Paula Keaveney - Lib Dem Campaigner

Whithedge Road/Brodie Avenue junction - is change needed?

2012-03-07T11:40:00.000Z

Richard and I have a motion to the City Council about the junction at Whitehedge Road, Brodie Avenue, Long Lane and Greenhill Road .

There've been quite a few accidents at this junction (residents report two in the last few days plus a near miss this morning)

When I was calling on people in Whitehedge Road recently some felt the junction design was causing the problem. People also felt that speeding was an issue.

Anyway, Richard and I are keen to get this looked into - hence the motion.

It won't be debated (the Council rules only really allow seven motions to be discussed at each meeting) but now it is formally in the system it will get an answer and we hope to use this to get action.

The motion is pasted below. It has to be in this somewhat formal language in places.

"Road safety in L19 by Councillors Paula Keaveney and Richard Oglethorpe

The junction of Whitehedge Road, Brodie Avenue, Long Lane and Greenhill Road, L19 is a tiny roundabout.

Residents near the junction have reported that a series of accidents have taken place as motorists attempt to negotiate the roundabout. It seems that the design of the roundabout may be at fault.

Given these accidents and the likelihood of more, Council calls for an investigation into the design of the roundabout and a speed check on the roads approaching it.

Should the design prove faulty, Council requests the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport carry out any necessary alterations.

Should speeding be an obvious problem, Council requests the Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport to consider the installation of a speed indicator device or devices to persuade motorists to slow down."

Will there be no women candidates?

2012-03-06T09:36:00.000Z

As we get more press coverage on the various mayoral candidates in Liverpool, both for political parties and independents, one unfortunate thing is becoming clear.

We may well have not a single female candidate.

Now I feel a bit guilty writing that as I could very well have made sure there was one. I had to decide whether to try to be the Lib Dem candidate and I decided in the end to focus on my ward,Cressington.

I think this was the right decision for me. I also think standing in two elections at once (unless its unavoidable) is wrong.

That doesn't stop me worrying though about what we are saying about our City if the line up is completely male.

Don't get me wrong, there are some high calibre people already in the race and I will certainly be campaigning for the Lib Dem standard bearer Richard Kemp. He has already published some great stuff about the need to make Liverpool the Green Capital of Europe. And he has launched a website at
http://www.kemp4mayor.org.uk/

But it doesn't help us encourage young women to think about politics as something that's "for them" if what they see is not "like them".

Now there may well be a woman somewhere who hasn't said anything yet but who is about to "declare". But there are no signs of it yet.

Long Lane - about to bloom

2012-03-05T18:25:00.001Z

The planters at the end of Long Lane are about to have plants in them!

Some time ago I got the planters donated (big thanks to Enterprise Liverpool) as part of trying to tidy up and brighten up that general area.

We've also found some money to get plants (sort of important for planters)

Now local environmental charity Rotters and a group of volunteers are looking to start putting the plants in around the middle of this month.

Another way of recycling

2012-03-05T11:49:00.000Z

A plug for the Liverpool Freegle group.

Freegle (which some may know as Freecycle) is a scheme which involves people who don't want things giving them to people who do. So, for example, if I have a table which is reasonably OK I post details of it with group members and then someone who needs a table gets in touch and collects it. It's another way of recycling and helps avoid things getting chucked away.

Anyway, the national Freegle lot have been shortlisted for the national climate week awards. They'll hear whether they've won next week.

But this seems as good a time as any to give the Liverpool group a mention.

You can find out more about them here.https://direct.ilovefreegle.org/main.php?action=look&groupid=202

Subscribing to bulletins

2012-03-02T16:52:00.000Z

I do a regular e mail bulletin of local news. Its mainly about the Cressington ward but it covers neighbouring areas too as people don't suddenly switch off when they cross an electoral boundary!

You can subscribe at this link.

Update on Tescos

2012-03-01T15:27:00.000Z

Along with Mossley Hill Lib Dem Councillor Tina Gould I have been badgering both Tesco and the Council's highways and parking people about the problems caused by the massive lorries (see earlier post)

We have now had a reply from Tesco and the vehicles they use will get smaller and in fact should be 8 metre vans soon as opposed to articulated lorries. (Of course they did tell us all along that they would be using smaller vans so what is happening is really only them doing what they said)

They are also going to restrict the delivery times so that residents don't have lorries coming and going right through the day.

Personally I still think there's lots that needs to be done to sort out the various problems but at least it is a move in the right direction.

Garston Park Art Project - ways to join in

2012-02-29T21:43:00.000Z

I went to a workshop for the Garston Park Art project this evening. This one was with members of Friends of Garston Park and the Garston and District Historical Society to talk about how we would create the images for the artwork around the sports pitches on the park. I was relieved to hear that actual artistic talent was not compulsory! The community artists will help us with stencils etc once we have worked out what we want to depict.

Anyway, there are quite a few ways to get involved and we are looking for more groups to take part and take "ownership" of one or two boards that will form the finished work.

The workshops are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6pm. On Mondays it's White Oak Lodge on Beechwood Road. Wednesdays is Garston Park Church and Thursdays is the Garston Urban Village Hall.

If you are part of a group that wants to join in, do come along or let me know and I will pass on your details.

ATM Campaign update

2012-02-29T13:16:00.000Z

Some progress on this campaign!

There are still some parts of Liverpool that are effectively cash deserts when it comes to cash machines that don't charge. These are mainly in the North of the City, although there are some other parts that have problems.

When you are on a low income, having to pay every time you draw out cash is like a tax on poverty.

Anyway, the people from Link (one of the cash machine companies) are now going to come to Liverpool and hopefully do a bit of a tour and meet some people to look at whether and how the problem can be solved in the areas where there is a real shortage.

I am not sure when exactly this will happen but its good news that it will.

Traffic problems around the new Tescos

2012-02-27T14:51:00.001Z

It seems that the lorries that deliver to the new Tescos on Holmefield Road are rather larger than expected. Annoyingly this is having a huge knock on effect not just on people using the row of shops but on people who live near that junction. This is not the good community relations the people from Tesco talked about when we saw them at licensing committee. I will be pressing for something to be sorted at this junction - including for Tesco to be more considerate of both people using the other shops and people actually living here.

A couple of local residents took some pictures on Saturday to give an idea of the size of vehicle coming to the store in the day time.

Eyesores on St Mary's Road to go

2012-02-24T20:53:00.000Z

The eyesore buildings at the bit of St Mary's Road by James Street look like they are going to get demolished.

These are the ones virtually opposite the Co op and so very very obvious to anyone shopping there or visiting Garston village.

The Council is talking about compulsorily purchasing a few on St Mary's Road and a couple just round the corner into James Street. The decision should get taken next Friday although I am not sure how quickly the demolition would follow on.

This is good news for everyone who has worried about the appearance of this end of Garston village.

Veolia solvent treatment plant gets permission

2012-02-24T20:37:00.000Z

The City Council's planning committee decided earlier this week to give permission to Veolia for a development to its King Street location treating a lot more solvents.

I objected to this, mainly because of a gas leak last year.

Actually Veolia still need to get clearance from the Environment Agency (which is a different process) so its not all done and dusted.

You can see the minutes from the committee here.http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=307&MId=11912&Ver=4

Two Lib Dem Councillors disagreed with the decision (they are listed on the minutes as dissenting)

What's going on on Booker Avenue?

2012-02-22T19:57:00.000Z

There are two bits of empty land on Booker Avenue where it has a junction with Greenhill Road. One is where the old garage used to be and the other, which is grassed over, used to have an old people's home on it.

I'm often asked about what's happening with these and over the years there have been loads of suggestions, including a health centre.

Well the news for the grassed over bit is that there are plans to build flats there. South Liverpool Housing has been given the chance to put some flats up which will be for sale under a joint ownership scheme and aimed at first time buyers.

Richard and I are due to meet them soon to get more details but we already know we'll be asking for a proper community consultation before anything goes near the planning committee.

You may have seen some workmen on the site today. They were doing site tests which have to be done before any plans can even be drafted.

We'll update when we can but if you have any questions please feel free to be in touch.

Tesco "climbdown"?

2012-02-22T18:23:00.000Z

I blogged recently about the new Tesco on Holmefield Road wanting to get longer hours for alcohol sales.

The shop had got permission to sell beers, wines and spirits from 7 am to 10 pm seven days a week.

