Friday, February 27, 2009

The Taxpayers' Alliance - Friend or Foe?

I read recently on Conservative MP Douglas Carwell's blog that he was proud to be a friend of the Taxpayers' Alliance. As someone who has observed the organisation and had numerous letters and emails from members, I can share this opinion. I know that some Councillors and MPs find them to be annoying and don't like them - but is this because they highlight the expensive follies of local and national Government, politicians and officials?

The Taxpayers' Alliance stands for smaller, less wasteful, more properly democratically accountable government - and I don't think there is so much wrong with that .....

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Capitol Park Planning Decision Brings Jobs Boost To Goole

In the present climate it is important that we do everything we can to encourage job creation in the Goole area, junction 36 is likely to be one of the economic power-houses of the East Riding in years to come. The Council is bringing forward it's capital programme wherever possible to help the local economy through the present recession, and the application for a significant development on Goole's Capitol Park passed recently by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Planning Committee, is also putting jobs and the economy first.

As a member of the Planning Committee it was clear to me that the applicant (Sterling Capital) was doing all that it could in saving a great number of the protected trees, and I requested a condition (that was subsequently added) to replace the majestic redwood on the site that is to be lost with a greater number of redwoods, the Council has also insisted a bat roost is constructed to accommodate the bats in the area. The company is also committed to developing the Country Park area north of the site. The 'Friends of Oakhill' who had originally opposed the application, recognised that the company was doing what it could and supported the application at the Planning Committee meeting.

I was very disappointed that the Labour Councillor representing Goole South, who also sits on the planning committee, could not support the creation of these Goole jobs and voted against the application.