YEAR 2011, MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.

In 2011 many of us will have the opportunity to make a difference. When the real effects of the cut backs in Government spending start to bite politics will be fast and furious. We are due for an economic and political roller coaster ride during the year. The idea that private sector jobs will replace lost public sector jobs will be zapped on the head no doubt. Although I must concede that by cutting law enforcement that will undoubtedly lead to more activity in the "private sector".  Crime will rise and the Police's ability to respond will be curtailed. Most crime takes place in town centres and in poorer areas where people can least afford it and are most vulnerable. That's why a caring Council would not stand idly by whilst the Police face cuts in their budget. 

The following is an example of what can be achieved by a Borough Council. When Labour was  in control of Erewash we were able to improve lighting to car parks and black spot areas where lighting was inadequate. We introduced town centre wide CCTV systems to both Long Eaton and Ilkeston. Borough Tories were saying "What's crime got to do with us." but we acted and the Towns were safer and better places for people and businesses as a result.  Labour believe it is not good enough just to wring hands. Action by Councils is possible, necessary and cost effective. In the case of CCTV it has paid for itself over and over again.

Locally in Erewash change is necessary and achievable. The Borough should be focusing   on economic development. That should be in its widest sense. Educational achievement, training, transport infrastructure and creating a environment that attracts jobs should be top of our priorities. In the past under the Conservatives Erewash has become inward looking and self serving. Tory Erewash operates in a vacuum, under achieves and lacks ambition and direction. 

I want to put the heart back into Erewash and create a vibrant go ahead Borough in which people want to work, live and relax. A place were good things happen and where we are renowned for achievement and innovation.  I want an Erewash that is on the side of the public not on its back. Progress by endeavour, not just managing decline as at present.

Local Councils can make a real difference to communities. Politics isn't just about what this or that person said in the mass media. It's what you do that matters. You can be a player not just a spectator. You can help your area to be fairer, greener and safer. You can help make a Council that scares into a Council that cares.

Year 2011 could be a year for real change in Erewash. Make it a good one. Make it a Labour one.

THE QUEENS SPEECH

How right the Queen was to highlight sport in her 2010 speech to the Nation. It's a nice thought that even in the rarefied atmosphere inhabited by Royalty the benefits of sport have not been missed. It's a pity it is lost on Cameron and Clegg. Whether you are Royalist or not, the fact that she has again put the Royal seal of approval on sport will be significant. Many people who hang on her every word will be even more uncomfortable about the Coalition's attack on sports funding, particularly that affecting Schools.

Despite the partial U-turn on funding for School Sport Partnership's. That is just a step back from the brink; not a complete conversion. The Coalition's cuts will also force many schools in Britain to make cuts in resources devoted to sport in Schools, Colleges and Universities. Local Authorities will also be forced to close, reduce and neglect existing sports and play provision. Reducing considerably the opportunities for sport nationwide.

Cameron and Clegg are out of touch and notwithstanding several changes of heart recently I believe their "Poll Tax Moment"  is yet to come.

People talk about cuts as if the effects are already with us, that is far from the case. Sport in particular will still remain a front line victim of the Coalitions ideological warfare until we make the U-turns into a fully fledged rout.

Opinion polls may now favour progressive politics. Many people already realise the budget cuts are too fast, too early and motivated by political spite not economic necessity. However the only polls that matter are at the ballot box. When Tory and Lib-Dem candidates get harangued on the doorstep and pilloried at the polls then that will signal the beginning of the end of the Coalition. Let us all help bring that about not as spectators but as players.

Happy new year to you all.



CABLE HANGING BY THREAD

I believe Vince Cable should certainly have been sacked over the revelations made by a whistle blower. After showing such bad judgement how long can he survive? What does this say about Cameron's own judgement? Why has he  been left in position after espousing views about a potential BskyB bidder which were prejudicial to say the least? 

Notwithstanding the quality of some of the Murdoch empires output. The buyer has a choice and without Murdoch rattling so many cages the worlds media business would arguably be less varied and challenging. If you don't like Murdoch don't buy his output. To use a political position in a such prejudiced way makes a meal for lawyers and damages our image with the rest of the world. Investment from the rest of the world is always important to bringing jobs to the UK. Surely we should always endeavour to play with a straight deck. Sacking Cable would send a clear message that we expect people and organisations to be treated fairly no matter whether their names are, Mud or Murdoch. 

SCHOOL SPORTS

It was said how lazy the Tories were in opposition and nothing shows it up better than the fiasco over the Schools Sports Partnership. Out of touch or what! Now Michael Gove has "found" some money to continue the program in a reduced form to buy off hostility from some very vocal quarters. With the Olympics coming up in London what a time to demoralise the sporting fraternity. Cameron said to Parliament that the program wasn't working. He has now made one of the biggest climb downs ever.
What is frustrating to me is how getting people into sport has so many social benefits. Surely we should have a political consensus by now. Sport helps promote a happier healthier society and is also cost effective.

Long Eaton's Leisure Centre

I always remember the tale I was told about young lad who volunteered to fight in the Great War. He was the most reluctant amongst a group of four friends. But he went along to sign up and all four had a medical and but only he passed. Out of four lads only one was fit to die. Fortunately he lived to tell the tale despite a bayonet in the guts whilst he was hanging helpless on barbed wire, waist deep in cold water. That was one story amongst millions showing the monstrous toll of ill health due to poor diet, bad housing conditions, poor wages and poor health care. Until soldiers were needed the "born to rule" fraternity never gave a second thought to the general population. In fact after the Great War they were trying their hardest to turn the clock back. They wanted cheap labour and plenty of it.

Can you see a similarity with the present incumbents in Government? Cut public services to make room for tax cuts for the rich. Bugger you Jack I'm alright is and always has been their philosophy. 

Sport isn't the only factor but it is vitally important to the Nations health. If you believe as I do that societies compete not economies then surely a nations health is a prime responsibility of Government. Cameron is failing the Nation when he downgrades the importance of Britain's health.

Locally what is the future for sport. Will sports centres be closed or opening times reduced? So far no consultation appears to be taking place over the Erewash budget despite the financial settlement being announced some time ago. Watch this space.

BRACKENFIELD DO GOOD TURN AGAIN

Margaret and I attended a lovely panto performance by Long Eaton's Brackenfield school held this week at May Hall courtesy of Trent College. They did a wonderful pantomime to a large audience. The children performed Dick Whittington. The cat stole the show with a confident display of acting. The audience had as good a time as the kids judging by the spontaneous applause and the rousing reception at the end. A good start to Christmas celebrations for all concerned. Well done Brackenfield.

ILKESTON ISLAND EYESORE



ILKESTON ISLAND EYESORE

 A railway wagon placed on a traffic island in Ilkeston to celebrate Erewash heritage has been left to rot by Tory run Erewash Borough Council. All the wagon needed was some tender loving care but now it has rotted and needs a major renovation. Labour have tried to force the Council to act but still the Tories have dragged their feet. Meanwhile this reminder of Erewash's industrial past is fading away.

The Council shows a blatant contempt for Ilkeston and the state of this wagon is a graphic example of why Erewash needs to be wrested from the strangling grip of Erewash Conservatives.



SEARCHING FOR SANTA

Whilst observing one of the C.C.T.V. cameras in Ilkeston recently I noticed that three out of four preset positions was pointing up into the blue yonder. Perhaps they were searching for Santa. But maybe Christmas is coming early for criminals with the Conservatives. What with the Home Secretary cutting Police numbers and Ken Clarke letting convicts out early, even the Ilkeston cameras are turning a blind eye! No cameras to watch them, no Police to catch them, no courts to try them and no prisons to put them in.  All this from the Erewash Tory Party, the Party of lawlessness and utter disorder.



WHAT PRICE "LOCALISM".