Residents had argued against this on the grounds of previous anti social behaviour linked to alcohol sales at the same location and I put in an objection on those grounds. The licence went ahead following Tesco argments about local responsibility.

Then, just a few weeks later we found that having got the license Tesco had applied to make the hours longer. Whatever you think about the rights and wrongs of a license here, this is rather sneaky and made many residents very angry.

Well the news today is that Tesco has said it is withdrawing the application. A representative on the site said it had been " a mistake" although given the forms that have to be filled in when you make a licensing application it's a very odd mistake.

I had actually sent my objection in earlier this week but I am pleased that Tesco has withdrawn and so won't be forcing residents to go to another committee meeting.

Fairness Commission - having your say

2012-02-21T21:57:00.000Z

Some time ago Liverpool City Council set up a Fairness Commission. This followed a considerable amount of pushing from a few councillors, self included, for a Poverty Commission to look at key issues across the City in a way that the Council on its own couldn't.

The Commission got set up and has been having meetings and collecting in information. It also asked for comments from people or organisations. Today I had a look through the comments that had come in so far. My first reaction was that there were hardly any of them! This may well be to do with frankly rubbish publicity.

There is some basic information about the Commission at this link. There is still time to send in thoughts (although my recommendation would be to send a letter or e mail rather than use the useless on-line form)

This could be a really good and significant piece of work but it won't be if there isn't more engagement. The commissioners need evidence and feedback if they are to do their jobs. I was shocked today to discover that the only one of the 90 Councillors to send in any comments was me. Hopefully some of the others will get their act together soon.

Lifting poorer people out of tax

2012-02-21T21:49:00.000Z

One of the core campaigns for the Lib Dems back in 2010 was the need to lift poorer people out of tax altogether.

In the Co alition Government we've made a start on this and the tax threshold has gone up. The stated aim is for the threshold to get to £10,000.

We believe this threshold needs to be got to quickly rather than more gradually so we've launched a petition to help our campaigners and Parliamentarians put pressure on the Chancellor.

If you agree that the poorest of working people should be taken out of tax, do please sign.

You'll find the link here

Meeting with Liverpool Mutual Homes

2012-02-21T21:38:00.002Z

Richard and I are off to meet managers from Liverpool Mutual Homes tomorrow to discuss issues affecting people in our area. Thanks to those who have been in touch with me to suggest items to raise.

Lib Dem Deputy Leader in South Liverpool

2012-02-21T21:36:00.000Z

Last week, Simon Hughes MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats joined us for some doorknocking in L19. As you can see from the picture it was a tad on the windy side! We got a warm welcome from people in Cressington Heath though.

What's going on on Long Lane?

2012-02-19T21:01:00.000Z

Some time ago I managed to get some planters donated to help brighten up the area near the Garston cenotaph. The planters were for Long Lane and they've sat empty for a while on the grassed area in the middle .

Enterprise Liverpool, who let us have the planters, have now also let us have some soil. The planters will soon actually have plants in them (with help from the wonderful people at local charity Rotters). This should help this bit of our area look better and brighter.

This work is part of a bigger initiative to improve the Cenotaph area. We've already done a community clean up and I am hoping to be able to talk about other activities soon.

Tesco on Holmefield Road - call for extra alcohol hours

2012-02-17T08:37:00.000Z

You may remember that recently Tesco, which is opening up on Holmefield Road where the old SPAR was, applied for a licence to sell alcohol. There was some worry about this because of the anti social behaviour linked with alcohol sales there before. But the license was given for sales from 7 am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.

I've recently heard that, having got the licence, Tesco is now applying for an amendment to it to extend the hours to a 6am start and 11pm finish. This may be innocent but I have to say it strikes me as somewhat sneaky, coming so soon after the committee decision.

Anyway, local people are entitled to send in comments and objections with a deadline of March 7th.

The City Council has produced a handy form to help people writing in about licensing applications. You can find it here (need to scroll down a bit)

Roadworks on Speke Boulevard

2012-02-17T08:25:00.002Z

There's going to be some work going on on grass verges and the central reservation on Speke Boulevard starting next week. It'll mean traffic delays while it's going on.

Here's the list of where and when it'll be taking place

22/02/12 - central res from Morrison’s to Woodend Ave.

23/02/12 - Woodend to Speke Hall Rd.

28/02/12 - Speakhall Rd to B&Q roundabout

29/02/12 - B&Q roundabout to Banks Rd

01/03/12 - Banks Rd to Horrocks Ave.

Friends of Garston Park AGM - this week.

2012-02-13T15:45:00.000Z

The Friends of Garston Park are having their AGM this Friday, followed by an ordinary meeting. Do come along if you want to get involved, or just find out more. We are meeting at Long Lane Church at 6 30, Friday 17th February.

We have meetings on the third Friday of every month (well we do take a break for Xmas!).

We are always looking for people to join in so do pop along.

If you are interested but can't come on Friday, drop me an e mail (paulakeaveney@yahoo.co.uk) and I will make sure the Chairman gets it.

Veolia planning application - King Street

2012-02-13T15:37:00.000Z

The agenda for the planning committee next week (21st February) is now published. It includes the decision on the Veolia application to increase processing of solvents at King Street in Garston.

I sent in an objection to this, mainly because of the problems caused by a gas escape in the past.

The committee is being recommended to give permission.

You can read the agenda, and the report details, here

Garston Park Art Project - next steps

2012-02-11T07:21:00.000Z

Last year the Friends of Garston Park and the Garston Grassendale Detatched Youth project kicked off the Great Garston Art Project.

It's a scheme to improve the appearance of the walls around the sports pitches on Garston Park with a community based mural.

The idea is to reflect the Garston sky line as well as aspects of health and wellbeing.

At the launch meeting we talked about workshops to get the art started. We now have dates for the first three (each of which will have a community artist there)

The dates and times are

Mon 20th February at White Oak Lodge on Beechwood Road
Wednesday 22nd February at Garston Park Church (right by the park)
Thursday 23rd February at Garston Urban Village Hall on Banks Road

All at 6pm.

Do come along if you want to get involved, or just find out more.

The trees on Brocklebank Lane

2012-02-09T14:48:00.000Z

Brocklebank Lane, just off Mather Avenue, has lost three of its trees this week.

I had a call from a lady worried about why the trees were suddenly being cut down.

It seems that vandalism (in other words people setting fires at the base of the trees) has meant the trunk is not strong enough to support the tree properly in each case and so they've had to come down because they are dangerous. What a shame.

I'm posting this here partly so that there is an explanation out as to why this is happening.

King Street Garston waste planning application

2012-02-09T11:56:00.000Z

Some time ago the Council started letting people know about an application by Veolia to increase the processing of solvents at its plant on King Street in Garston.

I've now heard that the planning committee will be considering this and making a decision on 21st February.

The agenda and paperwork isn't published yet, but when it is you can find it here.http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=307&Year=2012

South Liverpool Skatepark Campaign

2012-02-09T10:56:00.000Z

I had a really good meeting this week with the guys from the South Liverpool Campaign for a Skatepark (and BMX track). They are a group of (mainly) teenagers and I sat down with six of them to work out how I can help them. They've done quite a bit of research already and have some impressive people on their side.

Their aim is to create somewhere in the Garston area, or nearby, where people can skateboard or ride BMX bikes that's designed for that purpose. There's support from people who want to skate.. but also from those who complain about skateboarding in more open public places like the pavement!

Anyway, we had a talk about some things they could do to advance their case and I promised to help them with things like getting the petition presented and talking to decision makers.

I was really impressed with their dedication...so watch this space!

Flytipping/litter on railway land

2012-02-07T12:46:00.000Z

I've just had an e mail from Network Rail to say the flytipping has been cleared from that bit of railway land near Hartington Road. ( I would normally go and look before reporting this but suspect the mayoral debate is going to keep me busy today) NR is responsible in law for keeping the land it owns clear of dumping and there are a few other places in the area I have now reported in through their helpline. Let me know if there's any near you that's bugging you so I can chase it up.

Holmefield Road Tesco licensing decision

2012-01-25T14:39:00.000Z

People living in the Holmefield Road/Aigburth Hall Avenue area will know about the new Tesco that is going to open where the Spar used to be on Holmefield Road.

Today the licensing committee was making the decision about the alcohol license - the issues being whether to grant one and whether to make any changes to what Tesco was asking for.

