joined because of Jeremy" is a frequent repost from them.

Until then, the reality is that in WTC there isn't an effective opposition to the lefties - as much as I support the independents  (I consider each one of them decent, honest people), they need to form a group to get committee places, as our two Lib Dem Cllrs seem to go with the flow locally.

The nastiness of the hard left was on show a couple of weeks back when they publicly berated an ex-councilor, who is now commenting as a RESDIENT , on a community forum, because he dared to ask for more facilities in the town. Their notions of decency were laid all to bare. Most Cllrs I know would never speak to residents in that manner and residents should never accept that behaviour from their elected representatives.

And so it continues as they flex more powers by co-opting their cronies onto committees, stitch up all the committees so that they control them all, move everything controversial into Part B agenda items - where it's out of sight of members of the public (whose money it is that funds the budget and should be able to scrutinise all Cllrs), change the standing orders (buried in 84 pages of text) so that each Cllr can only speak once and then don't declare their interests correctly when communicating to the public or indeed other Cllrs (more to come on that one again sometime).

I will blog separately more gory details over the greedy pig site (bet you can't wait for that stunning installment) as it'll take a few paragraphs and I'm sensing you may be having enough already.....

The tragedy is that while this group continues in its efforts to control everything.....things in Labour controlled CWAC are not much better. The "leader" is busy playing the fiddle while Rome burns (so to speak). the Councils communications team has become her megaphone to the world - inane self promoting videos are now the norm, alongside faux criticism of the government when she isn't consulted over something that she has been calling for during the last 4 - 6 weeks.

I would offer advice to the Labour leader of CWAC - please use your time at the phone waiting for the call from Boris, at least while doing that you can't be messing up the bus lanes in Chester (introduced without consultation and now being asked by residents to rethink it due to the traffic chaos it causes) or delivering wonky cycle lanes in Winsford that appear to have been laid down with by a worker a bit too reliant on cheap "plonk".

I also know that it will be a long time before Boris gives her a call - I am after all still waiting for mine and I at least, voted for him :-)

My other piece of advice for Labour would be - don't be afraid of questions at Council....no need to vote against extending the time so we could get to them...unless of course you are afraid.....yes, afraid of actually upholding democracy and being held to account for your inactions....erm...actions.

That aside though - at least plenty of good honest people are willing to take a stand against Labour in Winsford and Chester. In Winsford, there will be more trials and tribulations ahead as this group drives the reputation of WTC into the ground through their actions - the real shame is that the CWAC monitoring officer is pretty toothless in dealing with poor behaviour from our Parish (and Town) Councils so it's up to you as residents, including myself, to keep all of this in mind at the ballot box.

Until then, keep safe...keep well.

The future of Winsford could be bright.....but there's little HOPE with Labour Corbynites in power

I've just realised it has been a long time since I last wrote a blog....back in March indeed, before we headed into lock-down and the world got turned on its head. The sheer determination, will and resilience of the British people has been on show for all to see. There are not enough superlatives or words of gratitude in the English Language to express fully the appreciation we Conservatives have for our key workers, veterans, volunteers, responders, emergency services or indeed the kind-hearted next-door neighbours throughout this period. Winsfordians in their thousands have shown once again their best qualities in troubled times when uncertainty and fear could have overcome us.

We even celebrated VE day in style, paying tribute to our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts who fought and often died for us in our cities, on the battlefields and suffered in our industries while facing some dark days of little hope yet they overcame it all to win for us the freedoms we so enjoy today. 

The freedom of worship, of travel, of a right to a job, an education and most importantly the freedom of speech so that you and I can have respectful differences of opinion which does not result either you or I ending up in prison or indeed worse. For the record, I admire all of those from the various parts of the political spectrum who believe in their causes, I don't necessarily agree with many of them but that is fine with me - my relatives fought that we could have our differences and yet we can still smile over our similarities. Many of my political "oppos" and I speak freely about families, jobs, health without having to be at each others throats.

Things changed locally in 2019 - the Labour Party selected a number of what I would call "hard left" candidates representing the now failed political aspirations of Jeremy Corbyn (thank goodness he never made it to power). Indeed, Jezza actually made it to Winsford, to endorse his selection of Candidates and to ensure "Winsford stays red" - although of course it was very unlikely to ever turn any other colour with Brexit overhanging us and the fact that Winsford is largely a Labour Town.

The "moderates" were either out or stood down (I don't know how the Labour Party machine works so cannot say if any were forced to stand down). The momentum leaning wing of Labour were in power in Winsford and then the internal politics started. Resignations from "old Labour" Cllrs followed - amid alleged accusations of corruption, alleged bullying tactics - letters being sent to Winsford Groups from the Town Council which frankly are diabolical and divisive. Shouting at Council meetings, the Greedy Pig debacle...the Town Council becoming ridiculed and divisive, poor financial management through lavish spending on pet projects, the reputation of the Town sliding forever downward, the Marxist hard left Cllrs detaching themselves further and further from the residents they were elected to represent (of all political parties, including their own).

But despite all of this going on, the one thing that has never sat right with me is the arrogance and hard-nosed attitude of the Corbynista group (by the way, I saw a FB post which said that the ideals of Jeremy Corbyn were alive and well in Winsford - by a Senior Labour Party apparatchik) to anyone who dares to speak an alternative voice. Life long Labour members and supporters, Liberals, Conservatives...we are all now haters, devisive, misplaced etc.etc. Our right to have a different view just doesn't exist...every sentence from them on an opinion which is different to their own starts with "I am disappointed....." as they try to justify in the most sanctimonious way that they are just so good and everyone else is just so bad. 

The mechanism and ways they lead with this message is worthy of a communist state - puff propaganda pieces in the local press and on their favoured "Winsford Labour/Community Forum"...I remind readers of a recent article going on about just what they have achieved..... err nothing much last time I looked, apart from tax rises and a waste of money on an on-line engagement tool which is considerably more expensive to run than its Borough-wide counterpart. By the way, regarding the on-line tool, one of its first applications was removed, as was many registrations of people who voted for it...voice of the people in action there again I don't think. 

Back to that puff piece though - after telling us all they have not done, they then went on to say (I paraphrase) that it was all done against a backdrop of hateful (yes, hateful again!) opposition from opposition Cllrs and disaffected locals...really? The political opposition in this town consists of a Doctor (me - but in case you have a back problem, I'm not a medical Doctor), a Health professional, a taxi driver and two retirees...hardly a group of hate driven, vengeance filled individuals is it?

Sadly, it continues....by the time I publish this, it appears that another elected Labour Cllr would have announced they are resigning from the party and is likely to be an Independent Cllr amid more alleged accusations of bullying, threats and marginalization from the rest of the Winsford Labour Team. Another harvest after sowing the seeds of disunity that once again they will justify no doubt with no sense of remorse or regret.

To the people of Winsford I say this - this Corbyn loving group is driven by petty and antagonist people who on the whole believe in an ideology that you in majority, rejected at the last general election. Corbyn is gone but you are living with his legacy right here, right now. Don't fall for their lack of tolerance of anyone who thinks or speaks differently.....because to quote a McCartney song lyric....

We all know that people are the same where ever you go......