Erewash Tories recently blocked moves by the Erewash Labour Group to begin progressing towards Town Council's for our two Towns. Their main argument being that it would be too expensive. But at the same time their own Government were trumpeting that local people including Parish Councils will get extra powers. Erewash Conservatives don't appear to believe in localism for Long Eaton and Ilkeston. But it's OK for Parish Councils. Surely some inconsistency here.

As a consequence of the refusal, on financial grounds, to progress towards letting local people decide whether they wanted Town Councils or not, the Labour Group decided to look at Parish finances. In particular that element paid directly out of Erewash coffers. It was timely because national Government were about to bleed Councils dry by cutting revenue support massively. The Tories had plenty of time to "declare an interest" bearing in mind eighteen of them are Parish Councillors. But no, they voted en bloc to defer discussion until the debate on the full budget. Without any formal declarations of interests! 

However some Labour Members have demanded an Extraordinary Full Council to try to force the Tories to discuss Parish funding. The meeting will be held on Thursday 27th January at Ilkeston Town Hall at 7.00 p.m. A good attendance by the public would be much appreciated.

ROYAL FLUSH

Ever since the Royal duo Charles and Camilla got caught up in the student demo against tuition fees I've been wondering how the media would have reacted to the same situation under a Labour Government. The least reaction would have been a campaign to oust the Home Secretary and if the Met Chief Constable was to the Left of Enoch Powell he would have had his career, private life and method of eating asparagus minutely criticised. He would be lucky to escape with his pension intact. The preposterous Government reaction excusing the incident was blindly excepted by the media like a dustbin swallowing rubbish. I cannot believe the situation Charles and Camilla were put in and the subsequent pathetic response from the British media. Surely security needs to be tightened and the Home Secretary needs to carry the can. This embarrassing incident shouldn't be so easily brushed aside by the huffing and puffing about student behaviour by the P.M. Mr Cameron. Home Secretary Theresa May should walk or be sacked.  

SAME OLD LEOPARDS SAME OLD SPOTS

Somethings never change do they? Riots, rising unemployment, cuts in local services.  Tory leopards just don't change their spots. However economic policies without social justice just don't work. Unemployment, under employment and lower wages result from such policies. The north south divide which the previous Government tried to heal, will now start to grow again. Low wages and an under skilled workforce do not make us more competitive. They create a downward spiral.

Mrs Thatcher had North Sea oil revenues and the "Sale of the Century" of public assets to keep her head above water. She faced strikes and riots and wasted billions of pounds in an ideological battle which still leaves unhealed scars today. She lacked a progressive social dimension to her vision. "There is no such thing as Society" she claimed. Now "the sons of Thatcher" say there is a Big Society ready to leap to the rescue where the state deserts the field. Can they really be as deluded as Thatcher? Well yes they can. Soon the only growth area will be broken promises.
I firmly believe that it is societies that compete not economies. After a decade of progress we will now see it chucked away by the same outdated, failed fatuous fake policies based on social prejudice and smug self satisfied outlooks that are doomed to fail in the end. It's sad to see the damage being done again with a rerun of previous Tory Governments. Brace yourselves it's going to be a rough ride.

The Liberal Democrat Party are most likely in for a rougher time than most and would do well to remember the India proverb. "He who rides a tiger can never dismount".

PARISH POOPS

Make Erewash Streets Safe.
Don't you just love Erewash Tories. Whilst cutting the dog waste bags to "save" money at Erewash Borough Council some of the same Tories are providing bags for their residents through their role as Parish Councillors. If you live in Breaston or Draycott you can still get free bags but not if you live in Long Eaton or Ilkeston. Is this a case of double standards?

Dog mess is still a big issue in Erewash and we seem to be experiencing a worsening situation. I would like to see the reintroduction of free dog waste bags throughout Erewash and more action against miscreants by Neighbourhood Wardens.

