The new committee for Shipston Lib Dems was elected at our recent AGM. The officers are:

Chair: Councillor Richard Cheney
Secretary: Councillor Philip Vial
Treasurer: Maurice Ribbans

Many thanks went to Sheila Ribbans, who this year stepped down as secretary.

Richard Cheney also thanked the many people who had worked extremely hard in his election campaign in May, and also the residents of Shipston for supporting him at the ballot box.

Philip

Our next coffee morning and bring and buy sale is on Saturday the 1st of November from 10:30 until noon.  If you would like any more information please ring Sheila Ribbans on 682669.

Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be a member or deliverer, come along and meet your local councillors.

Philip

A decision on whether to go ahead with increased car parking charges in Shipston will be taken at a meeting of Stratford District Council on Monday.  Cllr. Richard Cheney, the Town Council and local business organisations have already opposed the proposed changes.

It is hoped that the suggestions will be withdrawn, but we urge local residents to return their slip in Focus, use the survey on this site, or contact the council directly to voice their opposition.

Richard’s press release on the subject can be found here.

Philip

I’ve been getting a lot of questions from local people about the proposed ‘eco’ town.  There is a thread running on the shipstononline blog - but if you want any more information can I reccommend the ‘No’ campaign’s website - www.bardcampaign.com

Philip

The next meeting of the Town Council is on Monday 14th July at 7pm at Clark House.  There is an opportunity for members of the public to speak at the meeting, and if there is anything you would like me to raise then please use the ‘Report a problem’ link on the left, give me a ring, or use my email address.

Philip

Date:             Thursday 10^th July 2008

Time:              7pm - 8.15pm

Venue:            Malvern Theatres,

                       Grange Road,

                        Malvern,

                        Worcestershire, WR14 3HB.

RSVP- Richard@richardburt.org

MAKE IT PUBLIC- An open questions and answer session with Nick Clegg MP Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Upon becoming Leader in December last year, Nick Clegg spoke of creating a new type of politics, a people’s politics: open, accessible, and helpful in people’s everyday lives.

Wanting to listen as well as lead, meetings such as these play an important part in making politicians more accessible to the public. Come and put your questions on matters to you to Nick Clegg MP. Anyone can attend; ask any question, on any topic. If you are concerned about the environment, British Foreign Policy, Transport, the NHS, this is your chance to have your say.

This is a direct conversation with people – no spin, no hand-picked audiences, and no planted questions.

If you would like to attend please RSVP to richard@richardburt.org, stating your name and the number of seats you would like.

Although the post office in Shipston remains safe, other local post offices in the Shipston area have been earmarked for closure - particularly in Brailes, Ilmington and Long Compton.  The Post Office have announced that there will be ‘outreach solutions’ for these last three, although what this means has yet to be announced.

Liberal Democrats have long been opposed to post office closures, and we have run a national campaign against these short-sighted proposals.  The Liberal Democrat petition against closures, and details of our and other Parties’ records, can be found here.

An almost full list of proposed closures in the  Warwickshire can be found (courtesy of the BBC) here.

Philip

I’ve started to add contact details for the local Liberal Democrat Councillors - you can see them by clicking on the links on the left.  Please feel free to contact any of us if you have any issues you would like to raise, or if you would like any advice on Town or District Council matters.

Other Town Councillors, including the Mayor, can be found here.

Philip

The latest copy of our local newsletter, ‘Focus’ will be delivered over the next few weeks.  As you know, this is delivered and paid for by local members - NOT out of your council tax!

As of today, all ‘Focus’ leaflets will be stored on the site, using the ‘Focus Leaflet Archive‘ link.

So, if you don’t get a copy (and please let me know if you don’t!) then you can see it here, and comment on it using the ‘Report a Problem‘ link.

Philip

The District Council have given Cllr. Richard Cheney the following information. If you’d like to contact Richard, please click here - we are keen to hear of any problems local residents have. Just as a reminder, Liberal Democrats have campaigned against this botched introduction to the new system.

Philip

Here follows the memo from the Council:

• Firstly all homes are being supplied with two standard size wheeled bins, one grey for general waste and one with a blue lid for dry recycling. They are not to use these bins until August.

• Only where there is absolutely no room will residents remain on sacks and boxes, however their collection frequency will be changed to that of all other residents, one week rubbish and the next week recycling including garden and kitchen waste. Front gardens and drives are regarded as legitimate storage spaces.

• For small households (up to 2 occupants) smaller size wheeled bins will be available and these residents are being asked to register for these by calling the Info Line 01789 260925. They will be delivered once the roll out of all the standard bins has been completed and so we ask that these residents cope as best as possible until the bins are swapped.

• Likewise for larger families, additional capacity can be provided, please ask these residents to contact the Info Line.

• For the elderly or infirm assistance can be provided, any resident not currently getting this service can apply by contacting the Info Line.

• Those residents, who simply refuse to have the bins even though they have room, will receive a letter advising them that they will have to make their own arrangements for their waste disposal including their garden waste as from Monday 4 August 2008. Whatever arrangements they make must of course be lawful. The letter also explains the options as above and encourages the resident to reconsider in the light of this information.