Category Archives: SCC Election 2013

What the LibDems want for Suffolk

Over the last eight years the Conservatives at Suffolk County Council have made massive increases to care charges, whilst cutting many services. Schools, care homes, public transport and libraries have all suffered.  Costs have still increased and efficiency has stagnated. 

At the same time they have built up the County’s reserves to a massive £150m – a THIRD of their annual budget –  stashing our cash despite historically low interest rates and falling confidence in the banking sector.

The Lib Dems say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – Suffolk deserves better! We want to:

1.       Bring back Quality Education    Eight years ago, Suffolk had an enviable education system.  After eight years of Tory mismanagement the County is almost bottom of the English league table.

2.       Offer appropriate Care provision  for all who need it  ‘Care’ has been the Cinderella service of this Tory council

3.       Recognise transport  as a human right  Neither Labour nor Tory party has demonstrated  active support for the public transport network – particularly in rural areas.  Yet reliable travel  is essential for work, health, socialising and education.

4.       More and better-focused environmental action ‘Greenest County?  What a lot of Greenwash! The Tories have Talked the Talk – but don’t Walk the Walk. (And they are only seen near a cycle if its a photo-opportunity)

5.       Safety for all our Library service   Under the Tories the situation of Suffolk Libraries has been perilous.

6.       Create a thriving local economy More and more local businesses are feeling the crunch – or even closing.  Our high streets  are becoming less vibrant. The Tories have failed to drive economic development and oppose much of the green economy

7.       More streamlined services Under the Tories services have been “externalised” and service efficiency has stagnated – yet contract management has been woefully inadequate

So, not a big ask, surely? But the Tories haven’t managed it!

Details of what we intend are can be found on my Suffolk Liberal Democrat County Council policy page or on the Suffolk County Council Lib Dem site

I’m standing for re-election in May 2013

This is just to confirm that I will be standing for re-election as your Woodbridge County Councillor in the local government elections of 2 May.

I have just circulated this leaflet throughout Woodbridge (click on the pictures for a fullsize version).

However, when you are making the important decision about who to vote for, it’s not just a question of listening to what people say – you also need to look at what they have actually done.

You can find much more information as to what I have been doing  – in and for Woodbridge, and for Suffolk as a whole –  if you search, or follow the links on this blog.

Focus March 2013 pp1&4

Focus March 2013 pages 1&4

Focus March 2013 pages 2&3

Focus March 2013 pages 2&3

 

Use your voice – don’t lose your voice: Register to vote!

The county council elections are in 5 weeks time,  on Thursday May 2.

If you like all the things I have done for Woodbridge I hope you’ll vote me in.

If you don’t, this is your chance to vote me out.

Either way  you need to be registered to vote – without a vote you have no voice!

In many ways local elections are far more important to your day-to-day life than national ones. Local elections give you a chance to have a say in the things that are literally closest to you: your roads, your schools, your transport, your care, your libraries, your environment. You’d be mad not to have your say.

Yet, hundreds of people in Suffolk could miss their chance to vote in local elections this May if they don’t take action now. The deadline to register and to apply for a postal vote is Wednesday 17 April and for a proxy vote, Wednesday 24 April.

Remember, its not just a case of being a newcomer to the area. Anyone who has moved house in the past few months needs to register with their new address. I’d also like to remind anyone turning 18 on or before 2 May to make sure they are registered, so that they can vote for the first time.

To register, Woodbridge residents should contact

Suffolk Coastal District Council Electoral Services Tel: 01394 444685 email:elections@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

or print a registration form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk