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Friday, March 31, 2006
And the bill is...
...£70,000 to prop up the Weaver's cottages in the Horsefair. According to the Express & Star that is.
posted by Oborski, 20:01 | link | comments
 Tim wins footpath battle!
The County Council has placed a temporary footpath alongside the weaver's cootages in the Horsefair as Tim Ingham has demanded!
Meanwhile the District Council is paying out to prop up the ruins. What their press release, below, doesn't say is exactly how much of your money they are paying out - not to restore the buildings but simply to prop them up. £30,000, £40,000, £50,000, £60,000, £70,000, £80,000, £90,000? You guess!
Weaver’s Cottages, known as 20, 21, 22 Horsefair, Kidderminster
A series of recent building inspections, including one from English Heritage revealed that No. 22 Horsefair, one of these three Grade II Listed Buildings, was structurally unsound at the lintel above the shop doorway, prompting Wyre Forest District Council to take action to protect the structural integrity of these buildings. To ensure safety for both the Public and Council workers on the site, protective fencing was erected.
posted by Oborski, 16:14 | link | comments
It's simply scare-mongering....
In case you saw the "Express & Star" story reproduced below Mike Parker, Head of Planning, Health & Environment at Wyre Forest , tells us "there is no new threat" and "I'm at a loss as to why this has reared its head again as nothing has happened since the site was included on the list two years ago".
In other words the press story is a nasty piece of scare-mongering. Must be an election coming!
Homes plan row brews
A row is brewing over a plan to build hundreds of homes near Kidderminster which would scupper a scheme to create thousands of new jobs.
posted by Oborski, 13:58 | link | comments
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Weavers' Cottages - Council challenged to come clean...
A Liberal campaigner has "challenged Wyre Forest District Council to come clean over the future of the derelict Weavers Cottages in Kidderminster's Horsefair".
In an open letter to Tory Council Leader Stephen Clee local Liberal campaigner Tim Ingham says:-
The Weavers Cottages have fallen into a complete state of ruin and neglect while in the supposed care of the District Council.
It is obvious to anyone that they are now in a dangerous condition and bluntly you wouldn't have fenced them off in a panic if they weren't dangerous.
When are you going to come clean and tell the public what is going on? or
- Are you going to demolish the cottage and if so when?
- Are you going to prop up the cottages and if so how much public money exactly do you intend to pour into doing that as it is obvious to anyone who looks at them that it will cost an arm and a leg to do so?
Furthermore having blocked of the pavement - so forcing passing pedestrians off the footpath and into a busy and dangerous main road - will you join with me in demanding that the County Council temporarily narrow the roadway in order to create a safe pedestrian footway round the buildings?
Announcing the sending of the open letter Mr Ingham said "The neglect of the cottages is a matter of public concern. The obviously dangerous state of the cottages is a matter of public concern. The cost of any Council action will be a matter of public concern because it is the public who will be footing the bill. And yet the Council remains secretive with everything going on behind closed doors. It is high time that the Council came clean and told the people of Kidderminster exactly what is going on. That is why I am writing to Cllr Clee today!
posted by Oborski, 09:19 | link | comments
and now an updated version...
Phone mast battle update!
The TA have now announced that they will not allow the siting of a Phone Mast on the Kidderminster TA site in view of ferocious public opposition.
"Apparently the TA are worried about the damage the proposal is causing to public relations in the area", local Liberal Greenhill Councillor Rachel Lewis said today.
"The back down on the mast proposal is excellent news" Cllr Lewis added. "The champagne corks can now pop as we appear to have final and definitive confirmation that the mast will not go ahead."
"Local residents have put up a first rate campaign against the siting of a Phone Mast there and they really deserved to win the battle."
"I am delighted that the tide has turned and we now have a victory for local residents and common sense."
This victory makes it two in a row as Cllr Lewis has already seen off a proposal for a phone mast on the Birmingham Road pavement outside the Texaco Petrol station by the junction with Bruce Road.
posted by Oborski, 08:35 | link | comments
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Phone mast battle update!
The TA have apparently told BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester that they will not allow the siting of a Phone Mast on the Kidderminster TA site in view of ferocious public opposition.
