Appeal: Does anyone have any old local Lib Dem Focus leaflets?

If so, please get in touch with local Labour team member, Patrick Hurley, at patrick.hurley@merseymail.com.

Thanks.

Grot Spot: Bowness Avenue shop

Take a look at these photos of the state of the area around the Best One shop on Bowness Avenue...







...and ask yourself what your Council is doing about it.

Lib Dem Moss Bank Councillor jeopardises 10,000 new St Helens jobs

As reported below, Cllr Richard Ferry (Lib Dem for Moss Bank) recently used his casting vote as planning chairman to vote in favour of proposals to redevelop Newton Park farmhouse and barn to create 37 new homes. If this development goes ahead, there could be major consequences for plans to build the rail freight terminal on the former pit - a project that could create 10,000 new jobs.

These people are supposed to be representing you. They're not. Vote them out.

Lib Dem Council Leader in hot water

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/display.var.933225.0.parkside_vote_fury.php

ST HELENS Council leader Brian Spencer has been reported to the Standards Board for England for allegedly influencing a planning verdict that could put the proposed Parkside rail freight terminal in jeopardy.

The claims, made by a rival Labour councillor, follow the decision by the local authority's planning committee to vote in favour of proposals to redevelop Newton Park farmhouse and barn to create 37 new homes.

Councillor Spencer, who is this week attending the Liberal Democrat party conference in Brighton, totally refutes the allegations.

He accused the Labour party of "using dirty tricks" in an attempt to "discredit" the council that is now run jointly by the Lib Dems and Conservative party.

The controversy has stemmed from a planning committee meeting where proposals to re-develop the farm buildings standing on land situated next to the former Parkside colliery, were heard.

The new homes development may still need to get approval from government, but if does go ahead there could be major consequences for plans to build the rail freight terminal on the former pit - a project that backers say could create 10,000 new jobs.

Cllr Spencer does not sit on the planning committee. He was present in the public gallery during the meeting, which he is fully entitled to do.

At the meeting, the committee went against the council's officers' recommendations to reject a planning application to re-build the farmhouse.

After a tie in votes, seven for and seven against, planning chair and Lib Dem councillor Richard Ferry used his casting vote to grant the application permission.

Labour councillor Keith Roberts, who sits on the planning committee, has now sent a letter to the independent watchdog for ethics and standards alleging Council Leader Brian Spencer "unduly influenced" the planning committee.

His accusations allege that: Councillor Spencer was twice heard during the meeting to say the committee should vote to accept the application and that he used his position as council leader to influence the planning committee to approve the application for Newton Park Farm in order to adversely affect proposals for the Parkside rail freight terminal.

Cllr Spencer described the allegations as "total fabrication". He added: "I did not make any comment during that debate nor did I speak to any member or officer."

The Standards Board for England will now decide whether Cllr Spencer faces an investigation. Meanwhile, plans for Newton Bank Farm will go back to a planning committee to have conditions set down against the planning consent.

Given that the farm project involves developing homes on greenbelt land, the application could yet be called in' by the government for further consideration.

Improvements to Whiston & St Helens Hospitals

http://www.sthelenspct.nhs.uk/organisation.asp?section_id=51&navigation=3

Strategic Redevelopment Project

The scheme will deliver two new hospitals at St Helens and Whiston. These new buildings will complement developments in primary and social care which together will deliver comprehensive modern services to the residents of St Helens and Knowsley.

• The redevelopment project is about much more than new buildings and will generate significant opportunities for local regeneration.
• The Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and the Hospital Trust are working closely together to ensure that every opportunity is taken to deliver benefits into the local economies.
• The new hospital facilities will be provided through a private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme.
• The Hospital Trust has selected NewHospitals as its privat sector partner after a rigorous competitive process.
• Work will commence on both the Whiston and St Helens sites during the Summer of 2005.

The Trust has undertaken a series of discussions to develop new models of care to better serve the local community.

The new models of care will deliver greater separation of emergency and planned services, to improve speed and efficiency of services. This will be partly accomplished by the further development of emergency services on the Whiston site along with enhanced provision of acute beds. Whilst providing a new fast access diagnostic and treatment centre on the St. Helens site, this will include an improved and expanded day surgery unit alongside outpatient facilities which will be supported by assessment and diagnostic facilities. Another element of the proposals is the introduction of intermediate care beds, where patients can gain independence to enable a smooth transition back to home or elsewhere, supported by improved and enhanced rehabilitation facilities.

The models complement a major investment in Primary Care supporting treatment closer to patient homes and improved access to services.

There will be a large increase in capacity to help meet national targets for patient waiting times and an increase in staffing of over 500.

Whiston Hospital is planned to be the main centre for Emergency and more complex care with over 900 inpatient beds. Services that are planned for the new Whiston Hospital include:

• Accident & Emergency
• Neurophysiology
• Burns & Plastics Unit
• Occupational Therapy
• Coronary Care Unit
• Oncology Inpatient Unit
• Critical Care Unit
• Orthopaedics Unit
• Education & Training Centre
• Paediatric Services
• Endoscopy
• Pathology Department
• General Theatres
• Pharmacy Department
• Gynaecology Unit
• Physiotherapy Services
• Inpatient Cardio Respiratory Unit
• Radiology Department
• Inpatient Medical Beds
• Special Care Baby Unit
• Inpatient Surgical Beds
• Women's services

The re-development of the St. Helens site will see the removal of the existing outdated buildings and their replacement with modern purpose designed and built accommodation. St. Helens will be the main centre for outpatients, day case surgery and treatments.

There will be a:

• New state of the art Diagnostic & Treatment Centre
• Purpose built Day Case Unit
• New Intermediate Care Unit with 120 beds

What are your Lib Dem councillors doing about this eyesore in Chain Lane?

They're not doing much by the looks of things.

Robust action against underage drinkers

Parents in St Helens are being encouraged to look out for their children as part of a drive to reduce drinking on the streets and cut down on incidents of alcohol-related crime amongst young people.

Merseyside Police and partners, including St Helens Council, are reiterating this message, as they step up their work with licensees in the borough to prevent under-age sales.

More here.

Major investment for improved school meals

Labour's Secretary of State for Education Alan Johnson today outlined a major new multi-million pound package of measures and additional funding to complement the beginning of the new school food standards. This package will embed the school food revolution for the long term and help tackle childhood obesity.

Click here for more information.

Got any comments on this place?

Click on "comments" and let us know what you think.