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Archive for October, 2007
A consultation event for the proposed changes to Catholic Secondary education in Salford - including the absurd proposal to close St George’s High School - has been arranged for Tuesday 13th November. The meeting will be held at Fletcher Hall, Vicarage Road, Swinton from 3.30pm until 7pm.
As with previous consultation events the Council have arranged it on a “divide-and-rule” basis, with local residents having to make appointments to see Council officers rather than turning up for a proper public meeting. Information on how to make an appointment is as follows:
If you wish to attend the consultation event you must contact Paula Flynn on 0161 778 0447 (Mon to Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm). She will provide you with an allocated time to discuss issues with council officers.
Information on the consultation continues to be available at http://www.salford.gov.uk/schoolconsultation
The image on the left is a scan of my horoscope from today’s copy of the Metro. The Metro is published by Associated Newspapers and sister titles include the Daily Mail and the London Evening Standard.
Now, I’m certainly no prude, and the horoscopes as nothing more than a bit of fun, but is encouraging the use of “ahem - substances of your choice” as a “perfect option” really responsible journalism?
(Credit: TheWrongMan and Jay Priest)
David Ottewell has an interesting post on today’s rail announcements. Leaving aside the electoral implications (if that is possible in the current political climate!), he gets it spot on.
The Government has now committed to providing £5.3billion towards to cost of Crossrail in London - that’s not the Government support for transport in London but for one project, albeit a significant one.
Meanwhile here in Greater Manchester - and please take note of my emphasis here - we have had to bid for a share of a £3billion loan to cover almost all future public transport investment. Of course, even then the loan comes with more strings than a feature-length episode of Thunderbirds. As a sweetener we’ve now also got a Piccadilly feasibility study, but of course a feasibility study comes with no further commitments, and a lengthy report doesn’t take anyone into work in the city!
I am not for one minute arguing against Crossrail, which is a much needed scheme, nor do I expect that Manchester should receive the same size slice of the cake as London does, but I do expect a level playing field and an element of proportion to Government funding. At the moment, this does not seem to be the case.
Last night I received a very helpful e-mail containing the details of the consultation process for St George’s High School. I am very grateful to the council officer concerned for the information. Make sure your voice is heard!
Please click here for information on the consultation process and an online form for your comments.
If you prefer to write a letter or send an e-mail with your views, the addresses for correspondence are as follows:
Ms K Mildenstein
Children’s Services Directorate
Salford City Council
Minerva House
Pendlebury Road
Salford
M27 4EQ
E-mail: bsf@salford.gov.uk
I didn’t get a Conference pass this year in the end, so with the exception of a brief trip to see friends (and the Conservative Party tram) on Saturday night I’ve been keeping up with proceedings on television and online.
I don’t want to run through the week on a point-by-point basis (which is done far better by people who were actually there like Iain Dale), but it is clear that Conservative activists have left Blackpool with a real spring in their step after an excellent Conference in which David Cameron confirmed that he and his team are a genuine government-in-waiting. The contrast with Gordon Brown’s tired and recycled speech last week was stark.
I have remained firmly in the sceptical camp as far as the possibility of an autumn election is concerned, but along with many of my colleagues I am now sure that if Gordon Brown does seek a November General Election, the Conservative Party will not only fight but will win - for the benefit of every resident and every community across the country.
Just thought I’d write a quick update on the Friends of Walkden Station public meeting which was held yesterday evening. The meeting was both well-attended and constructive and FOWS continues to go from strength-to-strength. The Committee have done a huge amount of work behind the scenes and I am sure we will see some significant improvements in the future thanks to their hard work.
It’s day three of the Council’s consultation on the future of the Roman Catholic secondary schools, and there’s still no sign of anyone being told that there’s actually a consultation on. There is still nothing on the website. I have asked for the address and e-mail address for representations but this has not yet been forthcoming.
No Election
It’s now been four days since Gordon Brown’s non-election announcement, and rightly he has not been let off the hook since. Locally, I would have relished an election and the opportunity to debate the Labour Government’s shameful recent record in Walkden and across Salford:
When Gordon Brown finally dares to call a General Election in 2009 or 2010, it will be local Conservatives who are putting forward the policies to move Walkden, Worsley and Salford forward. I look forward to the debate.