"Apparently the TA are worried about the damage the proposal is causing to public relations in the area", local Liberal Greenhill Councillor Rachel Lewis said today.
"Ths seems to be good news and I am quietly optomistic" Cllr Lewis added. "The champagne corks will only pop when we have final and definitive confirmation that the mast will not go ahead."
"Local residents have put up a first rate campaign against the siting of a Phone Mast there and they really deserve to win the battle."
"I am delighted that the tide seems to be turning towards a victory for local residents and common sense."
Cllr Lewis has already seen off a proposal for a phone mast on the Birmingham Road pavement outside the Texaco Petrol station by the junction with Bruce Road.
posted by Oborski, 22:57 | link | comments
transport, roads
Saturday, March 25, 2006
  
Find Rachel, Tim and Siri on our main site!
posted by Oborski, 19:12 | link | comments
 County leave pedestrians in danger...
"We welcome the fact that the structurally unsound weavers cottages in the Horsefair have been fenced off but we are appalled that pedestrians have simply been pushed off the pavement and onto a dangerous road" Broadwaters Liberal Candidate Tim Ingham said today. "
"We gather that the County Highways Department are dithering about what to do and so doing nothing at present. We want to see barriers in the road to protect pedestrians who need to get passed the cottages."
"If that can be done on Comberton Hill - on an equally busy main road - while building goes on then it can be done here as well!"
"We need action now before there is a serious accident!"
(Photo: Tim demonstrating the danger!)
posted by Oborski, 18:49 | link | comments
Crossing delay condemned...
In a joint statement today local County Councillor Fran Oborski and local District Councillor Rachel Lewis say they "are extremely worried and concerned by further delays in the provision of a Pelican Crossing on the A456 Birmingham Road by St Ambrose Catholic Church."
"Work was supposed to be completed by the end of next week and in fact we do not even have a new start date for the project which has been pushed back by the Tory run County Council until sometime in the new financial year which starts on April 1st."
"Given that this is a long promised "safe routes to schools" scheme on a very dangerous main road you would think that the County Council would be anxious to press ahead with the project to offer the maximum possible safety for local youngsters on their way to school."
"The further delay will now add to the problems faced by parents taking their youngsters to St Ambrose Catholic Primary School."
"Having merged its Infant and Junior Departments onto one site the School is about to undergo a major rebuild on what was the old Junior site. That means there will be no onsite parking for parents dropping off and collecting children for best part of a year. There is absolutely no on street parking available to parents on the immediately surrounding residential roads."
"The delay in providing the Pelican Crossing will mean that crossing Birmingham Road on foot will remain hazardous for parents from across Kidderminster bringing their children to the towns only Catholic Primary School. It is likely that with the temporary loss of onsite parking at the school more parents may wish to cross Birmingham Road on foot. The failure to deliver the Pelican Crossing on schedule renders that a far less attractive and potentially more hazardous alternative than it should been had the Pelican Crossing already arrived."
"Yet again the County Council has failed the local community. We urge them to get on with installing the Pelican Crossing without further delay!"
posted by Oborski, 18:31 | link | comments
greenhill, transport, roads
Allotments clear up needed...
Local Councillors have called for a clear up of the Chester Road allotments site.
Cllrs Siri Hayward, Mike and Fran Oborski say "There is now a lot of rubbish on parts of the allotments site. We do appreciate that this a real problem for site owners who often not responsible for the rubbish that gets dumped however it is causing a real nuisance for adjacent householders".
"We would like to see discussion with the Council to see if it is possible to find ways of assisting a clean up without causing difficulties or cost for site owners."
posted by Oborski, 18:02 | link | comments
Comberton Arms site building go ahead welcome!
Local Liberal Councillors say they are "absolutely delighted that Wyre Forest Community Housing have now got the funding to go ahead with housing development on Kidderminster's old Comberton Arms public house site".
In a joint statement the Ward Councillors - Siri Hayward and Mike and Fran Oborski - say "The site has been standing empty and bare for far too long. The confirmation of Housing Corporation Grant for the project is extremely welcome. We now look forward to speedy development of the site to provide much needed housing".
posted by Oborski, 17:48 | link | comments
housing
Yet more potholes...
"Heavy rain over the last few days has led to a deterioration in the condition of many pot holes on local roads" Kidderminster's Offmore and Comberton Liberal Councillors claimed today.
The three Councillors, Siri Hayward, Mike Oborski and Fran Oborski are calling for increased County Council funding and action to tackle the problem.
The photographs show the centre of Somerleyton Avenue near the junction with Coronation Way.
posted by Oborski, 16:58 | link | comments
Friday, March 24, 2006
Pot holes filled - but what is really needed is full scale resurfacing!
Offmore and Comberton Liberal Councillor Siri Hayward today welcomed the patching of pot holes along Borrington Road and at the mini-island junction with Tennyson Way as "better than nothing but not what is really needed".
Cllr Mrs Hayward explained today "The local Highways Partnership Manager has been extremely helpful in getting the pot holes 'patched' and we are extremely grateful to him and his team. The potholes had visibly deteriorated with heavy rain on Thursday night and it was good to see them filled on Friday morning."
"However, it is perfectly clear that what is really needed is full scale resurfacing and that is simply not happening because of Tory run County Council cuts in the Highways Budget!"
"The tragedy is that because the County will not find the money to do the job properly the pot holes will reappear and will have to be 'patched' once again probably within six months!"
"The County needs to get its priorities sorted and put adequate funding into basic highways maintenance rather than locking itself into repeated and ultimately expensive 'patching'.
posted by Oborski, 21:30 | link | comments
The writing is on the wall!
Working with local residents Cllr Rachel Lewis today launched a petition opposing proposals to erect a phone mast on Kidderminster's T.A. site.
Meanwhile one angry local resident is spelling out the message loud and clear from the end wall of his house overlooking the TA site!
posted by Oborski, 20:56 | link | comments
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Just like Harry Potter film!
Kidderminster Liberal Councillors say that the massive response to a local petition "has been like something out of the early scenes of the first Harry Potter film!"
"Just as in the film the Dursley household is bombarded non-stop by Owls delivering letters offering Harry a place at Hogwarts so we are being bombarded by residents returning completed petition forms opposing the idiotic proposal to ban turns off the Birmingham Road onto Chester Road" said Liberal Group Leader Mike Oborski today.
"You scarcely have time to pick up one petition form before another hurtles through the letter box!"
"The public response has been absolutely fantastic. This is a really overwhelming and solid community response. Let's hope it continues like this!
posted by Oborski, 21:37 | link | comments
Monday, March 20, 2006
Police & Justice Bill...
Tucked away in the Police and Justice Bill is a very interesting clause that puts duties on Ward Councillors as individuals as well as Councils over Anti Social Behaviour. It is not clear how it would work nor how exactly it would involve the Police. However, it is extremely interesting and marks a new, if strange, step forward in defining the role of Councillors. Read the full clause...
posted by Oborski, 09:40 | link | comments
Saturday, March 18, 2006
 
Tim Ingham - the on of the late much loved District and County Councillor and Mayor of Kidderminster Bronwen Ingham - has been selected to fight Kidderminster's Broadwater's seat for the Liberals in May.
Aged 40 and married for 14 years, Tim was born, bred and educated locally and is now Senior Business Development Manager for a national furniture wholesaler.
He is currently a Governor of Kidderminster's St.George’s First School and Vice-Chairman of Governors at Stourminster Special School and is a former Chairman of Governors at both the Alexander Patterson Special School and at Sladen Middle School. Heavily involved in local youth work Tim was previously a business mentor for pupils at Stourminster School.
He enjoys a round of golf and is keen on European travel.
Wyre Forest District Council Liberal Group Leader Cllr Mike Oborski said "As the long serving Election Agent for the Wyre Forest Liberal Association Tim is an experienced community activist who has a reputation as an effective,determined and caring local campaigner who gets things done. He will make a first rate Councillor for Broadwaters and we are absolutely delighted that he is\standing!"
Follow Tim's campaign here!
Printed & Published by Mike Price, 39 Whinchat Grove, Kidderminster
posted by Oborski, 16:15 | link | comments
 
Cllr Siri Hawayed has been unanimously readopted to defend her Offmore & Comberton District Council seat for the Liberals in the May local elections.
