13 new Constables, increased Police presence, and a whole load of Dog Sh*t

I was invited to spend last Tuesday morning with the 13 new Police Constables recruited by Humberside Police - 6 weeks into their training and they get me talking about Councillor input into Policing, Local Action Teams, and partnership working… It was all very positive but I must admit I did stray into the area of Central Government imposed targets and the contradiction with what local people are telling us in the East Riding. (Funnily enough there were no detractors – perhaps it’s something to do with all the Police Performance Challenge meetings I’ve attended over the past two years).

What I really struggle with is this Government that wants the Police to focus on targets that are not really applicable to our East Riding communities, where quite clearly the priorities are different from larger urban communities.

Many people tell me their priorities are antisocial behaviour (where the perception doesn't reflect reality – thanks mainly to the media), speeding and parking in villages and towns, and last but not least DOG FOULING - something plaguing most communities. So why does the Government insist the priority for the Police should be vehicle crime?

(Please note: PCSOs in Leeds give out tickets to people caught Dog Fouling and there appears to be less comments about a lack of a Police Presence)

Please, let’s have an election soon, let’s get rid of this wretched Government (and that’s without talking about the Budget statement), and let’s have more localism where we have more decision-making disseminated down to the local level that a new Tory Government will bring. At the end of the day it is the voice of the people I represent that is most important – not the voice of this centralist Government telling us what they think, how we should think and what we should do, and worst of all imposing their priorities on us.

To finish on a positive note, 13 great recruits; who I’m sure will make great Police Officers in the weeks, months and years to come.

http://www.humberside.police.uk/

Gilberdyke to get up to £85,000 for flood prevention work

With ERYC Drainage Engineer Martin Clark and fellow Parish Councillor John Jessop

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) has allocated funding of up to £85k for flood prevention work in the Parish of Gilberdyke, which was hit by flooding in 2007, this funding is given to villages where it is less likely that there will be major investment by other agencies, despite the level of flooding that occurred.

As part of the Government’s response to the Pitt Review, which was the official report into the 2007 floods, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council will work with the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to establish a ‘Surface Water Management Plan’. This Plan aims to ensure that there is a full understanding of how drainage across the East Riding works and how the various systems link together. The ERYC has secured a £4m European Grant for improved drainage work; this is in addition to the £0.5m already allocated by the Council.

Gilberdyke Parish Council has undertaken a considerable amount of work since the 2007 floods, almost immediately afterwards setting up the Flood Action Group as an informal working group, allowing members of the community and Parish Councillors to work together towards a solution. Some £7,000 was originally allocated to the Parish Council, which has been used to commission an investigation and produce an independent report into the flooding, identifying particular problem areas, and providing recommendations.

The independent report, which identified key watercourse maintenance issues that contributed to the flooding and the time taken for the water to leave the village, was published and passed to interested agencies, including the ERYC and the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board.

This report was used by the ERYC to identify the most important works required in Gilberdyke, and subsequently the funding of up to £85k has been made available to fund 3 notional schemes in the village. These schemes are at present being designed and include; approximately £20k to facilitate de-silting and investigation of the drainage on Westbrook Crescent, £25k to be used to improve the critical riparian watercourse between Scalby Lane and Far Drain, and £40k to re-cut and pipe other ditches at various locations in the village. This will improve the drainage and help prevent a repetition of the 2007 floods.

The work to be done in order to improve the Scalby Lane riparian watercourse will be done under the supervision of the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board (LOIDB) as the Land Drainage Authority empowered to deliver the scheme. It is unlikely that any work will be carried out until after August due to Natural England’s guidance on the destruction and removal of vegetation, in order to ensure breeding wildlife is not adversely affected.

The ERYC will out of courtesy contact the riparian owners of the watercourses to obtain consent prior to work commencing, it is hoped that no objections will be forthcoming, and the householders who have piped dykes running behind their properties allow the work to be carried out without delay.

I would like to thank the Gilberdyke residents who supported and worked with the Parish Council as part of the Flood Action Group, in applying pressure on the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board and Network Rail to carry out long overdue maintenance work. Both organisations cooperated and have undertaken a considerable amount of work to dykes and drains, both inside and outside the village, for the first time in many, many years. These works continue, but those already completed provide significant improvement.

The Parish Council may well be asked to contribute to drain and dyke upkeep in the future, either by funding or maintenance. I hope the ERYC will also seek to obtain financial contributions from affected riparian owners who benefit from works carried out by the authority, and a partnership approach taken, allowing the maximum community benefit to be obtained for the funding available.

'Walking Gilberdyke's Far Drain' please click link below:

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/video.html?id=42816

The Minister for Europe has not read all of the Lisbon treaty

I'm sorry but I couldn't resist highlighting this.....


Caroline Flint, the Minister for Europe, made a stunning admission in the House of Commons yesterday - that she has not read the Lisbon Treaty. During a European Committee session, the following exchange (not yet online) took place between the Minister and Mark Francois, her Conservative shadow:




Mr Francois: "Given that the treaty is integral to the documents we are debating this afternoon, I am a little surprised at the continuing vagueness of the Minister's answer. This is a really simple question: has the Minister read the elements of the Lisbon treaty that relate to defence?"

Caroline Flint: "I have read some of it but not all of it."

Mr Francois: "What!"

Caroline Flint: "I have been briefed on some of it."

Mr Francois: "That is an extraordinary answer. The Minister for Europe has not read all of the Lisbon treaty. That is an absolutely extraordinary revelation. It is a bit like the Irish Prime Minister saying that he had not read it before the referendum. That is an incredible answer. If she is Minister for Europe, why has she not read the treaty?"

Jamie Oliveoil recipe for Agricultural Fudge

After a number of comments from farming friends I would just like to clarify my thoughts on this:

This You Tube video was produced by the Taxpayers’ Alliance in support of a report they produced on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The report suggests the policy has led to higher food prices, taxes and costly EU red tape but warns it is doing little to help British farmers and that the main recipients of CAP money are large corporations and Government bodies.

The issues it raises are important ones but what is not dealt with here (and this is important) is the disparity between farmgate and retail prices in the UK, with falling farmgate prices rarely passed on by processors and retailers to shoppers. In fact we find ourselves in the ludicrous position where farmers as ‘the supplier’ have to stand the cost of some special offers seen by supermarkets as loss leaders for other product lines.

It should also be noted that the video fails to mention the recent reforms of the CAP. These broke the link between support payments and food production and as a result the Single Farm Payment (SFP) is now made to farmers in return for sound environmental and land management practices. The sad thing is that the return for farmers from the marketplace is such that to a greater or lesser extent they are still reliant on their SFP to subsidise food production.

Enforcement Action means unsightly area in Newport must now be tidied

The situation regarding the condition of the land known as Land East of 3 Canal Side West in Newport (just behind the play area) is coming to an end, with successful enforcement action through the courts having been taken against the owner.

The owner has been to subject of many complaints from residents for well over a year now. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council carried out an investigation, and agreed with residents that the land was in such a state as to be damaging to the amenity of the area.

