The Year that was........2015

Following on from my theme that I do on my blog throughout the year of the week that was ...... So for this post, the last of 2015 I think it is appropriate to do this for the year. Seems a good idea.

In fact talking of good ideas my blog and the theme of the week this is now copied by the Labour Candidate of Standish. Funny how she calls me for everything but then follows my ideas, which I am not bothered about. Obviously another good sign people are looking and reading the blog. It is so funny when we speak with people and the like's of Cllr George Fairhurst tells someone something and they go I know I saw it on Gareth's blog.

Expenses Scandals

OK, let's get to it so the beginning of the year saw ex Labour and Tory Cllrs with fiddling their expenses conclude and update. The Ex Labour Cllr Emma McGurrin was jailed for her actions and whilst it was myself that reported her for taking freebie gifts and then that started her to be investigated.
 Then we learnt that Ex Conservative Cllr Judith Atherton had claimed for mileage to meetings she didn't even attend.

However, when she was investigated it was decided that she didn't have car insurance. the investigation concluded this because no insurance certificate was given to the investigator. So therefore under the rules you have to have a car, car insurance and a driving licence to claim mileage expenses. Even worse was she claimed for meeting that where in the future, then the Council paid those expenses and then she didn't attend the meetings. For example she put a mileage expenses in say for meetings in June/ July of that year and then she was paid by the Council in June, even though they didn't wait to see if she attended the meetings. Because of this massive issue she was told to pay the money back. It has been revealed that out of all of this she has only paid £48 back over  4 year period. Shocking!

Abuse Scandal in Wigan Children Care Homes

It was earlier in the year I sat in a scrutiny meeting and we were going through a report and I noticed that there were millions in a holding area. when I dug a little deeper it was because Wigan Council are away that in the past there are history of abuse to children in the care of Wigan Council. We all know about the Rotherham scandal.

Anyway for me it disgusts me that they know about it but don't want to proactively go and address the issue because it will cost them millions in compensation and instead they are just wait for the claims to come in.

Here is the blog post I wrote about it.

Ashfield

This issue had taken a large part of my life for 3 years and in January of this year it was decided that the public inquiry should be set for April. April is a busy month with it being an election period but the public and community of Standish had waited long enough so I agree to it, even though it would be very busy.

In February the Council then said that they wanted to cancel it and then after months of going back and forth it was agreed that the hearing would happen the first week of September. The public inquiry was scheduled to last 4 days but on the first day the Council's barrister said that for the most of the application they would not contest all our witness's. Therefore we didn't need the 4 days and we were able to complete the public inquiry in 2 days.

During the 2 days the main and only argument was whether the Council had given the people of Standish permission to use it for recreational purposes. For our argument it was discovered that years ago the Council only documented plan for Ashfield was to rent the fields out to football teams. And then I guess when there was no football match on then they were not bothered about the use. The difficulty came with if the council had given permission to use it for recreational purposes and at the same time rent out the fields then who would have the priority?

Once the inspector had heard both side of the argument it took him a number of weeks to conclude and he said that he was siding with the Council on a legal precedent case. Quite difficult to understand the legal case but I can say it was disappointing that we did not secure Ashfield future forever. However, the Council has said that they will not develop on Ashfield lots of time in the press and leaflets. But they said that about Mere Oaks and they sold that for houses, as we all know.

I would like to thank again everyone that helped over the years. We will have to wait and see if they do sell the fields off next year. If they do it will only be after May and the local elections.


House raided for Drugs

Police carrying out their raid.

In March of this year a house in the Ashfield Area was raided for drugs. The owners and occupiers where arrested and sent to court. After months of waiting the verdict came back and it was a community order and suspended sentence for the guilty parties. That original story can be found here and the verdict and sentences are here.

For me it is sad that in an area like Standish we have a drug house. People don't expect that here and nor should they. Where drugs are involved I have a firm belief that anyone making, farming or selling drugs should be sent to jail. We shouldn't be soft of this kind of crime.


Big Clean Up

Litter off the line litter pick. 

In March of this year the council organised a Big clean up. I often critise the Council for things like the number of houses and lack of money that comes back into Standish. However, I do believe this was one of their better idea and simple. Cllrs in each ward were asked to organise a Big Clean up. We got a skip in and did a big litter pick up along the line. It was amazing the people that attended and helped but also the rubbish we found. everything to the kitchen sink, literally. Here is that story if you missed it. I do hope the council organise another one next year. If they do I can assure you that we will be doing something, although many areas of walks will be covered by building works for all the houses that we are getting.


Houses for Standish

This is the biggest issue that Standish is facing now. Over the years the Council started in 2012 saying that they would not allow any houses in Standish. Then because of their weak plan this allowed developers to force through getting 1000 houses for Standish. The council said that was it, there would be no more. however, we know from this chart that we are now getting close to 2000 houses.

   

But the only traffic improvements that the Council are saying that they will do are traffic lights at Boars Head roundabout and Pepper Lane/ Preston Rd roundabout. Also we have recently learnt they are looking at putting traffic lights at Grove Lane. this, they say will allow the traffic to come out of the new houses estate at the bottom of Grove lane.

Standish could not cope with the houses that are coming, the schools, doctors and dentist will not be able to cope, never mind the road infrastructure. In 2016 we will be leading the way to objecting to the 2 latest planning applications that have come in. These two applications add another 200+ houses on to those that are already coming. Standish is well and truly full!!

The worrying thing is developers are still looking at putting more and more planning applications in and because the Conservative Government planning inspector and rules in favour of the developers and not local communities. Had the Council a stronger core strategy then it would be harder for these developers to get permission. But then again Wigan Council like blaming the Tory government and then getting the houses because they get more council tax out of Standish than any other area. we are just seen as a cash cow for Wigan Council.


Immigrants at the Britannia

Another big story that has hit the headlines are the growing number of immigrants at the Britannia Hotel at Almond Brook. The loony left always shout the racist card because then you get some raving right wing extremist trying to exploit the situation.

Local residents have a genuine concern over this issue and just because they moved into a white hard working class area then the Lefties try and make them feel guilty by calling the racist card. People should be allowed to live in the areas that they choose for the reasons that they want. Standish is a community of hard working people that have good strong community beliefs and do not want the area to change.