I went along to speak on behalf of some local residents on Aigburth Hall Avenue who were worried that the return of alcohol sales at that location would mean the return of the drink related asb they had endured when Spar was selling drink. Councillor Tina Gould was there to represent some Mossley Hill residents and we were joined by a lady who lives very near the shop.

The committee decided to grant the licence - which means alcohol sales being allowed during the same hours the shop is open (7 am to 10 pm Monday to Sunday). Tesco did make some commitments, among which was a phone number residents could use to get hold of the duty manager straight away if there is trouble. I also asked them if they would put an extra litter bin out.

The information from the meeting, including anonymised copies of the objections sent in, is on the Council website at this link. The minutes, which will include the reason for the decision, should also appear shortly

Speeding traffic petition

2012-01-24T21:28:00.001Z

I blogged earlier about a call for council action on speeding traffic on Booker Avenue and Aigburth Hall Avenue.

To support the call I've started a petition which has already been given out on both roads and some of those nearby.

You can sign the petition on line as well. Its on the website (www.garstonld.org.uk) at this link
http://garstonld.org.uk/en/petition/road-safety-petition

Is your green waste being collected?

2012-01-24T14:40:00.000Z

I bumped into a lady the other day who said that the green waste bins in her street hadn't been emptied the last few times they were meant to. I complained about this to the Council. The bins are due to be emptied again today so I have asked one of the Council's environmental officers to check whether or not they are.

I've written to the residents on that particular street, but it seems that the problem may be a wider one and that the lorries are just not turning up.

I told the Council that this is a wider problem, but ideally to make sure it's dealt with examples are needed.

If your green waste bin hasn't been collected for a few times in a row, can you let me know please? I don't necessarily need names but I do need street names. You can e mail me at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk.

Dealing with litter from or near takeaways

2012-01-19T11:38:00.000Z

As a ward councillor one of the most common things people raise with me is litter. And one of the most common places where this is a problem is near takeaways (also betting shops and ATM machines in some cases). In Cressington ward the places where this is most obviously a problem are the parades where Mather Avenue and Heath Road meet, the Cenotaph area, and parts of Aigburth Road. (I say most obviously.. but there are others)

Now not everybody chucks their drinks can and takeaway wrapper on the pavement. But enough people do for it to become a problem. And the sad fact is that the more takeaways we have, the more likely this is to happen (even though takeaway food shop owners are not the ones doing the dumping).

The City Council has made it clear that there isn't loads of extra money for street cleansing. Quite the reverse in fact. So if we want our streets to be clean that means we need to use extra approaches (which can range from education, to campaigns, to peer pressure to legal action)

The Government (actually the Labour Government in part) gave Councils the power to do more to keep streets clean. In fact Councils have the power to use something called a street litter control notice to get takeaway outlets (or betting shops or ATM owners if these are the source of the problem) to take responsibility for any litter outside that is obviously linked to their shop.

It's a power that some Councils use. Manchester and Leicester are two examples.

But Liverpool is reluctant to do this.

At full Council last night I tried again (this has been a bit of an ongoing effort on my part) to get the administration to think again. Surely, I thought, if money for street cleansing is tight then we need to be making more effort to look at what else can be done to keep people's street clean.

( I will say now that the Lib Dems did not use this power when in administration. I wish we had. I think we were wrong not to. But this itself makes no difference to whether its right to do it now)

Sadly my proposals weren't supported by the Labour party. I find it hard to understand why as frankly running a few pilot schemes in different parts of the City to do this wouldn't hurt and might actually make a big difference in some of our residential areas.

The motion I proposed is pasted below.

"Take aways and litter – Pride in Our (shopping) Parades and Street Litter control notices by Councillor Paula Keaveney

Council recognizes that litter is frequently caused by the sale of food and drink on the go and that research by the Tidy Britain Group (2011) has identified that nearly 60 percent of the litter on Liverpool streets can be attributed to this cause.

Council recognizes that very often opposition to new take away food outlets is based on a likely increase in litter and that experience of those living near take away outlets bears out the fact that this happens.

Council acknowledges that there are take away operators who take responsibility for their surroundings and who take measures to provide litter bins etc for their customers.

Nevertheless a quick tour around any part of the City near a take away would show that litter is still a problem.

Council believes that a two pronged approach is needed to deal with the problem of litter generated by the sale of food and drink on the go and that it is important to focus on residential neighbourhood areas as well as parts of the City Centre. This approach should encompass both proactive campaigning involving key stakeholders and the use of enforcement powers.

Council is aware that local authorities have the power ( under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods Act 2005 )to issue street litter control notices to compel take aways and other outlets which can generate litter to remove litter that originates from their premises and is within a certain distance of it. Council believes that there are cases in which the use of this legislation would make a huge difference to the environment of people living or working near take away outlets.

Council is therefore surprised that, despite a working group set up in 2010 to look at this, the authority is not using these powers or publicizing the fact that these powers exist.

Council is aware of other authorities that either use, or highlight, these powers. These include Leicester, Manchester and Chichester.

Council believes that in an environment where money for services such as street cleansing is tight, every possible avenue should be explored to keep our streets clean

Council requests the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to give consideration for -

A Pride in our (shopping) Parades campaign to be launched in pilot areas around the city to bring together shopkeepers and residents to see what can be done voluntarily to reduce the litter emanating from take away outlets and other retail outlets. These areas should be selected on the recommendation of ward councillors and should be spread around Liverpool fairly.

The administration to begin to use street litter control notices and to consult ward councillors on locations in which this would make a difference to litter control

The publication of these existing legal powers on the City Council’s website so that residents can see what options are open to authorities, should they choose to take them.

School uniform grants petition

2012-01-19T11:15:00.000Z

I've just been alerted to a new e petition on the Government e petition site on school uniform grants. It basically makes the point that local authorities that have been doing this should carry on doing so.

The link is below

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/23272

Bus progress?

2012-01-17T22:25:00.000Z

I've got a meeting at Arriva on Monday next to follow up on the Better Bus petition re the 80 and 80a services. I'll be meeting managers at the depot at Speke.

Obviously the main reason for the meeting is to try to get improvements on those two services but if you have points about other Arriva buses in South Liverpool let me have them and I will try to push those points too. Personally I am still pursuing the whole issue about the drivers never having any change.

You can either post comments here or e mail me directly at paulakeaveney@yahoo.co.uk

New restaurant for St Mary's Road is a step nearer

2012-01-17T19:11:00.000Z

The building at the bottom of St Mary's Road, that was a restaurant but then closed, is shortly to open again as an Indian restaurant.

The Spice Brasserie is applying for a licence from 12 noon to just after midnight Monday to Sunday.

It'll be great to see that building in use again and for someone like me very keen on Indian food, to have an indian restaurant in the village.

Simon Hughes MP speech on benefits.

2012-01-15T13:51:00.001Z

Simon Hughes MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats nationally, was in Liverpool yesterday (14th Jan). Here's the information about part of his speech to members and supporters (which you may have seen covered in the Times or the Guardian yesterday)

The future tense use is because this was written ahead of the event. It is however an accurate account of what he said.

Speaking at the Annual Dinner of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats on Saturday 14th January Rt Hon. Simon Hughes MP, Member of Parliament for Bermondsey and Old Southwark and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats will call on the government to bring forward proposals to protect children and families from some of the most damaging consequences of the benefits cap.

Simon Hughes will highlight some of the perverse incentives the cap as currently planned introduces such as increasing the money available in benefits if families break up, and the disproportionate affect it will have on children.

Speaking in Liverpool Simon Hughes will say:

“There are many people in this country and this city who still have difficulty with our decision to form a coalition with the Conservatives. But I am convinced we are doing the right thing.

People in Liverpool remember well having a government that cared little about communities. The response of the Tories to unemployment and social depravation was ‘on your bike’ and the solution of the Labour party was to bankrupt this city.

The very reason why Liberal Democrats are in government is to stop this happening again.

This is why, when government proposals to cut the housing benefit bill risked making families homeless, I and other Liberal Democrat colleagues intervened, and the plans were modified.

This is why today we cannot simply stand by and watch the benefits system become an instrument for breaking up families, breaking up communities or punishing children for the poor decisions of their parents.

Let me be clear. Liberal Democrats have no problem with the policy of making work pay - and we do not believe that the support which the state offers can or should be limitless.

