Police Reform – What do you think?

We’ve set up a website called www.policereform.com to consider how we can make the police service more effective.  Click on the link to take part and read some of the reports so far. 

The public will benefit from localised policing which is more responsive to their concerns, giving them a real voice and control to ensure the safety of their communities. Police officers will be returned to the streets where the public want to see them.

I recently attended a business seminar on a new code of practice aiming to make it easier for small businesses to rent shops and offices.

Businesses will receive an occupier’s guide to contract negotiations so that they can recognise bad contracts and landlords will be required to offer leases that do not tie tenants to contracts for long periods. Leaflets for both occupiers and landlords have been produced.

The code of practice can be accessed via http://www.leasingbusinesspremises.co.uk

This should benefit many of the small businesses in our area as well as the the wider community.

Changing Rooms In Birkenhead Park

After many weeks of speaking to the Culteral Services Department the drains at the changing rooms have finally been unblocked.

I have also been promised that a full renovation programme will take place during the summer months – It is long overdue and I wait with eager anticipation to see it completed!

Dentists – Can you find an NHS dentist?

Research carried out by local Conservatives showed that out of all the dental practices in Wirral, only 18 practices would accept NHS patients, with a staggering 26 refusing to accept any new ones.

My colleague, Cllr Chris Blakeley, Conservative Chairman of Wirral’s Social Care, Health and Inclusion Overview and Scrutiny Committee said, “We contacted every dental practice in Wirral and got a 90% response rate.   The results were astounding and make uncomfortable reading.   In some parts of the Wirral there are NO dentists and in some areas dental practices reported to us that they were only accepting NHS patients for a limited period.”

The Labour Government pledged in 1999 that everyone would have access to an NHS dentist within two years, and yet we now have, across the country, 2 million fewer people registered with an NHS dentist than in 1997.   We were told by Government Ministers that the new dental contracts would solve the problem, but in reality they are forcing dentists to leave the NHS and Wirral’s Primary Care Trust is having to subsidise the dental contract in Wirral to the tune of £2 million, that’s £2 million that should be being utilised on improved health services here.  

Its clear the problem in Wirral is appalling.  For the lucky ones who can find an NHS dentist the charges for treatment are higher and many people are simply not seeking treatment at all.  According to patient watchdogs it is now harder to find an NHS dentists than at any time since the NHS’s creation.   Government Ministers should hang their heads in shame.

Want a share of £377,513?

WIRRAL’S teenagers will soon get the chance to bid for a share of £377,513 to pay for projects and equipment to improve their lives. 

The funding is available from the Youth Capital Fund and the Youth Opportunity Fund.  Application forms are available from today.  Wirral’s grant panel of young people aged 13-19 will decide which projects are successful.

For an application pack contact Youth and Play Service on 0151 637 6370

Out and About in Claughton and Noctorum

Over the last couople of weeks I have been out and about knocking on doors, holding street surgeries and listening to your views.

1. People tell us of difficulties in accessing sports facilities at Paxton Campus – advertised as being available for local teams but little progress in being able to use facilities
2. Concerns about small business tax after budget
3. Strong concerns about children around Noctorum Avenue area (burgurdy coloured uniform which is difficult to identify) playing ‘dare’ and ‘chicken’ in the middle of the road to cars which pick them up and other road users.

Watch out for me in your area between now and election.  I will be out and about, two evenings per week as well as on Saturdays.

Refused – but only just!

Last night I attended Wirral’s Planning committee in support of residents objecting to the demolition of the petrol station and erection of a two storey shop and storage.

Planning Officers had recommended the application be approved but after a long debate it was decided on a vote 6 to 5 to refuse the application. 

I have to say the grounds for refusal where extremely flimsy and if the applicant appeals this decsion I think the Government Inspector would overturn the refusal.  Any way we will wait and see 1.  If  the applicant appeals and 2. What the outcome of that appeal is.

I will keep residents informed through Newsline and this blog.  

Stop the Traffik – World Freedom Day tomorrow

When we all thought slavery had been abolished 200 years ago we find millions of people every year are the victims of people traffiking.

Tomorrow, Sunday 25th is World Freeedom Day for more news on stop the traffik click here

Have you been bovvered for the last 11 years?

Got a question for the police?

Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe will be available for a live webchat on the Merseyside Police website on Wednesday 21 March from 9.30am – 10.30am.

If you would like to take part in the web chat, you will have the opportunity to question the Chief Constable on issues that concern you about policing in Merseyside.

If you can’t take part in the live discussion, you can submit your question before the chat. It will be placed in a queue for the Chief Constable to answer.

To ask your question or take part in the web chat, please visit http://www.merseyside.police.uk/forum

You can also take part in web chats will your local officers each month.  The next one for Wirral is on Friday 23 March, between 11am and 12 noon when you can ask the Area Commander, Colin Mathews questions on policing in Wirral.  For more information on this click here