Liberal Democrat councillors at North Yorkshire County Council today were alone in opposing more allowances for councillors.
The Tory-run council voted at its meeting today to start paying allowances to two “Member Champions”. Previously these “Champions” have never been paid.
From next year the Council’s “Champion for Older Persons” and the “Champion for Young Persons” will each receive £4,518 per year. This is in addition to their basic allowance of £8,772.
Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Bill Hoult (from Knaresborough) said:
“Once again Tory and Labour councillors combined to vote to use Council Tax payers’ money on a barmy idea. Councillors are elected to serve all the people in their own wards and we object to the Tory leadership trying to appoint “placemen” who will interfere with the role they were elected to do”
Thursday 20 December 2007
Tory Lack of Courage Over Post Offices
Liberal Democrat councillors at North Yorkshire County Council accused the ruling Conservatives of a lack of courage over post office closures.
The Post Office has proposed closure of 22 post offices in the county, with a further 18 becoming "outreach" offices, offering much more limited services.
In February 2007 the Lib Dems proposed a motion which would have committed the Council to opposing any further closures of post offices in North Yorkshire.
However, Tory and Labour councillors let the Government off the hook by supporting a Conservative amendment which watered down the motion to say that the Council "opposes any further closures without alternative appropriate provision being made."
Lib Dem County councillor Rob Broadley commenting on these proposals, which Liberal Democrats have been warning people about, said:
"These closures will be a disaster for many communities, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents who rely on their local post offices for essential services. In my County Division of Whitby/Streonshalh we have already lost one in Fishburn Park, with Helredale earmarked for closure.
When the Conservatives were last in Government, 3,500 post offices closed. Labour have already closed 4,000, and another 2,500 are set to close.
Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill is now asking people to make their voice heard and object to the closures. But if he had spoken up more effectively for our communities in the first place we might not be in this situation now."
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The Post Office has proposed closure of 22 post offices in the county, with a further 18 becoming "outreach" offices, offering much more limited services.
In February 2007 the Lib Dems proposed a motion which would have committed the Council to opposing any further closures of post offices in North Yorkshire.
However, Tory and Labour councillors let the Government off the hook by supporting a Conservative amendment which watered down the motion to say that the Council "opposes any further closures without alternative appropriate provision being made."
Lib Dem County councillor Rob Broadley commenting on these proposals, which Liberal Democrats have been warning people about, said:
"These closures will be a disaster for many communities, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents who rely on their local post offices for essential services. In my County Division of Whitby/Streonshalh we have already lost one in Fishburn Park, with Helredale earmarked for closure.
When the Conservatives were last in Government, 3,500 post offices closed. Labour have already closed 4,000, and another 2,500 are set to close.
Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill is now asking people to make their voice heard and object to the closures. But if he had spoken up more effectively for our communities in the first place we might not be in this situation now."
Print this news story.
New Liberal Democrat Leader
New Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg MP today promised to give a voice to the people of Whitby who feel ignored by politicians.
Setting out his priorities after being elected as party leader on December 18th, Nick Clegg said:
“I am greatly honoured to have been chosen by my fellow party members to be the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.
“Throughout Whitby and Scarborough Liberal Democrats are already working hard to reach out to local people and listen to their concerns. In my leadership I will be taking that spirit nationwide, moving beyond party politics and making liberalism connect with the millions of people who share our values.
"Labour and the Conservatives have failed Britain's families. I will lead my party to change politics, and change Britain, for the better. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to giving the people of Whitby and Scarborough a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives, by shifting power away from Westminster and back to local communities.
"I will fight for a fair deal for Britain’s families, campaign tirelessly to cut crime, and improve our NHS so it delivers the care people need."
Commenting County and Borough councillor Rob Broadley said:
“Nick Clegg is going to be a great leader. Labour and the Conservatives share so many policies. The time has come for a politician who will speak up for real people and local communities - like ours in Whitby."
Setting out his priorities after being elected as party leader on December 18th, Nick Clegg said:
“I am greatly honoured to have been chosen by my fellow party members to be the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.
“Throughout Whitby and Scarborough Liberal Democrats are already working hard to reach out to local people and listen to their concerns. In my leadership I will be taking that spirit nationwide, moving beyond party politics and making liberalism connect with the millions of people who share our values.
"Labour and the Conservatives have failed Britain's families. I will lead my party to change politics, and change Britain, for the better. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to giving the people of Whitby and Scarborough a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives, by shifting power away from Westminster and back to local communities.
"I will fight for a fair deal for Britain’s families, campaign tirelessly to cut crime, and improve our NHS so it delivers the care people need."
Commenting County and Borough councillor Rob Broadley said:
“Nick Clegg is going to be a great leader. Labour and the Conservatives share so many policies. The time has come for a politician who will speak up for real people and local communities - like ours in Whitby."
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