There are also issues over safety especially when students are getting off St. Peters bus and the immigrants follow the students direction on their way home. whilst they do not follow them to the door a number of parents have raised concerns with us and we have passed those genuine concerns to the Police.

Aldi Car park

Over the year as Standish is getting busier and busier and car parking is now a major issue. Gateway, Somerfield and the Co-op all allowed non shoppers to park on the car park. Aldi moved in and they have signs that say that it is for their shoppers and limited to parking just for 1.5 hours.

This is Aldi's official policy but the area manager has said non shoppers can park there but the 1.5 hours is not up for discussion. It became apparent people were parking there all day. Here is the story about the issue in more detail.

Internet Trolls

Years ago a good friend of mine was thinking of standing to be a Cllr. They would have made a great Cllr had they stood and won. However when it came to it they decided to not go through with it. When I asked if there was any one reason for it? They replied it was because of the public name calling Cllrs get. And it is true whatever your colours, or party you stand for they will be people that call you names. There will be people that challenge your decisions and to be fair that goes with the job I guess and there has to be a bit of tough skin you need to be a Cllr. If you someone like me that openly challenges Labour and this Council's policies in an open and hard hitting way. But there has to be a line where that has to stop. Just being a Mp or Cllr does not give you the right to go and put libelous, evil and twisted things on the internet - all behind fake names to hide. And why because they are cowards!

Some may remember that in May two fake twitter accounts were set up pretending to be me and saying I had done things with Jimmy Saville and what he has become to be known for of late. Those crimes are the most heinous ones and those issues cannot go unchallenged. I had to call the police and solicitors in. Here is the story. I did say that I had to allow the police do their work before I could name the two main suspects behind these fake accounts.

Then Rebecca McCarthy, maiden name Rebecca Chadwick of the Chadwick butchers, still goes out of her way to spread her evil lies around. These include that the money we raised to pay for the barrister who drew up the legal argument for Ashfield Village Green, that this was all a lie and I pocketed the money. On the basis the Public Inquiry has all the evidence in, including the name and chambers of the Barrister that drew the argument. Now I am told that she has recently put out that I only win elections by going into nursing homes and fill out their postal votes. These kind of things are not only lies it goes to show what evil I have to put up with. Not sure what this woman's and her friends problem is with me as she doesn't even live in Standish. Although at a recent meeting Chadwick's did say they would sell their field for car parking to Wigan council for £3.5m. this is because Wigan council has said they will use £5m  of the money from all these houses. it would appear that her issue is because I stand up for Standish resident, good value for money and 70% of the pot of money going to their family would not be, and finally because we win.

It seem because she doesn't work for the family butchers no longer and works in Manchester she is taking her attack out of Northern Rail, so maybe a bit of a rest bite for me.....lol..... I doubt it.

But I stand up to bullies and these people should be exposed for what they are evil trolls.

Election Win

As I have stated the opposition don;t like that we win and no one like losing. But the steps they go to is too far and I know that the residents of Standish don't like these kind of people neither.

However this year say two elections on the same day, national and local elections. When there is a national election the turnout goes from about 30% to over 60%. Obviously the 100%+ increase is because people are voting for the main election but they will then just vote for the main parties in the local election too. this being the case the two main political parties make the biggest gains on those day and it was the case in 2010 that Labour got the disgraced Ex Labour Cllr Emma McGurrin elected. But because of the hard work that all the Standish independent Cllr's do and especially Cllr George Fairhurst he was able to do something that not many independents do when there is a General election on the same day and he won! Although the 2 main political parties increased their votes, for the reasons set out, in the end it didn't matter. For that we thank the residents of Standish for the loyal support.

Space

It is interesting that early in the year we had the eclipse and I know a number of people and school children wanted to see it safely and there was much exciting about it. Here is my picture of the eclipse.

Then just a few weeks ago we had Tim Peake go up into space and the international space station for 6 months and again the excitement about space is growing again.


Don't Blame the council - but we so do - especially now!!!!!

Wigan Council has become known this after this TV show.

I couldn't finish the year's blog post without not mentioning the infamous TV show that the Council did. Now first of all the Council just believe in spin. In fact there is so much spin in the Town hall I am sure I will bump into Alistair Campbell soon. :-) .  They are obsessed with PR stunts like believe this believe that and then they thought wouldn't it be good to have a TV show on us. Then we got a true insight into the Council People being lazy, people bunking off and going home and then come back at clocking off time and then tell their boss and they don't fire them. Shocking. No wonder the Council is in the mess it is with people like that. No I must say that many front line staff are not like that and many work hard especially now as the Conservative cuts have taken a massive hit to the number of staff there. It always interests me how people can earn over £100,000 - £200,000 and they never seem to get hit like the front line staff. Labour say they represent the working people. Given these huge salaries many resident that I speak to believe they are are only interested in their own pockets and not serving the hard working communities in Wigan.

Merry Christmas to you all

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope that you have all have been good and get what you want off Santa.

Christmas is a great time of year and whilst the majority of us are having a good time please take a minute to think of others. Others that may not be as fortunate as us. Ones that are missing their loved ones. The people effect by the floods or other disasters and there will be other situations.

Christmas is one day of the year where we should put by gone be be gone's . Even the Nazi's and our troops did this on Christmas day in 1914 and if they can I am sure we all can.

Any way like I say I hope you all have a great Christmas.

All the best.

Gareth

Can we help Lydia for Xmas?

I have just heard and read about a little girl called Lydia. She has a rare brain condition called Alobar Holoprosencephaly. So her family are trying to raise £3,000 for some specialist equipment. The family are a little over half way there and with just 4 days before Xmas wouldn't it be nice if we could get them to their target of £3,000 for Xmas.

For all the details and to donate please click on this link.

Thanks

https://www.gofundme.com/9wcr6gc4

Wigan Council give millions to private developer

North Leigh Park Development Strategy

On this item Wigan Council have given huge amounts of lands, in the area of something like 175 acres away to a private developer for £1.That's right £1. Then just to really rub our noses in it and they then use our hard earn taxpayers money to give to the developer £8m to clean the land up.