WORLD CUP HISSY FIT

The reaction from the England bid boss Andy Anson appears to me to be going over the top. Why couldn't he just accept the verdict gracefully. Perhaps he should take a tip from cricket and just "walk". All this recrimination and bitterness does England's reputation no credit at all. Surely we should congratulate the winners and look forward to a good World Cup in Russia. I would have loved to see the Cup come to England, but I can also see distinct advantages for world football in an Eastern European country being the Hosts next time. Someone please ask Andy to retire gracefully. He did his best and as in football the best team doesn't always win.

PETERSHAM HOTEL

A much improved planning application was approved yesterday for the old Petersham Hotel site. The Erewash Planning Committee having voted against the previous proposal on design grounds had a much improved plan submitted which if built should be a credit to the area. This prominent site is close to shops, the Community Centre and the new play cage on the Green. It's ideal for housing. The previous application found the support of the Tory Councillor Gary Hickton, what a  Philistine! Fortunately he lost the vote and this much more acceptable application was forthcoming.

PETERSHAM GREEN SHOPPING ZONE

Many local residents would welcome a redesign of the area in front of the shops opposite Petersham Green on Grasmere Road, Long Eaton. Enhancing the space and providing better car parking has been talked about for years but so far no results. Lets get moving to provide an area people can be proud of and feel safe in. There is potential for more businesses and public amenities to make the area even better.

The building of the Outlook Centre and the new play cage have improved the area . Further changes with the development of the old Petersham Hotel site and the old ambulance station site should bring more life to the place. That should add to economic activity for Petersham. Now's the time to boost this edge of Town area and I will be striving to highlight the issue with the local Council.



COUNCILLOR HOWARD GRIFFITHS: PARKING PROBLEMS PROBE

COUNCILLOR HOWARD GRIFFITHS: PARKING PROBLEMS PROBE: " BRIDGE STREET LONG EATON  Derbyshire County Council are to look into the parking problems in Bridge Street Long Eaton and the sur..."

PARKING PROBLEMS PROBE



BRIDGE STREET LONG EATON



Derbyshire County Council are to look into the parking problems in Bridge Street Long Eaton and the surrounding area in the new year. Highways officials are of the opinion that more spaces could be freed up for residents without resorting to a residents only scheme. Cllr Margaret Griffiths and I have been campaigning for changes to be implemented to benefit local people. Not only is it sometimes damned annoying for residents not to be able to park near their homes but it is reflected in property prices. Thus adding insult to injury. We are also asking for the one-way system in Hamilton Road to be looked at because some residents would prefer the direction to be switched to avoid the Bridge Street junction where visibility is a problem.

Perhaps it could be good news in the new year, but proper consultation is needed as well as innovative solutions aimed at maintaining and enhancing safety and security. We look forward to progress.

TOWN HALL TANTRUMS

Following a recent meeting at which Conservative Councillors refused to debate the large amount of money granted each year to Parish Councils,  Councillors Corbett, Harrison, Smith and Shaw have reported several Labour members to the Standards Committee. My crime was to call Cllr Corbett "Chicken" because he cowardly declined to enter into a debate on this controversial issue.

Eighteen of the Erewash Tory Councillors are also Parish Councillors and for years they have waved through money for their own Parishes whilst cutting services to Ilkeston and Long Eaton. Whilst denying Ilkeston a say in whether they should have a Town Council, on the grounds of cost, their own Parish Councils have been let rip. It even transpires that Tory Councillors have done paid work for Parishes. It's about time they came clean and discussed the matter honestly and openly.

Nearly a third of a million pounds a year may be chicken feed to the Conservatives but it's a significant sum which could have been used to bring jobs to the Borough. We demand to know whether transparency and probity has been maintained and whether we have had value for money. If anybody can shed light on this can of worms please let us know.

COUNCILLOR HOWARD GRIFFITHS: EREWASH CAMPAIGN CONFERENCE

COUNCILLOR HOWARD GRIFFITHS: EREWASH CAMPAIGN CONFERENCE: "  Chris Williamson M.P. for Derby North gave the key note speech at Erewash Labour's Campaign Conference at Bennerley Enterp..."