Requests were made to the owner of the land to have the land tidied, but this did not happen. A Waste Land Notice under s215 of the Town and Country Planning Acts was therefore served on the 9 April 2008 and gave until the 11 June 2008 to comply with the notice by tidying the land.

Unfortunately the notice was not complied with and the owner made an Appeal to the Goole Magistrates Court. The owner's appeal was rejected at the Goole Magistrates Court on the 3 March 2009 and he was ordered to pay Costs of £3,449.50 The notice now takes effect on the 1 April 2009 and the land must be tidied by the 1 May 2009.

Hopefully this will send out a clear message to those individuals who persist with wanton acts of selfishness in allowing gardens and land in general to become eyesores, that damage the amenity of our communities.

Review of Car Parking Charges
in the East Riding of Yorkshire

A series of roadshows are taking place across the East Riding in the next few weeks on the subject of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Parking Review Panel's proposals for new car parking car parking arrangements. The roadshows will be drop-in sessions, where people can view the proposals, ask questions and give comments.

All roadshows run between 4.30 and 7pm and are to be held as follows:

Thursday 2nd April @ Memorial Hall, Beverley.

Tuesday 7th April @ The Bell Hotel, Driffield

Monday 27th April @ Goole Leisure Centre

Thursday 30th @ Royal Spa, Bridlington

Monday 11th May @ Hornsea Secondary School

Thursday 14th May @ South Holderness Tech College, Preston

Monday 18th May @ Hessle Town Hall

Tuesday 21st May @ Pocklington Rugby Club

Thursday 11th June @ Cottingham Civic Hall

Many people have raised the issue of the proposed changes to car parking charges across the East Riding. I can see the pro's and the con's and have yet to decide which way I will vote when the vote comes to the Full Council. My decision, along with that of many fellow Councilors will only be made when we've seen the results of the consultation, therefore I encourage as many of you as possible to give your views.

It's not just the Police working on 'Crime and Disorder' issues in Howden and Howdenshire

One of my roles is to chair the Howden & Howdenshire Police and Partners Community Forum (PPCF), and we recently held the spring meeting in North Cave. The East Riding Safer and Stronger Communities Action Group (SSCAG) also attended; this group involves the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS, the Police Authority and various Council-led teams dealing with areas such as crime and disorder reduction, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, youth offending, substance abuse, licensing, and the Children’s Service. Coupled with these were the Neighbourhood Action Teams (NATs) and last but not least the Local Action Teams (LATs).

The meeting was a chance for all the different partner organisations working in the area of crime and disorder to meet with the public as one, giving the opportunity to listen to residents and demonstrate that it is just not about the Police working alone, it is about Police Officers working with the Local Authority, partner organisations and the community to address problems in this area.

"It is important that we have partnership working and that all have a common approach to solving the problems we face. It is equally important that we do not have organisations duplicating their efforts and separately trying to do similar things with the same target groups of people, as this is a very inefficient use of time and resources".

"The East Riding is very much at the forefront within the whole country of having partners sitting around a table, cooperating and exploring ways of working together, both at the senior management level and at the delivery level. It is the local coordination of service delivery that is important, and the Local Action Teams (LATs) are at the forefront of this".

The subjects of speeding traffic and parking, along with incidents of anti-social behaviour were again the main issues raised by the public. It was acknowledged the East Riding as a whole is a safe place in which to live and crime levels are low. The subject of Police visibility was also discussed with the message coming across that people would like to see a greater Police presence.

Divisional Commander Chief Supt Paul Davison talked about confidence in the Police, but most of the concerns raised were about minor things, which cause residents real problems. He sympathised with the problem, but was not sure if speed cameras were the answer. He took the opportunity to ask residents about the scale of the problems of speeding vehicles in Howdenshire villages. He referred to the debate on public confidence and satisfaction with the Police in general, and specifically regarding people who were charged for speeding. He explained that cameras did reduce fatalities, but also caught people who were maybe only one or two mph over the speed limit but otherwise law-abiding citizens. He was more concerned about anti-social use of vehicles on the road, suggesting that the police should be stopping speeding before it happened and targeting those who used the roads recklessly, not those who occasionally strayed marginally over the speed limit.

"As Chairman of the Police Authority Forum I welcome the Police and partners listening to what residents have to say, and how changes and improvements can be made. I am more of a critical friend to the Police, and as such I understand some of the problems they face, mainly from targets imposed by central Government. I feel they need to be unshackled from the bureaucracy they are burdened with and allowed to get on with the job of being policemen and policewomen. I am a great supporter of PCSOs who are probably the nearest thing we will get to a local Bobby; they have a positive influence particularly with young people. The PCSOs show respect to the young kids, and this respect is returned multiplied and does a lot to address the issues of anti-social behaviour".

Holme On Spalding Moor Parish Plan held In high esteem

The year sees Parish Planning celebrating its 40th birthday, from those humble beginnings in 1969 we have seen some 4,000 town/parish plans completed or underway and action plans put in place.

A very good example of this is the Holme On Spalding Moor (HOSM) Parish Plan, completed in 2006, which is held in high esteem not only within the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) but also many other organisations. This was demonstrated when representatives from the Parish Plan Action Committee (PPAC) shared their experiences at the ERYC Corporate Issues Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and more recently at a Regional Empowerment Meeting that I also attended.

The Parish Plan is a valuable community resource for the PPAC, the Parish Council, and for all groups working in the community. I also find the Plan very useful for me as an ERY Councillor particularly on things like deciding how commuted sums (community contributions from developers) are spent.

As we have seen in HOSM - Parish planning can get residents involved in community and civic activities, tailor ERYC services and those of other organisations more towards local priorities, attract additional funding, and can result in more residents taking responsibility for tackling things rather than expecting others to sort things out. Importantly it ensures HOSM has a voice.
There are numerous actions and projects that have come to HOSM as a result of the Parish Plan and are testament to its success. Some of the examples are as follows:

* The plan showed that 58% of respondents wanted to see improved CCTV around the village. The Village Hall Committee responded and CCTV has been extended and improved around the village hall area. This has been further extended with the aid of a grant from the Police Property fund.

* 46% of residents wanted to see flashing vehicle-activated signs for limiting speed, these have now been erected in partnership with the Parish Council and ERYC.

* The significant issue of youth activities was very high on people’s lists of concerns. This has begun to be addressed in a number of ways and by different organisations and their projects, and including trips to the indoor climbing facility organised by the PPAC, the provision of the youth bus and drop-in centre provided by the Christian Fellowship working with other groups, the youth shelter project (a thing that I have been pushing for) is hopefully coming to fruition as the Parish Council and the Village Hall Committee work together to deliver.

* 32% of residents indicated a need for swimming. Rather than look to build a pool in the village, a free Swimming bus was provided with this project being led by members of the Youth Forum and supported by PPAC, with funding from the Children’s Fund.

* The issue of litter and signage around the Village Hall was also high on your list of priorities (55% of residents) and has been addressed by extra bins, litter picks by the Youth Club, extra signs in the Village Hall car park and notice boards provided by the Hall Committee.