The land which Wigan Council own is contaminated, so say Wigan council, and they want the land to be developed out. I have no issue with this if the land is useless and could be used for a better use for the local and immediate area. However, when they give away millions then I have issue.

Had the Council said the land is contaminated so we sold it for £1 because the developer will have to pay millions to clean the land up, that would be an argument. But then to pay them £8m to clean the land up I have issue.

The reasons why I have issue is if Wigan Council used the £8m to clean the land up they then could sell that land for more than the £1 they are getting now. This is ridiculous and to make things worse Wigan Council knew I was going to raise this and therefore moved the meeting room, so I didn't know which room it was in. Then when I asked they show me the room they blocked me to the point that once we found the room the item had been discussed and moved.

The tactics demonstrates how corrupt Wigan Council are. These kind of policy's and practices amount to contempt of the democratic process and tax payers funds. They hate being found out and hide information as much as possible.

But had Wigan Council used the £8m to clean the land up and then sold it then I have been told that kind of land would have sold possibly for about £20m - £30m. That now means that Wigan Taxpayers are out of pocket for about £20m.

Advert

All the houses for Standish

Story so far, as we know Standish was ear marked for 2000 houses - Wigan Council in their core strategy said this will be restricted to 1000 houses.

So now with yet another planning application in for a further 150 houses it will take it to nearly the 2000 that Wigan Council said we wouldn't get.

Below is the full table include the 2 live applications. Question is not if we get any more but where?

Xmas present from Developers - more houses for Standish

Here we go again. So the age old issue. Whilst we keep getting told, even to the point of the other day when a resident asked a member of the public formally asked the Cabinet how many houses where coming to Standish and they replied approx 1000. This is even after we all know that the figure is now nearing 2000.

So we get even closer to the figure of 2000 when I inform you that yet another planning application for a further 150 houses has been received by Wigan Council for Rectory Lane. This application is, as you drive down Rectory Lane away from Standish you drive passed the Himor site that is currently being built out.  From the bottom of that site this new application start at that point carry's on towards the railway line.

Rectory Lane has already been allowed to have 650 new houses to be built, so to allow a further 150 houses would completely wreck the area. Not to mention the issue of the extra traffic.

Residents can rest assured that the 3 Standish Independents, who are elected to represent Standish will be voicing their concerns and calling the application before the planning committee and asking them to refuse this application.

If you want to see all the houses passed and proposed in a table click here.

Get Involved

May 2016 will see the last election for 2 yrs. Normally there are elections each year but one year in 4 years there are none.

So in 2016 we will be working in a number of Wards, these included Standish, Shevington, Orrell and Wigan Central.

There are a number of ways to get involved from standing as a candidate, help deliever leaflets and canvasing to simply just having a poster in your window at Elections. Also we hold regular meetings.

So if you want to get involved in any ways in way of the Wards mentioned just drop us an email at garethfairhurst@gmail.com

Can't wait to hear from you.

Sentence for Drugs bust

In March of this year I wrote and also it was in the paper about a house in Ashfield Area being raided for drugs. Here is that story. I can report that yesterday the three that were arrested have been in Liverpool Crown Court.

I have had a number of people saying that they have heard that they all got suspended sentences but this is not the case. I can report the outcome below.

Edward Clayton - Community order for 12 mths 180
Jill Clayton - As above but for 120 Hours
Philip Clayton - Suspended sentence for 2 Yrs and community order for 250 hours.
Source Liverpool Crown Court

I know many that have emailed and rang are outraged that some one that is growing cannabis has not been sent to jail but I don't know what their defence was and the circumstances.

Labour to stand cheating Cllr again

Labour have a pop at me and other opposition Cllrs for a number of things. They try and say this and that. They even tried to accuse me of stealing money but when the heat was turned on them from a legal point of view they soon shut up with their lies.

So some may remember the disgusting trick Labour Cllrs and members have done over the years, which there are many, including having illegal children pictures on their PC's, stealing benefits and also expenses. These are just a small few examples and some have rightly gone to jail for their offences some have got away with it.

One such Cllr because technically she didn't break the law but many where disgusted at her tricks was Joy Birch. What she did was move to Ireland and turn off her Email and Telephone so she couldn't be contacted. Many may think she simply moved and resigned but that's the thing she did no work but carried on taking her Cllrs pay even though she was living in Ireland. I broke the story here.

Once I exposed her she quickly resigned. However after this she is now trying to get back on as Cllr for Orrell in next year's May elections. What a disgrace that Labour are allowing someone that did that trick to get back on as a Cllr. I believe the people of Orrell will be disgusted and I have been contacted by a resident who has asked if they can stand because they are disgusted at this. I have said that they can go forward for the selection and we will work to keep sleaze out of Orrell.

Hindley Green

Also Labour have always had a go for a number of me family standing as Cllrs and in fact they won and they work hard. I don't care which party has family members in so long as they work hard  but it seemed an issue for labour yet here in Hindley Green Labour are putting wife of Orrell Cllr Steve Murphy up as their candidate against Independent Bob Brierley. Labour Cllr Steven Murphy (Orrell), who has his son as a Cllr for Pemberton, is now putting his wife forward for Cllr in Hindley Green. Given that Steve Murphy is one that has attack us for having a number of the same family in as Cllr you would have thought he wouldn't be trying to get all his family in as Cllrs all over Wigan.

I guess the elections have started early this time seeing as Labour are trying to win back opposition seats.

Wigan Council plan to move Council meetings forward an hour

Wigan Full Council meetings are normally 7 pm and can  last no longer than 3 Hrs. So simple maths everyone is out of there at 10 pm. However, Labour are now looking to change this historic time and start at 6pm. Reason they say is the committee meetings all start at 6 pm. For me the different is that members of the public come to full council meetings and not committee meetings.

Also people that work find it hard to get there by 6 pm so starting at 7 pm gives Cllrs that work and members of the public that extra hour to get there.

For us 7 pm starts are still the way forward as there is not a compelling reason why to change what has always worked. There is a n old saying, if it ain't broke then don't try and fix it.

Labour should kick out their Cllr that make treats. Will they?

At the last Full Council meeting, which are 8 weeks apart, I was talking about an issue which Council was discussing. This was about striking NHS staff. In the speech I made I said that if I or one of my family where in hospital I would want to be treated. A Labour Cllr then said that they could arrange for me or one of my family to get put into Hospital. Really what a comment to make.