Except perhaps here in Winsford...where those in power would be best served remembering who they represent and perhaps those who sacrificed so much so we may have that right to a different opinion.

The sad red tail of the Greedy Pig....

Well, sometimes you just think the situation cant go from bad to worse and then it does...

or in Winsford, the Labour team cannot go from worse to even worse and then they do

Let me explain a little further ...hope you (don't) enjoy the ride.....

The site known as the "Greedy Pig" down by the river opposite the exquisite Liquid Lounge has been derelict, run down, abandoned for years. Unfortunately the site has multiple owners who own small strips of land. One of these is indeed our very own Labour run Winsford Town Council.

Putting all those strips together as a single option for sale site has been a challenge but as the land was highlighted in the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) for the following uses, which I have copied directly from the 2013 NP.

Policy TC 10A: Mixed-use development including hotel , leisure and commercial uses will be supported. (I have italisicised and underlined)
Policy TC 10B: Design Principles / requirements:
■ Development must address the river and the roundabout in a positive manner and be of the highest quality appropriate for this key town centre location.
■ A public river promenade must be provided and public uses, such as cafe, restaurants and / or retail should be provided along the edge. The buildings must deliver an active frontage, ideally with public uses along the waterfront.
■ Development in this location must make a positive impact onto the A54, in terms of good design, of an appropriate scale and massing, landmark buildings, key focal points and creating a positive gateway.

OK, so the world was turned on its head in 2015 when Labour were elected to power in Winsford (with some severe consequences to Winsford) and Labour Cllrs started to develop the NP and the house building started to escalate across Winsford. They set up a Winsford Regeneration Committee and I was asked to join, discussing what we want for Winsford and how to deliver it oh happy days, or so I thought.

In 2018 I was asked what I thought of developing this site with a KFC and Starbucks on it. I think I wanted to cry....a drive thru' KFC and Starbucks in Winsford, with all the associated  rubbish, poor health implications and not even stopping to enjoy our fine town and the riverfront.

My answer to Cllrs Clark and Armstrong that was a firm "No" given it added nothing to the town. Was this the only plan that came through? I asked. "No" was the sheepish reply. With the passage of time it turned out that there was another plan for some houses and a restaurant (nice looking in my opinion) brought forward by a local team.

Confused as to why the other option was not pursued, turns out Council officers discounted the other offer but that was never expressed openly or with much scrutiny apparently. It appeared that the KFC offer was preferred from the start. My contention being that if two offers came forward already, a third must be somewhere.

Fast forward to post election 2019 and a meeting I had with officers and Cllr Beacham in Wyvern House. I expressed again the fact that KFC did not represent any aspiration, did not meet the ideals of the NP and for a town with this many health problems in its population, a fast-food restaurant was not a good idea. Thankfully he agreed.

Then the housing plan appeared - and I knew I could object at the planning meeting. The planning meeting where officers said there was no one outside of the KFC coming forward to the site, which was simply not true.

Unfortunately the accident that night on the M56 stopped me from getting to the planning meeting (in Chester) and I had to watch it on the webcast.

I was horrified when I saw that Labour Cllr Tommy Blackmore stated he supported the application. Cllr Blackmore has been a Winsford Cllr for years, including the time the NP was enacted.
Was he not aware of the NP?
Did he not understand that approving the plan would almost invalidate the NP?
Did he not understand that by being a Town Cllr and that by the very fact the Town Council will financially benefit from the deal would make him look like Town Council first, Winsford Town second?

Then I see a post by Labour Winsford team on the Winsford Community (Labour) Forum saying they were going to start a campaign to overturn the decision!

I mean really - their own Cllrs approve, some of them don't agree and then they want to gain political capital by starting a campaign against themselves! Is this some strange alternate universe we've woken up in? Apart from the fact that they can't overturn the decision (the lawyers for the housing development would have a field day), don't they align as a team or are they just a gifted group of individuals who don't talk to each other? Do they even understand the planning rules?

Some of you will say that a Conservative Cllr spoke for it at the meeting. yes - but as a spokesman for the Labour majority Thrive Board (and who clearly wasn't told about the additional proposals).

Cllr Sam Dixon (Labour, Chester Cllr) said that the NP was written years ago and things change. Well, my house was mortgaged years ago and things have changed but I still have to pay the chuffing bank.

Labour have made another nonsense decision, whether its Labour CWAC, Labour WTC or the local Labour team. We in Winsford pay the price - houses coming out of every piece of land we have, no plan for the infrastructure and now we are the affordable housing capital of Cheshire.

We had a plan to make Winsford a destination but now we will have a housing estate and a drive thru town. Apologies if I sound negative because this one was one we could have got right yet the reds messed it up for us and I annoyed at the level of incompetence.

I will join the fight to over turn the decision even as I know we can't because it is the right thing to do. I think those involved should look at their own record and ask what is the right thing for them to do.

34,000 reasons to cheer (or not) in Winsford

Well, I hope you are all easing into the new year well enough and that you are not feeling too battered by Storms Ciara and Dennis?

Another battering is coming our way in Winsford of course as the Labour tax rises come barreling our way once again led by the cheery band of Labour Cllrs telling us how much it really isn't and how they don't get anything from the Government to help (they do, money in such large quantities they forget to ever mention it).

4.99% from our Labour Police and Crime Commissioner (even after cutting support for our Remembrance day parade)
1.99% from the Labour led Fire Authority
6% from the Momentum dominated Winsford Town Council.....

Wait...did I get that right?? 6% after the blockbuster 10% last year? Really?

Yes indeed - courtesy of legal team Stitch, Up & sons we get another 6% rise in our WTC precept this year.

Is that a lot? it is after all ONLY another 6p a week and it's only because of Tory Cuts right? Errr....NO. The Town Council does not get money from the government in grants, everything it needs is raised in the precept - the money they get from you and me (maybe more from you than me if you live in a Band H dwelling but I don't think we have many, if at all, of those mansions in Winsford - happy to be corrected on that one).

So this is money that the Labour led WT Council "need" from us to deliver the services etc. for the next year.

It's this point of "need" that is the point I stood up at Town Council on Monday this week to challenge and I would like to explain the reasons why that challenge was necessary for the hard working taxpayers of Winsford to have their say.

Compared to last year WTC is spending £20,000 LESS on public buildings (the Guildhall), £10,000 LESS on grants to organisations, 1,000 LESS on printing. This is £35,000 which could be spent on other important items without raising the precept. Compared to last year £15,000 MORE on "events management" and £35,000 on "special Items (play Leadership)" although there is already an allocated amount for Play Leadership later in the Budget).

At this point, we are about even with perhaps a few questions around the special items and the event management hikes.....and then the kicker....

£31,000 on participatory budgets...gulp....what are they for I hear you ask? Well, these are being sold to us from the CO-OP....sorry from the Labour CO-OP members as an opportunity for community groups to apply for money from the council to help fund groups, ideas, events. Hmmm...didn't we do that before? Apparently so - such a great success that only the old-timers know about it.

I've called it a "slush"...twice in fact during my speech on Monday. £31,000 of YOUR money to fund ideals which your Labour Loony left Cllrs - some who continue to call WTC a Co-operative Council, which it is not, it is a Council with members of Labour CO-OP on (because they are to scared to say Corbyn supporting Marxists) - wish to use to fund their left agenda and make them look like the good guys come voting time.