* It is widely acknowledged that one of the major issues facing communities such as HOSM is rural transport – it is not that easy just to jump on a bus like in urban areas. This was identified by some 38% of you as a priority in the Parish Plan, and is being partly addressed by the PPAC with some of its members becoming volunteer drivers who regularly drive groups on trips to the cinema, theatre, and other events such as the Lincoln Christmas fair, as well as the community bus which runs weekly shopping trips to Market Weighton and Pocklington, (which are on average 80% full).

* The exciting news is that a new community bus is to be based in the village, so trips for young and old alike will continue and I thank the PPAC and others for their efforts in achieving this and I hope that its potential will be maximised.

There is a saying that “failing to plan is planning to fail” but this is certainly not the case with HOSM and I congratulate the PPAC, the Parish Council and all the other groups and organisations for embracing the Parish Planning process, but more importantly I hope all organisations can work together in partnership, to continue down the road of delivering the PARISH PLAN.

Copies of the Parish Plan are still available; please contact me if you require a copy.

Affordable Housing Provision in Rural Villages

One issue constantly being raised by residents is that of affordable housing. It is increasingly difficult for young people to find accommodation in rural villages because of both availability and cost.

At the present moment, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has 65 applications on the waiting list for houses in the Howdenshire village Holme on Spalding Moor (HOSM), and a further 239 applicants requesting consideration for re-housing into the village as one of their areas of choice. But the council has just 45 properties in the village – almost all occupied.

In areas such as HOSM, where homes are required, much new affordable housing is linked to new housing developments where a proportion of those new houses are affordable. But this can mean that unless there is allocated building land in the village, there is little scope for building the required affordable properties. This can be overcome by working in partnership with specialist affordable housing providers who can build on Green Field sites.

Gaining this dispensation is dependant on the communities bidding for affordable housing to match the identified need – those villages that want to grow by allowing children to leave home to live alone or with spouses/partners, without leaving their communities to do so.

Affordable housing required could be a mixture of not just rented accommodation, but also Homebuy shared ownership – which means young people, who would not have the opportunity to conventionally get onto the first rung of the property ladder, then have the opportunity through this shared ownership – paying part rent and part mortgage.

Allowing young people to remain in the villages in which they grew up is a very important element of community cohesion in most rural settlements. This is why it is important that local people, such as the HOSM Parish Council, who, through the Parish Plan, have identified the housing requirements of residents, make decisions on affordable housing.

So, in a nutshell, if affordable housing is to be provided in rural villages, the priority must be given to those who have a connection with the village, rather than further afield. This can only improve the village by allowing people to live and stay in their own community, and I fully support Parish Councils in what they are doing in this area.

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 .....

http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/

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.

Speed Limit on the B1230 between Howden and Gilberdyke

Since the autumn of last year I have had many people asking me questions regarding the mysterious 30mph speed limit on the B1230 between Balkholme and the Eastrington turn off, on the Howden to Gilberdyke section.

The temporary speed restriction was requested by the Highways Agency, after carrying out a risk assessment for the temporary diversion of the Bridal path onto the B1230 road, to allow the reconstruction of the bridge over the M62, whilst still allowing the path to be used for horses and others.

I did raise my concerns with the Highways Agency during the first week of the speed limit period regarding the lack of signage warning of the approaching speed limit when coming from Howden, and to their credit the agency did respond by placing additional warning signs near the top of Balkholme flyover

When the reasoning behind the limit is explained as it being mainly for horses, the question often turns to a complaint or criticism.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Highways Engineer explained to me that, “The low level of bridal way use does not in its self remove the need for placing the restriction. Where figures are not available, assumptions can be made that will air on the side of caution. The restriction will be lifted at the completion of the works at the end of March/early April”.

I have also spoken to my friend and fellow East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor Matthew Grove, the Portfolio Holder for Highway Safety at the Council who says:

"Unfortunately some people welcome speed restrictions that protect their family in their village, but oppose similar restrictions that protect other users of the highway in adjacent areas. As an authority we are highly committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured which stood at 276 last year. The temporary reduction in speed on the B1230 is in line with this priority and I believe justified".

He continues,

"I have received similar complaints to this, concerning school safety zones that reduce speed limits to 20 mph, 24 hours a day, which irritates some residents. My response is that speed limits have to be permanent due to the legislation, but that the police enforce speed restrictions sensibly using risk assessment and will not enforce 20mph school zones at night etc".

Finally I would like to add, I have not seen a single horse using this section of the B1230 as a bridle way during the time the limit has been in place, nor have any of the people who have contacted me. In fact it appears to me this section of road would be very dangerous at this time of year for horses and riders, even with the traffic travelling at 30mph, but I can see the logic in catering for them providing we don’t see accidents as some drivers slow down - only for others not to... there is also the serious issue of a 60mph limit coming down instantly to a 30 mph, as many have commented.

Happy New Year to all readers

I would like to take the opportunity to wish all my Blog readers a Happy New Year and thank you for all your support during the past year. It has been an interesting year for me as an East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor (ERYC) representing Howdenshire, with a number of local issues that I've been involved with, many of which I've been fortunate to work closely with Parish Councillors, residents and community groups, on issues ranging from Planning to underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, from composting to speeding traffic, and working with my partners to develop the Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team.

As we move into the New Year my priorities for the year include

* To continue to work with the Police, the ERYC Safer Communities Team, and other organisations to reduce underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in the area.

* To continue to work with Parish Councillors, residents and Community Groups to ensure their voices are heard, and that decisions that affect them are taken at the local level wherever possible.

* To continue to work to ensure that there is a range of affordable housing accommodation options available to all, especially in rural communities such as we find in many parts of Howdenshire and the East Riding.

* To continue to work with the ERYC and its partners in finding ways of allowing older and vulnerable people to be supported to live independently.

* To support the ERYC in ensuring that the area is best placed to come out of the present recession, and helping residents directly by keeping council tax as low as possible, without cutting services in the coming years.

and finally for all of you who remember 1984.. please click on the following link for probably the most uplifting ad of 2009, so far..... Happy New Year!

http://www.virginatlanticstillredhot.com/popup/tv-ad.html

Land West of Gilberdyke's Railway Hotel to be released for development

The land West of the Railway Hotel under water after normal rainfall

(Please note levels of houses in background)

There has been a rumour circulating for a few months that the land west of Gilberdyke's old Railway Hotel site has received planning permission and is being marketed as such. Needless to say this rumour is untrue…. for the moment that is.

Yesterday’s East Riding Mail carried a front-page story indicating that Greenfield land already allocated for building East of Sandholme Road and North of the railway station is to be released for development.

Unfortunately this is not quite true either, and I can confirm that all land East of Sandholme Road that was allocated in the Local Plan has already been developed.

BUT there is a small parcel of land North of the railway station that is to be released AND in addition land..... 'West of the Railway Hotel, Station Road' .....is only now to be released - if the proposals are approved.

Therefore Gilberdyke can probably expect a planning application for the Railway Hotel site and land to the West to be forthcoming.

All this as a result of Central Government imposing centralist targets on local councils for Greenfield development.

