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My latest press releases and issues I am currently campaigning
for!
BEWDLEY ALCHOL RESTRICTION ZONE A HAILED A SUCCESS
Bewdley District Councillor Stephen Clee has hailed the Alcohol Restriction Zone has a huge success following the
release from West Mercia of statistics showing incidents of public disorder have dropped in the Town Centre.
Councillor Clee says:
It is now six months since we introduced the alcohol ban in the town centre and I am delighted to see the recorded
incidents over that period for public disorder have dropped from 118 to 108. The Alcohol ban is not the only answer to the
problems but its a huge help for West Mercia in tackling some of the problems in and around Load Street
The statistics also show a 55% decrease in violent offences that have been perpetrated by someone who is intoxicated.
There were nine instances spread across the period 2002 and only four in 2003 (three of these were in the first month and
the other during December)
Councillor Clee added I am sure the people and businesses of Bewdley will be very pleased to know that the efforts
we have put into this ban is a starting to bear fruit
Humphries Drive and Mill Lane Residents Fed up with Lorry Parking
The conclusion
of a survey carried out by Spennells County Councillor Stephen Clee and Conservative ward activists Douglas Godwin shows that
90% local residents in Humphries Drive and Mill Lane are fed up with lorry parking in their area. This survey will be presented
to Wyre Forest District Council later this month.
The survey in
which around 40% of local residents made their views known highlighted that not only that lorries were parked on yellow lines
overnight in Hoobrook area but that certain parts of the area were being used as a toilet.
Litter is not
the only problem. As there are no public toilets in Hoobrook, lorry drivers often use the grass verge and not just to urinate
Was among the number of comments made by local residents in the survey.
Douglas Godwin,
prospective Conservative candidate for the District Council for Aggborough and Spennells says, Local residents have had enough.
Action must be taken. While we need restrictions, such as no over night parking in the Hoobrook area, we must be mindful that
the District Council should find a suitable parking area for HGV lorry parking otherwise we simply move the problem on.
He goes
on to say,. The current Wyre Forest District Council administration claims that it has no obligation to provide a lorry parking
facility and thats the root of the problem, says Godwin.
Councillor
Stephen Clee says Without lorry drivers we would not have goods in our shops. The expansion of Kidderminster as a shopping
destination means that HGV traffic will increase. There is a clear need to find a lorry-parking site. In my view there is
a real opportunity to work to form a partnership between The District Council, The County Council and a private operator to
provide a first class overnight park with shower and toilet facilities and potentially B&B in Kidderminster. Without such
a facility parking bans would not solve the problem.
Currently
the District Council is encouraging HGV lorry drivers to use the Green Street car park but this is a totally in appropiate
site with no facalities for lorry derivers to relax on route to or from Kidderminster. Says Clee.
End
Journalist information follows:
Top-line survey Results Humphries Drive and Mill Lane
Source: Aggborough and
Spennells Conservatives Survey August 2003
HUMPHRIES DRIVE SURVEY LORRY PARKING
SURVEY RESIDENTS COMMENTS SEPTEMBER 2003
·
There are yellow lines adjacent to the slip road towards the viaduct over the bridge.
Lorries park with all 18 wheels on the yellow lines and the police ignore it.
·
They also park on the side of the road where the viaduct
and Crown Pubs are, which is all double yellow lines, but no action is taken.
·
Yellow lines are only effective if action is taken against
those who park illegally on them
·
Litter is not the only problem. As there are no public
toilets in Hoobrook, lorry drivers often use the grass verge and not just to urinate.
·
The road surface leading onto Humphries Drive was badly
damaged by heavy lorry traffic this year.
·
The trees outside the Crown Pub have again been damaged
by these trucks parking in the lay-by.
·
What about No overnight parking signs or limit parking
time?
·
Lorries also park on the double yellow lines when using
the chip shop or paper shop for short times approx between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.
·
Most of the litter is from McDonalds & young people
parking and disposing of their litter on the street as McDonalds car park is too small to accommodate its business. If you
move the lorries on, will more young people move in and begin to use it as a meeting place? Also what about the men who race/collect
their pigeons?