It is not progressive or humane to keep people locked into a benefits trap, unable to work and unable to improve their lives - because they will become poorer if they do so.

And it cannot be fair for people to be able to receive an income from the state much higher for staying out of work than others receive for working.

But changes to our welfare system are complex and difficult - which is why parliament must get them right. They deal directly with the day to day lives of disabled, poor and vulnerable people, people who need help just to survive. Any changes must be done with the greatest care and not driven with how they play in populist headlines. This is why the government needs to do further work to prevent harmful consequences of the benefits cap if the changes are to be accepted by Parliament.

As it currently stands the benefits cap will break up families, as it will provide a financial incentive to be apart. Under the plans as they stand a couple with four children will see their benefits limited to £500 but if the parents live separately they will be able to claim up to £1000. How will that support families?

If imposed without any mitigation, larger families will be forced to move not just down the street to a smaller property in a cheaper part of town, but across the country to places already suffering high rates of worklessness. Will this help people back into work?

The Children’s Society tell us that 70,000 adults will be affected by the cap and 210,000 children - with 80,000 of them being made homeless. The effect on large families of the present plans means that it will be today’s children who will disproportionately bear the burden of this policy. Is this really how we want to treat now the adults of the next generation?

The government and parliament must find another way.

The legislation as it stands does not require a hard and fast rule. The new system allows for the government to propose exceptions in order to stop many potentially damaging consequences of this policy.

Today I call on the government to make clear, at the latest before the Welfare Reform Bill comes back to the House of Commons, what it intends to do to prevent the planned benefits changes from breaking up families and damaging the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of children.

For families in Bermondsey and Bootle, Bradford and Bristol - and rural Berwick, Brecon and the Scottish Borders too - there must be a better way.”

Cressington ward e bulletins

2012-01-11T12:01:00.000Z

My colleague Richard and I do e mail bulletins with bits of local news and information in them which we send out every month.

It is mainly about stuff in Cressington ward but we do include other material too as obviously people don't suddenly lose interest in things once they get to a local authority ward boundary.

If you want to subscribe to these, there's a form here.http://garstonld.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=39ec59cd41a5d13e15b9fe6a7&id=1e667198e9

City Council Consultation Panel

2012-01-11T11:55:00.001Z

The City Council is setting up a panel of people it can consult about various services.

I am told the first consultation will be about how it communicates!

If you are interested in taking part, there is a link to a form at this address
http://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=132136008203

Garston Waste site consultation

2012-01-07T18:49:00.000Z

A reminder that there is still time to go on line and comment on the decision to designate Stalbridge Dock as the official "sub regional" waste site for Liverpool. The deadline is 20th January and you can comment on line at this link

http://www.wasteplanningmerseyside.gov.uk/site.do?id=720

Council's library proposals - special meeting

2012-01-06T19:14:00.001Z

Update: This meeting is confirmed now and you should be able to find the agenda material on the committees section of the Council website.

There's likely to be a "select committee" to look at what the Council wants to do re libraries in Liverpool. This follows the Cabinet meeting this morning which agreed the plans (including potential closure of Woolton and other libraries and changes to opening hours)

The Liberal Democrats have "called in" the plans. A "call in" is basically a device which asks the administration to think again. It means there has to be a meeting so that a different group of Councillors can look at the plans and make points. The meeting can then agree with what the Cabinet wants to do or suggest changes. At the end of the day though the decision is with the Cabinet so the Cabinet can just say, "we are sticking with what we said".

The Liberal Democrats have called this in for a number of reasons. We are worried about the closure plans. Frankly we don't think that there is evidence of real attempts to save the threatened libraries and some of the data about useage demonstrates that these are used more than some that are being kept.

We are also worried about opening hours. The suggestion at most libraries involves changing opening hours. We understand that this may be needed. However what's proposed means that if you have a job you are being squeezed into having to go along on a Saturday. What's wrong with some opening times that take in evenings? People with jobs are not all rich and may depend on libraries for books, reading space and internet access.

There was a consultation on the future of libraries a while ago. I took part and made several points about Garston and Allerton libraries, which I know well. As part of this process, Woolton campaigners collected an impressive petition. For some reason this was reported to the Cabinet as a petition about one of the threatened libraries and Woolton wasn't even mentioned! So much for transparency.

Speeding traffic on Booker and Aigburth Hall

2012-01-06T13:29:00.000Z

We've had quite a few complaints about traffic on Aigburth Hall Avenue and on Booker Avenue. Quite a few things have already been tried to deal with this but the problem persists and it can be like taking your life in your hands to get across the road sometimes.

Along with colleagues from Church ward and Mossley Hill, Richard and I have written a motion for the City Council. It may not get discussed but if it doesnt it still has to get replied to and hopefully acted on.

Here's the text. The actual agenda doesn't get published until Tuesday next week.

Motion by Cllrs Paula Keaveney, Richard Oglethorpe, Richard Kemp, Erica Kemp, Tina Gould, Tom Morrison

Council notes the ongoing problems caused by speeding traffic on Booker Avenue and Aigburth Hall Avenue. Pedestrians, many of them elderly, report difficulties in crossing the road and families with children attending the local primary school are often worried at the risks the children are taking.

The speed of the traffic is often unaffected by signs near the school.

Actions to deal with the problem have already been taken, including checking the phasing of the nearby traffic lights and a site visit including police and Council representatives

However residents report that difficulties remain and in fact have increased.

Council therefore requests for the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport consider installing a speed monitoring device to remind motorists of the speed at which they are going. Council also calls on the Cabinet Member for other measures to be considered including the installation of a zebra crossing where appropriate.

Garston Old Road off licence update (Jan 2012)

2012-01-05T17:01:00.000Z

I blogged earlier about how I would be going to the magistrates court on 17th January to represent the community at a hearing about a possible off licence.

The Council had said no to the application (for the corner of Garston Old Road and Stormont Road) but there is a right of appeal and so when that happened the whole thing got passed to the magistrates.

There has been a rather sad development. The gentleman making the application has passed away. This means there is no appeal and so no off licence. (There could only be an off licence in future if someone else started the appliction process from scratch)

Obviously this is a rather unfortunate way for a development to happen, but I expect people will want to be kept informed so I have written to neighbours today to let them know the latest.

Tescos on Holmefield Road - licensing update

2012-01-05T16:55:00.000Z

We've got the date now for the licensing committee that'll decide on the licence for the planned Tescos on Holmefield Road .

The date is 25th January at 10 am. The paperwork isn't available on-line yet but when it is you should be able to find it here.http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=876&MId=12452&Ver=4

Anyone who has sent in an objection or representation by the deadline should get a letter or e mail from the Council about the hearing.

I put in an objection to the alcohol sales based on evidence of problems caused on Aigburth Hall Avenue and nearby by alcohol sales at the location previously, so I will be at the committee to represent people.

Of course the Tesco management may well have specific ideas about how they can prevent problems and the licensing committee is an opportunity for them to explain this and for there to be conditions if necessary. Sometimes applications get turned down, sometimes they get approved but sometimes they get approved with changes.

Licensing meetings like this are regulated by quite a bit of law, in fact it can feel very legal, so not everybody can or wants to come and make their point. If you have comments you want to pass on for me to mention however, please feel free to e mail me at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk.

Getting the flytipping cleared

2012-01-05T14:43:00.000Z

This is one of several pictures of flytipping and litter along the side of the railway line. I checked out some sites the other day including across from Hartington Road and Chapel Place. Anyway Network Rail is responsible for this particular patch so I've asked for it to be cleared.

Lighting up the station footpath.

2012-01-05T12:26:00.000Z

Some time ago I, and colleagues, started a petition about the two footpaths that run to Cressington Station. They were dark and overgrown and one was particularly difficult to walk on.

We found some money to get some tarmac laid, which helped a bit, but the problems of light remained.

Anyway, the petition, and some lobbying led to Network Rail agreeing to deal with the lighting problem on the path that runs from Eastern Drive to the Station (they cut back some growth as well).

The lights are now in and they're working to get an electricity supply to them.

Big thanks to people who signed the petition. Also credit needs to go to former Lib Dem Councillor Peter Millea who helped make some of the contacts with Network Rail.

I've written to people in the areas where we carried out the petition to update them. Obviously there are still issues to do with the other footpath but its good to see some action on the first one.

