The week that ended......31 May 2015

If you step outside you would not guess that it is the end of May. it feels more like the beginning of March. Hopefully, the weather will realise that we need to get the sun in quick time.

So this week has been a bit busy and a sense of normality setting in. Wednesday was the annual meeting of the Council and I did a blog post about that here. For me it saddens me that the tone for the Council was set in such a way that Labour are obsessed with trying to micro managing everything, including the opposition. They do this so then the opposition lose their seats. There are a number of good examples that people can choose from. For me it is not trying to get what you can for yourself personally but the best for your community and that is why they will never micro manage us.

Local Life is a great little magazine and I am sure that many have it dropping through their doors. Have a look at the back inside page, A view from the Lump. We get a great little mention in their and it did make me and others chuckle. If you have not seen it here it is again below.

Local Life Inside back Page

ASHFIELD

In our work as local Cllrs we are working with a couple of football teams to help them get on Ashfield to play games and after the Council removed the changing rooms, hopefully we can get them back on. Time will tell. Also on Ashfield a number of people are commenting about the state of Ashfield, and surrounding paths and fields. This is a concern for us too and we are discussing the issues with the Council. Again hopefully we can get these resolved.

Ashfield is a great issue for the Village Green, for obvious reasons. I would have loved to announce the dates for the Village Green Public inquiry  this week but Wigan Council have not accepted my two other proposal for dates and  now we are in limbo a bit. This next week we should know more about the matter and move forward. The issue is I put forward week 3 of August. Wigan Council could not do that date for one of their witness's was not available. Fine, it is holiday season. My second proposal was 2 weeks later - the first week in September. Council declined those again saying that they want to do it before Sept. My initial feeling is that if it is Sept then we have most of our witness's back of Holiday and also the field will be being used in it's prime. This would strengthen our case.

 

Also if it was Sept then once the Public Inquiry has concluded it may take the Inspector a number of months to take in everything that was put to him from both sides and then to write his report with his recommendation. That will then be sent to us all, including the Council. Then that report and recommendation will have to go before the licencing and regulation committee. That again can take time for them to consider and take a vote on it. That could mean that the final verdict would be around or just after Xmas. Should it come after Xmas Wigan Council are worried that it could well help myself in the election as we will all know what the inspector has recommended. Reason why I say this is because it will be fresh in people's mind. If they can push it so that we can get everything in by November the Council will hope people will have forgotten about in by May (the next Local Elections).

We'll see what this week brings - who knows. For me the Council are now arguing over 2 weeks. We have waited this long why does 2 weeks matter?

Coming Week

This coming week is a busy week with a number of committees kicking off, which I will be attending. Who knows there may even be people waiting for me outside to accost me like what happened today after my surgery. It just makes me smile how some people are. But hey, if they want to waste time hanging about for me only to shout and swear then they have little to offer. I must say this person that waited for me is not one of the people I directly suspect with regards the ongoing Police Investigation (which I will not be commenting on until after the investigation has concluded for obvious reasons). Like I said they could not communicate why he was there or what he wanted just shouting and swearing, he promised to come and see me again. Why ? Who knows.

Cllr George Fairhurst is also back in the Village after his UK holiday and great election win that has been described as a thumping win. For an independent to win in a General Election is massive as turn out increases for the major parties. See the article above.

Summing Up

Some people have already started talking about next year's election, really? The Labour Candidate has now come 3rd 2 years on the trot and with the stuff that she is coming out with then I would hope that the Labour Party choose her again. Let's see if we can make it 3rd place 3 yrs in a row. The way this Labour Council ignore Standish is despicable and only keeping them out sends the message, again see the article above. The Tory candidate has said he will be running again and that's up to him. For me it is business as usual and representing and fighting for the people of Standish and the community of Standish. Unlike the other two just mention who just want to pedal their national party politics.      

Finally, it has been a great month for the blog. I have mentioned in the past how much it gets read. This month has seen a record number of hits and just under 10,000 is huge and it demonstrates that so many people read it, so thank you. 