I'm waiting with baited breath on who applies for monies, who receives monies and the Guardian headlines they will receive when residents either respond to their loaded and orchestrated polls or go cap in hand to them for money.

As a CWAC Tory Cllr, this one really troubles me, the level of politics at this level, the disrepute that this Labour group has brought to the town and the appearance of self-service and disregard for others is very troublesome. I cannot believe Winsford needs Millitant leadership, with far left socialist ideals and many I have spoken to have said they feel duped by what they voted for being different to what they received.

But there is a glimmer of hope for our town - Cllr Mellor (Lab) actually voted against the budget saying the money belonged in residents pockets. I salute her for that after all the raises and  while the Council sits on money they can get from the Greedy Pig site disposal and the £150,000 sitting in the capital fund and £322,000 at Statement closing January 10th.

Seems there is plenty of money around...despite those Tories eh? 34,000 reasons to cheer indeed.....

Winsford - when the left was lost

Now that the 2019 General Election is over and we safely resume political life in 2020 knowing that Corbyn isn't going to get his hands on the countries coffers (although we now have to wait to see whether the Corbyn clone/clown Wrong Daily or one of the other group of Marxist nobodies get the second bite of the red cherry), things in Winsford have a chance to settle down for a bit.

However, no one seems to have told the hard left tribe of loony lefties who were elected at the last Council elections that Labour actually lost the General Election (ahhh...what would have been if we had secured Brexit earlier eh?). The cabal continues its purge of the normal ones while on a direct course to alienate most residents of Winsford while getting itself to the pinnacle of utopia (which in this case appears to be every pub in Winsford being owned by a "co-op") with the dark hand of a puppeteer in the background firmly thrust up the rear. A bit like the Sooty show but a whole load more dangerous.

Now I've never agreed with Cllrs Kennedy and Edwards from a political point of view but (and I have stated this many times) I have always thought them to be good people. We have not seen eye to eye on many things but we talk, we laugh and we can chat about "stuff" and I for one believe Cllr Kennedy was a fantastic Mayor for the town - even though I was extremely jealous of the fact he had some hair to dye purple for local charities.

According to the lefties - they apparently were not left enough, now they are accused of "acting illegally". Really? Let me state that again "acting illegally" Really? Maybe it was doing so in that charity work? Or helping residents? Or listening to residents? Or not agreeing to move the Council chamber to a larger venue so that lefty supporters could turn up........at a very significant cost......

I don't know - I'm at the point of not really wanting to turn up to a Town Council meeting knowing that the cabal have decided everything "down the red" in the day before, knowing that any comment I make at council will be instantly shouted down on as obviously I am one of the "haters"

I would say I would prefer the on-line discussion but like many others in the town, run the risk of being blocked from the "Labour" Community Forum because I have a different view or indeed dare to criticise. You may know the forum I speak of - where Cllrs post under admin (although you have to guess which one because they don't state their names) and the Labour party has free hand to post what it wants. Mind you, posting elsewhere runs the risks of "big brother watching" back to the cabal and results in being sent messages (very passive aggressive ones) in an effort to silence.

Anyway, enough of my frivolities.....my New Year message to residents of Winsford is....don't accept this poor behavior from your Town Councillors, you are in control and have the final say - albeit in years rather than days. Those of us who behave above the residents and without respect from residents don't deserve to represent...and I include myself in that.You are not wrong or "haters" because you have different opinions. You are Winsford.

Now, back to Boris and the GE.....BIG SMILE ON FACE......

Back again.....Labours un-safe hands for Winsford

Hello reader,

Been a while since I posted a blog on happenings in Winsford as seen from a rational viewpoint.

But first.....back by popular demand.....or by a mighty majority of seven votes, I have to express my gratitude to all of you who voted for me in the recent Council Elections. Both Brexit and Labour tried their best to topple me but fate retained me for four more years to be a thorn in the local reds team side.

SO , whats new in the town? I hear you ask.....

Well, the Count ended up with status quo in the Over and Verdin ward - 2 reds and myself. I would put the reds in the "moderate" end of their party and I quietly hope we have once again three reasonable people representing the ward.

The rest? Clearly Winsford Labour has taken a large step to the left with at least two of their new three coming from the Momentum arm....you know, those lovely rational, calm and reasonable bunch of crackpots who want to take us right back to the "good ol" days of the 1970's yet actually never lived in them. Bring on the strikes comrade.......down with the Tory scum (me as well apparently) and all that rubbish.

Right, so they are CWAC results.

On to business then and I hope I'll have plenty of time to report on whats going on to make things better in Winsford but let me give you an insight on what I'll have to contend with in the Town and how it'll fare under the new management of Labour Cllrs on the Town Council.

Our Labour Town Cllrs are already making a name for themselves.....one has publicly had a spat with our MP and another takes up the fine tradition of Labour Cllrs in Cheshire of having a fracas at a nightclub, which in this case is owned/managed by another Labour Cllr. A post tonight by the nightclub managing Cllr's team is already blaming the behaviour of the other Labour Cllr (interestingly not stating they are a Cllr but calling them a "visitor" at the nightclub) for the clubs imminent closure.

With in-fighting already starting, it surely cant be said that Winsford is in safe hands with Labour.............Interesting times ahead for sure for all of us.....

The road to Chester is a long one.....but mind the potholes on your way

Delamere Street

Chester Road

Just two streets, you might know them...they might even be streets where you live.

The ones I am talking about are in Winsford. One starts at the Over roundabout, the other is the A54 but we pick it up as you enter Winsford (heading to the residential area). However, both meet "in the middle" so to speak.

So, they are connected, they are interdependent and they suffer the same fate as many of our roads......POTHOLES.

"Oh NO" I hear you scream. Perhaps you dare to believe that under CWaC labour there couldn't be any potholes, anywhere. After all, there were record complaints last year and they all got fixed right? I mean, they must have been....Government has just given then 3.5 Million on top of the many other times they have given CWaC money to fix the roads (potholes).

Now, I know some of you read my blog and think, "Come on Mike...here you go again, giving those poor Labour lot a hard time, like the times you said they don't listen and that they don't know what they are doing - they must be hard pressed to leave a couple of potholes on Delamere street"

Well, I'm a reasonable bloke - maybe one or two potholes, yes. Maybe Labour have other things to do like writing Notices of Motion in Council which result in strongly worded letters to Government Ministers or hiring another couple of consultants to tell us what we already know, yes, maybe.

That wouldn't explain the lunar landscape that is Delamere street or Chester Road though, would it? You know, the bits in between the traffic "Cushions" that has been filled more times than a taxis fuel tank? Or the road markings which you can barely make out the word "School" or the row of holes before one of the raised areas which make Beechers Brook at Aintree look like a puddle?

I'm even thinking of sending them a picture of a Zebra so that they can understand what colours the stripes on the crossings should be (in case you don't know - it's black and white).

The fact is, this road is a MESS. It needs an overhaul, it is gone past it sell by date and half-hearted attempts to fix it only make it worse.

I have of course taken this up with the fellas at the local highways department (and here I will commend them for all the help they have given me over the years - a very dedicated team which I enjoy working with) to ask them when it will be done or to find out even if it is on the priority list.

