Manchester Liberal Democrat  have welcomed a pledge by Labour Council Leader Richard Leese that the Council will investigate the viability of the Council subsidising Post Offices closed in the city since 2003, as well as 5 Branches earmarked for closure by the Post Office in August in Levenshulme, Didsbury, Ladybarn, Harpurhey and Crumpsall.

Manchester Liberal Democrats have condemned the announcement that two post offices in South Manchester are going to be closed despite a huge local effort to save them.

Despite a Lib Dem petition that gained the support of over 1,500 local residents, which John Leech MP presented in Parliament, and massive local opposition to the decision, it has been decided that both Ladybarn Post Office on Mauldeth Road and Parrs Wood Post Office on Wilmslow Road are to close.

Responding to the news of the closures, John Leech expressed anger and disbelief, stating that ‘it is shameful that Post Office Ltd and the Government have completely disregarded the views of local people and have decided to go ahead with the closures of Ladybarn and Parrs Wood post offices.’

‘It is devastating news for the subpostmasters and a real blow for the hundreds of local people who have made representations in the strongest terms possible to the consultation team, and supported the campaign to save the post offices. This decision will hit the most vulnerable the hardest, with the elderly being particularly badly affected. It is yet another blow to them under this government at a time of rocketing bills and increasing fuel poverty.’

Addressing the public consultation, he continued, ‘the whole idea of a public consultation should be that it offers a genuine chance for the people who will be affected by a decision to have their say in a constructive debate on the issue. Unfortunately, in this case the consultation has been farcical and one-sided with a real lack of feedback on the part of the consultation team. It appears that there was never any intention to reverse these closures, and that is absolutely appalling.’

 Councillor John Cameron added:

‘We knocked on hundreds of doors to collect petition signatures against these closures. We did not meet a single person who was in favour of the closures. Why have a consultation if people’s views are going to be ignored?

‘The Labour government have presided over these closures. The Labour-run City Council have twice refused by back our demands that they take meaningful action to save Manchester’s threatened Post Offices. Labour must now act or the effects on our loacal communities will be devastating.’

Councillors John Cameron, Iain Donaldson and Rod Isherwood and John Leech MP have hailed recent results from Ladybarn, St Bernards, Mauldeth Road and Green End Primary Schools. All three have received very good OFSTEAD inspection reports in recent months. Ladybarn and Green End Primaries have been working together in a ‘federation’, with one head teacher for both. John Leech said:”These reports show a great achievement by the staff, parents and pupils of all three schools. Congratulations go to all concerned.” Councillor Iain Donaldson, who is a school governor at Green End Primary said:”Green End has had some major problems in recent years, but the federation with Ladybarn and the dedication and hard work of all the staff have really paid off.” Councillors John Cameron and Rod Isherwood are school governors at Ladybarn Primary. John Cameron said:“Ladybarn Primary has been classed as an ‘outstanding’ school. This is no more than it deserves. Everyone at Ladybarn has worked exceptionally hard to achieve this.”

John Leech MP has blasted Labour MPs for siding with phone company giants rather than residents over the power of communities to stop inappropriate phone masts. There are fewer restrictions on planning applications for phone masts, making it difficult for planning permission to be refused.The Liberal Democrats in Parliament moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission like applications for new buildings. But Labour MPs, including all three Manchester Labour MPs who voted, voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all. John Leech MP said after the vote:“Manchester’s Labour MPs had the opportunity to side with local communities or with giant phone companies,” said John Leech MP “It is extremely disappointing so see that they have decided to back powerful multinational companies rather than the people they are supposed to represent. “The change the Liberal Democrats proposed in the House of Commons would have given residents a fighting chance to stop inappropriately sited phone masts but Labour decided to block it. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

John Cameron and Iain Donaldson, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Burnage Ward, are calling for swift action to save council taxpayers thousands of pounds in the face of an epidemic of drain cover thefts across Manchester.

