New Community Action Party Branch Set Up In Warrington
Mike said: "I was drawn to the Community Action Party because they are a grass roots organisation, with their roots firmly in local communities. I believe New Labour has lossed all its original ideals and is frankly institutionally corrupt. Politics needs a breath of fresh air; with people who are going to represent the views of local people UP to the Town Halls and Parliament; and not be merely a mouthpiece for their Party machine. We need to be pushing the concensus view of ordinary people; without the baggage of Party dogmas. We are prepared to welcome, and cooperate with, other Parties who share our view of putting the interests of the people first; and reducing the current avarice of politicians."
CAPital Idea The news that Warrington Borough Council are to commit themselves to preparing a planning brief for the River Mersey frontage of the Town has been welcomed by the Community Action Party. Mike Hughes said "We cannot criticise ideas that we originated in our election leaflets, and are pleased to see that we have a listening Council prepared to adopt our suggestions. However, a design brief for the frontage of the River needs to be bold and imaginative, and encompass all aspects of our linkage to the river, including leisure and recreational needs, as well as residential. Some imagination needs to be employed in moving the centre of gravity of the Town Centre towards our historic river crossing, with the provision of piazza at the bottom of Bridge Street for example; which would call for a re-designing of the Bridge Foot area and possibly another crossing of the Mersey to open up the S/West quadrant of the Town and provide an alternate route for traffic. Finally, any such ambitious scheme should be subjected to consultation and approval by the people of the Town."
YET MORE SPECULATIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN WARRINGTON Warrington Branch Community Action Party Leader, Mike Hughes; has expressed anger at proposals for yet another speculative housing development in the central area of Warrington, at the ex-Carrington Wire Works Site at Battersby Lane. Mike said: " Whilst we need to clean up these old industrial sites and regenerate the Town; it needs to be planning led, rather than the current frenzied speculative building by developers. With many young Warrington coples unable to afford a new home; it's imperitive that we begin building Council or Housing Association properties, in order to accomodate increasing pressures on Council Housing. There is also a major issue concerning the amount of traffic being generated by these private developments, spewing onto an already inadequate highway infrastructure." Warrington Community Action Party is calling for a freeze on further development, on the grounds that Warrington Planners have already exceeded their Housing Figure as stated in Regional and Unitary Planning Guidance. Mike said: "A freeze would allow time for a pause and reflection, of how WE; the people of Warrington; would like to see our Town develope in the future; and plan accordingly. We are currently the only political Party, committed to the provision of Council Housing for our youngsters, and the sensible planning of these regeneration sites, to include open space and play facilities." Community Action Oppose Overdevelopment of Town The Warrington Community Action Party are opposing several large planning applications in the Town:-
Local CAP Leader; Mike Hughes said: " Enough is enough; Warrington has been a hot spot for unbridled development in recent years; without, in my view; the necessary infrastructure improvements to support them. If Warrington is in demand because of it's geographical position; this should allow the local Labour Council to be much more discerning, as to what they allow through the Planning process. We need quality not quantity. CAP will be campaigning; together with local residents against these proposals." New Labour Play On Politics Of Fear Mike Hughes; CAP Candidate for Warrington North, has criticised the Governments introduction of the Anti-Terrorism Bill; which was finally agreed following a New Labour three line whip and an all night sitting of Parliament. He said: " This law will apply to us all; and will remove the historical rights of British citizens to a fair trial before a jury of their peers. It will allow people to be confined, without knowing the charges against them; without rights to counsel; and without the requirement to produce any evidence. As regards "the threat" of terrorism; that has been with us for over 30 years in the form of the IRA; without recourse to the undermining of our civil liberties. The creation of an "Orwellian 1984" culture, based on the suspicions of anonymous people; represents a surrender to terror. Was it not the security services that advised Blair of the threat from WMDs in Iraq; which led to an illegal War or was it merely spin from No 10? Either way; they have proved they cannot be trusted. As for the Bellmarsh prisoners, imprisoned for over 3 years without trial; IF they are such a threat to the UK; why not send them back to their home countries? I believe, like BUSH before him; Blair is playing a sinister and dangerous game with the people of this Country; merely to improve his chances of Electoral victory. Given the weak opposition from the Tories and Lib Dems; we need people of character and integrity to speak up in Parliament and the Town Halls for local communities." Fairfield & Howley Ward