(picture kindly provided by Network Rail)

Council's library proposals

2012-01-04T22:01:00.000Z

Just published, ahead of a meeting on Friday morning, is the Liverpool City Council's cabinet proposals for the future of the libraries in the City.

Woolton library is under threat of closure if an organisation to take it over can't be found.

The proposed changes at other South Liverpool libraries are less drastic - Garston for example would open five days a week although for shorter hours.

Given the short period between the publication on line and the actual cabinet meeting, I wonder how many people will notice this decision coming up.

I also wonder why the suggested opening hours actually limit quite severely the ability of people with jobs to use the libraries.

Anyway, like many councillors I'll be asking constituents what they think about the proposals as they affect the libraries they use.

There is a link to the cabinet papers, which includes the library report here.http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1201&MId=11968 You need to scroll down a little and then click on another link.

Blue Badge scheme changes

2011-12-31T19:04:00.000Z

There are changes coming in tomorrow (1st Jan) to the Blue Badge Scheme for disabled drivers. Its a national change (England and Scotland) . The main idea is to try to stamp out fraud (there is considerable fraud at the moment which causes problems for disabled and non disabled people)

There is a story about the changes on the BBC news website here.

The Government has said that Councils can charge up to £10 for a Blue Badge (if the application is successful). Liverpool City Council has decided to charge £10. The badge is valid for three years at a time.

Applicants in Liverpool will also have to make their application on-line rather than on paper. Staff at One Stop Shops will be able to help people who don't have access to the internet at home or elsewhere.

Update on Cressington Heath traffic calming

2011-12-31T18:26:00.000Z

Several residents on Cressington Heath have spoken to Richard and I over the last months about whether or not there'll be traffic calming on the estate.

We've looked into this and the short answer is yes.

Basically the estate is in different phases so the traffic calming will go in at different times but there is definitely some planned. It'll be paid for by the developers.

I do have more detailed briefing material so if you would like me to forward that on to you , please email me at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk

More pictures of our Tree Planting

2011-12-31T12:26:00.002Z

The Garston and District Historical Society has put some pictures of the Garston Park Tree Planting on the society's Flickr site.

Here is a link to the Flickr stream showing the planting day

BBC cuts consultation

2011-12-28T19:25:00.002Z

The consultation on the BBC proposals closed last week. I sent in comments. This (below) is what I said:

"I write to give my views as part of this consultation. I am leader of the Liberal Democrats on Liverpool City Council but am also a current lecturer in higher education and a former employee of BBC local radio.

The main station I listen to is BBC Radio Merseyside although I am familiar with some others.

To start with a point of principle, I am surprised that the BBC is asking for cuts from local radio. Local radio is a tiny part of the corporation's overall spend and must be one of the most, if not the most, cost effective form of communication the BBC has. It must also be one of the only parts in which participation by the community is not just allowed, it is encouraged. This ranges from local vicars taking active production roles in faith programmes to angling experts contributing on a regular basis. Certainly in my time in local radio there was a signicant "volunteer" element which must surely be valued.

To move on to BBC Radio Merseyside, I would be against any reduction in locally derived/produced broadcasting (by locally I mean about and on Merseyside). It is easy to argue that under your proposals elements such as news and current affairs will be protected. But the voice of a locality does not just consist in news. It is the complete range of topics rooted in an area that makes sure a station has its "local voice". It is also the case that non news broadcasters frequently uncover things which become news. Remove these other broadcasters and you remove another source of local intelligence.

BBC Radio Merseyside is very much valued and loved in Liverpool and beyond. I know this from talking to my constituents on a daily basis as do other members of the Lib Dem Group in Liverpool. Not only would reductions here mean the population of this area losing out, it would send a signal about the value of local broadcasting that I don't believe the BBC wants to send."

Xmas tree recycling in Liverpool.

2011-12-27T14:01:00.000Z

There are several drop off points for real Xmas trees so they can be "recycled". These run from 4 January and include Garston Park (also described as Long Lane Rec).

The list of sites is available here

Social Liberal Forum letter in Guardian

2011-12-24T18:43:00.002Z

Along with others from the Social Liberal Forum council I signed a letter to the Guardian earlier this week. Glad to see it got published. You can read it here

80 and 80a bus petition

2011-12-24T12:37:00.001Z

We've kicked off a petition for a better bus service on the 80 and 80 a route. During the day on weekdays its actually pretty good but once the evening comes and on Sundays its back to half hourly with only one of the routes being covered. This effectively means you've had it if you want to go, for example, from Brodie Avenue to Morrisons at Speke.

Hard copies of the petition are making their way around the area but you can sign on line at this link

Local news e mail bulletin

2011-12-21T13:43:00.005Z

I've been doing an e mail bulletin of local news (mainly Cressington ward but some other stuff from South Liverpool too) for a while now.

If you don't already get this but would like to you can sign up by clicking on this link

New coffee shop on Garston Old Road

2011-12-19T07:12:00.000Z

I blogged earlier about a planning application for a coffee shop at 77 Garston Old Road (where the sweet shop used to be)

This has been approved now.

You can see (brief) details including planned opening hours etc at this link http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=799754&XSLT=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=&DAURI=PLANNING

BBC Radio Merseyside cuts consultation

2011-12-19T06:59:00.000Z

It's the deadline on Wednesday (21st) for any comments as part of the BBC Trust's "consultation" on plans for how it is going to allocate savings across the BBC.

The suggestion at the moment has BBC local radio, which includes Radio Merseyside, taking a significant percentage share of those savings.

Given the relatively tiny share that local radio actually takes of the BBCs overall budget, this seems extremely unfair (I am sure we can all think of other things that could go!)

Anyway, the link to the consultation is http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/local_radio.shtml

Cllr Flo Clucas and I tabled a Council motion on this subject some time ago asking the Council to put the link to the consulation on the Liverpool City Council website. After a reminder (!) the link finally went on last week.

Takeaway on Greenhill road (update December 2011)

2011-12-15T13:42:00.000Z

I've blogged previously about the application(s) to turn the Greengrocers at 306 Greenhill Road into a takeaway (this is on the corner with Melbreck Road).

Richard (my Lib Dem colleague) and I opposed this as, like many of the local residents, we worried about litter, traffic, noise, parking and so on.

Anyway, we have now heard that the objections have had an effect and the second application is being turned down.

We have already written to local people to make sure that they are aware of this.

Thanks to everyone who was in touch with comments etc.

ATM Campaign update (December 2011)

2011-12-15T13:38:00.000Z

The work I have been doing to highlight "cash deserts" has had some publicity this week. The problem is that in some parts of Liverpool, and some parts of the country, there are virtually no ATMs (cash machines) that will let you take money out without a fee. When you think that the average fee is £1 75 you can soon see that for people on low incomes that amounts to a tax on poverty.

Earlier in the year I did some work with the Liverpool Echo and their analysis showed that the problem is more pronounced in parts of North Liverpool than elsewhere (although situations can change and a bank pulling out of an area, as happened on Mersey Road, can create a cash desert quite suddenly).

Anyway, some time ago I recorded an interview for the BBC programme, Rip Off Britain , which is on BBC One. This was aired this week, with a preview on the One Show on Monday. There is a link to the BBC I Player here.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018jc67#synopsis

The Council did agree to look at whether its One Stop Shops would be suitable locations for fee free ATMs (as they are often buildings with high footfall and in places where there are a lot of people either living or working nearby). I am following this up. Interestingly, a representative from one of the machine companies is now very keen to talk to the Council about finding some more locations in areas of shortage, like Anfield, so I am sorting this out too.

Freedom Ceremony for Edge Hill University

2011-12-15T13:11:00.000Z

Last night was the ceremony for Edge Hill University's admission to the Freedom Roll of Association (the equivalent for organisations of the Freedom of the City)

I spoke at the ceremony as opposition leader.

This is a picture of part of the ceremony.

Application for cafe/restaurant - 668 Aigburth Road

2011-12-10T18:07:00.001Z

An application's just come in so that there can be a cafe or restaurant at 668 Aigburth Road.

This is the old dry cleaners on the stretch of shops between Fletcher and Bennison.

By the looks of things the Council hasn't sent any letters to neighbours about this yet. I have been in touch with the agents acting for the people who own the building and although no one has been found to run it yet, they are keen to get permission so it can be a restaurant (they are thinking more of this than of a cafe.. and actually there is one just a few doors along). They haven't applied for permission for a takeaway so this would be a question of food cooked and eaten on the premises.