EREWASH CAMPAIGN CONFERENCE




Chris Williamson M.P. for Derby North gave the key note speech at Erewash Labour's Campaign Conference at Bennerley Enterprise Centre, Ilkeston. 

CHRIS WILLIAMSON M.P. AND HOWARD GRIFFITHS



The Conference was Chaired by Frank Phillips and I gave an introductory speech out lining Erewash past history and some of the challenges that lie ahead.



Chris Williamson spoke of how the cuts will hit Councils badly in the areas most dependent on Government Grant. Area based grants aimed at the worst off areas will be scrapped. The freedom promised to local Government, by the Coalition, will be freedom to make cuts. The Government appear to be trying to by pass local government and rely on the 3rd sector to make up the gap. Many workers will go from low pay to no pay under the Coalition Government so called "Big Society". He went on to say that providing homes would be a big challenge and that Council's should claim back their role by again providing mortgages for people to get the housing market moving again. He went on to say "The sell out by the Lib-Dems has left Labour as the only progressive force in British politics and we need to reap up the centre-left vote to be able to defeat the Tories".

LORD YOUNG ON HIS BIKE

Another one bites the dust. Lord Young falls on his sword; following his gaffe which belittled the effect of the recession by saying people "have never had it so good". Cameron was quick to distance himself from Young's comments. So you now know how Cameron sticks by his friends. He doesn't even give a backward glance. His lack of loyalty will continue growing enemies on his own side.

The honeymoon is finished and even tougher times lie ahead for Cameron. Lord Young has powerful friends among the Grandees in the Tory Party and a Thatcher crony to boot. Will he open his mouth in the future and get his own back? I think he will.

AND FURTHERMORE

The Erewash Labour Group seemed to have touched a raw nerve with their investigation into money siphoned off from the Borough Council under the label "concurrent functions". Ockbrook and Borrowash Parish Council have put up an unsigned notice attacking the Erewash Labour Party about a motion put by the Erewash Labour Group. Apart from the selective aspect of the notice, the anonymous nature of it shows the apparent cowardice of the perpetrator or perpetrators. It claims to have influenced the progress of the proposal, the full text of which is on the Erewash Council's web site. How the author/s has influenced the Erewash Council's decision is not clear. If anybody can shed light on how the vote was influenced, I for one would be delighted to hear!

PARISH CAPERS

At a recent Erewash Council meeting the Tory "Leader" ran away from a debate on the money given by the Borough to Parish Councils. To cries of "chicken" by Labour Councillors Cllr Chris Corbett used, not for the first time, a procedural motion to avoid proper debate on this important issue. I told him "you can run but you can't hide". The issue will not go away so easily and we intend to run them to earth. Some Parish Councils receive an extraordinary amount of money just to fund a Parish Clerk mostly paid for by the Borough for which there is no accountability or transparency.

What is more disturbing is that more than half of the Tory Group are Parish Councillors. Is that why they don't want proper accountability?

NEXT SURGERY

COUNCILLOR'S SURGERY

Howard & Margaret Griffiths and Keri Andrews will be holding their next Councillor's Surgery on 7th December at 6.30 p.m. until 8.00 p.m. at Long Eaton Town Hall.

COUNCILLOR HOWARD GRIFFITHS: LIB-DEMS SELL STUDENTS FOR POWER

COUNCILLOR HOWARD GRIFFITHS: LIB-DEMS SELL STUDENTS FOR POWER: "The Guardian has revealed that Clegg and Co planned two months before the General Election to sell students down the river. Having 'pledged'..."

LIB-DEMS SELL STUDENTS FOR POWER

The Guardian has revealed that Clegg and Co planned two months before the General Election to sell students down the river. Having "pledged" to abolish top up fees they were already planning to sell out for a share of power after the Election. Not just student voters but also helpers that worked hard for the Lib-Dems during the Election have been utterly mislead and betrayed.