Forum Meets Despite attempts by the New Labour Council to suppress the activities of local residents associations through a Ward Forum; local people are determined to press ahead and make their voice heard in the corridors of power. At the Forums first meeting of 2005; Mike Hughes was unanomously re-elected as Chairperson and Norman Graves as the new Secretary. Unfortunately; the New Labour Councillors for the Ward boycotted the meeting; and Council Officers were prevented from attending. Mike Hughes said; " This is clearly a personal and petty vendetta by New Labour; as Fairfield & Howley, is the only Forum being subjected to this treatment. As for criticisms that the body is unrepresentative; all Residents Associations represented in the Forum, are open to ALL residents in their areas of operation; you couldn't get any more representative than that. The Government are encouraging local Councils to empower and include local community groups in developing there communities; unfortunately, for spitefull and vindictive reasons, local Labour Councillors are not listening to their own Government spin." The Forum will continue to meet with or without Council support; in order to represent the collective views of residents in the Ward. Council Face £12.5 Million Deficit Over Next 3 Years Warrington Borough Council is facing another financial crisis, with news that it will need to address a £12.5 mill gap in its finances. This is not the first time WBC has been under such financial pressure, as CAP Leader, Mike Hughes explained: " Over the period of this New Labour Government; additional spending pressures have been placed on Local Authorities, without compensatory or adequate funding from Central Government; thus forcing Councils to make major financial efficiency savings; in other words, CUTS. But these cuts are now nearing the bone. On top of this; Government is taking the Buisiness Rates from Warrington and other Authorities; for central dispersal. Warrington is a net loser; as a growing Town its Buisiness Rates are quite large; and in my view, should be re-invested in the Town . As with other financial slight of hand; New Labour are taking from the not so poor, to pay the poor. Meanwhile; the wealth gap in Britain is wider than ever, with the top 1% controling 13% of disposable income. Brown is placing us in debt; to fund foreign wars and electioneering stunts; which will mean major Tax increases AFTER the next Election." Councillors Dump On Council Staff Council Staff in Warrington have had their car parking rights withdrawn, due to the closure of Leigh St Car Park. Amazingly; the main Union involved (UNISON); hasn't oppossed this expensive alteration to staff condsitions. Insiders suggest, their may be a symbiotic relationship between some UNISON Officials and the New Labour administration, as Council coffers fund a UNISON Office. However; insult is added to injury; by new arrangements, that could allow non-councillors to use Councillors parking permits; thus allowing the relatives of Councillors to park in front of the Town Hall. Warrington CAP Leader; Mike Hughes said: " This is typical of to-days political elite; "don;t do as we do; do as we say". Going back; the idea; in line with the concept of "green travel plans"; was to provide staff with free bus passes as compensation; which could have helped the traffic situation in the Town." Council Blocking Community Representation The Fairfield & Howley Community Forum, formed by delegates from all the Residents & Tenants Associations in the Ward; has been blocked from meeting by the Council. It seems the New Labour Councillors resent Mike Hughes (ex Councillor for the Ward); being the Chair of the Forum. Mike was elected by the members in accordance with the current costitution and not because he was a Councillor at the time. Other areas with Forums have non-Councillors as their Chairpersons so why are New Labour Councillors frightened in Fairfield & Howley? Vice-Chair of the Forum, Norman Graves said: " This is a pathetic attempt to deny democracy within local communities. Mike has the respect and support of members and we shouldnt have people from outside our community imposed upon us." The fight goes on. A meeting without Council support has now been called to revive a community input into local affairs on a democratic basis. Ex-Councillor Criticises His Successors Ex-Councillor for Fairfield & Howley and Leader of the new Warrington Community Action Party, Mike Hughes; has criticised the ineptitude of his New-Labour successors. The issue arises, from the support given to the development of multi-storey buildings alongside the River Mersey, near Kingsway Bridge. One New Labour councillor was reported to be supporting the proposals, saying "they would be a jewel in the crown for Howley". In a strange twist of irony another Labour Councillor, has been reported as taking a contrary view. Mike Hughes, who lives in the Ward; said: " There are two issues here: These new-labour representatives have been parachuted into the area without any insight or local knowlege. They hold less surgeries than I did, appear at less Residents Meetings and evidently jump in with both feet on issues before consulting local people. The fact that they appear to be arguing amongst themselves, suggests, that following the recent Blairite purge; nothing has changed. What is required, in my view; is a planning brief for the whole of the River frontage; that takes the views of local residents and the implications for the flood plain on board." |
