Anger at National Express's inflation busting fares increase

Liberal Democrats in Gateshead have demanded that National Express abandons its plans to impose a 6% increase in the price of regulated fares, season tickets and saver tickets.

 

The increase in ticket prices not regulated by the government is to be an even steeper 7.4%

 

The announcement of the inflation-busting fares hike on 21st November was met with an angry response by Gateshead Councillor Jonathan Wallace.

 

“Train passengers living in Gateshead are being hit for six by National Express,” said Cllr Wallace. “At a time when people are struggling with the recession, this train company is adding to people’s difficulties and is stinging passengers for more cash.

 

“These rises could make the recession worse in the North East and could lead to more congestion and pollution as people abandon public transport for their car instead.

 

“I am calling on the government to step in and use the power they have over regulated fares to impose a freeze on ticket prices for a year. This could be paid for from within the Government’s transport budget.

 

“Just as the Government stepped in to freeze fuel duty for motorists because of the recession, they should change their mind and stop these price increases going ahead.

 

“Rail passengers will rightly feel that they are being taken for a ride by National Express. They have every right to feel angry with this price hike and with the Government for letting it happen.”

 

The Government has agreed that the ticket price increases can come into effect on 2nd January 2009.

 

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Welcome for street repairs

Liberal Democrat councillors representing Sunniside in Gateshead have won a long standing battle to have some streets resurfaced in the village.

Hollywell Lane had never been adopted by the Council and had been without a proper surface for decades. Meanwhile Longwood Close and Coanwood Way were both in need of resurfacing as their condition had become much worse in recent years.

Work to resurface the roads took place in October and November.

Councillor Marilynn Ord said, "We have been pressing for this work to be done for many years and we are pleased it has now been carried out."

Welcome for Government u-turn on Post Office Card Account

LIBERAL Democrats in Blaydon have welcomed a decision by the Government to abandon proposals to hand over the payment of pensions and benefits from post offices to a private company.

Thousands of elderly people, carers, disabled people and claimants in Blaydon constituency currently use their local post offices to receive their pensions and benefits through the Post Office Card Account.

But earlier this year ministers invited bids from private companies as well as the Post Office for the contract to pay out pensions and benefits from 2010.

Had the Post Office lost the contract, up to 6,000 more post offices could have gone to the wall as a result of the lost business. These unmanaged closures would have been in addition to the 2,500 “managed” closures which the Government has already announced.

“The Government’s u-turn is welcome here in Blaydon constituency,” said Parliamentary Spokesman Peter Maughan. “It means our post offices have a better chance of staying open.

“But this is a u-turn that should never have had to happen in the first place. The Government should have realised the importance of post offices to communities and awarded the new contract to the network without these months of delay.

“Instead, local branches have had to deal with the uncertainty that ministerial dithering and unnecessary contracting processes has caused.

“Hopefully, local branches can now plan ahead knowing they will continue to pay out pensions and benefits. But we are also calling on the Government to carry out another u-turn.

“They must stop putting pressure on pensioners and benefit claimants to get their cash paid through the banks. People should have a choice.”

Under current government plans, the branches at Winlaton Mill and Crookhill are to close. 4 years ago, the government closed branches at Swalwell, Bleach Green and Dunston.

Dunston Pool refurbishment

Pressure from Liberal Democrat Councillors for better access to Dunston Swimming Pool has paid off. Plans have been submitted for new access and reception area for the building.

“We have raised concerns about the poor access to the building over the past three years,” said Councillor Yvonne McNicol. “We are pleased that the plans for the easier access are now moving forward.

“We are also continuing to press for a general renovation of the whole building.”

Watergate Bank closure

Watergate Bank, between Lobley Hill and Streetgate, will be closed to through traffic from 6am to midday on Sunday 16th November to allow for essential maintenance work to be carried out. The road will be closed from the Pennyfine Road junction to the Ravensdene Lodge on Consett Road, Lobley Hill.