You can find some very basic details, and a contact number, on the Planning Explorer website at this link

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=804392&XSLT=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=N&XMLSIDE=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

Tree planting on Garston Park

2011-12-08T13:33:00.001Z

A good, but a bit wet and windy, session today with the Friends of Garston Park and youngsters from Gilmour junior school.

We were planting trees (some very small others larger) on Garston Park near the Leisure Centre.

You can find out more about the Friends of Garston Park at http://www.fogp.blogspot.com/

Santa Dash

2011-12-04T21:30:00.000Z

Lib Dem colleagues Cllr Erica Kemp and Cllr Graham Hulme took part in the Liverpool Santa Dash today.

This is Erica in her Santa gear.

Garston waste plant site - update (December 2011)

2011-12-04T08:22:00.000Z

Richard Oglethorpe and I had a meeting with Associated British Ports a few days ago to discuss the land at Stalbridge Dock.

This is the site that Jack Allen Holdings wanted to build a waste plant on, but then decided not to (see earlier posts on this)

We wanted to see if there was anything else planned for that land (and also if we could persuade them to choose something other than a waste plant)

The history of this site and the rows about it is long so forgive me if I don't recap everything here. We have written to people living near the site with a fuller update (although if you have questions please don't hesitate to e mail me at paula@garstonld.org.uk)

Mr Jervis from Associated British Ports told us that they are not currently pursuing any other waste firm for that particular site and are happy for it to be empty for a while. They haven't had any other approaches either.

He also said that ABP has concerns about the Council's decision to designate the land as the official sub regional waste site for Liverpool. (We were rather surprised to hear this!)

There is now a short period for consultation on the "soundness" of the Waste DPD Plan (the scheme that includes this designation) . (E mail me if you haven't seen this and want the link to the "consultation".)

ABP are not attached to the idea of a waste plant there. The company's criterion for leasing the land is that whoever wants to use it must be in a "port related business".Obviously this could be something else although some of the "something elses" would clearly also generate traffic.

I'll post again shortly about the follow up actions Richard and I are taking.

Tree planting on Garston Park.

2011-12-02T08:32:00.000Z

The Friends of Garston Park are going to be out planting trees on Garston Park next week.

With support from the Mersey Forest, the session on 8th December will see shrubs and trees being planted by volunteers.

Anyone who wants to turn up and help is very welcome. The group starts at 10 30 near the sports pitches on the park. If you have a spade do bring it along!

This planting is the first of two sessions to introduce more trees onto the park and it follows the wildflower planting day of which more later!

Holmefield Road licence application

2011-12-02T08:28:00.000Z

The old Spar shop on Holmefield Road is being taken over by Tesco. The company will be putting in some planning applications (to do with changing the entrance etc)

It has also however put in an application to sell alcohol from 7 am to 10 pm Monday to Sunday.

When the previous shop was open, people living nearby often reported problems linked to alcohol sales here.

I understand that Tesco has written to some local people about their general plans but usually what happens with these licensing applications is that all that a sign goes up which most people don't see.

Anyway, Richard Oglethorpe and I have written to some of the streets nearest the shop to let people know what's going on and to explain how they can comment.

If you want to comment on the licensing application, the Council has designed a handy form which is on the website here.http://liverpool.gov.uk/Business/licences-and-permits/entertainment-and-alcohol-licences/representations/

You will need to scroll down the page a bit to find the form.

Art project -reminder

2011-11-23T19:42:00.000Z

Don't forget the first meeting for the Garston Park art project. It's 6pm tomorrow (24th) at the leisure centre. You don't have to be good at art - all you need is ideas.

Friends of Garston Park - loads happening

2011-11-18T20:13:00.000Z

Just back from a meeting of the Friends of Garston Park. It was our last actual meeting before Christmas but we have loads of activities between now and then so perhaps it's just as well.

Tomorrow, as well as the regular morning litter pick we've got wildflower planting as part of the creation of two wildflower meadows on the park.

Next week (24th November) we've got the kick off meeting for our art project - 6pm at the Leisure Centre. We'll be commissioning some community artists so you don't actually have to be a dab hand with a brush to take part.

And on 8th December at 10 30 we'll be planting the first of our extra trees.

If you want to join in any of this and want more information, do drop me an e mail at paula@garstonld.org.uk

Down Syndrome Liverpool

2011-11-16T20:20:00.000Z

While out knocking on doors this evening I came across a lady who is involved in a charity called Down Syndrome Liverpool.

I hadn't heard of this group before but from what she said they do really good work.

Anyway, when I got home I looked them up and they certainly seem very active

Here is the link to their website.

Garston Park Art project - update

2011-11-12T18:32:00.000Z

If you want to join in the Garston Park Art project, do come along to our first meeting on 24th November at 6pm at the Leisure Centre (off Long Lane)

We are looking for people who want to get involved in generating ideas and generally helping with our project to create a mural around the outside of the sports pitches on the park.

These walls look a bit "prison like" so we want to paint some of them and do some planting to soften the lines of the others.

You don't need to be an artist to take part.. simply someone interested in having a say and helping make a difference in the park.

And if you want to get involved in other Friends of Garston Park activities, do come along to our next meeting which is 18th November at 6 30 at the Long Lane Church.

Garston Park Church info

2011-11-12T15:12:00.001Z

Garston Park Church is starting a lunch club from this Monday. Information is available on 0151 427 2574.

The Church has also got its Chrismas fair next weekend (19th)

Friends of Garston Park - next meeting and tree planting

2011-11-05T18:58:00.000Z

The Friends of Garston Park have their next general meeting on Friday 18th November at 6 30pm at Long Lane Church. Do come along if you want to get involved.

The Saturday is our normal litter picking day but we may be out there planting new trees instead.

Garston Old Road off licence application - update

2011-11-05T18:00:00.000Z

We had good news a while ago when the licensing committee of Liverpool City Council turned down the application to sell alcohol from the building on the corner of Garston Old Road and Stormont Road. Arguments included the fact that the building was opposite Clarendon College ( a school and nursery) and that this could add to anti social behaviour on Garston Park.

The bad news, if you are opposed to alcohol sales here, is that the applicants have appealed. There'll be a hearing in the magistrates court to decide whether or not the licensing committee made the right decision. I've written to residents to let them know and the Council will write to people who had official objections in by the deadline.

I'll be giving evidence in the magistrates court as part of this but we don't have the date yet. I'll update when I can.

Takeaway on Greenhill road -update

2011-11-05T17:56:00.000Z

A few weeks ago a planning application for a takeaway on Greenhill Road (by the corner with Melbreck) was turned down. Local people were pleased because there'd been all sorts of worries about smells, litter, traffic etc.

I've now heard that another application has come in for the same site. It's still an application for a takeaway from the same person although the opening hours are a bit different and there are different arrangements for the fumes and the front of the shop.

I've had a look at the application and to be honest it presents the same problems as the earlier one so I have objected.

I'm not sure how widely the official letters will go about this but I have written to people living nearby to let them know.

The deadline for comments is later in November. You can find basic details on the City Council's website here

Animal rescue in Garston

2011-11-05T17:48:00.000Z

While out door knocking today in South Liverpool I called on a house in Garston where the owner runs an animal rescue sanctuary.

She takes in dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and others that have been abandonned.

I am not sure I could live in a house so completely full of animals but this lady's commitment was so impressive. She ploughs all her earnings back into the charity and works so hard to look after, and rehome, the animals.

Some of the ones I saw today were rather ill - the dog with cancer was particularly sad. But others were just waiting for a home.

I asked about her motivation and it seems she started off years ago by rescuing a few abandonned cats in town.

She is the only thing between some of these poor animals and being out down.

It's great meeting someone like that and I learned a lot about cat care from her ( I also may have agreed to adopt a kitten when the litter she has there are over their illness and I'll have to think about how my existing two cats will cope with that)

Her organisation is Garston Animal Rescue. It's a registered charity and can be contacted at PO Box 233, Liverpool, L69 7LF.

I don't think they have a website. If I find they do I will add a link.

Greenhill Road off licence update - committee decision 1 November

2011-11-01T12:14:00.000Z

I've just got back from the licensing committee discussing whether or not to allow alcohol sales at 206 Greenhill Road (that's the shop on the corner with Caithness Road).

