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Archive for the ‘Local Council’ Category

Something for the Kids

by Ian Shires on 14 February, 2012

New Invention Methodist Church, Lichfield Road, 12.30 – 3.00, cool arts for young people. All welcome, free to join in – bring the kids down for some messy fun!

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The Localism Act – over to you

by Ian Shires on 14 February, 2012

Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By Alex Marsh | Published 13th February 2012 – 9:15 am Last Wednesday the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) collaborated with Bristol City Councilto run a major one-day conference on the Localism Act, which is now rapidly moving towards implementation. The audience comprised primarily local authority elected members and senior officers. The conference was kicked off […]

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“Steptoe and Son” – Council Style

by Ian Shires on 8 February, 2012

Walsall Council collects our household rubbish, recycling and garden waste. What is stopping them from collecting our scrap iron? No, I’m serious about this! Why shouldn’t the Council, either directly or at arms length through owner operators, take this issue by the scruff of the neck and go into the scrap business? By doing this […]

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Transport Minister Norman Baker yesterday announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote economic growth and cut carbon. The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access to employment […]

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Some really interesting data showing the East / West divide on health issues across Walsall which manifests itself in an 8 year life expectancy difference across our borough, a point which Liberal Democrats on the Council have made on numerous occasions. Bringing “Public Health” back under the jurisdiction of local councils gives us the opportunity to […]

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“State of the Ark” Road Repairs Fiasco!!

by Ian Shires on 1 February, 2012

Having spent another weekend photographing potholes across New Invention and Short Heath I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from Tory cabinet members at last night’s Corporate Scrutiny Panel as they defended a proposal to change the council’s “repairing highway defects” policy in order to save £20,000 each year. The proposal shifts the response time for […]

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Lib Dem MPs win concessions ahead of benefits cap vote

by Ian Shires on 31 January, 2012

Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By The Voice | Published 31st January 2012 – 7:35 am Lib Dem MPs, including the party’s deputy leader Simon Hughes, look set to obtain concessions from Iain Duncan Smith to win their support for the Coalition’s controversial welfare bill, which will introduce a benefit cap of a maximum of £26,000. Here’s how The […]

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Published on Liberal Democrat Voice By Dick Newby | Published 24th January 2012 – 3:24 pm This coming Friday I will introduce the Second Reading of a Bill which has the capacity to permanently change the way in which public sector bodies procure services – whether local authorities, NHS trusts or Government Departments. It will require them to […]

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Potential for Creative Industries in Walsall

by Ian Shires on 20 January, 2012

How can we help stimulate growth in the creative arts sector? That was the main theme of last night’s Regeneration Scrutiny Panel. Currently the creative and digital sector in Walsall employs under 2,000 which represents 2% of employment in the borough. The national average is 5% so there is plenty of scope for growth. To help […]

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Walsall Council’s First Full Meeting in 2012

by Ian Shires on 9 January, 2012

Walsall Council has its first Full Council meeting of 2012 this evening. It begins at 6pm and is held in the Council Chamber at the Council House. Under the Cabinet and Scrutiny process the role of Full council is diminished compared with the Committee style of running council where all important decisions had to come to Full Council […]

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