EREWASH ERRORS

When I look back over Erewash history it grieves me to recollect the missed opportunities. At one point when the Conservatives held sway they were offered the Hermits Wood at Dale Abbey for a "peppercorn" they turned it down because of running costs. It would have made a top class nature reserve owned by the public for ever. About the same time they had the offer of the Cat & Fiddle Windmill plus Cottage, I think the figure talked of was 20k.  Imagine that as a Nature Study Centre and visitor attraction. Guess what? They turned it down because of running costs. 

They then built the Long Eaton Town Hall for about two and a half million pounds and they would have spent another £250,000 on a nuclear bunker underneath if they could have secured the grant from Thatcher's Government. I kid you not! These Erewash Tory folk appear seriously misguided.

DAWNING ON DERBYSHIRE

2000 job cuts say Derbyshire County Council. That's going to be 2000 very angry people. Add to that others that live in Derbyshire but work in local government in surrounding areas including big Cities like Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester. Plus those working in Derby City itself but living in DCC's area. That's knocking a big hole in the local economy which will impact badly on local businesses.

Slightly ironically most Councils have some financial reserves left over from a string of good revenue support grants from the last Labour Government. However the Con-Dems want a big hit now to be able to ease off nearer the next General Election. They are telling Councils if they have a nil Council Tax rise they will get roughly 20% of the cut in grant given back.

Councils that are up for election next May such as Erewash may try to hide the effects of cuts to limit damage at the Polls. They have crowed in the past about setting a balanced budget. That was with a Government that supported local services. Now creek and paddle come to mind.

It wont be long before people can get their own back on the Liberal and Tories at the Polls and when they count their losses after May there will be a cathartic moment for the Con-Dems. They are in for a very rough ride.

WELL FANCY THAT!

Well fancy that. One of the businessmen who signed the open letter to back George Osborne's crazy cuts is Chairman of engineering firm ARUP Mr Phillip Dilley. However his Companies chief operating officer John Turzynski said something quite different to his employees in an e-mail. According to "Private Eye" the e-mail to employees stated "the UK is only slowly recovering from the effects of the recession... Private sector projects are not yet replacing public sector reductions... The trends show a continuing decline across many parts of the business, which is set to continue." The original letter to the Torygraph and signed by Dilley said Osbornes cuts "will improve business and consumer confidence... The private sector should be more that capable of generating additional jobs to replace those lost in the public sector."

TIMS COFFEE MORNING



LIZ BLACKMAN AND HOST TIM MOLONEY

Following the very successful Borrowash Branch fund raiser at The Bay of Bengal Restaurant the week previously, Tim Moloney held a very well frequented Coffee Morning at his residence at "Keepers Cottage".

The weather was superb and among the many guests was Liz Blackman. 

Kath Trueman wrested the money from our palms and Pam Phillips catered and waited whilst Tim played host. A great time was had by all.



VERNON COAKER M.P.

Cllr Frank Phillips, Vernon Coaker M.P. and
Cllr Howard Griffiths at Sandiacre Memorial Hall

Erewash saw the visit of Vernon Coaker M.P. to Sandiacre Memorial Hall on Bonfire night. With a background of fireworks exploding including one that sounded like the gasworks going off, Vernon discussed the National political scene with Erewash Labour Party Members. Mr Coaker expressed the view that Labour should be proud of its achievements in Office. New Schools and Hospitals, lower waiting lists for operations, introducing the minimum wage and much more. He commented that "We should remember the days under the previous Conservative Government where kids were taught in Schools surrounded by buckets to catch the rainwater and when people died whilst on long hospital waiting lists." He went on to add, "We must also remember that after an historically low period of Government borrowing we acted to avert recession turning into depression. We acted to minimise the Banking crisis and to keep people in jobs. We all know of people who have lost their job or fear losing their job. This is the real human cost of Government cuts. Labour would not have cut so quickly and so deep. These cuts are driven by ideology not economics and will put at risk the recovery engineered by Gordon Brown."

Vernon was then heartily thanked by the meeting for giving up his time to talk to Erewash Labour Party.

