Thousands of Walsall tenants are being given the opportunity to say what they think of their landlord Walsall Housing Group (WHG). Independent researchers are going around the homes of 2,750 people asking them to complete a questionnaire about the services they receive from WHG. Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires and his colleagues across Willenhall are urging [...]

“I was heartened to see that MP’s from all three parties have made a united demand to the Government’s public transport minister for a “fair run” for the new direct service between the Midlands and London” said Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires. Ian was responding to a headline in the Walsall Express and Star recently which [...]

The sell off of Walsall’s historic market proposed by the council’s Tory Cabinet is to come under scrutiny on Tuesday (1st April) thanks to a combined initiative by Liberal Democrat and Labour opposition councillors reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires. As reported on this blog on 23rd March the cabinet decided to move the management of [...]

At long last it looks as if Walsall Council is to take action against the owners of “The Bell” public house in an attempt to stop further deterioration of this historic Grade ll listed building. Officers are recommending to the Development Control Committee when it meets on Tuesday (31st March @ 5.30pm) that an “Urgent Works [...]

Julia Goldsworthy Surveillance powers designed to prevent crime and terrorism and have been used by councils more than 10,000 times since 2004, research by the Liberals Democrats has found. A survey of more than 180 councils discovered that: Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) powers have been used 10,288 times in the last five years [...]

Just a reminder that the standard first and second class postage rates go up on 6th April, from 36p to 39p and 27p to 30p. Large Letter first and second class postage rates go up from 52p to 61p and 42p to 47p as well. Save some money by buying your stamps now, in advance [...]

The Fish and Chip shop at Unit 3, The Woodlands Centre in Bloxwich Road North, Short Heath could be forced to close because they have failed to comply with planning conditions contained within the planning permission which was granted back in March 2005 reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires. Walsall’s Development Control Committee meets next Tuesday 31st March to [...]

Tom Brake Commenting on Government plans to monitor social networking sites such as Facebook, Tom Brake said: “This is yet more evidence of this Government’s obsession with hoarding vast amounts of people’s personal data.” “We need complete clarity from the Government over what data they will retain and how it will be kept secure. “Will [...]

Vince Cable Commenting on the inflation figures released today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: “These figures paint a very contradictory picture.” “There is a real danger of entering a world of falling prices, wages and production. But at the same time, food, public transport and council tax costs are still going up and [...]

Nick Clegg delivering keynote speech at Harrogate 2009 Nick Clegg criticises the Prime Minister’s wasteful VAT cut and urges him to learn from his European counterparts by investing in jobs In response to the Prime Minister’s statement on the spring European Council, Nick Clegg welcomed news of a common European framework of regulation in financial [...]