Residents living on the closed section, and those going to the Marquis of Granby pub at Fugar Bar will be allowed access.

Butterfly Bridge swept away in September storm

The heavy rains in September that caused flooding in the Derwent Valley also claimed the Butterfly Bridge which crosses the river at the bottom of Clockburn Lonnen, near Winlaton Mill. The bridge was popular with residents of Whickham walking to the Derwenthaugh Park.

The bridge itself is lying downstream on the river bank and is on one piece. It is believed that trees, washed down the river in the flood, hit the bridge, causing it to collapse.

We are pleased to report that the Council is planning to replace the bridge and plans are being drawn up to do this. The old bridge will have to be removed from its current resting place and engineers are looking at how this can be carried out. We will keep you in touch with progress.

Remembrance Day

Councillors fort he Whickham area laid wreaths at all the local remembrance Day ceremonies on 9th November. Peter Maughan laid the wreath at Dunston, Mary Wallace at Swalwell, Marilynn Ord at Marley Hill and Peter Craig, Allison Chatto and Jonathan Wallace at Whickham.

We have a full series of photos taken of the Whickham parade and service. These can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanwallace/sets/72157608789975091/

Hole in the wall celebration

A village that fought to get a hole-in-the-wall cash machine in the local post office will celebrate its opening this weekend.

The Post Office in Sunniside, Gateshead, applied to have a cash machine installed at the front of the shop in 2007 but Gateshead’s Labour councillors kicked out the application. They claimed that as it was on a front street, it would attract traffic.

But an appeal, backed by the village’s Lib Dem Councillor, Jonathan Wallace, saw the decision immediately overturned by government planning inspectors earlier this year.

Plans to install the machine had to be put on hold over the summer whilst consultation took place on the Government’s Post Office closure programme.

Now, the machine is in place and this Saturday, 15th November, at 11.30am, outside the Post Office, Councillors Wallace, Marilynn Ord, John McClurey and Peter Maughan will join Sunniside Postmaster Paul Mein to cut a ribbon to launch the cash machine.

“At a time when Post Offices are under threat of closure, we need to do all we can to help them stay in business,” said Cllr Wallace. “The cash machine will boost the Post Office and the village.

“It will be the only 24 hour, free-to-use cash machine in the village. Other shops in the village centre will therefore feel the benefits as well.”

Residents of Sunniside are welcome to attend the event.

Labour MP David Anderson accused of hypocrisy over Post Offices

Labour MP Blaydon, David Anderson, has been accused of hypocrisy after he put his name to a Parliamentary motion supporting Post Offices only to vote against it in the House of Commons shortly afterwards.

Post Offices face a bleak future if the Government gives another company the contract to pay out pensions and benefits. They currently deliver this through the Post Office Card Account (POCA), which is used by around 4 million elderly people and benefit claimants.

It is believed that up to 6,000 Post Offices could close if the POCA is taken away from them. Ministers are expected to announce their decision on POCA shortly.

The Parliamentary motion expresses worries about the damaging results on Post Offices if they lose more business. Ministers and government agencies are currently putting huge pressure on people to get pensions and benefits paid directly into bank accounts instead of through the Post Office.

The motion called on government departments and agencies to use Post Offices to make services available through Post Offices to help both the Post Office network and the people who rely on it. MPs could sign the motion over the summer and autumn. Liberal Democrat MPs then brought it to the House of Commons to debate it on Monday 10th November.

“Residents of Blaydon constituency will have every right to feel let down by David Anderson’s hypocrisy on Post Offices,” said Councillor Peter Maughan, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon.

“It seems that he says one thing about Post Offices and then votes the exact opposite way.

“Mr Anderson chose to vote to throw out the concerns about the future of Post Offices and replace them with praise for what the Government has done to the Post Office network.

“Our area needs an MP who will fight for local people, one who will do what it says on the cover. What we have is one who postures in support of local people and then runs away from taking action when it’s needed.”

