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8/9/2019 Raising the Standard SUMMER 2010 BACK
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Ashton upon Mersey Conservatives
Raising the Standard the newsletter from your Conservative Councillors
COUNCILLOR CONTACT DETAILS
Brian Rigby 0161 912 2633 [email protected]
John Lamb 0161 928 3664 [email protected]
Mike Whetton 07752 667442 [email protected] What theCoalition reallymeans for usby Graham Brady MP Thank you for putting your trustin me to represent you inParliament for a further term.At the General Electionthe public expressed aclear view that theLabour government hadrun its course and that Gordon Brown should leaveDowning Street. People were less clear about whothey wanted to replace him and the result – veryunusually in this country – is a coalition government.
So far the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition has
shown a steady hand in setting out tough budget plansto tackle the deficit and reduce the national debt.Some of the more expensive and intrusive whiteelephants of the Blair/Brown years such as ID Cards,have been swept away. So far, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, people seem to accept the mantra that ‘weare all in this together’ and to agree that profligategovernment spending in the past means toughdecisions today. But even if the economic weatherremains stable, these necessary spending reductionswill be less palatable in practice than in theory.
This means an extraordinarily difficult programme
must be seen through by a government with no securemajority behind it. If this is to succeed and last for afull five years, it cannot be a matter just of negotiations between the two parties sitting in theCabinet, instead the government will have to listen toand negotiate with both Parliament and people in orderto carry its programme out.
In these difficult times I will do my best to representyour interests and concerns as we work towards amore secure future for our country.
A Week as a Councillor inAshton-upon-Mersey Wardby Councillor Mike Whetton
A typical week in thelife of a councillor illustrates the varietyof tasks that go withthe role. Starting myweek on a Saturday at the regular surgery,several residentsattend to seekassistance with some
issues. Before returning home I drive along a road in theWard that I’ve just been told about and I can see at firsthand how badly the surface is damaged. I return home tofire off several emails to Council officers on today’s surgerymatters as well as phoning the executive councillor responsible for roads to point out my concerns as Iconsidered the problem to be dangerous.I have Planning Committee later this week so I need tospend some time on Sunday and Monday reading thevoluminous papers for the meeting. I make a point to markthe applications that I would benefit from viewing the sites.Tuesday brings a call about a road traffic incident in theWard. I contact our area Police Inspector to get a verbalreport on the circumstances. There are also some emailreplies from officers and I telephone the relevant residentsto report back the progress to date. That suspect bit of roadis to receive attention as soon as work can be scheduled.The Sale West Neighbourhood Forum in the evening givesresidents a chance to hear about some of the latest Councilmatters as well as speaking directly to councillors andofficers. The Police Inspector gives an update on localactivity too.Part of Wednesday is spent going over the Planning papersand researching some of the plans on the Trafford internetwebsite which offers a lot of detailed information.Thursday evening this week means Planning Committee.To prepare I have visited the sites of several of theapplications during the day to get a first hand view of thelocations and settings of the proposed developments. Atthe meeting there are some big items to consider including
one in the Ward. Cllr Lamb attends too as he is to speak onthe Ward item. I speak at some length and we try topersuade the committee that the proposal in this form is notsuitable for this site and for Ashton. We are successful andthe application is not approved but there may be an appealor an amended scheme could be proposed yet.That rounds off my Council week - unless, of course, thephone rings or another email pops up .
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Let us know what you think!The Coalition Government is making manyannouncements concerning cuts in public spending inresponse to the national debt. Who do you feel isresponsible for the country’s finanacialcircumstances?
The Coalition
The last Labour Government
Trafford Council
The banks
Other (please state) .......................................................
Name .........................................................................................Address ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Cut out & return to:- Ashton upon Mersey Conservatives
Thatcher House, Green Lane,Timperley, WA15 8QW
Tell Government where the waste is The Coalition Government invites you to say where we can save in
the local area. Tell them how they can re-think government and dothings differently.It's easy to get involved. Just go to the Spending Challenge web-site:- http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ Whether the sums involved are big or small, they will consider every suggestion. So don't hold back - tell them what you think.