Born in Cardiff, educated in Cheshire Siri Hayward trained as a Nurse at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. She holds a Masters Degree in Healthcare, Policy and Management.
A long serving Theatre Sister at Kidderminster Hospital Siri is passionately committed to defending local Hospital and Health Services.
Cllr Hayward is married with two grown up children both educated at local schools
and is a long standing local resident living in the Ward at 10 Granville Crest on Offmore.
Mrs Hayward has been a Wyre Forest District Councillor and Kidderminster Charter Trustee for the last 10 years representing the Offmore and Comberton Ward. She had a highly successful year as Mayor of Kidderminster 2004/2005 and is currently a Member of the Housing, Health & Rural Affairs Panel and of the Planning Development Control and Ethics and Standards Committees of the District Council.
She is a Governor of Comberton First and Offmore First Schools and is an active member of St George’s CE Church in Kidderminster.
Liberal Group Leader Mike Oborski said today "Siri has a reputation as a first rate, hard working, caring and effective local Councillor and campaigner for the Offmore and Comberton Ward and we are ansolutely delighted that she will be defending her seat in May."
Follow Siri's campaign here!
Printed & Published by Mike Price, 39 Whinchat Grove, Kidderminster
posted by Oborski, 15:57 | link | comments
 
Wyre Forest District Councillor Rachel Lewis has been unanimously reselected by the local Liberal Party to defend her Greenhill seat in May's District Council Elections.
Aged 29, Rachel is a busy young mum who fully understands the problems faced by young parents and families. Wyre Forest born and bred she was educated at Wribbenhall First and Middle Schools, Bewdley High School and Kidderminster College.
A Wyre Forest District Councillor and Kidderminster Charter Trustee since 2000 first for Sutton Park Ward and since 2004 for Greenhill Ward Rachel currently serves on the Community & Leisure Scrutiny Committee and the Miscellaneous Functions Committees of the Council and is a Member of the Skate Boarding Task & Finish Group.
Cllr Lewis is a leading campaigner for a full scale Cinema for Kidderminster, for improved road and pavement services, for better public transport across the District and on children and family issues. She is Liberal Group Spokesman on issues affecting young people and on the Cinema Campaign.
She is a registered and active Guider of long standing and an active member of the Baptist Church. For many years she played the trumpet in Bewdley Scout & Guide Band.
Liberal Group Leader on the Council Mike Oborski said today "Rachel is an effective, caring and hard working Councillor. We need to keep her where she is needed most — on the Council working for Greenhill!
Follow Rachel's campaign here!
Printed & Published by Mike Price, 39, Whinchat Grove, Kidderminster
posted by Oborski, 15:37 | link | comments
Friday, March 17, 2006
Weaver's cottages falling down?
A local campaigner is demanding to know what is going on with the old dilapidated listed weaver's cottages in Kidderminster's Horsefair.
Broadwaters Liberal Chairman Tim Ingham said today "for some days there have been Council barriers blocking off the pavement outside the cottages. Now that has been replaced with six foot security fencing."
"To put it bluntly you don't run around erecting fencing like that forcing pedestrians into a dangerous and heavily used road unless something is up!
"As there are no plans to redevelop the site in the next few months one is left to assume that there must be urgent structural problems with the buildings."
"Local residents have a right to know what exactly is going on. Are these buildings structurally unsound? How serious is the is the risk of collapse? What action is going to be taken to sort this out?"
"It's not enough to put up barriers and to hope that nobody notices. Wyre Forest District Council and the County Council's Highways Partnership Unit need to come clean about what exactly is going on."
"We want an explanation and we want it now!"
The cottages are listed buildings and were scheduled for retention and restoration withing the forthcoming Horsefair redevelopment scheme.
posted by Oborski, 09:56 | link | comments
Thursday, March 16, 2006
That water leak...
...spotted on Shakespeare Drive at 2.00pm yesterday - reported straight away - Severn Trent were on site and on the job before 4.30pm - reports Siri. Well done everyone!
posted by Oborski, 21:04 | link | comments
Local Councillors and residents are opposing proposals for a telephone mast on Kidderminster's Territorial Army headquarters off the town's Birmingham Road...