Start of the Municipal Yr does hold much hope.

Today was Wigan Council's first meeting of their year. This is like a school Yr running from Sept - Aug, The Council's runs from May to May. This is because it has to be held after the election.

The forst meeting really shouldn't be controversial or anything too much. The bit of business is electing the next Mayor, The next Deputy Mayor and thank the outgoing Mayor. Then the bit is just to appoint Cllrs to the relevant Committees etc. How these are worked out is prior to the meeting the officers of the Council work out the percentage of each groups on the Council and allot so many seat by percentage to the relevant committees.

Because Cllr Bob Brierley (Hindley Green) and Cllr Robert Bleakley are not members of any political groups they are classed as non group members. As part of the allotted places the non groups members also get seats on committees. Cllr Bob Brierley put forward his seats but Labour blocked this. These seats are democratically his and he should be allowed to go on but because he will not go allong with the Quango Standards committee rulings on a couple of issues they are blocking him. He has never had any complaints against him in committees and therefore me there should be no reason why he should be blocked.

Labour are just trying to get to him in his election Yr. For me the people of Hindley Green will be disgusted at Labour and I am sure they will be more determined to use their vote next Yr wisely and vote for him and send a message to Labour that they should respect who they choose.

For me this blocking just sets up the yr and I am not expecting any better from council meetings. Same old as they say.

Update on the Trolls, stalkers and harassment

Some may have seen the statement that I made on here over the weekend about the trolls that have been trying to make my life hell. Whilst a distraction, I am not going to bow down to bullies or internet trolls. If a resident had come to me and asked for help I would give them advice. I have followed my own advice.

Firstly, the police were informed and the collecting of evidence started. Little did the evil parasites know that everything was being recorded from that point on. Secondly, I got the lawyers in and yes I am sure the Trolls will giggle that they have cost me money but this money will be well spent and if recoverable, then i will go for a court order later, but that is not important - certainly at this stage.

Today the local paper ran the story and my solicitors communicated with them on Friday on the matter and things were agreed and we said we would watch. The paper did what they said would do and keep people away from being directed to these evil cesspools. However, a national media outlet ran the story on their website and we had to make contact with them and point out we would be taking legal action. Within minutes they agreed to make immediate amendments to the story and they have now done so. Legal recovery will now being discussed. They also have asked for a story from my side and to carry an article on this.

One of the things I am keen to expose is these trolls ID. One thing Stalkers, Trolls and people that carry out harassment do not like is being named and shamed. One of the trolls and person carrying out this vile treatment of being a stalker has now identified themselves and said she is a stalker of mine. This evidence has now in with the other large number of evidence that we have and will be passed to the Police at our agreed meeting to move the this criminal investigation further.

One of the other trolls I have ID on twitter and he finds it upsetting that I have ID and put his name out there. What do I say to someone like this - tough. Your neighbours and others now know what you do behind your closed door, hiding away. Smile when you set out side people will know you for what you are. Actions have consequences and if you make your bed - lie in it!

I make no apology of moving on this in the way I have - hard and fast. My solicitor has communicated with Twitter now on Friday and this week there will further communications between them for the civil side of the matter.

Also, and this is important, the Trolls have now realised their actions have been illegal and have tried to back track. One of the fake accounts has now been removed and the other renamed, trying to defuse their actions. To little - too late. We were watching and recording everything,as I have said, hence why I have not been on social media much and not responding as I normally would have.

I wish I can say more but I agree with my Counsel on what bits I have to leave out on this message for Legal reasons but I feel that people are now getting worried of arrest, and so they should be. As a Local Cllr I will not stand for this kind of behaviour and jail is too good for these people.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone that has rung, spoken with me in the street and emailed me with their kind words of support, I do appreciate them. Whilst being a hard hitting Elected member no one should be subjected to this evil treatment, and why? Because we won!