It turns out there is a new system and now everything that was kept local has moved over to the bods in Chester. "Good luck in finding out about it, Cllr Baynham" was my own internal reply when I heard that great news.

I will keep campaigning, Labour will keep dodging. This will be the dance until perhaps nearer the election some "magical" amount of money will be found to fix Delamere Street and Chester Road. I'll leave it to the reader to make any decisions then about why it took so long.

They have the money, I would like them to spend it but perhaps, just perhaps, awarding one of their own an extra few thousand to chair a committee is money better spent.

Until then, safe driving but mind the potholes.......

Q. When does 800,000 go into 20? A. When Labour propose some new signs

The nice man from the post office recently dropped a letter through the door which stated that CWaC are proposing more 20mph zones for Winsford. This sparked my attention because the highlighted streets included the one I live on and others within the Glebe Green area of Swanlow Ward and one road in the Over and Verdin Ward. At the bottom of the blog you'll find the relevant map.  

The data collected by CWaC to support this proposal shows that most of us don't travel at more than 20mph on most of these roads - so changing the speed limit merely reflects what most of us are already doing in any event. 

Most of what is proposed in the scheme is uncontroversial - given that only one of the roads (The Loont) is a through road, all the others being cul-de-sacs. I don't have any evidence of drag racing on Over Hall Drive for example that makes me think that we are in desperate need a new sign for that road.

However there are aspects that we all need to think about the whole scheme across Winsford and its effect on certain areas. 

How do we feel about the short lengths of road - such Delamere Street/Chester Road , which rapidly change from 20mph to 30 mph to 40 mph within a matter of yards (or metres for the modern folk)?  Sure, I am 100% in agreement with the 20 mph in front of Over St Johns school and any other school in the whole town and borough (although interestingly enough, Whitegate Primary School "does not meet the requirements" apparently) but what does it mean for the rest of the road and users along it when clearly limits are not enforced?

I don't have the exact figures for how much these schemes will cost but the letter I received said anywhere from £1,000 to £6,000 for this relatively small patch. Winsford itself would therefore be far in excess of that - perhaps even above £60,000 given the total budget the Labour have set aside for the scheme is a staggering £800,000  

So if you had say £60,000 to spend on road safety schemes in Winsford - would you choose putting your money into 20 mph signs on roads where those speeds are not exceeded or something else?  I know many people want to see a pelican crossing on Delamere by Littler Lane - that would cost a little more than £25,000.  What about sorting out the junction on Grange Lane and the High Street once and for all? Or the installation of a speed camera along Swanlow Lane to catch a few speeders? Or a flashing speed sign on Cinder Hill in Whitegate? Those are just a few projects around Winsford that could be done with that sort of money.

Would you put the £60,000 to bringing a quality CCTV system to Town Park?

Lots to think about .....but by the time Labour work it out, the money would have long been spent.

From a community asset........to an asset to the community. Labour can't quite join the dots.

When I retire (in a long while I hope), I will need something to keep me busy (apart from my "list" of things the good Mrs B has in store for me) to take place of the long days in the office followed by the Council meetings. I have a long list of books I would like to read - although A Journey by Blair, T is most definitely NOT one of them.

So, with this in mind...along with stories of isolation and loneliness that can come after retirement or loss, I have been working with a very well known organisation to bring a sanctuary in a shed for some men (and women) to Winsford. I purposefully am not mentioning the organisations name as I am trying NOT to to politicise their great work (unlike Labour and the NHS) but use them as an example of what could be done better with an idea, an asset and an "can do" attitude.

The task set out should be a relatively easy one...find a building in Winsford which is currently empty, fit for purpose, big enough and possibly owned by the Council. "There must be many" I hear you cry with memories of the Drill Hall, The Brunner Guildhall, The Edge, The Marina building etc. etc. fresh on your mind.

Well, unfortunately not as the case may be. The Marina building was transferred to the Town Council, who if I may be so bold about it - were as imaginative as the Town Council always are i.e not very and didn't exploit its location to set up a cafe (perhaps even with toilets for those of you with a twitch over the comments made about Town Park) or a hub. The Drill Hall has long gone after a stint as a botanical pharmacy "ahem"....and The Guildhall, albeit owned by the Town Council (see above) is unfortunately not well set out internally for a shed based organisation.

There are other buildings dotted around Winsford and hopefully we shall hear some excellent news very soon but that leaves us for the moment with The Edge as the initial prime location for any organisation to use as a hub. For those who don't know, The Edge is a building off Cheviot Square and was formerly a community building until its closure due to financial irregularity in 2013. It's loss has been keenly felt by local residents who have lost a great addition to their community.

The Edge has been a topic of much debate as it is a Council owned building, and some locals and locally based groups have asked why it cant be used. All good questions, especially as we have the model of "Community asset transfer" whereby Council has powers to transfer an asset via tenancy at will or the more legal Community asset transfer. A wonderful example of this is the Whitegate Station Community Cafe - a place I wholeheartedly support and would ask the reader to go along to enjoy a refreshment or two.

All making sense so far? We have an empty building, which can be used by a community group to support the local community. Great. Well, Errr....not quite.It appears there are a few small matters that need to be addressed before anyone can "get the keys" so to speak.

The first is that any community must have a business plan. Fairly obvious but of course having an idea in the community, often not backed with any capital and without too much business acumen means that people are put off quite quickly. The officers do a sterling job of helping but a clearer message of "we will help you" should come from the Council.

Second, The Edge needs some fairly major repairs before it is fit for purpose. Initially, it was good to note that a smattering of arsonists had not made too much of a negative impact on the building but it was discovered the "the roof" needed some work - and the following numbers started to be discussed 50K then 130K with a final bid of 195,000 pounds....from the guy in the yellow jacket at the back.

That is then, the end of that - a building which would be great in the community, for the community which now requires so much money spending on it that no one wants to ask if we can have it. A building left in such a state that those wonderful sheds and the men and women who would be in them cannot use. A building that had community out reach potential for health, advice, children's groups, inter-generational training (young people learning skills, older generations learning a bit more about smart phones for example) now not being used.

So, I'm calling on CWaC Labour to tell me their plan for The Edge - perhaps they have one neatly stored away for publication (most likely before the election next year), perhaps they could spend some of their stash of unallocated reserve (£6 Million) on this and no doubt other community asset buildings before the building goes the way of Winsfords much publicised derelict Liquid Lounge building (that maybe another blog someday).

In the meantime, I wish those shed men and women the very best and will continue to support them in their search for a location in Winsford. It's a shame it cant be The Edge and I will be asking about the Labour plan at council. That is of course, if Labour actually answer any questions........I live in hope....

Winsford Town Centre regeneration - the Tories of Winsford show their support

Today, the Council (Cheshire West and Chester) announced that the they have acquired Winsford Cross Shopping Centre

Here is the Speech I asked Cllr Houlbrook to read out on my behalf at the Special Council meeting of January 23rd

Dear Members,

I can only apologise for not attending this important meeting tonight – unfortunately the unexpected, while in this case most welcome, clashes with a long-standing work appointment but my heart is with you all tonight. However, thanks to Cllr Houlbrook, my words on this subject can be heard as a matter of record.