·
Why not use British Sugar or Romwire Sites?
·
This is not a lay-by it is Old Chester Road South!!
When LGVs
are parked on the public highway at night they must show parking lights its law. The police just cant be bothered to do anything
about it.
The lorries
obstruct views when pulling into the drive unable to see up the road.
Lorries
also damage the trees opposite the Crown Pub
Numerous
occasions lorries park on yellow lines by the Crown Pub we ring the police they do nothing. Will something be done when an
accident happens?
Not only
lorries but cars parking anywhere and not in the pubs car park
ROCK REJOINS WYRE FOREST FOR MP - PURPOSES!
Wyre Forest district council have unanimously backed the decision of the Boundary Commission in England
who have recommended the former Rock & Ribbesford Parish come back into the Wyre Forest constituency for parliamentary
purposes.
At Full Council on Wednesday the council were presented with a late paper spelling out the recommendations
of the Boundary Commission to make the parliamentary constituency coterminous with the Wyre Forest District Council boundary.
In 1992 when the current boundary's were reviewed the then Labour group on the district council supported
the transfer of Rock & Ribbesford and also suggested Bewdley Ward also be transferred into Leominster. Since 1992 circumstances
have changed and the Commission do not now look solely at the number of electors but prefer coterminiosity with communities
and Wards.
Councillor Clee speaking for the recommendation warmly welcomed the Commissions recommendations adding
"a slight recommendation that the districts MP Dr Richard Taylor be asked to support the recommendation that was unanimously
supported by all political party's on the Council"
Councillor Clee added "its ironic that back in 1992 I remember going to a public hearing in
Worcester strongly opposing the then recommendations and views of the Labour Party locally, but with the passage of time Labour
have turned turtle and are now accepting what we said then was right. By Rock & Ribbesford
residents being transferred to a neighbouring constituency they found they had a 26 mile trip to visit their MP in Leominster,
although their loyalty was always with Wyre Forest"
NEW PHARMACY FOR CHADDESLEY UNWELCOME IN VILLAGE
Chaddesley County Councillor Stephen Clee has today stated
that the possibility of a pharmacy being opened in the beautiful north Worcestershire hamlet of Chaddesley Corbett would be
unwelcome due to the current provisions at the Doctors Surgery and village Post Office & General Stores.
Councillor Clee, who sits as the Vice-chairman of the Kidderminster
& District Community Health Council, says it is early days yet but an expression of interest letter has been received
from Medshires of Willenhall in the West Midlands to provide a Pharmacy in the village. Opening hours would be Monday to Friday
9.00am 7.00pm hours and 9.00am 1.00pm Saturdays. However, having taken local soundings, its apparent that the current provisions
are very adequate and local residents do not want to see additional services. As the local county member I support the view
of the residents and would urge the Wyre Forest PCT not to accept this expression of interest letter from Medshires,
Currently Chaddesley Corbett and surrounding villages have
access to a GP Surgery that provides a comprehensive service, including prescriptions
for the less mobile, elderly, young mothers and the majority of local residents in Chaddesley and the surrounding area. The
location for a Pharmacy store would be in a residential area and would not be very appropriate added Councillor Clee.
PASSPORT HELP FOR CHADDESLEY LADY
Chaddesley
County Councillor Stephen Clee has stepped into a row with the Post Office over a constituent who had her passport stolen
whilst on holiday in Paris recently and is having difficulty getting a replacement.
Councillor Clee says the resident, who wishes to
be anonymous, contacted me last week in quite a state. She had been in touch with the passport office and they had
advised her she needed a copy of her marriage annulment certificate before they could process a replacement passport for the
one stolen.
I found this incredible. Furthermore I found out that you only need
your birth certificate to apply for a passport. Having spoken to the passport office and called the lady back she seemed immensely
relieved. It annoyed me to think she has spent hours on the telephone talking to civil servants in London over documents that
go back 30 years and in my opinion are irrelevant
Following the conversations with Councillor Clee it is believed that
the application forms have been resubmitted and it is hoped that the June holiday already booked will be met.
Councillor Clee added this was a tremendous relief to my constituent
who had clearly spent many hours worrying over misleading information coming out of the ministry
PRE SCHOOL NURSERY FOR SPENNELLS
Spennells County Councillor Stephen Clee has welcomed
a planning application that has recently been submitted for a double mobile unit to be provided on the back of Spennells First
School for a Pre-School Play Group.
Speaking at the Planning Committee Meeting at County Hall
on Tuesday Councillor Clee says there is a need for this temporary planning application.
However he urged caution to the siting and requested the unit be camouflaged green to blend in with the surrounding
field and not stand out in the battleship grey colours.
Currently the Pre-School Group use the Spennells Youth
Centre and are finding it continuingly difficult to use due to the needs in relation to older children. Wyre Forest District Council had not objected to the unit subject to a five year planning permission and
replacement of a tree that would need to be removed elsewhere on the site.
Councillor Clee added I could not support a five year planning approval. In light of the education review that is currently underway in Wyre Forest it was not right to grant such
a long permission. I also wanted to see carpet tiles or some other floor added
to help with the units acoustics, together with no windows on the Western Side overlooking adjoining houses and gardens.
Following Councillor Clee`s interventions Committee granted temporary permission subject to conditions
and a time limit of three years.
WYRE FOREST BUDGET 2003-04
The Conservative Group on Wyre Forest District Council are delighted that following
last nights resumed Full Council meeting the ruling Health Concern Group accepted their alternative budget amendments within
their own budget proposals. It followed a heated debate on Wednesday evening
when, under Standing Orders, the Budget meeting came to an end after nearly four hours of deliberations.
Councillor Stephen Clee, the Conservative Groups Deputy Leader, says; "cometh the hour cometh
the man - and it was most certainly a delight to our Group that proposals contained in our alternative budget came to fruition. The Rural Parishes and in particular Stourport Town Council and Bewdley Town Council,
will benefit form a huge precept boost thanks to the hard work of my colleagues"
The alternative budget proposals that were unveiled at the Wednesday meeting were carried over
at last nights resumed budget debate. The meeting was held in a completely different
atmosphere to Wednesday and Councillors of all political parties played a mature part.
The Liberals had joined with Labour overnight to propose raiding the Councils reserves and spend a whopping £326,840.00.
Councillor Clee, the Councillor for Bewdley added "Bewdley will benefit enormously from these
amendments with future of the Northwood lane Paddling Pool and Wyre Hill Play Areas secured.
Together with money included in the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens to improve the pool liner. We even added back in, the Paddling pool repairs in St Georges Park in Kidderminster, which had been cut
out under the original Health Concern proposals".
The biggest gainers in last nights accepted amendments were the Rural Parishes and the full
extent of the cash injections are listed below.
Since 1993 the Grants to the Rural Parishes have been frozen, although we have expected Parish
Councils to contribute to their local communities and provide services that in Kidderminster are paid out of the District
Council.
The parish aid currently stands at :-
|
Upper Arley
Bewdley
Broome
Chaddesley Corbett
Churchill & Blakedown
Kidderminster Foreign
Rock
Rushock
Stone
Stourport on Severn
Wolverley & Cookley
|
£200
Nil
£130
£310
£980
£200
£340
£70
£140
Nil
£2,200 |
TOTAL |
£4,590 |
We intend to rectify this anomaly. Previously
the aid offered was calculated at 15% of the Parishes precept. This formula was
worked out and agreed by many Councillors and Officers many years ago and it was an agreed formula that we intend to stick
to. However, we intend to go one better.
The Parishes of Stourport on Severn and Bewdley have not received aid since1985; we intend to offer it to those Councils
as well.
Based on the 2003/2004 Council Tax precepts, the Parishes will receive the following amounts
:-
|
|
Proposed
Grant |
An Increase of: |
|
Upper Arley
Bewdley
Broome
Chaddesley Corbett
Churchill & Blakedown
Kidderminster Foreign
Rock
Rushock
Stone
Stourport-on-Severn
Wolverley & Cookley
|
£530
£7,540
£150
£1,500
£1,360
£560
£1,030
£110
£150
£19,690
£3,060 |
£330
£7,540
£20
£1,190
£380
£360
£690
£40
£10
£19,690
£840 |
|
TOTAL |
£35,680 |
£31,090 |
Leader led like poodle claim!
Bewdley Councillor Stephen Clee has criticised the Leader of Wyre Forest DC as being naive
and led like a poodle by the Officers over the "Bins Survey". Following the announcement that only 27% of 42,000 households
had responded to the postal survey. Councillor Clee who is deputy leader of the Conservative opposition on the Council says;
"so
many residents had contacted him over the past two weeks complaining that they had either received the form with no envelope
to return it in, or angry that the Council wanted to increase Council Tax to retain the weekly bin collection. How immoral
from a Party elected on the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital to now find themselves downgrading our bin service.
The
environmental health problems that will grow from this decision will be enormous. We will see an increase in fly tipping in
the rural lanes. People will put waste out and leave it on the streets for longer periods and society will suffer"
Councillor
Clee added "I entered local government to provide improved services for local people; this decision of Health Concern
will see a reduced service for more money. It is immoral and wrong to downgrade people's weekly collection for a second
rate service - Health Concern should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves"
Worcestershire
Waste to be Exported!
Worcestershire County Councils assistant Cabinet member for Cultural and Community Services,
Councillor Stephen Clee has today welcomed the decision of the Cabinet
who met yesterday to discuss the Waste Management Contract for Worcestershire. The
Conservative controlled Cabinet supported the work being undertaken to reduce the amount of domestic waste being undertaken
in the six districts, together with supporting a request for our Waste Contractor to be able to export up to 200,000 tons
per annum of domestic waste to a site in North London.
Councillor Clee says Having travelled to Buckinghamshire County Council with my Cabinet colleague who is responsible
for waste to see what they are doing I very much welcome these proposals. This decision will help alleviate the huge mountain
of waste at Hill and Moor Site just outside Pershore in South Worcestershire
DISTRICT LEADER ASKED TO CONSIDER HER POSITION!
Wyre Forest Conservative Deputy Leader Stephen Clee has today slammed
the inept Health Concern run Executive in charge at Wyre Forest as being out of touch with real people.
At last nights meeting a recommendation that the Health Run Council
increase the money provided for elderly people to use Taxi tokens was ignored by the Health Run Council.
Councillor Clee says being the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee we held a thorough investigation into this budget provision. I would
imagine that the electorate will be deeply hurt to see the administration ignoring our scrutiny committee recommendations
that finance for taxi tokens be increased for people who are not on a major bus route.
It is shameful that vulnerable people will suffer the Council are out of touch with real people .
At the Overview and Scrutiny Panel it was unanimous by all parties,
including the Health Concern Councillors, to support this recommendation. Councillor
Clee added what is happening to this Councils morals? Is it a case that the leadership
will ignore the overwhelming wishes of the scrutiny panel, including their own members views?
At the last full Council meeting I asked Leader Liz Davies her definition of the word Democracy she hasnt got a clue,
it is time she considered her position.
THE HEALTH BUBBLE BURSTS IN WYRE FOREST
Health Concern,
the pressure group elected to the District and Town Council with crushing defeats on the traditional Labour and Conservative
candidates in Bewdley, had their bubble burst yesterday. A By-election was called in December by the Conservative Group
on the Town Council following the resignation of former Health Concern Town Councillor Brian Denton. Mr Denton failed
to attend the full Town Council meeting for 6 consecutive meetings and would technically have been unable to continue had
he not stepped down.
The Result of the Town Poll was;
Labour 345 (44%) +10%
Conservative 288 (37%) + 18%
Hospital
147 (19%) - 28%
There was a turnout of 25.1%.
Speaking after the poll Bewdley Town Councillor Stephen Clee says;
"this result tells the electorate of Kidderminster and surrounding districts that common sense has finally prevailed.