Official Statement - Exclusive

Official Statement

I am making this official statement because it has been brought to my attention that there are a number of spoof Twitter Accounts set up trying to be me. I believe and suspect these have been done by my political opponents. Whilst some spoof twitter accounts can be funny and harmless - the vile, evil and defamatory ones are on these spook Twitter Accounts are not. 

These account details are now in the hands of the Police, who are now investigating these vile and criminal statements about myself and and also the matter is in the hands of my solicitors. 

Whilst I have my suspicion on who are behind these accounts it is right and proper that the police are allowed to investigated the matter independently. I have reported my suspicions to the Police and they will no doubt form part of their investigations.

For me I know that I can be challenging to political opponents but I have never made it personal nor have I stooped lower than the gutter, like the people behind the accounts. I have complete faith, at the moment, in the Police finding these people through the various methods and they are taking this very seriously indeed and are liaising with Twitter to confirm the people behind the accounts.

My one and only official Twitter Account is @CllrGWFairhurst .

I would like to thank the kind support that people have said when they have contacted me and these are nice to know that the vast majority of people in Standish are decent people and that it is only a small number of political opponents that are vile and evil and pedal this kind of material around. They will be stopped! 

  

Poss New date for Ashfield Village green Hearing - Can you help?

As we are all aware the 4 day public hearing for Ashfield was cancelled in April. I have now put forward a new date of week beginning of 17th August 2015. I would guess it, if this date is agreeable with the inspector who is overseeing this and also the Council then it will be finalised soon.

So now we have a new date we are preparing for this and during the 4 day hearing we will need witness's who have used Ashfield for years. If you have completed a witness statement, fantastic, if not you can complete one quickly.

If you are free and want to be a witness please let me know and I will go through things with you. Witness's will be cross examine by the Council's barrister so please bear that in mind as that can be quite scary. I say this not to put any one off but to be up front. If you think you are a strong person and can deal with this kind of pressure and have used Ashfield please let me know and we can have a chat.

Thank you for your support.

Contact

garethfairhurst@gmail.com

Sad News - Cllr Robert Bleakley - Exclusive

EXCLUSIVE

 

It is with sadness that I have to report that it is being reported and feed back to me that Cllr Robert Bleakley has suffered a stroke. He is now in a Stroke Unit and being given the best possible care. I understand that it seems to have been caught early and we can  now only hope and pray for him and a speedy recovery.

Many may know or heard his name because of him looking at porn on his Council computer and running up a large phone bill. All the money was paid back to Wigan Council and yes these issues where right to be addressed but the way that the witch hunt from Wigan Council and Labour was wrong. I warned the Chief Executive that if the council carried on the witch hunt like their were then things would ended badly and I didn't want that.

Now is not the time for recriminations but one where people should take reflections of their actions and also join with me in hoping and praying for a speedy recovery for him. I have made contact with the Council and informed them of his condition and hopefully we can all support him in his recovery.

Thoughts on 2 elections on one day

Last week obviously was the General and Local elections - both took place on the same day. When there is a Local election on it's own the turn out is around 35% on a good day, however, it can be as low as 25%. When a General Election is also held, the turnout can go up to about 65% - 70%. An increase of up to 100%. That demonstrates that only half of the people who vote for the General Election are bothered about the local scene or local politics. But when they go to vote in the General Election, they vote for the same party in the Local generally for their local Cllr . Interesting why if they were not bothered about local elections normally they also take local election ballot paper as well. Unless they are confused what the second ballot paper is for.

It is good that more and more people engage but I wonder why they then don't come back to engage the year after when it is just the local elections again. Obviously if 100% of people came out to vote for the General Elections and then vote the same way for the Locals as they had for the General Election then it is understandable why the major parties gain or lose seats in Local Elections, as the General Election has a heavy weight on it. It goes with out saying that minority or independents normally get wiped out or hit heavy in the years when there is a General Election on the same day as a Local Election and last week the Conservatives, nationally did well for Cllr seats. Below is the data for the national picture on how the different groups did.