The Cllr concerned is Labour Sharratt. She is a Cllr for Ince and I wonder what her resident think of her. This Council should not tolerate any threats from anyone, including elected members. I did report her to the Mayor at the time she said it to get an apology. The Mayor did nothing.  Maybe she didn't hear it but she should have listen to what I said.

I now am demanding a public apology at the next Full Council meeting from this Cllr, but I have also reported her to the Labour Party and they should take action by throwing her out of the Party as well, or at least suspend her.

Now this is not the first time this Councillor has gobbed off so too speak. One local business report to me how she went round complaining about them and saying she was a Cllr and could get them closed down. What a disgrace! Let's see what Labour do and let's see if she does the right and decent thing and make the apology.

Why can't Wigan Council build a by-pass?

In the last couple of days residents in Standish would have received Wigan Council's Borough Life magazine. What a number of residents have asked is in the magazine Wigan Council says they are building a link road, that dreaded word in Standish, from Orrell right across the borough to Leigh and the Atherleigh Way road.

Residents are angry that Wigan Council believe they can build such a but fail to tackle or solve the congestion in Standish. With nearly 2000 houses coming more traffic will come and residents want answers on where and how the Council will deal with the issue of traffic congestion in Standish.

Residents raise a good point. This scheme that the Council are saying they are doing is ambitious and huge but if they believe think they can deliever such a scheme why can't they solve the issue in Standish. With that I will write to the Council and ask them just that and post the answer here.

The week that ended.....06 Dec '15

So here we are at the end of another week and there are not many left for this year.

So at the beginning of the week we had the vote on Syria. A big test on whether we would go to war with ISIL in Syria. The Labour Party was the talk of the event as the Labour Leader tried to put the whip on his members to vote no. However, when it became clear he would have issues he allowed his members to have a free vote but said officially the Labour Party policy is no. I wrote a blog post on how I believe that Parliament has got Syria right over the last 3 yrs. If you missed that post here it is. I ran a poll on how you would vote and people that took part said no in the main by 2 votes. Close call for me I would have voted for bombing on ISIL in Syria.

A number of residents have contacted me over the week saying they are sick of seeing Labour Cllr George Davies
in the Paper for saying he is doing this and that in Standish when he is the Cllr for Wigan Central. They are saying he is missing in action. Well I doubt he has done any action. However, Wigan Independents will be fighting hard in Wigan Central showing how many times he has said he has done things in Standish showing to them he doesn't care for them just himself.

We also had the Oldham West by-election. This was where the pundits said that UKIP may win or at least come a close second to Labour. When the result came in Labour killed all the other candidates off. Huge win. Many pundits are saying that UKIP is now finished and I may not completely agree but can see why people are stop supporting them now. Time will tell if they can pull it back together or not.

Cllr Surgery was very busy this week with a number of local issues and the Standish Independent Cllrs will picking them up this week and dealing with them.

The Co-op shop in pole street was broken into Thursday Night/ Friday morning. Thankfully this was whilst the store was closed, unlike in the passed when robbers tried to hold the store up whilst open. Thankfully good citizens of Standish went in and caught two of them. This time however it was over night and they stole scratch cards and the lottery machine. Here is that story if you missed it.

Finally, the Standish Independent Cllrs met with the Council this week and discussed a number of issues that they want to bring forward and do next year and this was a positive meeting and we are moving forward with those, so watch this space.

Finally as a Cllr you have to take the stick, in fact when you're a candidate you have to take a bit otherwise don't bother. Politics can be a nasty game. This I know from the internet trolls putting libelous about me on the internet, they will be named shortly. But when the Labour Candidate follows my kids to school and their route then that is not only weird but needs addressing. So when I put on that the previous Labour Candidate, Sam Murphy, who was a young lad from Pemberton came 2nd and beat the Tories and since she has been the candidate she has come 3rd every time, this is strange to a degree. I say this because as she lives in the ward you would expect the vote to go up from someone who doesn't. However, this has not been the case with her and this just demonstrates lots of people know the bad things she does in the ward, including following other people's children to school and the Police have had to be involved, then you can see why people don't vote for someone like that. For legal reasons I can't say anything further. But for me someone like that should not only be nowhere near children, she should be no where near elected positions.  

Co-op broken into over night

As the post below this morning the Co-op was closed due to a broken into overnight. There was a little damage and the store had to stay closed, which meant not only shoppers couldn't get there shopping but also people where not able to access their money at the Post Office which is situated inside.

The stroe was opened in the late morning after the police crime team had visited the store and carried out their work. The only things that were stolen was scratch cards and the lottery machine. Obviously not very bright who ever carried out the burglary as the cards will all have card numbers on, so they can be voided and the lottery machine has no money in. A lot of trouble for nothing.

Anyway good news is that is is business as usual now and everything is back to normal.

Co-op Closed

Many residents have contacted us this morning about the closure of the Co-op store on Pole Street. On the front shutter there is a note saying this store is closed till further notice. The issue for many residents is the fact that post office inside is not accessible and therefore people can't get access to their money.

We have been in contact with the Co-op and it has been told to us that the store was broken into over night and if this is the case the business will be working hard to get back open as soon as possible. They are asking for people to be patient with them and they will be open as soon as possible. Any updates we will post here.

Syria - How Parliament have got it right on Syria for 3 years.

Years ago David Cameron asked Parliament to vote to bomb Syria. This was to get rid of Syria's President Assad. Parliament voted against that. That was a bloody nose, many have said to David Cameron, however surely it was just someone asking something important and the people responding how they felt. Had we done that and been successful then when the President Assad had been overthrown then there would have been a void. That is what happened in Iraq and also Libya. There was no planning for what happens next. to be honest that is the hard party I guess for us. we can't go and put our people in because that is wrong but then if you leave them to sort it out themselves we get people like ISIL. So for me last time voting no was the right thing to do.

Now we move on to today's debate and I believe it is right to extend the bombing we are doing in Iraq into Syria and bomb ISIL. I believe it is right that this vote goes through as it would help stop and be part of just one element to stop and get rid of ISIL but it is not the only one. I agree that troops will be needed at some point and this should be local people.