The Health Concern Bubble has finally burst. No longer can this inept bunch that are running the District and Town Council
get away with their pathetic decisions. The Wribbenhall people have spoken yesterday and we saw a 28% swing from Health Concern
to the traditional parties"
Bill Jones the defeated Conservative Candidate says " I would like to thank the residents
of Wribbenhall for giving me their support yesterday. Obviously 37% of the vote was not enough to win this time but
it is a huge step in the right direction and will form a terrific building block for next time.
Councillor Clee added
"the Conservative Party fought a brilliant campaign delivering leaflets to every house and engaging with the electorate
as did the Labour Party. This was evident in the final result that saw our share of the vote increase by 18% compared
to May last year when the seats were last contested. All the other seats (3) in Wribbenhall are held by Health Concern"
The Composition of Bewdley Town Council is now
Health Concern - 7
Labour - 3
Conservative 2
Redundancy Notices for CHCs in England
Wyre Forest County
Councillor Stephen Clee has hit out at the decision to finally close the Community Health Councils in England as from 1st
September 2003.
Councillor Clee, deputy chairman of the Kidderminster & District Community Health Council (CHC)
says "we have been awaiting the Government's announcement for months now and it was hoped that they would have reconsidered
their ill thought out scheme. It appears not and the letter from the Under Secretary of State David Lammy MP is the final
nail in the coffin"
CHCs were set up in the early 1970s by the then Conservative Government led by Sir Edward Heath.
They have played a vital role in the scrutiny of health service provision. Kidderminster's CHC was responsible for the
referral for a judicial review of Kidderminster Hospital.
Stephen Clee added "I fail to understand why a national organisation
that has been recognised for the work it has done for patients' care in the Health Service should be abandoned in this way.
The Secretary of State expects the County Health Scrutiny Panels to carry on with the CHC work but at the end of the day this
is most unlikely due to the fact that Health Scrutiny will not have any money to employ professional staff let alone involve
themselves with the enormous workload that CHCs do"
Stephen Clee added "the Staff have finally had their redundancy
notices and that is very sad. We have a terrific workforce that will be difficult to be replace. I would like
to pay particular tribute to the Kidderminster Office and its professional team"
BIN SURVEY SHAM - CLAIM
Bewdley Conservative Councillor Stephen Clee has condemned the circulation
of the district councils bin survey as a total meaningless waste of taxpayers money and a sham.
"The Health
Concern run authority has spent £30,000 of taxpayers money on a gimmick. The questionnaire sent to all 42,000 households requests
the public to identify which way they want the local authority to spend some of this year' council tax. It fails to list all
the really important council spending and focuses on small matters that affect a few people"
The questionnaire has
been carried out by a Market Research Organisation called Vector.The questionnaire was delivered to all households on Saturday
26th January 2003 and the reply date is only Friday 31st January says Councillor Clee adding;
"how can households be
expected to receive a very wordy newsletter and be expected to return the tear off slip within 5 working days. I have
received calls from angry local residents who are confused at the survey which was originally designed to ask people if they
wanted to see a reduced waste bin collection service, but has now been spun into a meaningless mess.
How can I tell
the young mothers in my Ward that they cannot have the water in their paddling pool but its ok to waste £30,000 on this
gimmickry! I would like to urge all residents to complete the form and reply NO to a waste collection reduction and ignore
the remaining questions. Councillors are elected to make these decisions. If Health Concern do not know what to do and what
to spend the taxpayers money on they should resign and let an administration come in with clear policies"
Councillor
Clee says he believes the questionnaire to be seriously in breach of the code of conduct and will be writing to the district
auditor for a ruling on its legality.
CHADDESLEY COUNTY COUNCILLOR CHAMPIONS BUS IMPROVEMENTS FOR LOCAL
VILLAGERS.................
Chaddesley County Councillor Stephen Clee has written to Pete's Travel
following a ward surgery in the village of Harvington, to see if they can assist in providing a bus to the remote village
off the A448 Kidderminster to Bromsgrove Road following bus changes by First Midland Red.