As the only Tory in Town, I am a passionate champion for this great town in which you all sit tonight. I and many others care deeply about its future and am determined that Winsford will take its rightful place as one of the most vibrant Gateway towns in Cheshire. Its residents have long been awaiting a regeneration, even a rejuvenation of the town centre and have been patient in this ask as both sides of the political divide have united in trying to unlock the impasse between owner and the council. So many times to the brink, so many times stepping back.

What is clear with the proposal now in front of us is that we have an opportunity, an opportunity to move this town to the next stage of its future. A future where the art of the possible is discussed, not the mistakes of the past, where the towns current and new residents can be proud of and can call their town, the town for their future generations.

Such opportunities are long awaited, indeed it has taken this administration since late 2015 to take this first step. Perhaps that was a little underestimation of the task ahead but more probably to do with the complexity of the situation and the sheer number of avenues that needed to be explored.

Whatever the reason, you have seen that rather than take a partisan view, the two political parties representing CWaC in Winsford have both worked hard to the common goal and that is to make things better for our residents and to ensure Winsford can thrive today and prosper tomorrow.

So we must not allow anything to divert us from taking this opportunity with both hands, not taking the eye off the ball as appears to have happened in Northwich and elsewhere and to drive the detail forward into delivery. Where we work together to deliver what the town wants for itself – not imposing a plan where consultation by a handful of residents holds sway over the silent majority, Where we listen to all parties and deliver what we need for our future, for our children’s future.

We can start by following the lead of the local MP who is ahead of us in this conversation. Key to the success of this long term plan is to involve our communities, the social media forums, some as large as 4000+ members, we need to actively engage our MP – who has key data through her recent survey on what Winsford residents are looking for and expect from a forward thinking Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Looking in more detail at the plan in front of us and to adapt a phrase from one of our counties greatest leaders, we can see that this is not the regeneration, this is not even the plan for the regeneration but this is the beginning of the plan for regeneration. That plan can be delivered by being bold, by being innovative and by being there for our residents and for those businesses who believe in Winsford. 

I urge all members to support this plan if I could, I would vote with a “for”.

• 
  

Those pesky CWaC Tory straws

Bet you're thinking "why has Winsfords only elected Tory (at the moment) written that headline"? Fair point, I could have written "Labour really don't like letting us speak" or "the Labour Chairman runs the council like a feifdom" but you've possibly heard all of that in my previous blogs.

The real reason for writing that headline will become all to apparent as you read - providing you feel inclined to do so given the obvious lack of respect I will give any reader of this blog (that one only applies to self indignant socialists mostly).

Lets start then, I'm sitting here enjoying a beverage not held in a plastic container and certainly not being drunk through a plastic straw as in the last Council meeting of 2017 it was my pleasure to second a motion for the Council to encourage business and in the borough to stop using plastic drinking straws. Admittedly, this stemmed from a petition in Chester supported by Chester Conservatives but it was a motion without political motivation, designed to highlight a growing and massive problem that has a global reach and will affect our future generations in unimaginable ways.

So, the motion was raised after the founder of the petition (Dr Christian Dunn) had spoken earlier in the public speaker part of the agenda (and he didn't even get interrupted by the Chairman!!) and had indicated that any political party could support this or other campaigns along this theme (by the way he spoke really well).

And then it came - the politically motivated, designed to make a grandstand against the government, lets stop the CWaC Tories getting any airtime and wholly unnecessary amendment by CWaC Labour. Brought forward by our very own "frackers charter author" Cllr Matt Bryan. You know the one....often in the Chester papers about a year or two back.....

However, anyone is allowed to make an amendment, except this one was really only brought to give Cllr Bryan and no doubt his political masters a platform to drone on about issues which has literally nothing to do with straws or plastic or recycling. In fact, after a challenge (as the "fair and respectful" Chairman was clearly enjoying his performance) by Cllr Anderson via a point of order the Cllr for Fracking (sorry, Upton - where he is considerably outperformed by the Tory Cllr Houlbrook) continued his tirade of unrelated topics. The Chairman steps in again, this time on his own rare  initiative and finally switches the Corbyn stuck record to the "off" position.

So no politically motivated and disrespectful treatment by CWaC Labour there then eh?  Amendment won, Tories lose but at least we have the straws issue firmly in the picture and hopefully the Labour Council will actually do something other than draft "another" strongly worded letter to the Government (it feels like half our Council Tax increase last year was so the CWaC Labour could afford more stationary to send a lot of those letters......).

Well from there it could only get more entertaining couldn't it? After Cllr Anderson raised another point of order - asking the monitoring to offer advice to Cllrs over bringing motions to Council which would be beneficial to Unions and therefore beneficial to Cllrs who received support off Unions - the totally respectful and overly fair and completely apolitical Chairman (who coincidentally states "I intend to vote" and then votes for every Labour item) actually said "...stick to your day job" to Cllr Anderson.

And later came my own Notice of Motion - not surprisingly described as "horrible" by Cllrs Shouty & Co. from the red side of the chamber but hey, I'm not gonna lose any hair over that any day soon - which highlighted the lack of accountability of the Council, its Leader and its meetings.

I must admit, I was a little surprised when the reds agreed to debate it, no doubt in indignation that anyone could or indeed would question or oppose all the brilliant things they have done (ahem!) such as removing free after three in Chester, introducing car parking charges elsewhere, their success in Barons Quay in Northwich, the G+T fiasco, their action on Winnington Bridge, the Ampitheatre in Chester and their supreme desire to answer all the questions and supplemental questions asked of them at Council etc. etc.

I started by saying that I thought it odd that during the last few Council meetings a lowly Ward member (me) had spoken more times than the Leader of the Council, that the Leader actually spoke a lot in Cabinet meetings but usually to introduce other speakers and that there were on-line "debates" where the Cabinet members out numbered the audience.

An offer to withdraw the motion was made if the Leader would action some items, such as the set-up and offer dates meetings off cross-party working groups and to get a report back from the group working on the Council Agenda protocol by the end of January. No such agreement came and the motion was seconded.

The brunt of the argument from Cllrs Shouty & Co. was that:-
during the previous administration the constitution was set up in the maner it now finds itself: Agreed
that the group meeting to discuss the council Agenda order had already met: Agreed
that the critiscism was unfair because the administration was already completely open and fair: er...ummm..er...
that the motion was only brought forward by a "tiny but noisy minority": Agreed - there were two of us raising the motion but of course the Tory group has many times highlighted the lack of time given to answering questions by the Administration.
that there was indeed plenty of times to ask questions during Cabinet meetings and Scrutiny meetings and that I should attend those meetings to ask those questions rather than making the point at full council: Oh boy... I was embarrassed to have to actually point out to the good and yet lamentable Cllr who raised this point that I actually sit on Scrutiny and ask lots of questions. Now who was the one not paying attention??

The crux of the matter is as follows, CWaC Labour do not like opposition, do not like being criticised for the Nirvana that they believe that have reached while in power and don't like anyone pointing it out that they are consistently not achieving their own goals, not showing much innovation and take little action while not actually putting themselves in a position to be accountable. Their answer is simple - it's everyone else's fault and we will treat everyone else like we think we have been treated because we can.