Local Liberal Greenhill Ward Councillor Rachel Lewis said "the proposed mast site is overwhelmingly opposed by residents in Tabbs Gardens and other roads around the site. Residents are worried that the mast, to be attached to the TA buildings will be visually intrusive and unacceptable."
Cllr Lewis said that "the consultation document sent by the developers to local residents prior to lodging a formal planning application claims that the mast will be 35 metres from the nearest homes in Tabbs Gardens but conveniently forgets that there is residential accomodation in the building on which it would be sited".
"Access to the TA site is via a Private Road - Tabbs Gardens - and I am seeking urgent clarification as to whether the TA have the right to invite a third party - such as the would be phone mast installers - to use it as an access to their proposed project against the will of residents in the street."
"The proposal is unwanted and unpopular and I will be opposing it flat out!"
posted by Oborski, 20:41 | link | comments
(Siri, Tim & Rachel at Land Oak Junction)
COUNTY COUNCIL KNEW ALL ALONG BUT DIDN'T TELL ANYONE - NOT THE PUBLIC - NOT EVEN THEIR OWN LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLORS!
NEW TWIST ON THREAT TO BAN TRAFFIC FROM TURNING OFF BIRMINGHAM ROAD ONTO CHESTER ROAD AT LAND OAK JUNCTION!
In a new twist of events it now turns out that Worcestershire County Council Highways Department have known all along about secret Government Highways Agency plans to ban motorists from turning off the A456 Birmingham Road onto the A449 Chester Road at Kidderminster's heavily trafficed Land Oak junction.
Greenhill Liberal District Councillor Rachel Lewis, who originally uncovered the secret Highways Agency plans for the Land Oak Junction, has now received a letter from the Highways Agency in which they say:-
"The Study Report was in draft form only and copies of the report were sent to Worcestershire County Council for their comments on our proposal".
Cllr Lewis said today "It appears that neither the general public nor the local County Councillors for the area have ever been informed, let alone consulted, by Worcestershire County Council despite the fact that the County Council has clearly been fully informed about what is going on. This is a total disgrace. Yet again the County Council has everybody down.".
In a joint statement today the two local Liberal Kidderminster County Councillors whose electoral divisions meet at the Land Oak Junction, Cllr Fran Oborski (Kiddeminster, St. George & St. Oswalds) and Cllr Mike Oborski (Kidderminster, St. Chads) confirm that they have never been informed or consulted on the issue by County Hall.
In their statement the two County Councillors say "The County Council Constitution says that there should be no surprises for local County Councillors - they should automatically be kept informed on everything affecting the areas they represent. Our experience is that this very rarely if ever happens. Usually local County Councillors are left totally in the dark and this is simply the very latest example of that "don't give a damn for local County Councillors" attitude at County Hall!"
"Time and time again we have been let down by County Hall. They keep us is the dark and they don't tell us - or the general public - anything!"
The two Councillors say "The County Council has now finally confirmed that it has known about the proposal for a month."
"We have now received a letter from the County Council dated 15th March apologising for not informing us as the local County Councillors."
"We welcome the fact that on 7th March the County Council told the Highways Agency that they wanted to "raise concerns" over the proposal because of the risk of displacement of turning vehicles onto Linden Avenue and Roden Avenue."
"However, we want a far tougher response - it isn't time to "raise concerns" it is time to fight against the proposal fat out!"
"Furthermore the initial County response doesn't even mention Baldwin Road and Hurcott Road which would be two of the hardest hit local roads!"
"The proposal to ban turns off the Birmingham Road onto Chester Road North at the Land Oak Junction is clearly barking mad and yet again the County Council has behaved disgracefully!"
Cllr Rachel Lewis said today that she was "delighted by the huge public response against the proposed no turning ban".
"Petition forms, which we have delivered to 12,000 households on the eastern side of Kidderminster have been flying back to us and lots of local businesses, groups and individuals have asked for extra Petition Forms."
"Public opinion is clearly overwhelmingly united against this stupid, ill considered and totally inappropriate proposal."
