Keeping in

TOUCH
Local news from your Liberal Democrat team in East Cheadle
P rinted by B everidge P rinting S ociety, published a nd prom oted by CCLD, both at 3 Gillbent Road, Chea dle Hulm e, S K8 7L E

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The result in 2012

Although we live in difficult times (partly due to having to clean up Labours mess something even Labour finds difficult to ignore) the Council cant duck the difficult decisions.

Lib Dems: Protecting the most vulnerable

Lib Dem led Stockport Council is working hard to protect the most vulnerable members of our community - and helping residents to remain independent - including the growing number of elderly residents. PRIORITIES The Lib Dem led council has prioritised frontline services and in particular: Existing levels of social care support maintained No libraries to close (unlike in Labour Manchester) Childrens centres are being reorganised but services are being maintained No parks closing We are still faced with the aftermath of the massive increase in borrowing by the last government. Further savings still have to be made. Consultation on these is proceeding. Dont believe the false rumours that are being circulated. The Cheadle Hulme North team with Mark Hunter MP - protecting our libraries

Action File
The pavements on Evesham Road will be resurfaced this year. The paving will be replaced by tarmac which is harder-wearing. This follows long standing demands by June and Paul. June, Paul and John are also pressing for the resurfacing of Priory Road, Bank Street and Jackson Street. *** Norbreck Ave railway bridge is narrow and has no pavements for pedestrians. Even though it has road humps the 20mph speed limit isnt always observed. June has asked for further measures to protect pedestrians. *** Speed of traffic on Park Road has increased following the resurfacing. A 20 mph speed limit on Park Road has been approved. *** For reasons of road safety the Cheadle Area Committee have agreed to put yellow lines at the Demmings Rd entrance to Meadowbank school, and at the junction of the service road and Councillor Lane near Argyll Rd. *** The field drain at the rear of Brookhead Drive is blocked by considerable fly tipping and tree overgrowth. Paul has asked for cleaning of the drain, but this will take a long time because of protected wildlife species existing there.

Remember:
NO Libraries have been closed by any Liberal Democrat authority in the Country.

Apprenticeship successes
Youth unemployment has been a problem for a decade. With the help from Lib Dem led Stockport Council, Stockport is one of the leading areas in the Country for apprenticeships. Apprenticeships up over 40% in our area compared to the last year when Labour was in power - nearly at the top of the UK list Stockport Council itself in top 100 employers in the UK for starting apprenticeships Many local firms taking up the challenge to give our young people a fighting chance Lib Dem Cllr June Somekh said `Its great to see the Council championing youth employment. The Council needs to maintain these efforts. Lib Dem MP Mark Hunter added `Apprenticeships make companies more productive and give young people the experience and skills they need.

The national government has changed the entitlement for some benefits and made local councils responsible for payments. A local Council Tax Support Scheme has replaced Council Tax benefit. Details of this has to be determined by the council. Stockports scheme aims to protect those most vulnerable. The 25% council tax discount for single person households remains. Children under 18, apprentices earning less than 195 per week and full time students are exempt. For families deemed to have extra bedrooms, the Lib Dem Council is pressing that box rooms are not classified as bedrooms. However, it is the landlords that decide. Claims for these benefits cannot be backdated. If you need help go to the Council website or visit the Advice Centre at 6 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme or the CAB at Cheadle Library.

Council Tax and Benefit

Mark Hunter MP visiting MAN Diesel whose new training facility helps local school leavers and graduates searching for employment.

Service and action all year round

Mark Hunter MP welcomes cash for school sport

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter has welcomed the Coalition Government giving an extra 770,280 being given to primary schools across Stockport to boost PE and Sport. Ladybridge Primary will receive an extra 8,810 and Meadowbank Primary will receive an extra 9,420. Its good to see the importance of grass roots sports funding and the Olympic legacy being recognised said Mark. In addition, the Lib Dems have secured over a million pounds to improve cycling facilities in the Cheadle area - one of the biggest Government grants in the country. Mark commented It is absolutely essential people should be able to cycle to work or school in a safe environment.

Chris Davies: Tories weak on crime

More than several hundred wanted individuals have been returned for trial in the UK from other EU countries since April 2009. Chris Davies MEP says that this shows the use of the European Arrest warrant is effective, as is cooperation involving data sharing about criminal activities. With so many EU nationals now living in the UK these agreements are of particular importance to us. Yet such is their hatred of all things European that hundreds of Tory MPs, many of whom normally pose as the champions of law and order, want to opt out of all the agreements en bloc in 2014. `This is sheer madness`, says Chris Davies.

Stockports school meals service is second to none picking up a recent national award their high quality food. Stockport Health spokesman, John Pantall, said `with obesity a growing problem its good to see such positive results.` At Meadowbank School most of the children entitled to free school meals receive them. Increasing the number of free school meals for children entitled to them not only helps the health of our youngest people - it also attracts more government money for our schools through Pupil Premium. .

School Meals

Update on Abney Hall Development

Plans to build an 80-bed care home at the rear of Abney Hall have been passed by the Planning Committee after a site inspection asked for by June, John and Paul. The care home is to replace the empty office block. It will be sited within the Grade 2 listed walled garden. The proposal was supported by English Heritage on condition that the garden wall is repaired and maintained. Numerous objections from residents and users of Abney Park had been received. Our main concern was the effect on the two cottages alongside the garden wall. The developers then altered the design, angling windows in the care home so that overlooking of the cottages is minimised. Cllr. June Somekh outside Abney Hall

Meadowbank School is set to receive 79,200 thanks to the Liberal Democrat Pupil Premium

Did you know?

Nuisance calls have been a persistent problem and your local team are campaigning on the issue. In order to be go on the Telephone Preference Service either phone 0845 0700707 or register online annually www.tpsonline.org.uk. Our MP Mark Hunter is also taking up this issue in Parliament. To sign his petition go to markhunter.org.uk.

Any issues... Let us know

Getting in touch with your local Lib Dem team

Cllr June Somekh Tel: 491 4369 cllr.june.somekh@ stockport.gov.uk

Your Name Phone Number Email Address Address

I am a Liberal Democrat supporter q I would like a postal vote for future elections q I would like to help the local Lib Dems q

Cllr Paul Porgess Tel: 428 2722 cllr.paul.porgess@ stockport.gov.uk Cllr John Pantall Tel: 485 5274 cllr.john.pantall@ stockport.gov.uk Mark Hunter MP 0161 486 1359 mark.hunter.mp@ parliament.uk

Postcode

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