My thoughts on building on Greenfield sites and Greenbelt protection is broadly in line with Conservative Party policy - particularly in the area of strengthening local democracy and giving greater incentives to local authorities to build new homes with supporting infrastructure. Which in Gilberdyke's case would mean the community's voice being listened to, and improving the village infrastructure prior to/or at the same time as any further housing development.

Conservative Party Policy in this area is as follows:

Conservatives have pledged to scrap regional planning and the unelected regional assemblies.

• A Conservative Government will abolish the undemocratic and unwieldy tier of regional planning across England. This will include changing the law to scrap the Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) and Regional Planning Bodies (currently the regional assemblies, soon to be RDAs).

Conservatives will return their powers to elected local councils.

• As a logical consequence of scrapping the regional plans, if the RSSs have already been implemented, we will allow councils to revise their local plans (‘Local Development Frameworks’) to undo the changes that the Regional Spatial Strategy forced on them. This will allow local communities to protect their local environment, and decide themselves the most appropriate level of development for their area.

National planning guidance will remain to provide a framework for local authorities – although such guidance will be amended in some ways. For example, we want to see greater powers for communities to protect neighbourhoods against ‘garden grabbing’

The Conservatives will be announcing in due course further proposals to strengthen local democracy and to give greater incentives to local authorities to build new homes with supporting infrastructure.

Successful Golden Generation event for over-55s in Bubwith

The Local Action Team (LAT) for Goole and Howdenshire recently held an event at Bubwith Leisure Centre for the over-55s and those who care for older people.

More than 50 people from Bubwith and nearby villages came to the event and transport was provided for less mobile residents.

Information was available on topics ranging from staying in your own home to transport, and from consumer advice to healthy eating. Advice on crime prevention and home fire safety awareness was also available.

Organisations at the event were able to work together in providing information which raises awareness of the services available to people living in rural areas of the East Riding.

Some 25 stalls were open to the public at the event, representing organisations including NHS East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, Age Concern, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Humberside Police, City of Hull and Humber Environment Forum, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Holme and Bubwith Medical Group.

Bubwith Parish Council and local businesses supported and promoted the event.





The LAT was also asking people their views on different priorities that service providers such as Police, Fire, Health and the voluntary sector are looking to address through the East Riding Local Strategic Partnership. "It was heartening to see the number of people who where genuinely interested in putting their priorities forward".

Tania Pells, Carolyn Burgess (the LAT Community Champion), two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and I, also took this consultation exercise to the Goole Farmer's Market on Sunday where again the response was excellent. "Thank you to all those residents of both the Bubwith and Goole areas who took the time to contribute their views".

He doesn't sleep, he waits

I found this on http://www.torybear.com/ which seems very apt today.........

Over the last few days there has been one backbencher who has excelled even his Shadow Cabinet seniors in articulating the outrage felt in the Conservatives, the Commons and the wider world at the shameful arrest and detention of a Member of Parliament.

This man had dominated the television news coverage all weekend, expressing his support for his successor. The going is getting tough now for the Tories. Not only are they fighting a political party, but now they are fighting the entire might of a corrupt regime. A regime that uses the police to stamp out opposition.

When the going gets tough there is only one man who the Conservatives need back at the centre of their team.

He's a man that could strangle you with a cordless phone...

A man who doesn't read books, merely staring at them until he gets all the information he needs...

A man who can slam a revolving door...

A man who doesn't wear a watch because he decides what time it is...

The reason Wally is hiding...

The person the bogey man checks under his bed for...


It's time to bring him back..........

....... David Davis

Newport 'NAG's search for Allotments Land

A number of Newport residents have come together to form an allotments group (NAGs) to initially identify a site for allotments within the community, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for allotments as people increasingly seek to grow and develop their own food. Unfortunately, despite numerous efforts by the Parish Council and others no land has been found. Although there is hope of land available in neighbouring Gilberdyke. The subject of allotments was also raised at a planning presentation I attended this week.

Just as common land was being "enclosed" in the 18th and 19th centuries, the allotment sprung up as a link to a happier, more rural past. The Small Holdings and Allotment Act of 1908 required local authorities to provide land for cultivation, and the restrictions on development were stricter than now.

Some residents may be able to recall that during the Second World War some 1.4m allotments were dug for victory, and today there are still around 300,000. A typical allotment can return an annual yield of £300 of produce, and charges range from about £25 to £120 per year. Most charmingly, an allotment plot is officially 10 poles, a "pole" being the length from the back of the plough to the nose of the ox. (In today's money, I'm told by a reliable source that one gets 4 allotments to the acre)

The high cost of food and the modern enthusiasm for all things organic has heightened desire for allotments, and as we see in Newport there is a demand and in other areas waiting lists stretch to many years for some plots. And, of course, the allotment boasts its own cultural institution – the shed, where a man or woman may enjoy the solitary pleasures of the seed catalogue. Long may the allotment flourish.

Mr Gordon Brown, are you totally Mad?

I don't normally get all that much involved with national politics on my blog, but today I'm totally sickened by the actions of our prime minister Gordon Brown and his subservient sidekick Mr Darling.

This Labour Government plan to mortgage all of our futures for the hope of a few cheap headlines in the run up to the next general election.

This is the most cynical, deceitful piece of political spin than what we have seen from this totally discredited Government.

A tax con dressed up as a tax cut that will actually raise fuel duty, beer duty, national insurance rates and even income tax. Borrowing levels will rise to a level never seen in the long long history of Great Britain. These are the tax rises Labour MPs have just cheered -

£20 billion on National Insurance
£10 billion on income tax
£5 billion on alcohol and cigarettes
£2 billion on pensions

These increases amount to nearly £1,500 for every family over the next Parliament - and by 2012/13, anyone earning more than £20,000 will be paying more tax.

Our national debt will reach £1 trillion and families will be hit by the tax time bomb for years to come. This announcement was more about the survival of this worn out Government than it was about our country's economic fortunes.

So Mr Brown, are you totally mad? It is surely time for you and your cohorts to go......

Gilberdyke and Howden Underage Drinking Project

Last Friday evening (the coldest of the year so far I’m told) I spent out in Gilberdyke with the Howden and Howdenshire Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), Sgt Jo Mathews, and Safer Communities East Riding Officer Paul Green, as part of a campaign aimed at reducing the number of adults buying alcohol for underage drinkers. This was the second evening, with the first being in Howden a couple of weeks ago.

The shops and garages selling alcohol in Gilberdyke and Howden are very much aware of underage drinking and I believe that all outlets are very vigilant when it comes to sales of alcohol to people under 18. Unfortunately there are a number of adults (people over 18) who are legally buying alcohol - and then illegally either passing to or selling to underage drinkers, and it is those adults the campaign is aimed at.