Maughan raises concerns about Derwent Reservoir following river flooding

LEADING Liberal Democrat Councillor in Gateshead, Peter Maughan, has raised concerns with Northumbrian Water over the Derwent Reservoir.

 

Following flooding along the Derwent River in early September, Councillor Maughan has written to the Environment Agency about the need for better flood defences in villages such as Blackhall Mill.

 

But after speaking to residents in Chopwell on Saturday 1^st November, he has raised further concerns with Northumbrian Water.

 

“Blackhall Mill came very close to flooding and Chopwell came close to being cut off along its Derwentside route in September,” said Peter.

 

“Many residents have now told me that they feel some of the flooding in September could have been avoided if the Derwent Reservoir had been able to hold more water.  Yet residents tell me that the Reservoir was kept close to being full before the heavy rains.

 

“I have written to Northumbrian Water about this and asked them to clarify the situation. If, as now seems likely, climate change is causing more sudden and heavy downpours, we need to take action to reduce the effects.

 

“Ensuring Derwent Reservoir has capacity to hold back flood waters in the future and then release water once the rains have stopped could help to reduce future floods.”

Liberal Democrats in Blaydon demand tax cuts to help beat recession

LIBERAL Democrats in Blaydon constituency have called for a cut in income tax for people on low and middle incomes to help them beat the recession.

“Inflation is at its highest for years,” said Councillor Peter Maughan, Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon. “Residents of Blaydon are struggling with rising fuel and housing costs. They need money in their pockets now.

“Liberal Democrats are calling for a cut in income tax of 4p in the pound. It will be paid for by closing the loopholes used by the most wealthy to avoid paying tax. And we will increase the level of tax on the most polluting activities.

“Too many people are faced with the prospect of either eating properly or heating their homes. Action is needed now to help residents of Blaydon who are struggling with rising prices.

“Many residents on low incomes are paying more in tax following the government’s decision to double the starting rate of income tax to 20p in the pound. Though the government was eventually forced to come forward with a package to compensate people for the tax increase, many are still worse off.

“Cutting income tax will therefore give residents and our local economy a boost at a time when it is desperately needed.”

Chopwell's children's centre opens

The new children’s centre at Chopwell Primary School, Chopwell has been opened. The centre provides information to parents of children below the age of 5. There is a baby clinic and drop-in space as well.

The sort of information available for parents of young children includes local groups and children’s health.

Unemployment rises in every ward in Gateshead

The Credit Crunch is hurting Gateshead with unemployment rising in every council ward in the borough, claim local Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Peter Maughan, speaking after the publication of the latest figures for the number of people on Jobseekers’ Allowance, said that rising unemployment is likely to lead to more home repossession and business closures.

The figures show that 555 more people were unemployed and receiving Jobseekers’ Allowance in September than in the same month in 2007, bringing the total in Gateshead to 3,906.

“The actual number of people unemployed is about double this as the published figures do not include those out of work but on other benefits,” said Peter.

“With Britain going into recession, there needs to be a big cut in interest rates. This will help businesses and homeowners keep their heads above water.

“The danger is that, without a big interest rate cut, there will be more house repossessions and business closures.”

The ward with the highest rate of unemployed residents on Jobseekers’ Allowance is Bridges where one in ten of the working population receive the benefit (10.8%).

Demand for North East to be given share of new building work – Maughan

A LEADING Liberal Democrat on Tyneside has warned that the North East could be left behind if the government brings forward planned building projects designed to tackle the recession.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is considering bringing forward to 2009 projects originally planned to begin in 2011 in a bid to kickstart the recession hit economy.

But with most of the big government building projects being outside the North East, there are worries the region will not get the boost needed to get people back to work.

Peter Maughan, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Blaydon and a Councillor in Gateshead, has written to the Chancellor calling for the region to be considered seriously for new investment.