I think of them as the villain at the end of the much loved cartoon series starring a friendly dog.....

"We've been caught with no ideas (except raising taxes), the borough falling apart around us and treating everyone with absolutely no respect...........and we would have got away with it if it wasn't for you pesky Tories"

Enjoy your holidays with your families and friends - if you get a minute watch the Council Webcast

https://cheshirewestandchester.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/318392

P.S. I'm taking bets on how much Council Tax goes up next year in Winsford, looks like an accumulator bet with a Labour CWaC, Labour Town Council and Labour PCC all in the running.

Dear Labour, if you're not too tired or fed up....Can I ask a question please?

I like asking questions....call it nosy, call it a desire to learn, call it whatever you want (just be civil) but I really like asking questions. Most revolve around the daily chores, figuring out what the kids are up to or what I have forgotten to do now.

As a councillor, I sit on a scrutiny committee and really enjoy asking questions there especially when another complex or critical issue comes up. I feel that by asking questions we can make informed decisions and help our residents understand why those decisions are made.By asking those questions I can arrive at a decision to support or not the CWaC labour administration in achieving their statutory responsibilities and aims.

Ok...you get it, I like asking questions. I'll get on with the point of this now before you stop reading and muttering comments such as "I'm fed up now".

So, at full council meetings we are asked/allowed/able to ask questions of the Cabinet Members of the Labour administration - questions which are recorded, minuted and available for all to see (there are some die-hards out there who apparently watch the council webcasts). When the question is answered, we then get to ask a follow up question - this is called a supplementary and I'll get back to this later.....

The questions have to be submitted a few days in advance and they are answered towards the end of the council meeting if only there is time to do so. Maybe not all will be read, maybe none if the schedule is full or all the allotted time is taken. All of this is covered in the constitution.

The opportunity to ask a question is important, given that we only meet at full Council 6 times a year ( and one of those is mostly ceremonial) it is a chance of members of all political parties to "nail down" the cabinet members on important topics and get them to take some form of accountability.

Hope you are still with me.....maybe you are a bit tired by now.....

Remember the bit about all the allotted time being taken? Well, turns out that there's been a lot of that happening at our council meetings. Many of you will use the "old ones are the best ones" answer for that - you know, politicians like to hear their own voices, blowing hot air etc. but really, there has been a LOT of time taken up in the meetings, time talking about issues which CWaC cant do much about and only result in strongly worded letters being drafted to government ministers who reply with a "thanks" or "noted".

So when after three or four council meetings in a row where maybe one or two questions are actually asked out of maybe twenty or so submitted at each meeting, the conservative team start to voice disquiet at the intentional tactic Labour are deploying in order for us NOT to ask difficult questions (I haven't been able to find out where that lies on the "respect" agenda) and ask for more time at the July Council meeting.....the reply was both informative and shocking.

The best way I can show you this is via video (from the July Council Webcast) and it details what our Council Chairman replied to our request to actually get more time to answer the questions (22 were submitted, 1 was answered on the night). There were other comments from other Cllrs so please make sure you watch the whole section of the webcast (via the CWaC website)

Now I have tried to be fair in that there is some explanation of the process given in the video and the Chairman is factually correct on his comments about the constitution and the previous changes made but for any Chairman of CWaC to state "when I get tired or fed up I can say we've had enough of doing that" that does not strike me as being fully respectful to CWaC residents, especially those who, like me "like to ask questions". After all, these questions come from residents and are important to residents (as are the answers).

As you know I like to ask questions....here is one or two for you...what exactly are Labour scared of? Why don't they like being asked questions? Too difficult? Here are my two two pennies.....The questions submitted are often answered with help and direction from council officers, service chiefs and dept heads etc. (makes sense to me because often details such as costs, timings etc are asked).

If the questions are answered in Council, the asking Cllr can pose a supplemental question....remember this? the follow up which can be harder to answer than the original question and must require the person asked to be "on top of their game".

If the questions are not answered in Council, the supplemental must be written and can take a very long time to be returned and appear to be once again answered with help from the officers.

Next time I'm fed up or tired sitting to another Labour "rant to the world because I'll prove to the unions that I look good" motion in Council, I'll be dreaming "can I ask a question......please?"






Finally...the questions I submitted for July 2017 meeting (not answered on the night)

Question 6 From Councillor Michael Baynham to Councillor Angela Claydon, Cabinet Member for Housing
Could the Cabinet member for housing please inform members that after the WYG report into the provision of Gypsy and Traveller permanent site highlighted a severe shortfall in the number of permanent pitches required by the council for Gypsy and travellers, why permanent pitches at Barlow Drive, Winsford allowed to be allocated to Travellers from outside the local area and without a local connection to the Borough, leading to this site meeting needs from surrounding authorities rather than those of CWaC?
Answer 6 The council has a legal obligation to have an allocation policy for the pitches on the sites under their management, this should reflect as closely as possible the local housing allocation policy. The policy it adopted uses a banding system to allocate pitches, from a band a to a band D o Band A prioritising those with a local connection threatened with homelessness – this covers those living on the sites in the greenbelt o Both band B and C have a local connection o Band D allows those who do not have a local connection to apply. The reason why we have to have the fourth banding with no local connection is due to a high court case decision in North Somerset. This stated that the authority could not disqualify Gypsies and Travellers from applying for its accommodation due to them not having a local connection, as they are transient, therefore will not be able to have a local connection. If the families from the sites in the greenbelt had applied for pitches they would have in all likelihood been allocated a pitch, as they could prove they had a local connection. Unfortunately no applications were received, despite the council proactively encouraging applications by contacting all families and visiting the sites.
 Supplementary question 6 
What evidence is there to support any further G+T permanent sites in the Winsford area when the council has not been able to relocate those from greenbelt land and who may have already been served eviction notices, given that they have already refused to move to this site?
Supplementary answer 6 The level of site provision required in the Borough and in Winsford has been independently assessed through the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment and the Council is required to have a 5 year land supply of G&T sites. It is suggested that future site provision may consist of smaller family sites leased to individual households, which will complement the existing supply of affordable, public operated sites.

Question 7 From Councillor Michael Baynham to Councillor Brian Clarke, Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Infrastructure 
Given that the WYG report on Gypsy and Traveller provision for CWaC has been effectively proven to be of little value and that we are still awaiting final decisions from that report which affects our residents, could the Cabinet member for Economic Development please provide a full breakdown of costs accrued while working on Gypsy and Traveller provision, including the original costs to consultants WYG plus any costs for officers time, any associated expenses and costs of any time spent on redrafting of reports since the announcement of the WYG report at the LPWG on April 25th 2016 and up until July 20th 2017 ?
Answer 7 The cost of the WYG study was £24,734. It is not possible to quantify Officers time as developing planning policies, including for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpersons accommodation, is part of the statutory requirement of the Council as Local Planning Authority to produce an up-to-date and robust development plan. This is business as usual and officer time is not attributed to one particular area of policy preparation.

Let's talk? - only if Labour say we can

The disaster at Hillsborough has struck us all as a nation. The families of those who died and were affected are a proven testament to how to behave with dignity and poise when faced with great adversity and in the face of some of the worst injustices in living memory. We all feel for their loss and support them in their battles to get their story heard correctly and definitively. To have to read false and untrue stories in the press while dealing with lives torn apart by tragedy is also something we can all hope we never have to deal with as did those grieving families, some of which come from our borough.