Cllr Lewis said that she "and local Liberal County and District Councillors across the east of Kidderminster will be fighting flat out to block the proposed turning ban".
posted by Oborski, 00:01 | link | comments
transport, roads
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Surprise, surprise! Well not really!
We've been warning the Council for weeks and weeks and weeks and now it's happened!
In our last Broadwaters Focus Tim Ingham reported:-
"The Council is STILL waiting for a detailed Planning application and traffic assessment for the pallett storage operation in Stoney Lane. Local residents and Councillors are totally fed up and furious at the mess, fire hazard and nuisance!"
 
Meanwhile just along the road...
 
When will the Council get this sorted?!
See larger photos here!
posted by Oborski, 12:54 | link | comments
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Land Oak Petition...
We've had a great response to the petition against banning cars from turning off Birmingham Road onto Chester Road.
If YOU want a petition form then please get in touch!
PHOTO : Liberal campaigners Siri Hayward, Tim Ingham and Rachel Lewis at the Land Oak Junction today.
posted by Oborski, 15:02 | link | comments
Friday, March 10, 2006
 Our main site has been updated at...
www.liberals4us.org.uk
posted by Oborski, 23:53 | link | comments
We agree entirely with Richard Taylor on this one!
Kidderminster Shuttle reports...
PCT end near after 'sad' vote
by HEATHER LARGE
WYRE Forest's MP says Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust has ignored the views of local people by backing the creation of a single county PCT.
posted by Oborski, 11:08 | link | comments
Kidderminster Shuttle reports...
Anger as road plan delayed
by HEATHER LARGE
A FURIOUS Worcestershire county councillor says he is "deeply ashamed" of the authority, which has failed to start work on a traffic calming scheme on a busy Kidder-minster road.
posted by Oborski, 11:04 | link | comments
Kidderminster Chronicle reports...
Road scheme is 'dynamite'
By Victoria Nash and Jon Wood
Thousands of motorists could face traffic chaos if controversial proposals to change the flow of traffic at a major Kidderminster junction are given the go-ahead, a councillor has warned.
posted by Oborski, 11:00 | link | comments
Monday, March 06, 2006
Your quick guide to the new concessionary fares scheme...
Don't worry. It's quite simple...
Free concessionary fares on any bus journey starting or finishing in Worcestershire starts April 1st 2006.
Existing bus pass holders will automatically be sent the new passes in the week starting March 20th.
New applicants can get them from the Wyre Forest Community Housing Office in Oxford Street during the weeks starting March 20th, March 27th and April 2nd and from Wyre Forest District Council cash offices after April 10th.
Free bus passes are available to over 60s and anyone who is blind, partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, without speech, has a disability or injury that severely impairs ability to walk, has a learning disability or is a specified companion to a disabled person.
Proof of age or disability is required.
Get in touch if you need further information.
posted by Oborski, 16:49 | link | comments
Our main web site has been updated - click here to visit!
posted by Oborski, 14:16 | link | comments
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Secret traffic flow plans for Land Oak junction would cause total chaos...
"Secret plans to change traffic flow at a major Kidderminster Junction would cause havoc, chaos and congestion for thousands of local residents and for vast numbers of motorists from Wyre Forest and beyond" a Kidderminster Councillor claimed today.
Greenhill Liberal Councillor Rachel Lewis has obtained a copy of a letter from the government Highways Agency contractors Amy Mouchel who are privately consulting other agencies on proposals to drastically alter traffic flows at the busy A449 Chester Road North and A456 Birmingham Road junction at Kidderminster's Land Oak.
The letter says that "A full study has been undertaken and a number of recommendations are to be put before the Highways Agency".
"The letter then spells out a three part package of which the first two proposals, tactile paving and dropped kerbs at all crossing points along with anti skid surfacing on approaches to the juction are perfectly sensible, totally acceptable and completely uncontroversial"
"However, the third part of the package is absolute dynamite" said Cllr Lewis, and is a proposal to:-
"Prohibit the right and left turns from the A456 to the A449"
"Simply nobody would be allowed to turn left or right in either direction off Birmingham Road and onto Chester Road North."
