National Grid have found the source of the water leak which has caused the gas supply in parts of Dorchester Road, New Invention to go off on a number of occasions recently reports Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires.

“I received an email this afternoon (Friday) to say that a camera had been passed down both gas mains in the area affected. They have identified the source of the water leak and will be working over the weekend to rectify the problem,” said Ian.

“Hopefully this will end the misery of being without gas to cook and heat the house by.” concluded Ian.

Tories will say anything to try to fool you that they really care about an issue. What they say and what they do are two different things though!

Earlier today (Friday) Walsall’s Tory Mayor cllr Tom Ansell in a radio interview in advance of the civic reception for swimming superstar Eleanor Simmonds said Walsall needed more swimming pools.

Does this mean that we will see extra cash in next years council budget to allow this to happen? after all Tom Ansell is a member of the controlling Tory group and a former Tory group leader to boot.

Somehow we don’t think that will be the case. In fact the very opposite will happen if the Tories have their way and close Sneyd Community School.

Oh, sorry, didn’t you know Tom, Sneyd school has a swimming pool. You want to put your brain in gear before you open your mouth and put your foot in it!! 

The date for the scrutiny meeting about the future for Sneyd Community School still remains up in the air reports Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires following a response he received to a question on the subject Tuesday.

It now looks as if the scrutiny panel will meet towards the end of November and it is very possible that when it does take place it will be held on the school site. 

The school faces an Ofsted inspection shortly and it seems sensible to allow the staff and students to concentrate on that issue and not divert effort and energy away from this vital piece of work which could decide the school’s future. It is hoped that improvements in the school’s performance will be reflected in the Ofsted report.

Plans for New Invention in Bloom are progressing well since the Willenhall Partnership agreed funding for the project put forward by the New Invention Community Forum reports Partnership Chair Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires.

The Community Forum plans to plant over 40,000 bulbs on prominent sites in New Invention providing a splash of colour from February through to May every year.

It is hoped that planting will begin early November and be completed by the end of the month.

Beacon Primary School. New Invention Junior School along with the Probation Service and Willenhall Housing Group have all indicated their intention to help Community Forum members with the mammoth task of planting.

“This is a really good example of the local community pulling together to make New Invention stand out from the crowd and justifies the partnerships support for the project.” said cllr Ian Shires.

The soaring cost of living has left us all feeling the pinch.

But only one party is offering action to put more money in the pockets of local families.

Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats have put forward plans to cut the basic rate of income tax by 4p in the pound. This will help local people cope with the increasing cost of living.

Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires said, ” The cost food and energy along with petrol and diesel has gone through the roof in the last year. Local people need to be able to keep more of what they earn just to make ends meet.”

Older people are amongst the hardest hit. They only received a £3.40 rise in their pensions this year. That does not go far in the current environment.

The Lib Dems are calling for a big rise in the basic state pension and a return to linking it with earnings rises.

Lib Dem cllr Ian shires said, “Gordon Brown and Labour just don’t seem to understand what it is like for local pensioners.”

“We are fighting for a better deal so that older people can enjoy a dignified retirement.”

To find out more about the Lib Dem plan to help local families through the economic crisis, visit www.libdems.org.uk. 

Walsall Council’s planning officers look set to recommend granting permission to build a detached garage and storage at the rear of 228 Lichfield Road, New Invention when the Development Control Committee meets on Tuesday 28th October 2008.

The officer’s recommendation flies in the face of strong opposition from local Lib Dem councillors, the New Invention Community Forum and local residents reports Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires.

The proposed new Morrisons supermarket will be the main topic for discussion at the next Willenhall Strategic Regeneration Framework and Project Reference Group (Willenhall PRG for short) when it meets next week on Tuesday 4th November 2008. Also up for discussion will be the Willenhall Area Action Plan.

A spokesperson for Morrisons will be at the meeting to discuss detailed designs and timescales for developing, building and opening the new store in Willenhall.

“Attracting Morrisons to Willenhall is seen as as another major step in strengthening the town’s retail sector along with its popular market and already established Lidle, Somerfield and Hooties stores” said Willenhall partnership’s chair Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires.

The PRG will be reporting back to the next Willenhall Partnership meeting which will be held at “The Lighthouse” Childrens Centre, Davis Road, New Invention 6pm Thursday 13th November 2008.   

Arriva Midlands are to launch a new bus service this Monday between Cannock and Wolverhampton via New Invention. The new 69 service will run every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and will include stops in Cannock, Great Wyrley, Landywood, Essington, New Invention, Wednesfield and Wolverhampton.

Welcoming the new service Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires said “Route 69 opens up a whole lot of new opportunities for local people as well as providing another vital link via public transport to New Cross Hospital in Wednesfield.” 

“The new service will help meet the growing travel needs in the area as well as helping to ease congestion and making using the bus a viable alternative to the car.” concluded Ian

Calls for action by Short Heath Lib Dem colleagues over the state of the now closed Pool Hayes Pub and the resulting anti social behaviour, vandalism and litter are beginning to show through reports Short Heath Lib Dem cllr Doreen Shires.

The Police and PCSO’s have increased their presence in the area and  the pub company have been forced to improve security around the empty building.

Short Heath Lib Dems are calling for talks on the future of the site.  

The recent crisis over the future of Sneyd Community School has sparked a call for a debate over concerns that Walsall’s controlling Tory Administration has no coherent, planned policy in relation to secondary school provision across the borough.

“This lack of policy direction has resulted in a piecemeal approach which has directly led to the threat of closure at Sneyd School” said Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires.

Liberal Democrats welcome this opportunity to debate the future of secondary education across Walsall, but we suspect that the majority Tory Group (they hold 33 of the 60 seats on the council) will use their power to rubbish this genuine attempt to get a long term policy direction which will benefit all young people across Walsall no matter what their post code might be.