Despite considerable objections from residents (including letters and a petition) the committee decided that the shop WILL be able to sell alcohol.

We know some people will be disappointed at this as residents have been pointing out all the potential problems. It's clear also that you don't have very far to go in that area to buy alcohol already!

I spoke as did other Councillors and we made all the points local people had asked us to (and some extra). However we weren't able to persuade the committee to agree with us.

There was one small concesssion, which is that the starting time for selling beer, wines and spirits etc would be 8 am rather than the suggested 6am.

The shopkeepers did also volunteer to put an extra litter bin out, so I am following that up.

When the minutes of the meeting are published I will put a link to them on the blog.

Coffee shop planning application

2011-10-31T12:24:00.000Z

An application's come in for a coffee shop on Garston Old Road at number 77 (on a small parade of shops)

You can see the details on the Council's website here

Event at CREATE

2011-10-29T18:57:00.000+01:00

CREATE, the organisation that recycles and reconditions used white goods like freezers is having an "indoor car boot sale" next Saturday - 5th November.

You can find out more about CREATE here

Nursery Opening

2011-10-23T16:40:00.000+01:00

I was thrilled to be asked to do the official opening of the new nursery attached to Clarendon College today. Clarendon college is a Montessori school on Garston Old Road and the nursery is just round the corner in Whitehedge Road. I last saw the building back in the summer when there was lots to do, so it was nice to see the progress. It really looked lovely today with all the bright coloured toys and the cots for babies.

Interested in Garston - keep this date free

2011-10-22T20:08:00.000+01:00

The Friends of Garston Park are working to create a Garston skyline mural which will not only celebrate some of our buildings, it will help make the walls round the sports pitches in the park look less like prison walls!

The first planning meeting, where we hope volunteers will come along to share ideas, will be on 24th November. More details will follow but if you want to be involved (as an ideas person , or an artist, or photographer or anything really) please keep this evening free.

ATM Campaign update

2011-10-22T20:05:00.000+01:00

We've managed to get some national attention for our ATM Campaign. This is the campaign highlighting the lack of fee free cash machines. If you are very short of money, every time you have to pay a fee to get your money is like an extra tax on poverty. And given the lack of machines that don't charge, this is becoming less and less unavoidable.

Anyway, after quite a bit of work trying to highlight this, the BBC TV's "Rip Off Britain"programme is going to give it some exposure. I recorded an interview with them earlier this week. More interestingly however they did some vox pop interviews in Anfield and not only discovered a real lack of machines there, but also were told that some charging machines change what they charge according to what day it is. The programme makers were told that on match days the fee rises! I hadn't heard of this before so will be doing some research on it.

Meanwhile the City Council did say it would consider putting some fee free machines in its buildings. Since this was agreed I have heard nothing so the task for this week is to chase this up.

Cenotaph Community Clean up

2011-10-18T13:50:00.000+01:00

The community clean up in the Cenotaph area of Garston is this Sunday (23rd) at 3pm. We are meeting at Long Lane Church (unless you spot us already out there litter picking). Our aim is to tidy up the area a bit.

This is part of a general project to improve this spot. Watch out for the arrival of soil and plants for the planters and painting of the railings and benches to smarten things up a bit.

Community Clean up

2011-10-14T12:13:00.000+01:00

I'm helping organise a community clean up of the Garston Cenotaph area (the bit around the cenotaph near the shops and row of houses and just around the corner).

This is building on some work I did earlier, getting some reps together to see what could be done to help brighten up and tidy up. The planters on Long Lane are part of this work.

Anyway, I'm working my way round with flyers to let shops and residents know more about how to join in. I'll post details shortly but if you want to get more involved, do please drop me an e mail at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk

New project for Garston Park

2011-10-08T11:55:00.000+01:00

The Friends of Garston Park are looking for budding artists to help with a project to make part of the park look better.

The idea is to improve the wall round the sports pitch so that it doesnt' look quite so "prison like".

As well as some planting nearby, the Friends are looking for people to help paint some of the panels.

They now need to hear from anyone wanting to get involved. I've posted the details below. If you are interested, the person to get in touch with is Gwen (details towards the end)

The Great Art Project

FOGP is working on a project to camouflage the screens around the outdoor pitches at the Leisure Centre. Some sides of the pitches will have shrubs planted around them, but the sides facing the car park will be painted.

The idea has 2 parts: (1) to paint a Garston skyline on boards along the top of the screens and (2) below and around it will be boards representing how people express health and well-being in Garston. School children and other young people will do (2).

The skyline

This work will be done by community groups in the area. Small groups will work with community artists, starting with taking digital photos and working up to designing the final skyline. You don’t have to have a digital camera to take part.

You do have to commit to a number of sessions for the work. There will be a preliminary meeting in November and work will start in January 2012, for completion in May.

If you are interested and have ideas about what should be included in the skyline, please contact Gwen White, gwen.white@wmail.freeserve.co.uk . If you give your email or telephone details, you will be sent the date of the preliminary meeting.

See this film

2011-10-03T12:05:00.000+01:00

As a huge fan of the Smiley novels of John Le Carre, and the original Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy TV adaptation, I was worried I would be disappointed by the new film. Not a bit of it. It is absolutely brilliant and the flashbacks give more character to some of the figures involved. If you haven't seen it yet make sure you do. It must surely win every award goind.

Dovedale Children's Centre Campaign

2011-10-03T11:37:00.000+01:00

This weekend's been marked by several messages from people at the Church and Mossley Hill Children's Centre (I call it Dovedale!)

The Council is consulting on whether or not to close this centre (and others)

Some of the messages about how the centre helps parents and children are so touching and they really underline the good work done there.

The centre has set up a campaign website which I promised to tell people about.

You can find it at this link http://www.savemossleyhillcc.org/

Garston waste plant update

2011-10-02T07:03:00.000+01:00

I reported earlier that Jack Allen Holdings have decided not to build a waste plant on Stalbridge Dock by the Cressington Heath housing development.

However the Council is still looking to designate that piece of land as the official "sub regional" waste site for Liverpool (there are others being designated in other parts of Merseyside)

There was a consultation on this earlier this year in which I took part as did others from the Garston area, but the final report has to go through each relevant Council.

The bad news is that Stalbridge remains the identified site in a report going to the City Council's Cabinet this coming Friday.

I'll be speaking to residents about what we need to do next.

Door knocking in South Liverpool

2011-10-02T06:58:00.000+01:00

This weather is great for some Lib Dem doorknocking. This is part of the team out yesterday (rubbish photo which manages to cut people out of the shot entirely) is by me!

Cenotaph area - can we improve this?

2011-10-02T06:57:00.000+01:00

I got a small group together recently to see what we could all jointly do to improve the small area by the Cenotaph in Garston. We've got a row of shops and some houses as well as a bench and some bus stops. It's by a busy road and very visible. But it's one of those places that seems to suffer from more litter and mess than most and this picture shows a typical morning site outside the shops.

So we've got together some people from the Council, Enterprise Liverpool, the Long Lane Church and others to see if there is something we can do to make some changes. We're talking to shop keepers and residents.

The empty planters on the central reservation on Long Lane are the first visible sign of progress (plants to come!!)

I'm also working on funding applications for other things and we have a commitment to get the bench and barriers repainted to look brighter.

Thanks to the residents from that immediate area who've already been in touch. Do e mail me if you want to know about meetings or have any ideas. paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk is my e mail.

Greenhill Road takeaway update

2011-09-30T18:35:00.000+01:00

An update on the planning application for a takeaway on the corner of Greenhill Road and Melbreck Road, L18. (grocers shop - no 306)

Richard and I sent in objections to this planning application as did a number of local residents (we had to alert some of them to the application as the council official letter hadn't reached that far)

We have just had it confirmed today that the application is being turned down. The planners must have been convinced by the arguments about traffic, parking, litter and so on.

We have written to people in the area to let them know.

It is possible that the applicant will appeal against the decision. If this is the case we will let people know.

(NB: Not to be confused with the application for an off license at number 206 further along the road!)

Garston Old Road off licence update

2011-09-30T18:31:00.000+01:00

As promised an update.

I went to licensing committee today to argue against the application for an off licence, as part of a convenience store, at 184 Garston Old Road (corner of Stormont) and opposite the park.