If you know of shops in your area that sell alcohol to young people, or if you know of adults who buy it on their behalf please call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111


For more information on Safer Communities East Riding please click on the following link: http://www.safecommunities.eastriding.gov.uk/

Golden Generation Event - Bubwith

GOOLE AND HOWDENSHIRE LOCAL ACTION TEAM

Bubwith Leisure Centre 10:00am to 12 noon
Tuesday 25th November 2008

The Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team is holding A “Golden Generation” event at Bubwith Leisure Centre on 25th November 2008. It is aimed for those aged over 55, or care for someone over this age, who wish to find out more about the local services in their area including the Police, Fire, the Local Authority, Health and Voluntary sectors. Details are still being finalised but should include the following:

• Enjoying your retirement
• Advice on crime prevention at home
• Dental advice
• Dietary information
• Antisocial behaviour
• Supporting people 45+ back to work
• Transport
• Coping on your own
• Free home fire safety checks
• Staying in your own home
• Grants
• Advice from doctors’ general practice
• Benefits advice
• Carer support
• Staying warm
• Adult education courses
• Blood pressure and other monitoring by community matrons
• Healthy Eating
• Falls Prevention
• Chiropody advice
• Fair priced and good quality tradesmen
• Aids and adaptations for the home

Staff from the various agencies will be present together with advice leaflets and
information. Feel free to drop in anytime between 10 and 12 noon and enjoy a
cup of tea or coffee with a slice of cake.

For any further information please don't hesitate to contact me.

Spaldington Composter's Planning Appeal Dismissed

Spaldington residents have found victory at the end of a hard fought campaign to protect themselves from the obnoxious stink and bio-security risks associated with the composting of animal bi-products (see posts passim). The appeal against the planning refusal made by a composter located in Spaldington, being dismissed by the Planning Inspector.

• The appeal was made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant planning permission under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the development of land without complying with conditions subject to which a previous planning permission was granted.

• The appeal was made against the decision of East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

• The application Ref DC/06/08259/STVAR/STRAT, dated 8 September 2006, was refused by notice dated 7 May 2008.

• The application sought the variation of conditions attached to a planning permission Ref DC/05/03826/PLF/WESTWW, dated 20 January 2006 for the change of use of a building for composting purposes.

• The conditions in dispute were Nos 2 and 9 which state respectively that: “All compost on this site shall be produced from the following materials only: wood chip, biodegradable green waste, salad waste, feathers, eggshells, pig hair. There shall be no use of fish by-products and no more than 1000 cubic metres of compost produced at any one time with the buildings hereby approved unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.” and “Spreading of waste shall be restricted to a maximum of 10 days per year and shall not take place outside the following times: Monday – Thursday (9.00am – 4.00pm); there shall be no spreading of composting on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or on Bank Holidays.”.

• The reasons given for both conditions were: “In order to protect the amenities of nearby residents”.

Decision - The appeal is dismissed.

For full details of the decision please click link below:

http://www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/fscdav/READONLY?OBJ=COO.2036.300.12.325542&NAME=/Decision%20letter.pdf

On the 'Picket Line' as part of the 11 MILLION National Takeover Day

On 7th November I was invited by members of the East Riding Youth Assembly to take part in the 11 MILLION national takeover day, a day of action where young people could have their voices and opinions heard, and have the opportunity to influence the decision makers at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. This was a national initiative and young people in the East Riding participated by asking for petition signatures, in order to challenge the council in continuing to find ways of allowing young people to have their voices heard within the workings of the authority.

This included being part of a mock ‘picket’ outside County Hall in Beverley, waving placards and obtaining signatures on the petitions. Needless to say there was noise, laughter and a real sense of fun - not only from the young people but also from those ERYC officers and members of the public offering their genuine support in signing the petitions.

There was some interesting reactions from some when they realised a Conservative councillor was involved on a ‘Picket Line’ including one of my first signatories - UNISON’s Syd Cunliffe, whom I know shares my desire for younger people to be more involved in the decision making processes that affect them, be it as young peoples representatives on council committees or as young members of a union. (picured with UNISON's Syd Cunliffe)

11 MILLION is the organisation led by the children's commissioner for England which makes sure that adults listen to the views of young people. For more information please click on the link below.


http://www.11million.org.uk/

For more information on the East Riding Youth Assembly please click the link below:

http://www.eriding.net/young_people/youth_assembly.shtmlw.eriding.net/young_people/youth_assembly.shtml

Action to support local pubs

I fully support my local MP David Davis in demanding action to protect local pubs, which are presently closing at a rate of 36 per week across the country. My own local (yes I do have one!) has been hit with the double whammy of the smoking ban and the unfair competition from supermarkets, garages and shops selling cheap beer as a loss leader.

David Davis has signed an Early Day Motion in Parliament which calls for an end to supermarkets selling beer at a price even cheaper than bottled water..

David Davis MP said:

“Everybody likes a bargain, but I believe that the supermarkets are behaving irresponsibly in selling beer cheaper than water. By engaging in these sorts of practices, the supermarkets are hastening the rate of closure of our local pubs. We presently have 36 pubs per week closing across the country, much higher than in previous years. The current rate of closure means that more and more villages in the coming months and years face a pub-less future.

Pubs are often the backbone of our local communities, particularly in villages where, thanks to Labour’s Post Office closures, residents have precious few facilities or services left to enjoy. Government rises in beer duty have compounded this problem further and that is why I have signed this Early Day Motion in Parliament demanding that the Government looks at the pricing policy of beer in supermarkets as more needs to be done to support our local pubs.”

The Early Day Motion is as follows

That this House notes with concern that Asda supermarkets are selling Skol lager at a price of £0.90 pence for 4x440ml cans which is the equivalent of 5.11 pence per 100ml; further notes that Asda supermarkets are selling Evian still water at 5.55 pence per 100ml; is appalled that any supermarket is selling beer cheaper than water; questions whether this is an example of loss leading sales; encourages all supermarkets to cease this practice immediately; recognises the negative effect that this has on the brewing and pub industries, with 36 pub closures a week; and calls on the Government to look at the pricing policy of beers in supermarkets as opposed to public houses.

'On The Buses' to Howden School

It appears there have recently been several behaviour-related incidents and concerns about overcrowding on some school buses picking up pupils going to Howden School.

So on Wednesday of this week, following a number of calls from, Newport, Gilberdyke and Eastrington parents of Howden School pupils regarding problems with the school bus, I got up early and made my way to Elloughton bus depot, where I met with East Riding Motor Services (ERMS) and East Riding of Yorkshire Council staff (ERYC) staff for a morning briefing, before boarding the school bus destined for Howden School via Faxfleet, Blacktoft, Yokefleet and Eastrington.

It was reassuring to see both the transport operators and ERYC working closely with the school to address the situation, with none of the partners being prepared to tolerate any behaviour on buses which endangers the safety or well being of other passengers and all students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and sensible manner whilst journeying to and from school. This is the case for the vast majority of students whose general behaviour is excellent and it is not fair that they should suffer as a result of the actions of a few.

It is vital, from a safety perspective, that buses are not overloaded and that the partners know exactly which vehicle everyone is travelling on. For this reason pupils must carry their bus pass and travel on the right bus. This has not been happening in the Newport, Gilberdyke and Eastrington areas, and, coupled with the bad behaviour issues, which have occurred on two of the buses, has led to a number of measures being adopted to tackle concerns, including the following:

*Regular checks by bus drivers to ensure that children are eligible to travel on particular buses and that they have the correct pass. If students do not have their pass they may be asked to pay for travel. Lost passes will need to be replaced and parents can do this by contacting the East Riding Passenger Services Department.