"This would cause enormous confusion and diversions for motorists and absolute havoc on neighbouring residential roads which would be turned at a stroke into heavily overloaded and congested 'rat runs'."
"Hardest hit would be Baldwin Road, Bruce Road and Hurcott Road on one side of Birmingham Road and Linden Avenue on the other side which would all be blocked with traffic heading from Birmingham and from the Eastern edge of Kidderminster using them as 'rat runs' to get onto Chester Road North in one direction or the other. They were simply not designed to take that sort of level of traffic. Residents on all the residential streets leading onto Hurcott Road would be affected by heavily increased traffic on Hurcott Road"
"Traffic coming out of town on Birmingham Road and wishing to access the A449 would pour onto Roden Avenue and Shrubbery Street."
"A number of businesses around the junction would be hard hit as it suddenly became harder to get to them from various directions and some householders close to the junction would find themselves faced with the the most peculiar diversions to get to and from particular destinations!"
"The ripples from such a change would spread out causing problems and issues across a wide area of Kidderminster and would affect motorists from all over the place."
Cllr Lewis described the proposal as "a bewilderingly idiotic prescription for unwarranted chaos and inconvenience on a massive scale. It must be stopped!"
Cllr Lewis and Liberal colleagues are today launching a petion against the proposal.
Cllr Lewis can be contacted foir copies of the petition on (01562) 68361.
posted by Oborski, 00:17 | link | comments
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
YOUR COUNCIL TAX BILL AT A GLANCE...
WHO TAKES HOW MUCH?...
Based on a Band ‘D’ Property the figures for a whole year - showing the increase from 2005 / 2006 to 2006 / 2007which comes in from April - is...
- Wyre Forest District Council bill goes from £174.66 to £179.03
- Worcestershire County Council bill goes from £857.03 to £899.37
- Kidderminster Charter Trustees bill goes from £3.74 to £3.84
- West Mercia Police Authority bill goes from £143.17 to £150.24
- Hereford & Worcester Joint Fire Authority bill goes from £59.05 to £61.95
THE TOTAL BILL GOES FROM £1237.65 to £1294.43.
THE BILL FOR EACH BAND...
- Band A goes from £825.10 to £862.95
- Band B goes from £962.62 to £1,006.79
- Band C goes from £1,100.12 to £1,150.60
- Band D goes from £1,237.65 to £1,294.43
- Band E goes from £1,512.68 to £1,582.07
- Band F goes from £1,787.72 to £1,869.74
- Band G goes from £2,062.75 to £2,157.38
- Band H goes from £2,475.30 to £2,588.85
A TALE OF TWO COUNCILS...
WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL…
- has had a very generous grant from Central Government!
- Is increasing its bill by just 2.5%!
- Is building in some modest but sensible improvements in services!
- The District Budget moved by the Tories and seconded by Liberal Leader Mike Oborski makes sense!
- Liberals SUPPORTED the budget!
WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL…
- has had a very mean grant from Central Government!
- Is increasing its bill by 4.9%!
- is cutting £3.5 million from services — half of it from Highways!
- The Tory / Labour County Budget does NOT make sense!
Liberals OPPOSED the County Council Budget because…
- The County Council is cutting £3.5 million from services — mostly from highways —
- but is spending £1.775 million on County Hall including,
- £620,000 ‘doing up’ the Council Chamber in Worcester!
- We say that money should have been spent on improving services — NOT on County Hall and the Council Chamber!
THE TOTAL INCREASE...
...is just under 5% because the County proportion of the overall bill is much bigger than the District Council's share of the overall bill and the Police and Fire increases also push the bill towards 5%.
posted by Oborski, 23:25 | link | comments
Telegraph Editor on Cameron's new "Tory principles"...
Simon Heffer, associate editor of the Daily Telegraph is quoted in The Independent as saying...
I do not think it is significant enough to have a view on, I think it's complete drivel. I am amazed that he hasn't said: "We wish people were more kind to domestic pets, and would like the sun to shine every day."
The only thing that was missing in his reforms was: "We want people to love their mums."
I do not find these reforms worthy of my intellectual engagement, he needs to wake up and smell the coffee - or the lapsang souchong.
posted by Oborski, 08:34 | link | comments
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