That we should not make political capital out of such a tragedy should be a given, there is no need and it stoops us to the level of those we detest most. 

As a CWaC Councillor, I received the latest Agenda for the full council meeting of July 20th 2017 and cast my eye through the items, stopping at the following:-

Agenda Item 8  NOTICE OF MOTION - Hillsborough and Support for Residents

To consider the following Notice of Motion, proposed by Councillor Paul Donovan and seconded by Councillor Richard Beacham. On April 15th 1989 crowd control mismanagement at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield led to the deaths of 96 innocent football fans. Men, women and children whose ages ranged from 10 to 67 including James Delaney (19) Jimmy Hennessy (29) Chris Edwards (29) Jonathon Owens (18) and Henry Rodgers (17) from our Borough. 4 This Council has supported the families of the 96 victims in their tireless campaign for justice. On April 26th 2016 a jury returned verdicts of unlawful killing in relation to each victim. Cheshire West and Chester Council praises the dignity and courage displayed by families and deplores the behaviour of some in positions of responsibility and public trust. This Council recognises and will not forget the hurt and distress caused to the families and friends of the 96 during this period, not least in part due to lies and slurs published in a British national newspaper.

As such, Cheshire West and Chester Council;-

Will support all local vendors who choose to stop selling The S*n newspaper.

Ensure that elected Members and staff do not advertise or give interviews to The S*n newspaper.

Supports any reasonable and lawful campaign that raises awareness of proven injustice and/or lies in regard to the events at Hillsborough or elsewhere. 

For the record, I fully support the first paragraph of the Notice of Motion (NOM) and have nothing further to add to it.

The second part, the action part, simply took my breath away.

Now I do not buy The S*n, I do not read it and I have never been interviewed by it. For reference, I also don't buy the Socialist W*rker or the M*rror.

So if a particular shopkeeper wanted to stop selling The S*n newspaper then I cannot stop them, neither could you or anyone else. 

But if a shop keeper wanted to keep selling The S*n and this NOM was passed, what would "not supporting" shopkeepers look like? Would it mean a little visit from some friendly momentum members reminding them of their civic duties? 

Ok - maybe that isn't going to happen but how will CWaC "Ensure elected members....do not...give interviews to The S*n newspaper". 

As an elected member (a Councillor in layman's terms) who stands for freedom of speech and freedom of choice, I am justifiably concerned by this statement. 

Red states all over the world have histories full of incidents where speech is controlled and directives dictated. That a Labour run Council has the audacity to attempt to stifle free speech in this manner should tell us all about who is really in charge and what their ultimate end game is. 

This is a political game for Labour, driven by the tit-for-tat nasty politics of the left. Corbyn was blasted by The S*n so now he gets his army to give them a kick but in doing so, crosses a line of decency and respect. Now CWaC Labour want us to be silent.

So, for those of you who have Labour Councillors in your area - please write to them asking not to support this. I suspect they wont listen, because if they don't tow the party line they will likely be deselected in the Labour new world order of things.

I for one wont be silenced - after all, what will they be able to do? whatever it will be, it'll be no hardship compared to some.

*updated to reflect that I do not wish to cause offence (Intentional or otherwise) to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster. 

What price to shop in CWaC?

I try to always start these blogs with things that I like. However, like many people I know, shopping isn't one of them. The dawn of internet shopping hasn't made that particular hobby any more interesting for me but every now and then when the mood strikes me I really do like to go to a town and peruse the offers and stroll the pavement looking for the items I want.

It normally doesn't take me too long, I go armed with a list or have already pretty much decided what I want to buy - if I impulse buy I usually spend to much money and then am spending the next few days time justifying the purchase to my understandably annoyed wife.

Whether I am in a minority or a majority is unclear but there are many people who wish or need to go to the shops and for those who want to (or must do) the issue of parking (fees, no fees, Badges, schemes, parks, drop off zones, waiting zones etc.) can be a very big concern.

We are very lucky in CWaC as many of our towns have free parking or can offer such great incentives like "free after three" which allows the afternoon/evening economy to thrive without taking away the income required to maintain car parks in those areas where charges exist.

OK - so what? Why am I tattling on about Car Parks - obviously not the most interesting topic in the western world is it?

Well - perhaps it should be, especially for us lucky people who live in Winsford. You know, the town that as yet does not have the super deluxe shopping centre to which many would love to spend their afternoons and evenings at.

What do we do when we want to "go to the shops"? I suspect a lot of us drive off to Northwich, to gaze in admiration at the newly developed Barons Quay and stand in awe. Perhaps we go to the cinema or coffee shops or other fine, new establishments?  What would you say that it's going to start costing you to park in Northwich (currently it's free) after the Labour run CWaC council introduce parking charges?

I'm hearing the headlines now "Winsford residents taxed for not having a new shopping centre" because whichever way we look at it, that is what it effectively is if we decided to leave Winsford and go to Northwich, Chester* or indeed Ellesmere Port* to do a bit of shopping.

*With removal of "free after three"

"They're not going to introduce charges in Winsford are they?" I hear you scream. Thankfully not, thankfully not YET anyway is the answer. But if they are willing to introduce those charges now into Northwich, while the development is finding its feet and struggling to secure enough footfall without charges, what will it do to the rest of the plans, which are already faltering under labour? Will it really encourage more businesses to set up in Northwich or elsewhere?

OK - this might mean a windfall for us in Winsford because maybe, just maybe, those companies will want to set up here, as we will look attractive without those charges. In the detail, Labour have already own-goaled that idea as they have declared a desire to start charging as soon as possible.

What else was in that report? A lorry park in Winsford, more parking for the old high street.....truly excellent ideas that have my support. Getting Labour to deliver them is a bit more tricky, they've been slated as "medium" term , which to you or me means 5 - 10 years. So, charges now on shopping in other towns but 5 years before we get anything back. Starting to sound the complete opposite of a magic money tree, eh Mr Corbyn?

Thankfully, within CWaC we have something called scrutiny and we exercise the right to scrutinise reports and decisions which affect the residents of this borough (the type of things we Councillors do that doesn't really get seen by residents). The draft borough-wide parking strategy was scrutinised last night (19th June) in a marathon 4 hour meeting held at HQ in Chester.

Labour normally get these items through with a few recommendations and their usually poorly thought out strategies and pet projects continue along unabated as they have the majority on the council and therefore have a majority on every committee, including the scrutiny ones. Perhaps now you see why we in opposition keep a keen eye on events such as councillors who get pulled up for poor behaviour in Chester night clubs.The balance of power is a fine indeed within CWaC.

But last night was different.....for such important and contentious issues such as parking, Labour didn't have a majority present. I wont get into that as there may have been a perfectly good reason for it. What is probably worth a mention is that Cabinet Member for Economic Development wasn't there...Really? Given that car parking charges might have a direct economic consequence?

Thankfully we Tories could see that if you are going to bring in any charges, then you had better take a good look at the economic impact first.We voted for and indeed passed a recommendation that a full economic assessment be done before any decisions be made. We consider this as simple economics, although Labour keep failing to grasp this.