EREWASH FOR SALE

Tory Erewash Borough Council are in for a rude awakening. Erewash stand to lose more than £1,200,000 in Grants next year unless the Government backs down. The amount of money given to the Council by Government is set to be dramatically reduced and In order to keep a balanced budget next year Erewash may be faced with the prospect of shutting down more Leisure facilities, stripping more Council assets, and sacking more staff. So it's more of the same policies which means less and less services for the public. The other avenue is to put up charges which are already high due to previous hikes. For instance they have already doubled car parking charges in under 8 years. Not bad for a Council that said it wanted to abolish them!

"A GOVERNMENT OF MILLIONAIRES FOR MILLIONAIRES"

So said Erewash Labour Leader Howard Griffiths when he described the CON/DEM Coalition at a recent Erewash Borough Council meeting.
Their latest plans to force up Social Housing rents and VAT will hit low earners hardest and increase the working poor.
The ending of secure tenancies for new tenants will destabilise hard working families and cause unnecessary worry to people when they are threatened with eviction.
"Ripping off tenants to placate the money markets is not my idea of fairness and together with the hike in VAT to 20% pensioners and people on fixed incomes will be hit worst of all. So much for "We are all in it together" a phrase much used by the Con-Dem Government." said Councillor Howard Griffiths. "What we have is not a Coalition Government, it's a Demolition Government.

He added, "the Con-Dems callous cuts will push us back into recession, increase unemployment and crush small businesses. Erewash will be harder hit than most areas because locally the Conservative controlled Council has sat on its hands and done virtually nothing to create local jobs.

SAVE YOUR GREEN SPACES

Conservative controlled Erewash Council is engaging in an asset stripping exercise and many areas of land that they own will be sold off. Local folk were shocked when the Council itself sought Planning Consent four four houses on the green area off College Street near the junction with Welbeck Road, Long Eaton. This included the chopping down of three trees.

However their own Planning Committee rejected the proposals. But will that save the trees? Residents need to be wary, nothing is safe in Tory Erewash.

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING SKATEBOARD PARK

A skateboard area dismantled by Tory Erewash Borough Council has still not found a home after several years. Young people are complaining about not having a venue in Kirk Hallam. Can anyone suggest a home for a new Skateboard facility in Kirk Hallam?  Surely it's time for EBC to get it's finger out.

LONG EATON STATION NORTH

I think it's about time we resurrected the idea of a new Long Eaton Station. The old one in the centre of the Town was shut years ago.
Our road links are second to none and an Airport just up the road gives global access. It's a pity about the A453 improvements being delayed which will contribute to on-costs by increasing congestion and continuing its high accident rate. If east-west links were improved it would certainly contribute to easing congestion on the M1 and boost the local economy. However a train Station serving the North of Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stapleford would surely be cost effective. There is enough room where the old Stapleford and Sandiacre Station used to be to have a viable railway halt. Together with a long overdue Ilkeston Station we could ease road use and cut travelling times.

THE THREE STOOGES

TORIES WHISTLING IN THE DARK

Cllr C Corbett the Erewash Con Leader is joining the Demolition Government in cutting Council jobs to save his own political skin. He claims he can cut Council Tax in the face of savage cuts in Government Revenue Grant. The Council has already increased car parking charges by 200% during their term in power and also charge a "bin tax" for a recycling bin. They abolished the Councils pest control service and charges for Leisure Centres are already pricing people out, so income is actually falling. What will get the chop this time? Corbett's Crazy Cuts are on the way.

R.I.P. LONG EATON STADIUM

It finally looks like the end of the Long Eaton Stadium saga. Detailed planning consent has been given for housing to use most of the site with an area of open space next to Brooklands School. The move has been hailed as a victory by some and a loss by others.
I personally am saddened that a part of Long Eaton history and a nationally known facility has now gone. It needed a friendly purchaser to take the site or Erewash Council to buy it in order to secure it all for the Town.
When I was a lad in Nottingham the only reason I had heard of Long Eaton was because of the Stadium. My first visit there was to the Bomber Racing, is was great fun. I had seen nothing like it before. The noise, the excitement, the atmosphere, it was electric. It enabled people to let off steam and share an event which was memorable and significant. The second time I went it was to see the Speedway. More classy than Bomber Racing with a fanatical following of all ages. Exhilarating, great to watch with an international dimension which it is hard to see Long Eaton ever getting back.
RIP Long Eaton Stadium.