Another point is to try and cut off their funding. ISIL are stealing oil and selling it over the border of Turkey. If we could get that border closed off then that will help cut off the funding.

As you see there are many things to consider but voting against bombing last time was right and voting yes for this one is right too. One issue is that Tony lair lied about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction and now people are wary of the advice that prime ministers give.

Will agree we the bombing I do feel it was wrong for the Prime Minister called the Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, a terrorist sympathisers. Even though I think Jeremy Corbyn is a weak leader I do not believe the Prime Minister should call any other MP's just because they have a different opinion.

I have put a poll below to see what you think, so please take a few seconds and let us know how you would vote.

Create your own user feedback survey

The week that ended.....22 Nov '15

What a busy old week. So busy this blog post is a day late.

ISIL & BOMBING THEM IN SYRIA
So the week started on a somber note after the Paris attacks. Many people were thinking that they couldn't believe what had happened and also thoughts were turning to ISIL and bombing them in Syria. I had wrote about that back in 2013 and how we should be go after them. Here is that blog post.  It is not only disappointing but unbelievable that the Labour Leader will block any vote in the House of Commons to start bombing ISIL in Syria. He wants to negotiate this one. I don't want to be rude but what planet is this guy on, sit down over a cup of tea and stop the fighting. Really - not a clue!

MORE HOUSES
Also on a bad note Wainhomes put in another planning application for 80 houses in Standish. This is off Langham Rd. Previously they had wanted 100 but they withdrew that application and now gone for 80 houses. Will be interesting to see what Wigan Council do with this one. After all they keep saying their plan now stops any more houses, although it didn't stop the extra 250 houses for phrase 2 on the Golf Course. So when I said that their plan isn't worth the paper it is written on then I guess this is the proof.

DAVE CAMERON'S PRIVATE PLANE
Then I saw that we are all being told by the Government that we have a long way to go and there are more cuts coming. But it doesn't seem the case for David Cameron. Tony Blair tried and failed but owd Dave wants his own plane and even though the Tory's objected to this in the past, now they are in power they feel that they want one. How the other half live, as they say.

BLOCKED OUT OF A MEETING
Back to local issues I attended a committee meeting at the Town Hall and because a Cllr attended that they didn't want there they asked the Cllr if they could have a meeting in another room and asked me to attend, so I did to see if I could have helped out if that is what they wanted. However, whilst we were discussing the issue Labour ran out of that room and went to another part of the building so the other Cllr couldn't find them. But when they were taking me to the other meeting the other Cllr followed us, so then they wouldn't take me to the meeting. You couldn't make this up. The thing is and here's the thing. They were saying that because there was something sensitive in the meeting the other Cllr couldn't hear. However he will see the report when it goes to the next Council meeting. So what was the issue with keeping him out. To me just doesn't make sense.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH
At the end of the week I hear about some student starting out on their Duke of Edinburgh award training and good luck to all of them. I am sure there will be tears and fun along the way. Cold and wet days but they will talk about them for years to come and learn new skills.

Labour split on the defence of UK

I will do a blog post for the week that was, been a busy old week. However, one thing that is important and more of a National issue rather than a local issue. The issue is what should we do about ISIL?

We all saw the appalling and horrific attacks in Paris last week and no one wants to see that again, especially in the UK. So we need to take action. We know that ISIL are held up in Syria and I wrote about this in back in 2013. Here is that link to that post.

I was in favour of the war in Afgan but not Iraq and I always said as we can see that we had to go to war in Syria but the Labour Leader does not want to go to war, well in truth no one does, but when there is a crisis like ISIL you have to take them out and not talk to them like Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn wants. The Prime Minister wants parliament to vote to allow bombing in Syria. In fact I worry that it will end up as troops of some kind go int too.

But Labour will vote against the idea of bombing in Syria keeping us vulnerable to attacks by them and innocent people dying. I firmly believe now the Country is in favour of bombing ISIL but Labour are letting our national defence down and putting lives at risk.

This just shows how weak Labour are at tough decisions and would be a national security issue if they were in power.

The whole house of commons should back the vote to go in and get rid ISIL once and for all. They should also look at what happens after the war so a void is not left so some other vile organisation moves in. Plus the immigration would ease if Syria was stable as people would stay and also go back to the Country they say they want to live in.

George Fairhurst for Mayor

Each year the Council picks one of their Cllrs to be their Mayor. The Mayor is A political so signing is this petition isn't a political petition.

Since 1974 there has only been 1 Mayor from the Opposition Benches, there were a Conservative Cllr. Since 2002 there has been a strong and large number of independent Cllrs and it would be nice for the Council to recognise that element too.

Cllr George Fairhurst has been a Cllr for Standish since 2004 and this year on his election year when it was on the same day as a General election he won. That is a massive achievement and demonstrates the hard work and respect he has from his member of his ward.

He is not only well respected in the Ward but in the Council Chamber too and would be an excellent Mayor.

For the reason above we hope you can sign and then share with your family and friends to sign the petition and support the Call to be Mayor of Wigan.

Here is the link if you want to sign it. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cllrgeorgefairhurstformayor
We also have a hard copy doing the rounds too.

And still more come.....

I know many residents are sick of being lied to about housing in Standish. Initially the Council said there plan would stop any houses in 2013. Then they said in 2014 we had to have 1000 houses but that would be it because their plan stopped any more. And while I always said they were lying and we would get to the 2000 mark. We are over 1600 currently for either outlined or full planning permission.

Now Wainhomes have put in a planning application for 80 houses. This is off Langham Rd were I believe they wanted 100 houses. They withdrew that application. Now we have this application.

Application No Name of Applicant Location of Development Proposed Development Decision Level
A/15/81542/OUT Wainhomes Agricultural Land, Langham Road, Standish Outline application for Delegated
(Developments) Ltd residential development of up to
FAO Mr Stuart Binks 80 dwellings and open space
Cedarwood 2 seeking approval of access
United Kingdom
Case Officer: Richard Taylor
Telephone 01942 489133

We would urge residents to write in an object to this application. I know that all 3 Standish Independent Cllrs are opposing this and we have taken the step already to call this into the planning Committee.