No doubt Labour will make a hullabaloo about this recommendation being above and beyond what was asked of the scrutiny committee. Of course they would, as they were the ones who asked the scrutiny committee narrow and specific questions. We Tories think somewhat different and feel it a duty to point out to Cabinet (where the report goes) if we feel a mistake is being made.

The Cabinet Member for Environment (Cllr Shore) has to decide whether she accepts the recommendation from Scrutiny when recommending (or not) implementing parking charges. You can find her already clear answers in the webcast to decide whether she is for or against.

https://cheshirewestandchester.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/287827  

For Labour, introducing parking charges will not be a popular decision. We Conservatives have urged them to consider taking all aspects into account first, a first impression is that, as usual, they have not.

Until then, enjoy your Saturday afternoons - wherever you shop.
  

Karma Comedians? All hail the new Mayor

They say a day is a long time in politics, yet this last year seems like no time at all.


Now before I start on what is behind that particular comment, I want to state (For the Record) that this particular blog is not making any comment on the capability or ability of our new Mayor, Deputy Mayor or any member of the highly esteemed Winsford Town Council (Labour 10, Lib Dems 5).

With that on the record, a year ago, I went along to the annual AGM of the said Winsford Town Council (WTC) to watch the making of the new Mayor after the then current Mayor, Cllr Ailsa Gaskill-Jones, stood down after a successful year in office. Winsford has a "Mayoral Convention" which means that the Mayor is chosen based on standing and seniority and this means that the Mayor does not always come from the ruling party. A fair and equitable, perhaps indeed a noble act for our venerable town council.

Therefore, we were expecting to see the Elder Statesmen of the council, Cllr Malcolm Gaskill, rightly take over as the Mayor of Winsford. It has been clear for a long time that our Labour group have not seen eye to eye with Cllr Gaskill, it could be argued that not many people do but that is perhaps for more discussion in a later blog. To say "they were not getting on very well" would be quite the understatement for those of us who take the time to visit the WTC meetings.

Add into this mix the fact that a new Town Clerk had just been appointed after the long standing and excellent Alan Warburton headed off into retirement. The new Town Clerk (Mark Bailey) came with many years of experience in the public sector and with a glowing reputation. During this last year he has in my opinion been proven to be a first class choice to take over from Alan.

So, back to the meeting a year ago then.....Labour proposed to suspend the Mayoral Conventions for a period of three years. After a heated discussion, this was passed by a Labour majority.

Why? It's the question that has never adequately answered then or ever since. The "reason" given was that the new Clerk needed time to settle in and gain experience of the role. Understandable, I guess, except that if that were indeed the case, why was he appointed in the first place? Labour held the majority on the selection committee after all. Did they appoint the wrong person, even after telling us the new Clerk had loads of experience and was the right man for the job?

Or was it more likely that Labour simply did not want Cllr Malcolm Gaskill to be the Mayor. Did they fear him getting more press coverage then them? Or again is it more likely that Labour simply do not like any kind of opposition, as we have seen at CWaC.

Either way, it doesn't show Labour in a good light, either being incompetent in appointing the right town Clerk or petty and disrespectful in how they have treated the next Mayoral candidate. Did I mention that by the time the Mayoral Convention is back on track it will be at the Council elections in 2019? Funny that eh?

Fast forward to this year and of course our Liberal chums have not forgotten (they love to fight old and lost causes e.g. Handley Hill School, Brexit referendum). Cllr M. Gaskill gives a "damning speech" during the Mayor making meeting and refused to take part in the event by refusing to vote for the Mayor or his Deputy.

I can understand the new Mayor of Winsford, Cllr Mike Kennedy ( who I am sure will do an excellent job) being annoyed at the Lib Dems, after all, Labour have only given themselves three years to showcase themselves locally (in which they will no doubt never make a reference to Jeremy Corbyn either) and the Labour spin machine goes off again on their oppositions supposed "gutter politics" rather than their own actions which led to this point.

Time for a change locally in my opinion but Labour Cllrs need to remember one thing in politics.....

A day may be a long time.... but......you reap what you sow......

What's a little fracking between friends?

When the CWaC Labour spin machine gets going it can be a very effective resource at stopping real debate or even telling the truth about a particular situation as it unfolds before us.

This week I took the often travelled journey to CWaC headquarters in Chester to be part of the call in team for a very important and emotive item which on the face of it should not have required a call in if my voice or the voice of residents had been taken into consideration throughout.

For those of you who are not sure what a call in is and what it is for, its a mechanism where a decision of a committee or group within council can be asked to be scrutinised in depth by one of the various scrutiny committees (there are four) in CWaC. These committees are well run, two with Labour Chairpersons, one with Conservative and one by our independent Councillor.

So what was called in? Well, in order to call anything in there must be a minimum number of councillors and I was one of those calling in the SPD (Special planning Document) that has been developed by the LPWG (local plan working group)  around fracking and how (or not) to do it.

Why did I call it in? I like the other call in members did not disagree with the SPD but we felt it did not go far enough. I (we) wanted a situation where by any fracking application could be held to a referendum by local communities after working with fracking companies to see if there were any mutual benefits such as infrastructure, financial etc. You could therefore imagine that residents would have a say or even THE say on whether the fracking would go ahead.

At this point, I need to remind readers that in Labours manifesto pledge of 2015, they committed to this "We will seek to put a moratorium on the extraction of shale gas methane in the Cheshire West and Chester area...". However, after gaining power they were told they had no legal powers to do so (the first sign of a lack of understanding how it all works perhaps?)

So they (with our help and backing) have brought along the SPD - without which frackers can put in lots of planning applications to frack and CWaC can't do much about it.

We wanted it to be stronger......

and so we end up at the call-in April 26th and a few days after a general election is called and a couple of days after the Conservative group leader told Labour and officers that we are now under the rules of "purdah".

I hope you are still with me.....so far anyway. One of the rules of Purdah is that no local council facilities or buildings can be used for electioneering. A pretty common sense rule I think as that is not what Council Tax is paid for.

At the call-in, Chris Mathers, Labour MP for Chester, with a very small majority (I'll leave his ability for another blog perhaps) turns up. No doubt ready to make a compassionate election speech about how good labour were on turning about face on their promises not to frack.

And here in lies the truth, if we continue with the call-in, the legal team will stop it due to purdah, if we delay the meeting, we all have to tootle off to Chester again and in the meantime we have no SPD (which we conservatives support) with which to protect our residents. Thankfully common sense prevailed and we withdrew with assurances that the additional points would be discussed at a later date, webcast and recorded.

In the meantime......

The CWaC Labour spin machine goes off course and at full charge, accusing the call in members of wasting time, money and playing games. Some call this "fake news"...I have other words but can't print them here without upsetting even more people than the Labour cronies who might read this blog.

The biggest criticism comes from Matt Bryant (yes, the one due in court to appeal a decision) who calls us the pro-fracking Conservatives. I would remind readers he has gone from"no fracking here" to "we can frack now" within a space of two years......not bad eh?

No doubt this will also run and run but sometimes I think what residents want is strong rules and regulations which rely on them to have the better judgement on what is right in a community.

I'm not sure Labour can deliver that.....