Party	Councils	Seats (source: BBC)
Conservative	+30	+500
Labour	-2	-204
Liberal Democrat	-3	-390
UKIP	1	+176
Independent/Other	-1	-131
No Overall Control	-25	N/A
Green	N/A	+9

Obviously in Wigan Borough there was 3 independents up for re-election. We had our candidate Cllr George Fairhurst for the Standish ward, which we won, and then the Wigan Independent Network had two candidates up for re-election. One for Bryn and one for Atherton. Unfortunately they lost their seats. There are a number of reasons why we were successful and they were not but it demonstrates that we fought a hard campaign in Standish and George works hard and is well known and respected in the local community.

I am reading some articles where some parties are now saying that whilst having a General Elections on the same day as the Locals saves money, having them on different day would keep them separate and also would keep the two issues separate too, There is an argument that it would be a better indicator than opinion polls. For example had the result above been delivered the week before the General Election everyone would have known that it would not have been a hung Parliament. There are a umber of things wrong with that, the first being that if they where held on separate days the turnout for the Local would have been lower and also people would not necessarily vote for the majority party like they would do when the two or one the same day, but never the less it is interesting that major parties members are talking about this.

For me if the argument was just to have the locals a week before the General Elections to be an indicator for the General Elections then we might as well have them on the same day, however, if we are talking about holding the locals on a different days so the General Elections do not distort the Locals then I would say hold them on a different day. However, I don't believe they will move but it proves the great result and campaign that Cllr George Fairhurst had to win on a General Election year.      

Post Election Activities

Now the Elections are over a number of people have asked what happens now with everything, so I thought I would do a post about the different things.

Winners and Losing Candidates.
For those Cllrs that lost their seats on the Council they are no longer a Cllr from today. Candidates that were successful can now be official be called Cllr from today. The period from the election till the 4th day after you are referred to as elected. You take and lose office on the 4th day after the elections. Don't ask me why, I can only presume that it allows out going Cllrs to finalise things.

Q. Is there any paper work for the Elections?
A. It is interesting the number of people that have asked is there much paper work to do after the elections. In terms of candidates that win they sign a form taking up office. Historically this was done during the Friday day time at the Town Hall but I saw the Council asking winning candidates to sign as they came off the stage after they had won. The losing candidates and any outgoing Cllrs do not need to sign anything.

In terms of the elections then the candidates, or if they have an agent then they, have to do a Candidates return. This is to show what they spent on their campaigns and where the money came from, i.e their own pockets, political parties etc. These have to be returned to the Returning Officer at the Town Hall 35 calendar days after the declaration. Once they have been returned the Council hold them for  12 months and they can be viewed by any member of the public.

Q. Why is there a return?
A. In an election you are set a fix amount how much you can spend on your campaigns. This is to try and have some level playing field so someone with lots of money cannot simply pour money into the campaign to win. The amount is has two parts to it. There is a fix about for every ward (£740) and then you there is an additional 6p per elector that you can spend.

When will Chadwick's become a supermarket?

Some time ago it came out that Chadwick's butcher's was looking to redevelop the site and become a supermarket. Here is the original link in the Wigan Evening post. With Aldi opening up, a number of people would like a branded supermarket too. When the rumors first started that Chadwick's were selling up Chadwick's daughter, Rebecca, came to see me at my surgery and said they were not sure if they would do the venture themselves or sell up. It was planned that they were going to try it themselves first. Fair enough.

Also parking is a problem in Standish. A number of residents have commented that it is a shame that Chadwick's, who have been in Standish for decades, do not allow residents to park for a limited time like Aldi allows. Obviously it is there land and I think we all have heard the stories what they do when people park on there. One story I heard was when two ladies where going into their restaurant. One parked up and the passenger got out and went to get a table. The driver said she would be in in a min as she was just going to nip into the pet shop first for some pet supply's and she was told to move her car. When she politely informed the parking attendant that her friend had just gone in to get a table she was still told to move her car. Before she did move her car she went in and got her friend and they left to go to La mama's. Like I said it is their land and their business but when I hear stories like that you can see why people have the view that they do of the business.

Back to the point I do believe that Chadwick's should inform their customers and residents of Standish if they are still intending to do their supermarket or sell up so that people know what is happening. I have now written to Chadwick's on this matter as I know both I and also the Wigan Evening Post have asked and got no answers yet either. Also if they could allow residents to park for a limited time like Aldi does then that would show some community spirit.

Shevington Parish Council

Here are the results for the Shevington Parish Council Elections

North Ward

Angie Bland - Shevington Independents - 733 - Elected
Ken Shaw - Shevington Independents - 680 - Elected
Ira Whiteley -                                         947 - Elected
Joe Whitter - Shevington Independents - 516

South Ward

John Ball -                                                      611 - Elected
Roy Bridge - Shevington Independents -       510
Joe Calderbank - Shevington Independents - 651 - Elected
Carole Miles -                                               - 713 Elected

West Ward

Debbie Fairhurst - Shevington Independents - 488
Gareth Fairhurst - Shevington Independents - 417
Jean Fletcher - Shevington Independents      - 803 Elected
Chris Horridge -                                             -899 Elected
Greg McClusky -                                           - 558
Bill McKnight -                                             - 877 Elected

With these results we now have increased our number of Cllrs to 4 but we failed to get the 5th and crucial Cllr.

A Big Thank You

I am please to announce that even in a year when the Local Elections are held on the same day as the General Election, the Standish Independents Cllr, Cllr George Fairhurst, was given the backing of the people of Standish and retained his Councillor's seat.

In years like this the major parties are the ones that benefit from the turn out that increases by approx, 100% from normal Local Election turnout. Last time this happened Labour won the Standish seat and they threw everything at it this year. That is politics and fair play as they wanted to win. Labour accepted the decision and haven't taken to online social media to try and blame anyone or anything, unlike others that want to blame and accuse the people of Standish for their own failings.

The Standish people have spoken and they have voted for a name they know, a name that they trust and a name that will work for Standish. That name is Cllr George Fairhurst. Thank you for your support and votes.

Cllr George Fairhurst Last Leaflet

We have had a fantastic response to Cllr George Fairhurst last leaflet. I have therefore scanned them in and put on here in case you have missed it. this was a big A3 folder leaflet that made a 4 page booklet with 4 x A4 pages.

Front Page

Page 2

Page 3

Back Page

A Vote for Cllr George Fairhurst is a vote for solutions

Obviously people in whatever Wards will all know about when that Cllr has a big issue or campaign. For example in Standish Ashfield and the houses are just two. However being a Cllr is not always about the big issues but the little ones that the majority won't know about.

Take an issue where residents on Preston Rd were informed by the council that they were having double yellow lines on the road. Because of the layout out the residents can park on the pavement because the path is so wide because it had grass verges some time ago that the council removed. However, under the law the double yellow lines go not only on the road but the path to the walls of the properties.

Residents where not happy that these double yellow lines were coming but the Council said because of the proximity to the schools parents where dropping and picking up their children and it was a hazard and a danger.

After going back and forth Cllr George Fairhurst and myself suggest a compromise that the Council install just a single yellow line and operate it in the school times. They agreed with this and then that allows when the residents to come home can park. It works and for all parties and it goes to show that a vote for Cllr George Fairhurst is a Vote for Solutions.  

Deputy Labour Leader backs Cllr George Fairhurst

In a Strange and surprising event at this year's Council Budget Meeting the Labour Leader was not present due to health reasons and the Deputy leader then delivered the budget and did the Q&A.

When the all the other Cllrs had spoken the Deputy labour Leader rose and spoke and summed up. In that summing up he said that the Cllr George Fairhurst sang and danced for Standish and Standish didn't need anyone else, so everyone else should stay out of Standish.

Naturally, one would have expect the Deputy Labour Leader to have been backing his candidate for this Election but it seems that the excellent work that all the Standish independents do for Standish is recognised now by Labour Deputy leader. 