*Students who misbehave or fail to live up to the expectations required may face a ban from the bus imposed by the bus company or the Council. If this happens, it then becomes the responsibility of parents to ensure that alternative transport arrangements are put in place. It is the Council who has jurisdiction in terms of deciding who travels on buses or implementing bans, but the school do support the Local Authority in their efforts to prevent poorly behaved students from accessing school transport.

*In serious cases, where the actions of a student breach Health and Safety regulations or bring the school into disrepute, the school may implement additional sanctions, including the possibility of exclusion.

The school, ERMS and ERYC will continue to monitor the conduct of students on buses to ensure that all users of school transport can do so without having to suffer unpleasantness or risk. I trust that the school can rely on the support of parents to tackle this issue head on and the head would value any feedback on the approach intended to be used. The school, working in partnership with parents, the ERYC and ERMS, hopefully can ensure that the poor behaviour of a few does not adversely affect the majority of students who are extremely well behaved and simply want a trouble-free journey to and from school.

If you have any concerns please contact Mr David Boden, Passenger Services Manager on 01482 395521.

Concerns Raised Over Changes to Dispensing Doctors

A number of Gilberdyke Health Centre patients have raised the issue of the Centre despensary's future.

It is very frustrating when yet again this Labour Government, with its majority of Urban MPs, tries to walk all over rural communities. On the back of it's savage post office closure programme we now see dispensaries as the next target.

Haltemprice and Howden MP David Davis has expressed concerns over proposals by the Government to change the way in which doctors can dispense medicines to their patients. Presently, any patient living more than 1 mile away from their doctor’s practice is able to have their medicines dispensed by the doctor, in future it would be the distance from the surgery to the nearest community pharmacy. This could result in the loss of many dispensing practices that provide a vital service in rural communities.

David Davis said:

“This is yet another example of the Government not understanding the needs of our rural communities. In 2006 the 1,170 dispensing practices administered just 7% of prescriptions in England. Many of these doctors used the profit generated from this activity to re-invest in services, for example providing additional healthcare services in remote or under-doctored areas. These changes could put many of those additional services offered by dispensing doctors at risk.

Our dispensing doctors do a great job in rural communities and their services help to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and also ensure a continuity of care. If dispensing doctors are prohibited from dispensing if a pharmacy is close by, there is a risk that many patients from rural villages could lose access to the most convenient service for them, including arrangements in villages for local collection of prescriptions.

Whilst I welcome Government proposals to remove the anomaly that some medicines could be bought at newsagents but were not available from the GP surgery, I cannot support their proposals to change the distance rules governing dispensing doctors.

I have no problem with an extended community role for local pharmacists but this must not come at the expense of our dispensing doctors. Patients in rural areas need a choice, at the moment anyone receiving a prescription from a dispensing doctor can choose to either have it dispensed at the practice or at a nearby pharmacy. I want to see that choice continue for my constituents.”

Funding Boost for Rural Areas of the East Riding of Yorkshire

One of my roles as an East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor is to be a 'critical friend' to the ERYC Rural Policy and Programmes department. This is something I really enjoy as it is a subject in which I have a real interest, as many who know me can testify.

So I am pleased that a major grant funding has been announced for the Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways (CWWW) region, which covers a large (880 square miles) rural area of the East Riding and North Yorkshire (but excluding Bridlington, Goole, Beverley and the surrounding rural areas).

The funding has been confirmed by Yorkshire Forward, the Government Office for the region, and is made under the Rural Development Programme for England LEADER programme, a grant funding initiative aimed at assisting rural communities to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. The programme is administered by the Regional Development Agency in each of the English regions and, in this region, it is Yorkshire Forward. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the accountable body for the CWWW local action group.

Yorkshire Forward has agreed to fund the CWWW’s local development strategy and will shortly be finalising its decision and announce the amount of funding to be awarded.

The key themes of the local development strategy are:

To maximise business opportunities throughout the delivery of the programme that lead to the development of new and exciting local enterprises.

To build capacity and empower rural communities by drawing on the potential of the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

To stimulate growth of the cultural and creative sectors through the development of creative space and capacity.

Building on the potential of the area’s natural heritage opportunities, develop local ownership of and participation in environmental management, planning and interpretation.

To develop facilities and networks of activity that create a focus and enable understanding and connectivity to local heritage and landscape.

These themes will incorporate a range of initiatives to encourage innovation, enterprise and skills building so that community capacity is strengthened for the long term. They all contribute to the overall aim of the CWWW programme which is to utilise the unrealised potential of the area’s heritage and culture to stimulate local vibrancy, encourage enhanced pride in place, and thereby improve the area’s economic performance and social sustainability.

Helen Wright, the ERYC Rural Policy and Programmes Manager said, “The CWWW programme will build on and consolidate existing activity and disseminate best practice to the new area as well as identifying new programmes and projects.

“The LEADER programme is a vital lever in helping regenerate and renew rural communities which do not always attract the high profile and intervention strategies of the UK’s urban areas. Thanks must be given to all those who gave their time and expertise in putting together the Local Development Strategy. ”

I would like to congratulate and thank Helen Wright and her team for all the work that has gone into achiveing this funding. Well done!!

Dropped Kerbs update

After looking further into this issue I can confirm that it is the law of the land that dictates that residents must provide dropped kerbs in front of their driveways, and although some council houses have dropped kerbs, allegedly provided by previous authorities, some have not, ultimately a proper form of access over the footpath is required, and unfortunately it is the responsibility of the householder to provide that access.

Originally it was the wording and aggressive tone of a letter from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (as detailed previously)regarding the dropped kerb issue that had caused the anxiety amongst the residents who had received it. I have now had it confirmed that there will be no further letters sent out to residents until it has been redrafted.

It is a credit to the residents of Eastrington's Pinfold Street that they have been able to form their our community group, to work together in order to minimise the cost to install dropped kerbs at the front of their properties. The costs are reduced by only having to submit the one joint planning application and benefiting from the economies of scale gained by using one contractor to carry out all the work.

Residents who continue to use their drives should be mindful of their liability for any damage to underground services in the footpath caused by vehicular movements above, and although using unauthorised accesses across the footpath is still technically illegal, I would hope the council would not be rushing out to fine residents, particularly if they have already made contact with the council in reply to the original letter.

Eastrington & Howden Residents Hit With Demand To 'Drop Kerbs'

With Howden Councillor Mark Preston and Eastrington Residents

A number of East Riding residents have been receiving a somewhat threatening letter from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) regarding ‘Unauthorised Vehicular Access’ from public highways. The letter informs residents that they must stop using their drives until a satisfactory means of access to the ‘kerbed footway or verge’ has been constructed to the satisfaction of the council – or in layman’s terms: until the householder has paid a council approved contractor to install dropped kerbs in the footpath fronting their property at a cost estimated to be £800. Failure to do so and residents will be guilty of a criminal offence and liable to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

A dozen or so residents of Eastrington’s Pinfold Street received these letters, and after meeting with them I can confirm their attitude ranged from anger to worry, angry that the issue of the dropped kerbs had not been picked up during the process when they purchased their homes (in some instances buying the house from the council), and worried that they will be faced with a fine if they continue to use their drives as they have done for as many as 40 years. Some of the residents are pensioners; others are even council tenants – living in council houses!

