AREA WALKABOUT

BURNS ROAD AND MASEFIELD CLOSE

When we were elected to Wellingborough Council we promised to get out and about all over the ward to hear what you have to say and see for ourselves the problems you face.

Since then people have raised many concerns with us.  Crime and vandalism, the lighting switch off, the grass cutting and the general state of Queensway Ward have all been a real worry to many people. We are working on all these problems and have decided to do an area “walkabout” to make sure we are picking up all your concerns. 

We will be walking round the Burns Road and Masefield Close area from 11.00 to 13.00 this Sunday, 29^th April.  If you would like us to pop in and see you please call on 222805 to fix a time or just stick this notice in your window and we will call in as we pass.

ADAM HENLEY, ANDREA WATTS AND ANDREW SCARBOROUGH

YOUR QUEENSWAY LABOUR COUNCILLORS

If you want to comment on any concerns you have, then just stop them when they are passing your house and talk to them.

For more details contact George Blackwell on < ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE ?>              01604 813 485               or Peter Wright on               0784 306 2197              

This is what the NHS Bill will mean:

• 100 billion of taxpayer’s money will be handed to 500 to 600 GP consortia who will decide on who will provide healthcare – which could be your local hospital or a private provider.
• GPs have no expertise in managing huge budgets, so they will have to buy in help from private profit-making companies called Commissioning Support Organisations. There will be no democratic control over them.
• The bill will cost at least £2 billion and possibly much more.
• On top of this, the government aims to generate £20 billion of ‘efficiency’ savings – cuts in fact – by 2014, which will result in 1000s of redundancies and the closures of wards, beds and clinics.
• The three levels of management we have now will be replaced by seven new layers of unaccountable bureaucracy.
• Your hospital will be able to use up to 49% of beds for private patients who will queue jump.
• Northampton General is expected to make over £30 million in cuts over 3 years resulting in cuts in staffing and a worsening service for patients.

We demand a health care service that is:

• ·         · Universally available and on the basis of need alone
• ·         · Publicly owned and publicly provided
• ·         · Planned, integrated and rational
• ·         · Democratically accountable
• ·         Write immediately to your MP, your doctor, your consultant, the media and show your anger at this destruction.

Labour’s Response to Budget    

Councils up and down the country have been forced to make challenging decisions to prioritise their spending.

Over the years this council had been getting an increase in Grant Settlement from the Government. This has changed now and there is to be a reduction over the next 4 years.

Exactly to the day, a year ago, I stood up here and challenged the cuts being made to the staffing level and the services provided by this Council. 

I said then the Cuts were too deep and dangerous- Unfair and unnecessary. I warned that these cuts will affect the Services needed by those in greatest needs. 

I am again raising concerns:

Residents of this Borough expect to receive an efficient Service from this Council. With a third of its Work Force already made redundant and many more to be outsourced to Norse, I wonder if this is possible.

Residents of this Borough are bearing the effects of these Stringent Cuts and the effect that it has on their lives. This Council has been nose diving with disastrous effects to both Services and People of Wellingborough and the staff.

 We have heard from the Leader over a period of time who tells us that we have no choice but to cut.

I beg to differ with the Leader and tell him that we have a choice: 

• Choice to build Certainty
• Look at  and cut costs of Councillors
• Look at the structure of the council. We are too heavy on management after the loss of “ Workers “
• Employ permanent staff rather that agency staff. They are costly.
• Build Community partnership not an ad hoc “Big Society” by supporting Voluntary Sector. Especially those working with Vulnerable and under privileged people.

 The Director of Resources has recommended a minimum General Fund balance of £3 Million but the projected figure at the end on this financial year will be in excess of £7 Million.

Allocate some of these reserves that we have in Revenue Balances to make the Current level of Cuts unnecessary. We can afford this and will still have reserves to cover unforeseen eventualities.

Let us consider the consequence of these cuts and the effect it will have on those who have suffered.

Let us unite to regenerate our Borough by doing things that will help our Young People get Jobs and improve the quality of the lives of all concerned.