Councillor
Clee says "A suggestion was made by a resident who frequents the bus service to see if Pete's Travel (who they believe to
be providing the bus between Kidderminster Hospital and Redditch Hospital) would consider a slight detour along the Worcester
Road at Mustow Green as far as The Dog Public House at Harvington. This would be at a split time in the morning and
afternoon just on one service which would help to pick up and drop off rural residents that are currently stranded due to
the second bus that has been dropped in the morning and in the afternoon by your competitors"
Councillor Clee added
" I am not exactly conversant with the timetable route with First Midland Red for this particular community, however, there
is a two and a half hour wait for residents travelling into Kidderminster from this area. Any assistance that your Company
could give to help fill this gap would be extremely useful"
HEALTH CONCERN RUN DISTRICT COUNCIL IN DISARAY!
Wyre Forest district councillor Stephen Clee has hit out at the inability of Health
Concern to run the district council. The criticism follows Councillor Clee holding the current administration to account at
the last Full Council Meeting, when he asked the Leader Councillor Ms Davies 21 written questions. He followed up with 14
supplementary questions on a range of issues but in particular the lack of attendance by the Leader and her administration
who have not been attending important regional meetings.
Councillor Clee says the problem with our council
leadership is that they are completely driven by the officers, they havent a clue how to run a whelk stall let alone a council
with a net expenditure of £13 million. The district taxpayers in Wyre Forest are suffering from their lack of experience and
bad judgement.
Councillor Clee added; at the Executive meeting the previous week
the district leader acted in a dictatorial manner. At that Meeting Councillor Davies introduced a new method of answering
questions from fellow backbench councillors her ruling was all questions must be lodged within 72 hours!
What she failed to realise was how can
we ask a question when she tables late reports on the night of the meeting? This is against democracy and free speech
- all this from a political group elected by the people to defend democracy.
Following the Executive meeting Councillor
Clee and Conservative group leader Councillor Pauline Hayward led a delegation, that was followed by other local politicians
- to the door of Walter Delin the Chief Executive, to object to this style of leadership.
Councillor Clee added - Most
of what Mrs Davies said is against the majority view of the Council, including her own group. Unfortunately she just disappears
after full council meetings and nobody can get hold of her.
Councillor Clees criticism follows hot on the heals
of Wolverley & Cookley Parish Councils objections to Ms Davies lack of attendance at their monthly meetings. She has attended
only One meeting out of 18 since she was elected County Councillor for the Cookley, Wolverley & Wribbenhall Division.
Councillor Clee says; I have spoken to a couple of Cookley & Wolverley Parish
Councillors and offered my support as they are no being represented at County Hall.
HEALTH CONCERN TO CLOSE BEWDLEY MUSEUM
Bewdley district councillor Stephen Clee
has hit out at the Independent Kidderminster Hospital & Health Concern council who have hidden plans to close Bewdleys
award winning Museum. In a report to the Executive Committee on Thursday 28th November they propose to dispose
of the Museum Stores and move the Museum to Kidderminster.
Councillor Clee who is a member of the
Museum Management Committee has hit out at the hidden plans stating at the last management meeting an officer from the council
stated that the council would be considering keeping the funding available for one more year.
This was a complete shock to the management
team, who have, been working on a five year rescue package to keep the museum open. A lot of people have been carrying out
an enormous amount of hard work producing this rescue package and it was a complete surprise to us that all of a sudden a
complete change of plan is proposed. It is clear now that the council have a hidden agenda to close the Museum and place it
in Kidderminster!
I find it absolutely incredible that the
Leader of the District Council and one of her executive members are not only Bewdley residents but also Town Councillors elected
to defend our Town!
They should both be thoroughly ashamed
of this wicked idea. Health Concern are proposing to create a Heritage Centre for the district in Kidderminster at the loss
of our Museum and its valuable collection. Not only are the current leaders of this administration proposing to close the
Museum but there is also a cloud over Bewdley Town Hall!