“I am particularly concerned to ensure that the transport system is included in any government plans to boost building projects,” said Peter.

“But I am very worried about the poor record of the government on supporting an upgrade to the Al and rail improvements in the region.

“Many of the big projects such as Crossrail and the Olympics will benefit London and the South East. We need a cast iron guarantee that the needs of the North East will not be ignored any more.

“In the long run better transport links for the region are vital for the long term growth of our economy. The poor main road and rail links we have are holding back our economy.

“Improving them will therefore create jobs in the long run, and not just boost employment during the recession.

“As things stand with the government at the moment, there is a huge danger that no serious investment in big projects will take place in the North East.”

Councillor Maughan highlighted the need to develop the Metro system, improve other local rail links, improve rail links to London and upgrade the A1 as key government projects to boost the local economy.

Award for Gateshead Liberal Democrat

GATESHEAD Liberal Democrat Councillor, Jonathan Wallace, has won an award from the party for the use of email to keep in touch with residents.

Councillor Wallace, who represents Whickham South and Sunniside on Gateshead Council, launched a monthly email newsletter called eFocus, five years ago. It was originally sent to 50 residents. Now three different editions are produced and which are sent to over 1500 households.

The award was presented to Councillor Wallace at the Liberal Democrats’ North East Regional Conference at Gateshead Civic Centre on Saturday 18th October.

“I invented the email newsletter as I thought it would be a great way to keep in touch with residents,” said Jonathan.

“We know that many people find it useful and forward it on to family and friends as well. We have heard that it gets sent to expats living as far away as Australia!”

The newsletter was named after the Focus newsletter printed and produced by Liberal Democrats and delivered to every house in the Whickham area.

The award was made by Andrew Stunell MP, former Chief Whip of the party who is now running the election campaign for the Liberal Democrats for 2009 when the European Parliament elections will be held.

Photo: Andrew Stunell MP (left) presenting Councillor Jonathan Wallace with the party’s award for his email newsletters to constituents.

North East Liberal Democrats meet in Gateshead

LIBERAL Democrats from across the North East will be gathering at Gateshead Civic Centre for their annual meeting on Saturday 18th October.

The meeting starts at 10am and amongst the speakers will be Andrew Stunell MP, former chief whip of the party who chairs the party's campaign for the local elections next year.

"We are pleased the party is meeting in Gateshead," said Cllr Peter Maughan, Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon. "And we are delighted that Andrew will be lending us his campaigning expertise."

Kibblesworth residents asked about cost of living

Residents of the village of Kibblesworth in Gateshead have been asked about how the rising cost of living is affecting them by local Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Peter Maughan, Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon constituency, carried out the survey as he is concerned that many are struggling with rising food and fuel proces.

“Many residents of the constituency have raised with me the serious impact on family budgets of the steep increases in the cost of basics, such as meals on the table and power to heat and light homes,” said Peter.

“It seems wherever I go in Blaydon constituency, people express their worries to me about how they will cope with the extra costs.

“So we have delivered 500 survey forms to residents in Kibblesworth village and will be carrying out the survey elsewhere in Gateshead as well.

“The survey results already show that people are tightening their belts. Many are cutting back on heating. Some older people are making personal sacrifices for their children or grandchildren.

“With unemployment rising, many people are telling me they are not sure how they will cope with Christmas.

“Liberal Democrats are calling for a cut in income tax for people on low and middle incomes. It would be paid for by closing loop holes used by the rich to avoid paying tax, and by putting up taxes on pollution.

“This will put money into the pockets of the people who need it now.”

The survey will continue to be carried out across communities in Gateshead over the coming weeks and the overall results will be published later in the autumn.

The banking crisis and Gateshead Council’s cash

The crisis in the banks and financial sector has already begun to be felt in Gateshead. The Council has £4.5 million of reserves in an account with the Heritable Bank, which is the UK subsidiary of failing Icelandic bank Landsbanki.