  

Labour selling more land off in Standish - after the Election

We have said that Cllr George Fairhurst is the ONLY Candidate to oppose any more houses in Standish and we stand by it. The Labour Candidate has written in the paper that we are lying and she too is against any more houses in Standish. This is simply not true. She said prove that Labour are in favour of more houses. They are a number of examples we could have used but he is a video clip. Take a look as you will find it very interesting.

At the beginning of April this year I asked the Council would they allow the resident to rent the land for allotments. This is the Council's official response at the beginning of April.

"Land at Longridge Avenue – it is still the council’s intention to dispose of this land. The site has residential development potential and it is intended that an outline planning application for residential development will be submitted. This should be progressed soon."

You can't trust Labour and yet more proof that Labour are in favour of more housing in Standish. I wonder how they try to wriggle out of this one.

Standish By-Pass Petition

We have been out delivering Cllr George Fairhurst's latest leaflet and we have had a great response. One of the articles that has gone down well was the idea that Cllr George Fairhurst is now calling for the Council to deliver the by pass that they promised decades ago and it is time we had it. We know from the previous blog post that the Council can afford it. we know that the start has already been built, bridge to nowhere. The only thing missing now is the will from the Council. Hopefully, with your support, we can change that.

Residents have suggested to day that we start an online petition and I have now done this and here is the link.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-a-by-pass-for-standish

Please take a minute to sign it and then tell and share with your family and friends.

Thank you for your kind words today and over the election campaign so far too.

It's time for our By-Pass

Wigan council say that Standish will get £5m because of all the houses that we didn’t ask for, nor do we need.  They  also  say  that  Standish  will  keep  every  penny  and  this  money  will  be  for improvements. The improvements that Wigan Council say they will put in place with this money is two sets of traffic lights on both of the roundabouts at Boars Head and Pepper Lane. These mini roundabouts do not need traffic lights on them and putting these lights on them will make the traffic worse.

Also does £5m only buy you two sets of traffic lights for two mini roundabouts? Surely you can get better value for our money?

However, we – the residents of Standish – are getting a raw deal. Why? Because Wigan Council are selling us short. They said that they will cap the new houses at 1000 houses. Currently they have passed nearly 1500 houses for Standish. Nearly a 50% increase and not one mention of any extra money. When Wigan Council said £5m that was for 1000 houses! With a nearly 50% increase surely the Council should be telling us there is an extra £2.5m. That is simple maths.

More importantly the £5m is only one pot of money that the Council will receive. However, with regards these houses the Council receive a number of different pots from these houses. Also the Council are selling some very expensive land to developers for a link rd.  That again will bring in millions.

The truth is that the all these pots add up to over £15m. So when Wigan Council say we can keep all the £5m, the truth is we should be able to keep ALL of these pots of money and not just one. With all the money these pots would generate there would be enough money for a by‐pass. That could be from the bridge to nowhere. Or it could be a new junction off the M6 near Heinz down to Martland Mill estate.  That  would  help  traffic  not  only  in  Standish  but  Shevington,  Orrell,  Pemberton  and Saddle Junction. Would these improvements just be to residents? No it would also help businesses.

That would create new jobs. All these areas could benefit. We have the money but Wigan Council is trying to deceive people and then sell them short because we only get a couple of sets of lights rather than our by‐pass.

Cllr George Fairhurst, who is up for re‐election for your local Councillor in Standish, has said if re‐elected he will fight to get this by‐pass. As for myself, who is standing for the General Election, is

backing  his  plight  and  campaign  because  it  would  help  Standish,  it  is  fair  for  Standish.  Not only because of all of that but because it is right and fair for the other areas mentioned too.

Now we have the money coming and it is right that we get this right because we don’t know when this amount of money will come our way again. Rather than take 2/3 of the money and giving it to areas of deprivations, the ones that prop up Labour in Wigan. Rather than keeping the down we need jobs and this kind of infrastructure change will help create jobs and aspirations. Surely that is better than just giving people a hand out?  We should give people a hand  up  whilst supporting communities.