Labour’s latest cynical Post Office closure plans reached a new stage in June when the list of Manchester Post Offices due to be axed was announced.

There was some relief for our area as the Post Offices on Burnage Lane, Kingsway and Fog Lane have all escaped Labour’s axe – for now.

But there was dismay at the news that Ladybarn Post Office on Mauldeth Road and Parrs Wood Post Office on Wilmslow Road are earmarked for closure. Levenshulme Post Office is also facing the axe.

The local Lib Dems have already collected thousands of petition signatures opposing Labour’s Post Office Closure plans. Now they are launching a further campaign to oppose these two closures.

John Leech MP said:

“Labour say that these closures will save money and that people can just use other post offices. However, this ignores those who do not have easy access to transport and the fact that these post offices help to sustain local shopping areas.”

Councillor John Cameron said:

“We must get them to change their minds and keep all of our post offices open. Please sign our petition to save Ladybarn and Parrs Wood Post Offices.”

John Leech MP will present the paetitions to Number 10 Downing Street in two weeks time.

Manchester Liberal Democrats are calling on the Labour run City Council to reverse their decision to hike charges for pest control, just when problems with infestations are on the increase.

 The Council are proposing an 18% increase in charges for treating mice infestations, a 25% increase in the cost of dealing with wasps nests and a 164% increase in the cost of tackling “other pests” including beetles and other vermin.  Councillor Iain Donaldson said: “These inflation-busting increases are excessive. This is an essential service that helps local residents to keep their homes free from pests, rodents and vermin. Increases of up to 164% will hit everyone hard, especially low-income families.”

Councillor Rod Isherwood is calling on all fellow services veterans to claim their medals. Rod said:

 “If you are a services veteran you are entitled to a medal to mark your contribution to our country. Contact John Leech MP’s office on 0161 434 3334 and an application form will be sent out to you. You will need to supply your name, address, date of birth, service number and details of the service.”

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Manchester have welcomed a Council report into last month’s staging of the UEFA cup final in Manchester but believe that some questions remained unanswered by the report.

Manchester Lib Dem Leader Cllr Simon Ashley said:

“I have met senior Council Officers and told them we agree with some of the key recommendations in the report:

that Piccadilly is an unsuitable venue for a large event;

that there should be ticketed entry to control numbers;

that there should be better communication with city centre businesses and residents;

that there needs to be better signage, more toilets, bins and better and quicker cleaning.”

Cllr Ashley added:

“However, I think the report fails to answer three questions:

1) Why weren’t more viewing screens made available throughout the City when number estimates kept increasing, to better disperse the crowd numbers?

2) Did the U-turn on the communications strategy on the 8th of May (when instead of saying ‘Don’t come without a ticket’, the city said “Everyone welcome”) contribute to the increased visitor numbers?

3) Was the decision making process transparent and did the organising committee rely too much on intelligence and information received from Strathclyde Police and Glasgow Council?”

Cllr Ashley concluded:

“This report isn’t perfect but is a good start. Manchester needs to learn the lessons of the Uefa final so that the people of Manchester can regain the confidence they have lost in its Council bidding for future events.”

Manchester Liberal Democrats have welcomed Council Leader Richard Leese’s proposal to hold a Greater Manchester-wide referendum on proposed public transport improvements including an element of congestion charging. A referendum, if agreed by Council Leaders across Greater Manchester, would take place after consultations on the funding bid end in October.

Manchester Liberal Democrats have consistently called for a referendum on this issue. Recent polls that showing that 86% of respondents supported having a Greater Manchester wide referendum before introducing a Congestion

Charge.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Simon Ashley said:

“Manchester Lib Dems have been arguing for a long time that we need a referendum on such a critical issue. I am glad that Labour Council Leader Richard Leese has finally come round to our way of thinking.”

Cllr Ashley added:

“This announcement, if agreed by the ten Council Leaders, means that we can have a proper debate about the Tif bid and congestion charging. This is a victory for the people of Greater Manchester.”