Heritable has gone into administration though it continues to trade. A new buyer for the bank is being sought. Gateshead’s deposit is not due to be repaid until between mid-December and February.

The Council is seeking clarification on the bank’s administrators about the situation. However, the government’s current deposit guarantee scheme does not cover council or business deposits.

So far, the government has not shown any willingness to guarantee any deposits made by local councils in the failed bank.

"The only way to end the uncertainty is for the Government to guarantee local authority deposits,” said Councillor Jonathan Wallace. “If ministers can come to the aid of the big banks, they can come to the aid of councils providing vital services such as schools and social services for the vulnerable.”

Euro MPs strengthen climate change commitment

Euro MPs on the Environment Committee have voted to strengthen the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – widely viewed as the corner stone of EU strategy to combat climate change -in order to to ensure that carbon emissions are cut by at least 20% by 2020 and that the EU has a strong hand in global emissions reduction negotiations.

The ETS ‘cap and trade’ system allows companies to buy and sell carbon allowances within a progressively tightening cap. Until now the ETS has included a generous amount of free allowances but the changes voted this week mark the start of a much more restrictive regime. The power industry will have to buy all its allowances from 2013, for example, and there will be an increasing requirement for purchase of allowances for CO2 emissions from aircraft

Fiona Hall MEP, Lib Dem MEP for Gateshead, says that the changes are an essential step towards an international consensus on carbon emission trading and vital if global temperature rises are to be kept under 2 deg C and not allowed to "go critical". In the New Year, preparations will get underway in Poznan for the 2009 global climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Fiona said, “This result is a victory for progressive industry which recognises the Stern conclusions that global warming has huge long-term costs. Of course there has been some pressure from industry but it has been important to avoid loopholes which would have undermined the foundations of the Emissions trading process.

"The way to deal with worries about global competitiveness is through the forthcoming Commission analysis of carbon leakage and I will continue to work closely with North East companies who have specific concerns on this.”

As well as emissions trading, the Environment Committee also voted to ban the building of new coal-fired power stations from 2015, unless they are equipped with carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) to curb their CO2 emissions. A report by Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies which calls for the use of up to 500 million allowances from the emissions trading scheme (this could easily exceed £7 billions) to meet the additional costs of CCS installation has been adopted and would ensure carbon capture and storage technology could make a healthy contribution towards saving thousands of CO2 emissions.

Following the Environment Committee votes, negotiations will start with the Council (Member States ministers) with the aim of completing the legislation in good time for the Poznan negotiations in the New Year.

Fiona said, “The North East is at the forefront of new energy technology and can really benefit from this week's Environment committee votes. In the negotiations that are now starting I will continue to work closely with North East industry to make sure that our lead position on efficient processes and forward looking technology is supported.”

Nick Clegg welcomed on visit to Tyneside

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg was welcomed to Tyneside by the party's local Parliamentary Candidates on Friday 3rd October.

Peter Maughan (Blaydon), Ron Beadle (Newcastle North) and Greg Stone (Newcastle East) met Mr Clegg at Newcastle Central Station. The Liberal Democrats' leader was in the region to visit flood victims in Morpeth and to speak at the annual constituency dinner in Berwick upon Tweed.

"I was delighted Nick was in the North East," said Peter. "Nick is a northern MP, representing a constituency in Sheffield, and he knows the problems faced by our region.

"We discussed the Conservatives' policy to leave the North East out of a high speed rail network.

“We know the Conservatives have little interest in the region. However their announcement that they support a high speed rail network for the country except for the North East and Scotland shows they are not prepared to give the region the investment it needs."

Photo: Greg Stone, left, Cllr John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle City Council (to left of Nick Clegg), Peter Maughan (behind John and Nick) and Ron Beadle, front right, are joined by other Lib Dem members to greet Nick Clegg and protest about the decision of the Conservatives to leave the North East off their proposed high speed rail system.