Please write your objections to Wigan Council, Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1YN

The week that ended.....15 Nov '15

I guess I will start with events at the end of this week, which were the horrific events in Paris trending as #parisattacks. The horrendous scenes that we have probably all seen shows the world that we live in. Where one minute we can be having fun with family and friends at a football match, a restaurant or in a pub and then scenes like what we have seen can happen. Whilst uncommon it goes to show we have to be on our guard.

For me the question why could it not have been stopped? Not an easy question but it seems that there was intelligence as the German football team were warned of a potential bombing at their game with France. Was that information passed on? What happened with it? Whilst I am sure at time will tell we must think of the family's that have been effected by these events.

Also on the same day Jihad John was reportedly killed by an American Drone strike, One less of them and the sooner we kill these type of people the better. I know the PC Brigade will be shouting at me you can't say that - I just did. Forget the Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn who doesn't want wars and wants to talk to these people. Nice thought but the reality is you can't talk to people like this. Kill them and kill them all, it's the only way we will be safe.

Moving closer to home and the foreigners from Syria, Iraq and Iran that are staying at the Britannia have been causing a stir. With a petition and Facebook page calling for them to be moved has reached 000's. The issue many people feel is that they are hanging out in large groups and whilst they may not be breaking any laws people, especially women, are feeling intimidated by these large groups. When we get kids doing the same thing the Police use dispersal orders and I can't see why the Police can't do the same here. I will be talking with the police about the matter.

It's sad that the threat of violence is not only at an international level but in our Town hall too. This week the video was released of the last Full Council meeting where a Labour Cllr, who is a woman, shouted at myself that she can arrange for me to be put in hospital. Whilst we live in a democracy it seems thugs are being elected, thankfully one wasn't elected in Standish this year, but it goes to show that just because someone has a different point of view, challenge theirs or even have other comments that Labour Cllr's think that kind of behaviour is OK in the Council Chamber - shame on them. I have seen some bad things at meetings but never another Cllr physically threatening another, till now.

Also this week one of the residents sent this picture of me last week laying the wreath on behalf of Wigan Council and the people of Standish at remembrance Sunday.

I guess it's been a sad week and like I said thoughts and prayers with the people of Paris.

Immigration in Standish

So there is much being talked about the immigrants in the Britannia Hotel. I think it is firstly right to discuss what is the different between a immigrant and an economic migrant. The first, a immigrant, is someone who is here because they fear for their lives back in the home country. The second, an economic migrant he is here just to either work or benefits.

Now onto the Britannia Hotel in Standish. i first wrote about this issue back in  2014. Here is that story. I have heard many resident tell me that they feel uncomfortable with the large group of foreign men walking round the streets. The majority of these people have been women. They may or may not have justification for their concerns but if someone has concerns then they should be addressed. I use the example of kids in the streets. The police may get complaints of children being in groups around areas and the Police can go and move them on. The children may not even be doing anything wrong but they get moved on and broken up. I want the same treatment for any anti social behaviour, even these people that are living in Standish. If they are hanging around and making people uncomfortable I want the police to treat them just like us and our children with a dispersal orders. After all - this is just treating everyone equally. Now if there are just a couple of them out for a walk then there is not much any one can do on that.

Now we are hearing lots of stories about these men living in the hotel banning children from playing football behind the Hotel and also attacking local people. Now then if these stories are true what needs to be done is that those people effected and involved need to report it either to us or the police. That way we and the police can get first hand information as they cannot reply on third hand information. Again this can't be unreasonable.

The hotel are a private company and can rent their rooms to who they feel fit. Park Hotel did hire their rooms out to the government contractor but decided to cancel the order. That was a commercial decision and it needs to be a decision for Britannia to make as it is their business. However, they must remember that they are within a community. It can't be good that the hotel is being named the Sangatte of Standish.

I will be meeting the police on this matter and putting my proposal of dispersal orders in for all, including the occupants of the hotel as it has to be fair. If we get first hand reports of people being attacked then those responsible have to be brought to justice and that is why it is important that the people involved report it.

The week that ended.....08 Nov '15

Bit of a busy week this week. First of all I had to get involved in an issue with a street light in Shevington. Residents had been asking their Labour Cllrs to get rid of a street light that hadn't worked for 18 months. Easy enough job, quick call into the council and report it. They went out and confirmed that it should have come out earlier. So they have removed the light so big thanks for that, I know the residents are happy now and thanked me.

Full Council Meeting

On Wednesday saw the Full Council meeting. As the Town Hall is being maintained in Wigan we had the meeting in Leigh old town hall.

Not too much on but we had the issue of Ashfield on the agenda. Labour was rattling the same just calling me for wasting money, so they say. This was about these figures

 Inspector’s fee £8,475 

Objector’s barristers fee £14,500 

Objector’s Solicitor time cost £6,400 (approximately 100 hours work) 

Registration Authority Solicitor time cost £6,000 (approximately 90 hours work) 

Admin (Bundle Costs) £450

 Press Notice of Inquiry £200 

Labour can't simply understand that it was the independent barrister who said that there needed to be an inquiry, not me. He said based on the strong evidence that we had submitted.

Now the figures in red are the ones that are not really relevant. The two solicitors cost are full time solicitors for the Council and therefore would get paid anyway, even if the inquiry hadn't gone ahead. Also the Council have inflated their figures by 100%.

Next the Council chose themselves to go and hire a barrister at the cost of £15,000. As we can see they have their own solicitors so why couldn't they get one of their own, rather than hiring someone from London, that;s right London? Admin bundle again is a full time staff member and I have heard it was a YTS person that did it any way.

So the only real cost of Ashfield Inquiry was £8,675. This is for the inspector's fee plus the press notice. These cost are outside the council's control. But you can see how the council and Labour have inflated and misrepresented figures for their own propaganda. 

For me I will not take any lessons of Labour about how to spend tax payers money. Especially as they spent over £70,000 just a few weeks before closing Mere Oaks on a new pool and flags. What was interesting was as soon as I mentioned Mere Oaks example I got the Labour Leader rattled, so much so he jumped to his feet shouting closing Mere oaks was the Best decision the Council has made. Fancy such arrogance. Over 27,000 signatures and other support from Wigan People and Labour leader doesn't care about the excellence support and education that school gave to some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Now out of all the decisions the Council have made I would have thought the Labour leader would be shouting another example of the best decision ever, but it just proves it was his personal vendetta against the school was the reason why it closed.