Shashi Dholakia,Leader of Labour Group,Wellingborough Council

George Blackwell your county and borough councillor and Peter Wright, your recently elected borough councillor, will be holding one of their popular walking surgeries in Park Close, Park Lane, Park Street, London End, Sunny Side and Aggate Way on Sunday 19^th February between 10.30 and 12.0 am (weather permitting).

If you want to comment on any concerns you have, such as:  

• ·         potential housing developments,
• ·         new licencing applications,
• ·         any other,

then just stop them when they are passing your house and talk to them. 

For more details contact George Blackwell on Earls Barton01604 813 485 or Peter Wright on  < ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE ?>              0784 306 2197                     

            FRIDAYS:   

                              APRIL   13^th

                                JUNE   15^th

                               AUGUST   3^rd

                               OCTOBER   5^th

                                DECEMBER   is   not   yet   finalised [MAY   be November 30^th, December 7^th   OR  14^th.]

OUTLINE SUGGESTED MENUS

                        APRIL:  Minced Beef & Onion Pie & veg. [VEG OPTION Crispy battered veg with sweet & sour sauce & rice]

           JUNE:  Battered cod, chips & mushy peas. [VEG OPTION Macaroni in a 3 cheese & spinach sauce etc.]

                        AUGUST:  Quiche Lorraine with salad & new potatoes. [VEG OPTION Vegetable Quiche with salad & new potatoes]

                        OCTOBER:  Chicken curry, rice etc. [VEG OPTION Vegetable & lentil curry etc.]

                        “DECEMBER”: Christmas Turkey, trimmings, roast potatoes, veg etc [VEG OPTION  Baked  ½  Aubergine with mushroom & tomato stuffing, roast potatoes]

EARLY   BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. WE NEED TO BOOK MEALS A WEEK IN ADVANCE………

To book contact one of the following:

Ann Reynolds, helena_reynolds@sky.com; phone 398544.
Elaine Baggott, elainebaggott@ntlworld.com; phone 383482
Graham Ridge, gtridge@live.co.uk; phone 224533 

AREA WALKABOUT

STANWELL WAY, SCOTT ROAD, POPE ROAD, CLARE ROAD AND SHELLEY ROAD

When we were elected to Wellingborough Council we promised to get out and about all over the ward to hear what you have to say and see for ourselves the problems you face.

Since then people have raised many concerns with us.  Crime and vandalism, the lighting switch off, the grass cutting, the state of the roads and the general state of Queensway Ward have all been a real worry to many people. We are working on all these problems and have decided to do a “walkabout” in your area to make sure we are picking up all your concerns. 

We will be walking round the Stanwell Way, Pope Road, Scott Road, Clare Road and Shelley Road area from 10.00 to 12.00 this Saturday morning, 28^th January.  If you would like us to pop in and see you please call us on 222805 to fix a time or just stick this notice in your window and we will call in as we pass.

ADAM HENLEY, ANDREA WATTS AND ANDREW SCARBOROUGH

YOUR QUEENSWAY LABOUR COUNCILLORS

Ann Reynolds, helena_reynolds@sky.com; phone 398544.
Elaine Baggott, elainebaggott@ntlworld.com; phone 383482
Graham Ridge, gtridge@live.co.uk; phone 224533 
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND ONE WEEK BEFORE THE SUPPER AT THE LATEST.

George Blackwell & Peter Wright

 If you want to comment on any concerns you have, such as: housing developments at the back of Compton Way, parking along Station Road, just stop them when they are passing your house and talk to them.

For more details contact George Blackwell on  < ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE ?>              < ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE ?>              01604 813645                           or Peter Wright on                 07843 062 197       

CHRISTMAS PARTY

8.00pm Monday 12^th December at Irchester Working Men’s Club (front lounge)

Christmas Crackers, Mince Pies, Sandwiches and Snacks followed by Christmas Carols and John’s jokes!

A variety of Gifts will be on sale for Christmas presents at bargain prices – if you haven’t finished your shopping, bring your wallet/purse! 

PLUS A VERY SPECIAL GUEST WILL BE VISITING!!