ILKESTON STATION

Nearly everybody has jumped on the bandwagon of Erewash Labour Group's campaign to get back a railway station in Ilkeston. Even the Tory M.P. says she is in favour! Which is a bit like a cat joining the RSPB. Erewash Council, which put several million pounds into Parish Councils, has put virtually nothing towards getting a station back. It's very sad that Erewash Tories lack ambition, vision and initative, which has resulted in Erewash being very vulnerable to recession. A station would cut road traffic and help employment. The sooner it happens the better.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

One of Cameron's crazy cuts is to turn out street lights in the late evening. Their stooges on local Councils are even trying to sell it as an environmental move. However the home insurance sellers will soon cash in by charging more for home cover in areas where street lights are turned off. Insurers are quite aware of the higher risk of crime in unlit streets.
The sad thing is many Councils will be forced by reductions in funding to cut across the whole range of services, including street lighting, despite knowing that greater costs will be be borne indirectly by the public.

LONG EATON TOWN CENTRE

The new town centre "improvements" seem to be going down badly. Nobody seems to like them. The most common comment seems to be "It's a total waste of money". What worries me most is criticism of the quality of the work. If you want to comment on the work you can fill in Erewash's online CCC form and share your views with the perpertrators.

ILKESTON TOWN FC

What a shame one of our local football clubs has got money woes. I am raising the matter with Erewash Borough Council hoping we can get some political will behind helping the Club in the short term. Surely there is something we can do to help.

Ilkeston needs a football club, the work they do for the community is invaluable.

STOP, GO, NOT THE WAY.

The Tories return to stop-go economics will be devastating for jobs in the UK but crime will also start rising again. Same old leopard same old spots. The media that were spinning the lies of broken Britain have now gone quiet, watch the "honours list" for pay back time. With criminals being set free early, Police cut, the criminal justice system cut, even street lights to be switched off to help the job along. What a recipe for breaking Britain.

TOWN CENTRES

More action is needed to regenerate our Towns. The last Government through the Regional Development Agency gave Erewash Borough over 56k to help Ilkeston and Long Eaton. The financial inducement has generated some good ideas. However Labour Councillors wanted Erewash to add some of its own resources to the pot but this was rejected by Tory Councillors. I think many people in Erewash would support such a move and it's a shame that there is no commitment to continue the initiative when the money runs out. Erewash get a large income from our Towns but seem very reluctent to put investment back.

EREWASH BIN BLUES

Erewash Borough Council whilst pouring over a million pounds into Parish Council pet projects decided to charge Council Tax payers for a blue recycling bin. This year the "Bin Tax" amounts to £27. However because they didn't buy in bulk and roll them out across the Borough 2 years ago they are now having to pay twice as much for the bins. Presumably the charge will skyrocket sometime soon. I believe it's been a scandalous waste of cash and shows a lack of commitment by the Council to recycling.

POLICE REFORM?

The latest Con/Dem proposals for breaking up of the Police are shambolic. A mixture of prejudice and wishful thinking that will help nobody but the criminals. The idea that if you have not got a uniform on you're not helping to cut crime is arrant rubbish. These proposals won't work, will cost more money and have to be unpicked at a later date.

MINE MINE MINE

Here I am diving off Malta. Why do people get so curious when they see an old mine. Surely I should swim the other way. Great fun though.

POLICE CUTS A CRIME

To start reducing Police numbers would be a crime. In the last ten years the previous Labour Government were successful in increasing Police numbers and reducing crime. Con/Lib plans to cut Police funds will undoubtably reverse the trend.