Another debate was Labour are upset that the Government are changing the rules on Strike. The Labour Leader said it was like going back to the 80's. Given that Labour has elected a MP who still lives in the 80's then it is probably quite appropriate that they do this then.

For me if someone has a legitimate right to strike fair enough but don't block others that do want to work from working. A Labour Cllr Lol Hunt who has in the passed called a Tory MP a Nazi said that he was pleased that the french were involved in a public project as they support unions. Well I wonder if he likes them when they are blocking the ports and stopping business and holiday makers getting across the channel each summer? 

Remembrance Sunday

This morning I had the great privilege of laying the wreath at Standish Cenotaph. It was good to see so many turned out, whilst it was threatening to rain. It is important that we do remember the service men and women past and present and the service and scarify that they give us. From me to them and on behalf of the people of Standish - Thank you.   

Crash in Standish

Earlier today there was a road traffic accident. I have heard this was because a car travelling up from the church and going over the crossroads towards the motorway. The car had been stationary at the green traffic light and then when it changed to red the car went forward. However, there was a lorry coming from Wigan and travelling over towards Chorley went through the green light  and stuck the car. After the vehicle had been struck people went to the male driver and see if he was OK, He was in a state of shock and then after a brief conversation put the car in gear and drove forward up the wrong way and then hit another car and barrier. This is the position of the car in the picture.

Luckily all drivers of this car, the lorry and the other car that was hit were all OK thankfully.

It's all going off in the house!

Last night opened up so much debate in the houses of parliament.

First of all the lords defeated the Tory Government on Tax credits and now the Government has to rethink this area. Obviously, people are concerned with the changes to the tax credit system, including a number of Tory MP's. The Government plowed ahead with it anyway. But when it went to the House of Lords they defeated the proposal and they want the government to rethink this.

The Chancellor, George Osbourne, said he will listen and will try to get a consensus that both houses are happy with. Great statement but he then went on to question the constitutional process, i.e the House of Lords having this power.

There are two issues here. First of all the Government are trying to say that these people are un-elected and they should do what the elected Government was given power to do. The problem with this was David Cameron said in the run up to the General Election was tax credits would not be touched. Obviously some may say he lied, others may say he had to change it but when he made that pledge he thought he could keep it.

Secondly, the House of Lords are there to do what they did last night and keep the elected Government in check when they go to far. Therefore, many will say that last night was proof that the system works. Controversial but interesting to see how it ends.

David Cameron is now ordering an urgent review as it is clear he doesn't want this to happen again.

For me both arguments have a point, the House of Lords are un-elected but it is clear that many, including Tory MP's, thought this change in the tax system was too far and therefore they did the right thing last night by keeping the Government in check.

For me there should be two types of pledges. A and B. A are if that party goes into coalition or win out right control these pledges will not be changed or missed out. If so then the electorate have the power to call for a new election on the basis that party failed to keep their A Pledges. B pledges would be things that they want to do but if they went into coalition or won then they may change. Almost like a wish list. If this was in place then it would have been interesting to see where the Lib Dems would have put scrapping tuition fees. Had it been a A pledge then people could have called for a new election. Had it been a B pledge then people would have known it was a wish. Here on tax credits when the PM said he wouldn't change tax credits again people could have seen the pledge rating and known where it lay with him, priority or wish list.

Also the Government had to give way in the house of Commons on the Finance Bill, to get it through. This was over Ladies Sanitary Products. This is because the EU say that they are luxury items and therefore VAT has to be charged on the products. However, men's razor are deemed to be an essential item by the EU and therefore are VAT exempt. How on earth can the EU say this? So the Government conceded this needs to be addressed and will take it up with the EU.  

The week that ended.......26 Oct '15

Bit of a mix bag this week. I heard at the beginning of the week that the Founder of the Community Action Party, Peter Franzen, is now a paid up member of the Labour Party. I would suspect that with Jeremy Corbyn has similar views to Peter. The Community Action was the biggest threat to Labour in Wigan. At one point in their height of success they had 18 Cllrs. Some achievement that no other party has managed. I wonder what the Labour members think in the Council Chamber?


Street Lighting resolved
I had noticed that the streets lights were playing up in Standish this week, especially those on Preston Rd and Avondale Rd. Not sure if the timings where set incorrectly as there were turned off earlier and turned on late. This has been reported and I believe they are back to normal now.

Helping out on parking Issues.
We have been working with residents on Church Street, where the double yellow lines are. These were put in near the old doctors surgery and now that has closed some residents wanted these gone to allow more parking. This is because there is in adequate parking in the area. We agreed with the residents and worked with the Council and now the Council have agreed to reduced the length of the lines and also to make them a single yellow line. This will allow residents to park there at nights and weekends. Residents are pleased with this and it shows more success for residents.

UK open for business of up for sale?
This week say the UK Government showing that they are asking China for a load of money. There is one thing to say, and promote the UK as open for Business, but I wonder if the sign really says UK for Sale? Given that China has an appalling record on Human Rights too one must ask will the Tories do a deal with anyone just to get their hands on their money? Working in partnership is good and one thing but it seems that this is not a partnership but just a hand out and given that the Steel industry is collapsing in the UK because of China dumping steel on to our shores cheaply I wonder if all the deals where worth it and/ or right?

Do you know of a Child not getting any presents this year? 
Finally Christmas is coming fast and I would like to know if you know of any child that is not getting any presents, or few, because of the family struggling? If you do please let me know at the usual address garethfairhurst@gmail.com . I heard of a child last year not getting any presents because of their personal situations and I think we as a Community would only be to glad to help. So let me know if you hear of any child or family in this position.

Wigan Council get caught out with their Baloney!!!

Wigan Council have put out yet more propaganda. That is putting it nicely, others may just say lies but yet in truth, the truth is in the details.

The issue is Ashfield. I asked the Council some time ago was it true that they spent £70,000 on a barrister to stop the Ashfield Village Green public inquiry even happening? The Council said they would not release that information. 

However what they are trying to push is that the village green public inquiry wasted £36,025. Below is there Press Release and breakdown in figures.

