Liberal Democrats - a fresh start for Bournemouth
We represent a fresh start, with many new to party politics, but with plenty of experience of getting things done.
The local Lib Dems have a record of running the town efficiently in the past. Boosting recycling, cutting crime and protecting frontline services all happened under the Lib Dems. We are also passionate about putting cultural services back in the town, cutting councillor expenses and ensuring basic services, (not grand Town centre visions), are there for all residents.
Nick Clegg on National Apprenticeship Week |
Report Casts Doubt on Legallity and Value for Money of Mouchel DealThe deal made by the Conservative Council involves the outsourcing of hundreds of millions of pounds of council services to the troubled business services firm Mouchel.
The leaked report by Stephen Parker, the former Chief Accountant for Bournemouth Council stated: "as Chief Accountant I have expressed serious doubts about the value for money and deliverability of the contract" Email Response from Cllr Roger West to the Administration & Resource Overview & Scrutiny Panel upon recieving the Parker Report: (Outlook Format / Word Format) Budget Figures Show No Overall Saving from Mouchel Deal: (Page 1 / Page 2) REDACTED COPY OF THE PARKER REPORT: here |
Boundary Commission Reports DorsetLisa Northover on the Boundary ChangesBournemouth East: http://rr-bce-static.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Bournemouth-East-BC.pdf?9d7bd4 Bournemouth West: http://rr-bce-static.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Bournemouth-West-BC.pdf?9d7bd4 |
Graham's Newsletter Friday 27th JanuaryThis week brought the great news that Bristol will get a £2.5 million grant from the European Investment Bank to invest in green energy and through setting up of an energy services company. It is hoped that this may create up to 1,000 jobs. Similarly, an SME financing arrangement in Spain worth €200 million has been announced. The EIB's long term, low interest loans are hugely valuable in creating jobs and sustainable wealth. The bank is currently presided over by German LibDem Werner Hoyer, a former German government minister. |
Other ArticlesNew Council Chamber Sound System Requested - Cllr West calls for action, Beesley asks Mouchel to "research" the possibilityBournemouth Borough Council in disarray - BBC Report on the series of scandals gripping the councilBournemouth Lib Dems back whistleblowing accountant - BBC Report on Stephen Parker and the Mouchel contract.£270,000 boost to Modernise CCTV SystemConsultation starts for Gypsy and Traveller SiteCoalition Programme to Spur Youth Employment - Nick Clegg announces new programme to reduce record high youth unemploymentCouncillor Beesley Planning Board Scandel - (Tribunal Case Summary/ Full Tribunal Case) |
LinksLiberal Democrats in GovernmentPoole Liberal DemocratsMid-Dorset & North Poole Lib DemsWest Dorset Liberal DemocratsSwanage & Isle of Purbeck Liberal DemocratsGraham Watson Liberal Democrat MEP for the South WestBournemouth Town Gallery |
Lisa Succeeds in Drawing Attention to Sub-Standard Housing
Council Officers will work with landlords to see if improvements are needed in targeted inspections of rented accomadation in Boscombe. Lisa Northover, former councillor and ward representative for Boscombe West, lauched a petition calling for increased inspections in response to the dire conditions of much of the housing. Lisa has said she's "pleased the council is taking action. We need proactive inspections, not just reactive ones." Lisa's Petition: http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/signatures/inspect-all-dave-wells-housing-in-boscombe-within-6-months/4015 Channel 4 Dispatches: Landlords from Hell Housing in Boscombe: Housing is the issue which underpins most of the problems in Boscombe. Poor planning over many years has led to a dominance of single person units and bedsits. |
Lib Dem MP Annette Brooke joins battle to cut infant mortality.
The MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole is joining the charity SANDS and Poole parents Emma and Nick Johnston in highlighting appalling statistics as a result of poor antenatal care. Annette Brooke said "I was shocked to discover the scale of baby deaths in the UK. These deaths have a devastating impact on parents and their families." Annette Brooke's Website: here Democracy Live Profile: here |
Are our Standards Slipping? - Advert Overload in Bournemouth
Cllr Roger West asks Planning Board Chairman to explain huge advertisements popping up all over Bournemouth, damaging the image of our town. |
Bad Planning - Top Down Dicta an Affront to Localism in New Planning Policy
Ken Mantock comments on the government's new Draft National Planning Policy Framework. The new policy dictates how many new homes must be built and adds a new presumption in favour of development in an affront to the stated objectives of localism and building a Big Society. |
Vince Cable Lays out Proposals to Stop Outrageous Executive Pay Deals |
St Aldhelm's Academy Named Worst School in EnglandThe conurbation school, when measured on a national league table of GCSE results was placed last in the country, with just 3% of pupils leaving the Academy with a minimum of 5 A*-C GCSE grades including English and Maths. The school, which was formerly Rossmore Community College, became an Academy under the administration of the Diocese of Salisbury and Bournemouth University in September 2010. While there has been some progress; attendance has risen four percent to 93% and there are no more permanent exclusions; obviously this hasn't been sufficient to make an impact Daily Echo Article: here |
May 2011 Council Election Results |
Conservatives spend £500,000 in Severance Packages to Prevent Employment Tribunals
A service delivery manager was given £57,668, £31,828.31 was paid to a technician engineer, £30,000 to a service and strategy manager. A Programme manager was paid £29,915, a principlal officer recieved £29,062 and a mortuary supervisor was given £28,000. There are also many smaller amounts paid to junior staff. Independant councillor Ron Whittaker called the agreements "absolutely outrageous" |
The Mouchel Scandal Continues.... a Summary in 39 Long Hard Expensive Steps
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In the face of massive cuts of council services £472,543.92 has been paid out in compromise agreements from April 2008 to January 2012. One of largest payments was to Mr Neil Smurthwaite the former service director for community care who received £58,000.
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Event: February 7, 2012 9:45 AM -
Event: February 9, 2012 10:00 AM
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Event: February 13, 2012 7:30 PMBourne Spring Centre
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Event: February 15, 2012 10:30 AM
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Event: February 16, 2012 9:45 AM
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Event: February 20, 2012 4:00 PM
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Event: February 21, 2012 7:00 PM
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Event: February 23, 2012 10:00 AM
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Event: February 28, 2012 7:00 PM
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Article: Jan 26, 2012By Michael Chizlett
The conurbation school, when measured on a national league table of GCSE results was placed last in the country, with just 3% of pupils leaving the Academy with a minimum of 5 A*-C GCSE grades including English and Maths.[1]
The school, which was formerly Rossmore Community College, became an Academy under the administration of the Diocese of Salisbury and Bournemouth University in September 2010. While there has been some progress; attendance has risen four percent to 93% and there are no more permanent exclusions; obviously this hasn't been sufficient to make an impact[2].