I am led to believe that since receiving the letters some householders have parked their vehicles on Pinfold Street which had the effect of blocking the road for farm vehicles, particularly combine harvesters, who were trying to get to their fields after the crops had at last dried out sufficiently to harvest. If all the residents on Pinfold Street resort to parking their cars on the road, I'm sure the resulting traffic congestion in the area would be unacceptable. We have to remember that for an action there can sometimes be an equal or greater reaction that is not foreseen.

Residents on Howden's Derwent Estate who received similar letters have the same concerns and contacted my fellow ERY Councillor Mark Preston regarding the issue.

I share the feelings of the residents of Eastrington and Howden when they say the letters are badly written and somewhat intimidating. I don't have a problem as such with the concept of householders paying for their own 'dropped kerb access', if it is their responsibility.

It is unfortunate that residents were not given a notice period rather than the threat of a £1000 fine, and in the present climate many people may not be able to find the £800 at one time to pay for this work. Obviously this is an internal matter for the Council of which I am a member, BUT I hope the sending out of such ‘heavy handed’ letters will not be repeated and lessons will be learnt.

'Planning for Real' display at Old Goole Gala

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has organised a ‘Planning For Real’ training day on 5 September.

Planning for Real uses simple models as a focus for people to put forward and prioritise ideas on how their area can be improved. It is a highly visible, hands-on community development and empowerment tool, which people of all abilities and backgrounds find easy and enjoyable to engage in.

A large 3-dimensional model of a neighbourhood is constructed, preferably by local people, using cardboard cut-outs for buildings pasted onto a base plan fixed to polystyrene or cardboard. The model is used at pre-advertised sessions held in various locations in the community.

Participants place suggestion cards on the model indicating what they want to see happen and where (eg playground, youth shelters, parking, standpipe, tree, shopping).

The cards are sorted and prioritised to establish an action plan which is followed up by working groups.

In the past training days were attended by a broad cross-section of people living and working in Goole, including representatives of Humberside Police, local councillors and representatives of the Waterways Museum, as well as council officers providing services directly to the people of Goole.

The aim of the training sessions is to equip volunteers from the local community with the skills that they need to help host a series of ‘Planning For Real’ community consultation events planned for the coming months, which will give residents of all ages a chance to have their say on issues affecting Goole. Planning For Real forms part of the wider Advance Goole project and is about improving the quality of life of local residents, as well as tackling the issues that concern them and involving them in planning for a brighter future.

Pupils in years four, five and six at Boothferry, Kingsway and Marshlands Primary Schools have already been busy constructing 3-D models that will be used as part of the ‘Planning For Real’ process. The finished models will be taken back into the three schools in September to encourage the children to discuss issues affecting their communities. Feedback received from them will be used as part of the consultation process.


(photo with ERYC's Helena Moss and Marshlands Primary School Head Teacher Mrs J Newby)

One of the models will also be on display as part of the Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team (LAT) stand at Old Goole Gala on Sunday 17 August so that local residents can take a look for themselves and find out more about how they can get involved in ‘Planning For Real’.

Councillor Paul Robinson, Chairman of the Goole and Howden Local Area Action Team, said: "Planning For Real is a great way of getting residents of all ages to focus on the issues affecting their communities. The aim is to highlight issues of concern and trigger debate about how problems can be addressed to further improve the quality of life of local people. I hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to get involved and have their say.”

Anyone who would like to get involved in the Planning For Real workshop on 5 September should contact Michelle Oxtoby on 01482 391471.

A New Joined Up Approach To Local Delivery of Services

Recently I accepted a new role as Chairman of the newly formed Goole and Howdenshire Local Action Team (LAT). The team is made up of senior representatives from each of the following organisations: Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, the Primary Care Trust, the Voluntary Sector through Humber and Wolds Community Council, and ERVAS (which is the local development agency providing support to voluntary and community groups), plus a local Community Champion. I chair the team in my role as an East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor.

The role of the LAT is to adopt a partnership approach to local problem solving and engaging with the public on key issues with the aim to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities in their localities. It is envisaged that this new ‘joined up thinking and joined up activity’ approach that the LATs will provide will enhance the services delivered at the moment.

We have been tasked to implement new, inclusive and innovative ways of encouraging members of the community to become involved in looking at public service delivery in Howdenshire villages, through different forms of community engagement. The first of which was a LAT stand at the recent Howden Show. (pictured with Goole and Howdenshire LAT officer Tania Pells at Howden Show)

Examples where ‘joined up thinking and activity’ could really bring benefits are in both young and older peoples, projects where the Police, Fire and Rescue, Primary Health Care, Council, and voluntary sector are all presently working separately, to have a more united approach leading to less duplication, more targeted delivery and almost certainly more impact for the same given amount of money.

This is a very exciting challenge, something very new, and hopefully a mechanism where more decision-making can be brought down to the local level, enabling Howdenshire residents to have more say in those issues that affect them directly.

Goole Fire Station Provision Cut

Members of Humberside Fire Authority today voted to reduce the fire cover at Goole Fire Station to just a single full time pump. This was on the casting vote of the Chairman of the Fire Authority Cllr Doreen Engall.

This decision will have a detrimental effect on Fire and Rescue provision for Goole, Howden and Howdenshire residents who despite many signing petitions, writing letters and campaigning, are now faced with the likelihood of having to suffer from longer response times in the event of a fire or accident. (please see posts passim). I can only assume Cllr Engall who along with myself represents Howdenshire, in using her casting vote to reduce the fire cover in Goole has been listening to a whole different set of people. I can neither support nor condone her decision, and I firmly disassociate myself from it. I can only hope she is not left to regret her stance on this issue.

Understandably, the authority also voted unanimously to close the retained Station at Sledmere near Driffield.

But there is some good news, because at the same time the Authority voted against plans to close Hull's Central Fire Station, but in favour of an amendment to keep the station open until a new facility is ready in the city center.

Other proposals for stations in North Lincs and North East Lincs were rejected with Authority members calling instead for efficiency savings to be made from non-frontline services.

So North Lincs, North East Lincs, and Hull get away relatively unscathed, BUT the East Riding suffers from the cuts........... Hopefully someone will be able to explain?

Africa Remembered

with Nkey in 1989

Some of you who know me well may remember the time I spent working as a development worker in West Africa from 1988 to 1992 (see blog posts passim).

One of those things I did back in '89 was in persuading the owner of the compound on which I first lived to allow his daughter, a little girl called Nkey, to go to school, the first girl in the family to do so. She was six years old and I recall buying her first uniforms. Today I had the pleasure of being the guest of Nkey and her husband Yahya who received his BSc degree from the University of Hull.

It is hard to imagine such a small gesture at that time, meant in a little girl attending school and getting an education many of us take for granted, would result in me being in the company of such a charming couple on their special day. A little girl whose future then was working in the fields - now has a job in London, a successful husband and two delightful children.

Commission Report Points To Worsening Rural Poverty

More people in rural areas such as Howdenshire are living in poverty, according to the Commission for Rural Communities in its ‘State of the countryside 2008’ report, which is published today. The report, the tenth in a series giving a definitive picture of rural England, also points to concerns over the decline in services and the challenge of meeting the need for affordable homes.

The reports says that rural economies continue to show inherent strengths, such as a higher rate of business start-ups than in urban areas and an overall growth in the number of businesses compared to a net decline in towns and cities. But it says wages in the countryside are still low for many people so that being in work is not a secure route out of poverty.

Figures show poverty is increasing at a faster rate in the countryside – three per cent - than elsewhere and that about a fifth of households now live below the poverty line. There are also signs of growing inequalities within rural areas themselves. In the poorest fifth of homes half the weekly income goes on food, housing, energy, transport and other essentials compared with 39 per cent in the highest income rural households and 47 per cent in the poorest urban households.

The report confirms what I here from many residents in different communities regarding declining services and says that in each of the last ten years the Commission has found fewer outlets for many services and increasing problems of access to services for people without cars. There has been a marked rise in internet use but the availability of high-speed broadband remains low in sparsely populated areas.

Housing affordability continues to be worse in rural areas, the report says. Last year the average price of a home in the countryside was £257,600, more than £50,000 above the cost of an average urban home. The cost of a house is 6.8 times the annual rural household income, compared to 5.8 times in urban areas and in some sparsely populated districts the price of a home can be almost ten times the annual income.

This is were we as the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, representing one of the largest geographical areas in Britain, need to look at ways of addressing these identified concerns, and find ways of putting pressure on this Government to deal more positively with rural issues.

To read the full report please click the following link

http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/projects/stateofthecountryside2008/overview

Gilberdyke - One Year On From The Floods

One year on from the June 25th 2007 flooding much has been done and most flooded Gilberdyke residents are back in their houses, but unfortunately some are not. For many flood victims it has been a difficult year, and I share their concerns particularly when the rain starts to fall. Residents have told me they worry when they see the weather forecast or if the rain starts during the night.

In the aftermath of the flooding a Gilberdyke Flood Action Group was set up by the Parish Council and has been successful in accessing £7,800 of Government funding through the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. This money is being spent on commissioning consulting engineers to: Investigate and determine exactly what the drainage problems are in Gilberdyke before coming up with an action plan and recommendations to prevent future flooding in the village. Some works and essential maintenance have been carried out on the various watercourses and drainage dykes around the village since the flooding, although a lot more remains to be done. Relevant agencies have been encouraged to adopt regular timetables for continued maintenance and improvements.

The Consulting Engineers have already received a lot of valuable information from residents regarding the extent of the floods and the layout of the drainage systems in and around the village. It is intended that this information will be used as a basis for improving the existing drainage and to reduce the risk of flooding in the future. The group has already received a lot of valuable information from residents regarding the extent of the floods and the layout of the drainage systems in and around the village. It is intended that this information will be used as a basis for improving the existing drainage and to reduce the risk of flooding in the future.

It is anticipated that the recommendations for future action will include the reopening of filled in dykes and watercourses particularly in Scalby Lane, Station Road, Westbrook Road/Crescent and surrounds. The contentious issue of Riparian Ownership of dykes and watercourses will have to be addressed.Questions continue to be raised with the Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board (LOIDB) regarding the “ring fenced” monies being held for the maintenance of the pumps for pumping excess water from the dyke which takes some of the water from the M62 to the River Ouse.

I felt disappointed that the £1.4million application to Central Government was turned down leaving Gilberdyke in pretty much the same situation as before the floods. I also share the communities frustrations that the LOIDB are not able to use the ring fenced money for pumping the M62 water which flows through and contributes to the flooding in Gilberdyke, rather than just that water running down the one dyke to the west of the village.

Yorkshire Water must address the issue of surface water entering the foul water system, as even as late as January of this year the foul water sewers could not cope with the rainfall. “I was absolutely amazed by the consultation comments from Yorkshire Water on a recent planning application for 17 houses in the village. The company appeared to be unaware that 56 houses were flooded in Gilberdyke during last June’s flooding with some residents still not back in their houses, or that the sewers flooded again in January. I could not believe that Yorkshire Water’s planners did not know about these specific incidents or that their sewers flood on a regular basis, or that the school was closed for a week a year ago, not because of the building being flooded but because the school toilets could not be flushed as the sewers were full.

Some work has been done by the various agencies but much more is required to satisfy the concerns of Gilberdyke residents.

David Davis' Principled Stand On Civil Liberties

Many people have asked about my thoughts on David Davis’ resignation from the Shadow Cabinet and the calling of the by-election here in Haltemprice and Howden.

I am not in favour of the proposed detention of 'terrorist suspects' for 42 days or even 28 days for that matter, but I am in favour of detaining 'terrorists' for 42 days, 42 years or even 142 years. The issue being someone suspected of being a terrorist without charge is very much different to someone being convicted of terrorism.

To put a man in jail for 6 weeks without him knowing why he is being held or what he’s been accused of is difficult to comprehend. Then he is released without charge (exactly what has happened to half of those who have been held for 28 days) imagine what would have happened to his reputation, his job and his family. I would not want this to happen to me - or anyone I know because of say ‘mistaken identity’.

Many associate terrorism with Islam and Muslim communities, strange then that a retired non-Muslim was accused of an act of terrorism when heckling the Prime Minister at a Labour Party conference.

A good friend working within the Prison Service put this into perspective recently when he said,

“Consider a young Muslim man accused of a terrorist act and in jail without charge for six weeks, whose only crime was to have the same name as another suspect. For six weeks he is held alongside convicted terrorists, he is subjected constantly to the rantings of these extremists, his family on the outside are ‘looked after’ by sympathisers. You can imagine this man may not have been a terrorist when first incarcerated but there is a likelihood he may well be on his release”.

I am also uncomfortable with the snooping society in which we live, not the CCTV camera’s that have been proven to reduce and help solve crime and anti-social behaviour – but all those cameras that are used to monitor our privacy and store information about us as we go about our daily lives. It’s not the cameras; it’s the people who have access to the information that worries me. I don’t really want this ‘Big Brother’ Government or Local Authorities to know everything I do, whom I meet, and where I go.

This also goes for ID cards; I carry photo identification most of the time anyway so the card is not the issue, it’s the information behind the card the Government is planning to hold that is the problem. I don’t want the Government to hold all my medical records, my travel records, my phone records, my email address (so they can snoop on any website I visit or email I send or receive) or my tax and spending records. Also would anyone want to put all this information in the trust of the Government for safekeeping? With its recent record in this area - I wouldn’t!

I have known David Davis for many years and respect him as a man of conviction and principle. I can fully support his actions in raising these issues by resigning from the Shadow Cabinet and precipitating this by-election. This is about halting the erosion of our civil liberties precipitated by Governments over the years, but particularly so with this present Government, who after much dithering, don’t even have the courage to put up a Labour candidate in order to present their case.

For more information please click the link below

http://www.daviddavisforfreedom.com/