The cost to Wigan Council in processing the town or village green application and holding a non-statutory public inquiry is £36,025 made up as follows:

 Inspector’s fee £8,475 

Objector’s barristers fee £14,500 

Objector’s Solicitor time cost £6,400 (approximately 100 hours work) 

Registration Authority Solicitor time cost £6,000 (approximately 90 hours work) 

Admin (Bundle Costs) £450

 Press Notice of Inquiry £200 

The element in black are what the are, However the figures in red are council officers time. 

The first thing to note is if the Village Green didn't go ahead then the Council would still have paid the officers their salary. Fact! So no additional cost there.

Then let's look at the figures. The first two represent 2 Council officers. Let's call them X and Y. I don't think we need to know their names, although I do. Names are not important but figures are.

For the Objector's Solicitor (x) they say £6,400 for 100 hours work. That works out at £64 per hour. Given that their contractual hours are probably 35 hours per week that means 100 hours work out at just over 3 Weeks. For easy of the figures let's call it 3 weeks worth of work. 

So the Council is saying for person x they get paid £6,400. That works out at £2,133 per week, approx. Times that by 52 weeks of the year you get person x is on a salary on just under £111,000.

Now what we have to remember that this person is not an executive officer or executive. The PM only earns £142,000 per year and this person is earning over 75% of his wage. 

For the Registration Authority Council (person y) again they work for the Council and would have got their salary anyway. But if you then work out his salary, using 90 hours at 2.5 weeks then his salary is just under £125,000. Again he's just an officer and not a member of the executive. Again compare that against the PM's salary, ridiculous.

As for £450 for the bundle, I have no idea where they got that figure from because it was only one file they produced. If it costs the council £450 to make a bundle then they need to outsource that.

Also they say I cost them the £14,500 for their barrister. No they choose to hire a barrister. They have an internal legal team already and they could have represented the council but they didn't.

Conclusion

I don't believe that person x and y are are on the salary's that the council are claiming and if they are serious questions are needed. Especially when this Labour council are asking people to do the job of the Council for free - the deal! We all remember Don't blame the council.

For me these figures should not be included because they were getting paid anyway and therefore not a direct cost for the Village Green. But the Council simply make these figures up to try and push their propaganda. One word Jackanory!

So the true figure for me is that the Village Green cost just over £8,500. Given up until recently that this Labour controlled Council spent £75,000 on free meals and drinks for Cllrs £23,000 is small. 

What is also important to recognise that it is the independent Inspector that recommends a hearing or not. If they do not feel their is a strong enough case for a hearing they recommend to through it out. On the basis that the independent Inspector said that Village Green had merit to be explored means that I did not waste this money at all as it wasn't my call to say whether we got a hearing or not nor was it my call that the Council choose to hire a barrister costing nearly £15,000. 

Council's will have to pay money for numerous things. The people of Standish pay the most in the borough and losing virtually all their green open land, golf course and the line. Also losing employment area in Bradley Hall Trading Estate (50%) being turned into houses too. So any action from any one to try and keep green open land, especially important land like Ashfield is worth it.

The fact is in 2012 the emails we have seen under the Freedom of Information proves they were hell bent on selling to persimmon/ morris homes. We stopped it then and now the Council have been saying this then we have it so far on the record that they will not sell Ashfield I wonder what they will say the reason for the sale in the 2nd half  of 2016. Or maybe we have backed the council into a corner to protect Ashfield. If this is the case then the money that has been spent on Ashfield is well worth it.     

As for this press release that the Wigan Evening post are going to run with and won't publish my comments just proves that they back Labour and not interested in fair unbiased reporting because I bet they don't mention the figures in the way I have. Surely there is a story for them to ask why two normal officers are being paid so much. Will they ask the Council? No. Then they wonder why no one buys their rag? 

The figure prove how the Council lie and to what extent, if I was the local paper I wouldn't want to try and explain these figures. Surely unbiased reporting is interesting rather than just pushing Labour's propaganda! 

The week that ended.......11 October 2015

Another week floats on by, well not sure about floating seems to be going faster and faster and the darker nights are a sure signs that things are a changing. I guess when the clocks go forward that's it in for the long Winter haul. To be fair the weather hasn't been that bad - yet.

So this week a number of issues have popped first is:-


New Law Plastic Bags

Last Monday saw a new law whereby you have to pay 5p per plastic bag. The Government has brought this law in England to bring it in lane with Scotland, Wales and NI. Also the reason is to try and get people to re-cycle more and there is not lots of these plastic bags rotting for 000's of years in land fill.

Trying to encourage re-cycling has to be a good thing but will 5p do the job? I guess it will have a n impact but how much, time will tell.

The thing I don't get is we can put man on the moon but we can't make a substitute bag for the plastic bag, that has the same strength and all the other characteristics of a Plastic bag with the exception of not taking so long to rot?

Devo-Manc - more money

So Devo-Manc is this new Government and Local Authorities in Great er Manchester thing where by more power and influence is decided at a local level.  Not a too bad idea in some ways. This is because the Country is not all like London but then we do need to have some centralisation between the different parts of the Country.

However, there is now a campaign for more money, this is backed by a number of publications like the Wigan Evening Post. They want the deal to have another £6bn. The deal has been done!

In the main the local Authorities in Greater Manchester are made up of Labour Controlled Councils, with the exception of 1, which is Trafford. They agreed the figure and signed the deal. You simply can't agree a deal and then say, "O we don't like it - we want more money." If they thought it was such a bad deal is this now Labour realising that, although in some ways a good concept, in practical terms they can't deliver? Won't be the first time. But time will tell.

On this matter it was only recently that the Chancellor, George Osborne, was in China asking them for money for this area. Why?


Street Parking in Standish

As Local Cllrs we get many comments about street parking but I had one Gentleman contact me this week about parking in Church Street. Outside and around the old Doctors surgery are the double yellow lines and now the doctors's surgery is no longer there then why can't we have the double yellow lines removed? Good question and one that we will be putting to the Council this week and this will help in some small way to local residents.

Should you have any comments or suggestion please get in touch on 01257 42 32 12.

Wigan Warriors

Got to say bad luck for the warriors in last night's Grand Final. Let's see if we can break the run next year by winning it.