There were also some residents there and the lady who runs Clarendon College (the lovely little Montessori school)

The good news is the application was turned down completely.

The applicants may well appeal but if this happens we will let people know.

Garston Reading Room - 150th anniversary event

2011-09-24T11:21:00.001+01:00

Next weekend (1 October) the Reading Room at Garston is hosting an event to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Built as a venue for lectures and reading, the Reading Room became well known as the venue for the preliminary hearing in the trial of Florence Maybrick. She was accused of poisoning her husband Janes in 1889.

The building will be open for visitors on Saturday 1 October from 10 to 4. The event includes an exhibition, a craft sale and a victorian tea room selling refreshments (not sure if at Victorian prices!)

It costs 50p to get in (although accompanied children will get in free)

The Garston Reading Room is at the corner of Wellington Street and Chapel Road

Garston Old Road off licence application

2011-09-17T08:29:00.001+01:00

I blogged a while ago about the application for an off licence on Garston Old Road at the corner of Stormont and by the park.

The licensing committee will be deciding on this at a meeting at the end of September

I'll be going along to argue against this.

If you want any information, please e mail me at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk

Jack Allen update

2011-09-17T08:27:00.000+01:00

The Jack Allen/waste plant saga has taken another turn.

The story has been covered in the Liverpool Post and Echo and on Radio Merseyside as well as in e bulletins from me and from the South Liverpool Residents Group.

But for those who haven't yet seen it this is what's happened.

Jack Allen is going away!

The reason it is pulling out of the plan to build at Stalbridge Dock we are told is because of a failure to get the contracts it needed to run the plant. After all there is no point building something if you then can't use it and Jack Allen are a commercial company which can only do things if they are going to make a profit.

Several people I have spoken to about the economics of all of this are saying that there may now be too many actual or potential waste treatment facilities/options in our area and that other companies would find a similar problem.

So on the face of it - good news.

It's only "one cheer" for Garston though as the Council decision to "designate" that land as the "sub regional" waste site for Liverpool still remains. It's not entirely finished as there was a consultation and the results still have to go to a Council meeting but we are very close indeed to that designation being done and dusted.

What that potentially means is that any other waste company coming along in the future would be directed to Stalbridge Dock.

Garston residents believe that given that the decision to designate this land was based heavily on the Jack Allen situtation, now that the JA situation has changed we should try to get the designation removed.

So efforts have started to do this.

I'll post again when I can on this but if you want to make sure you are being informed directly I can add you to my e mail bulletin list Just e mail me at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk with the e mail address you want me to use. If you want me to pass this on to the South Liverpool Residents Campaign Group please also let me know.

Planning applications - Cressington Heath development

2011-09-17T08:14:00.000+01:00

I had an e mail the other day about whether developers are being allowed to change their plans for the rest of the Cressington Heath/Cressington Grange development. (Actually some people were keen on there being some changes). A couple of planning applications have come in from developers which go some way to answering the question. Firstly there is one about the bit that's along Dock Road and Garston Way

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=795352&XSLT=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

And the other one is about the bit to the South of Lowestoft Drive

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=795032&XSLT=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

LMH Open Day - 6th September

2011-09-05T15:04:00.000+01:00

A reminder to LMH tenants in the Stamfordham Drive area that there's an open day tomorrow (6th) at the Bridge Chapel Centre. LMH tell me they'll be putting their bathroom and kitchen packages on show and providing information on the external work that'll be going on.

The event is a drop in one from 12 to 6 and tenants from the affected roads should have had invitations. The roads include Ramsey, Lascelles, Hylton, Hardinge, Caldwell, Blomfield, Verney Crescent (and Crescent South), Stamfordham, Mostyn Avenue and Brocklebank Lane

Fair Access to Care survey - deadline extended

2011-09-03T18:08:00.000+01:00

The Council has been writing to people about its proposals on eligibility for care. Part of this involves a questionniare to get the views of people who receive a service (and others like carers and family members). I was contacted by a Garston lady earlier this week concerned that she hadn't received a questionnaire and that she might miss the deadline to give in any views.

It turns out that the letters went out without the questionniares (I am told this is so that people could request them in the right format for them and so that people who didnt want to take part weren't bothered . Personally not sure that makes a lot of sense as you can always say that its available in different formats etc, but there you go)

Anyway the news from Social Care is that they have pushed back the deadline for returning these to 30th September so if you are one of those who does want to get a questionnaire and fill it in there is still time.

So if you are one of those with a letter and no questionnaire, and you do want to give your views, you can request a form and still get it back before deadline.

The e mail of the team dealing with this is

adultservicesconsultation@liverpool.gov.uk

Funds available - Speke

2011-09-03T18:01:00.002+01:00

I have just come across this from LCVS which is relevant to any organisations doing work that benefits people in Speke. NB: the deadline is quite tight.

Speke Connecting Communities Fund

A small pot of funding is available to help community and voluntary organisations, which benefit people in Speke. Maximum amount of funding per application £1,000.

For application form and applicant criteria please contact Eileen Deakin on 0151 233 2319 or email eileen.deakin@liverpool.gov.uk.

Applications must be returned by 12noon on 16 September 2011. Letters confirming funding will be sent out to successful applicants 23 September 2011.

Honouring a Garston Hero,

2011-08-30T14:19:00.000+01:00

I've recently come across the story of Lt Newgass, someone who saved a lot of lives by defusing a mine in Garston during the war.

A local man is keen to see Lt Newgass' bravery commemorated someone - perhaps with a plaque at the library or on another local landmark.

I've put my name to a motion about this for the next Liverpool City Council meeting (along with colleagues Tina Gould, Lynnie Williams and Richard Oglethorpe). The local man , Stuart Daniels, who told us about this is hopefully going to take part in an interview on Radio Merseyside to give more deetails.

The story, I am told, is this. Back in November 1940 a parachute mine landed on Garston gasworks. It didn't go off straight away but people feared it might detonate at any time so 6,000 people who lived nearby had to be evacuated. It wasn't even clear exactly where the mine had lodged, so pumps and fans were used. It was when the air inside the tank wasn't considered explosive that some could actually go in.

Lt Newgass, a veteran of the previous war, was a member of the bomb disposal unit. Using oxygen apparatus, he went into the tank. He spent time over two days defusing the mine. It was particularly difficult work as the oxygen tended only to last for thirty minutes at a time and the fuse was hard to reach so the mine had to be turned. Imagine the pressure of worrying about the oxygen and the bomb while having to do quite a bit of heavy lifting!

If the mine had gone off, not jus the gas works but the neighbouring properties would have been completely destroyed. Lt Newgass was awarded the George Cross for his bravery. Other brave men also worked to save lives at the Gas works that night and any marking of Lt Newgass' heroism would also be marking theirs.

I do hope some way can be found of recognising this further.

Take away planning application - Greenhill Road

2011-08-18T21:58:00.000+01:00

A planning application has come in to change one of the shops on Greenhill Road to a "hot food take away".

By the looks of things on the City Council website, letters haven't gone to anyone living nearby yet.

However you can see the basic details on the website here.http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=788813&XSLT=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/PlanningExplorer17/SiteFiles/Skins/Liverpool_M3/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

A bit more information is in the section called related documents.

Last time there was a planning application for a takeaway in this area (although not at this particular site) there was quite a lot of worry about litter and traffic. The takeaway got permission but there were some conditions, including a litter bin. Richard and I are interested to hear people's views on this so please feel free to e mail us at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk or richard.oglethorpe@liverpool.gov.uk

Social Liberal Forum at Lib Dem Conference

2011-08-18T20:42:00.000+01:00

The conference directory, with all the fringe meetings etc in it, doesn't seem to have been published for party conference yet but looking through the list of what's planned by the Social Liberal Forum, or what the Forum is involved in, it looks like there are going to be some great debates.

The fringe on phone hacking on the Sunday is not only topical but has some great speakers - Alan Rusbridger of the Guardian and Hugh Grant are just two of them.

It's good also to see that Will Hutton is down to speak at another meeting. He was so informative and interesting (also challenging and rather scary) at the SLF conference. I know that people there wanted to hear more from him so its great we've managed to sort that.

A Level success for Liverpool young people

2011-08-18T20:23:00.000+01:00

Great news today that the A level passes for young people at Liverpool schools mean that the City's results are above the national average for the first time.

I don't really like league tables, but given they seem to exist everywhere its good to see we are moving up this one!