In six months of this Health run administration
they have;
- Proposed
to Close Wyre Hill Play Area in Bewdley
- Proposed
to relinquish their lease on Public Open Space along the riverside
- Proposed
to withdraw its involvement in the Bewdley Sports Hall
- Proposing
to sell the Museum collection
- Proposing
to Close the Museum and are now
- Threatening
the Closure of the Town Hall.
A catalogue of disasters in just six months.
We cannot allow this incompetent lot to run the administration any longer. There will be nothing left!
Councillor Clee added: previous Conservative and Labour district councils treasured
and built up these assets. Bewdley has always been the Jewel in Our Crown but when this disastrous administration have finished
it will be replaced by a cloth cap
Failure to Remove Chicken Parts Costs Agricultural Contractor £113,000
On Thursday 21 November 2002, at Kidderminster Magistrates
Court, Agricultural Engineer Dean Deacon was fined £9,000 and ordered to pay £104,000 in costs in relation to three offences
under the Animal By-Products Order.Worcestershire County council's assistant Cabinet member with responsibility for Trading
Standards Stephen Clee says;
Investigations
into the disposal of chicken body parts in the autumn of 2001 led officers of the Department for the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs and Worcestershire County Councils Trading Standards Service to a field rented by Mr Deacon at Sytchampton,
Worcestershire. There they discovered three large piles consisting of chicken manure, mushroom compost and chicken carcasses
including chicken heads and feet. Two of the piles were situated close to a nearby stream and had been there for some considerable
time. A notice served on Mr Deacon requiring him to remove the waste material
was ignored and it fell to the Trading Standards Service to arrange and pay for its disposal. In total more than 600 tonnes
were removed and incinerated.
Having this material exposed to birds
and vermin presented a risk of spreading disease in addition to the nuisance of its smell and the flies it had generated.
The defendants refusal to deal with the disposal placed a great burden on this service and the public purse.
I am pleased that he now has to reimburse this cost in full and I hope it will serve as a warning to anyone else who is not
prepared to fulfil their responsibilities in this area.
I am delighted with the outcome. The County Council through its
Trading Standards Service has assumed its responsibility to protect its citizens and acted in a responsive and responsible
manner.
WASTE IN WYRE FOREST.
Wyre Forests Health Concern Administration are looking at reducing your weekly bin collection to fortnightly - reports
Stephen.
At the Health Concern Executive Meeting on Thursday 3rd October 2002 they accepted
an officer report that stated it was clear that Kerbside "Sort Box" collection gives the authority the greatest flexibility
and likelihood of meeting recycling targets. The report added "this would require the introduction of separate fortnightly
refuse collections"
Councillor Clee added " I do not believe the residents of Wyre Forest want to
see their weekly bin reduced to fortnightly. Wyre Forest DC are responsible for collecting the Districts waste on behalf of
the County Council. The previous Liberal/Labour controlled County Council never introduced a waste management plan for Worcestershire.
The current recycling rates show only 5% of materials in the WFDC area are being achieved.
European directives that have been adopted by the British Government show that the District Council must achieve recycling
targets of 10% by 2003, 18% by 2005 and thereafter 30%. This means that WE MUST ACT NOW.
The District Council have ignored these figures because they awaited the outcome of the Incinerator Application. We have therefore
wasted 3 years. The Conservatives locally believe doorstep recycling should commence immediately. A Conservative controlled
district council would introduce both contaminated and recycling waste ON A WEEKLY BASIS"
Fire Strike - latest.
On the eve of the eight day fire strike Worcestershire County Councils assistant
Cabinet Member for Cultural and Community Services, with responsibility for Emergency Planning, Councillor Stephen Clee has
today praised the emergency services and RAF for their coverage throughout the County during last weeks fire strike.
Councillor Clee says "this was the first national fire strike
in over twenty five years. We had 7 Green Goddesses and 5 Rescue Tenders, deployed
throughout the County together with 16 appliances used from our retained crew stations handling the strike reasonably well.
I was pleased half the retained fire crews worked normally
and the relations between RAF and Police and retained crews went very well. 30 incidents were attended to with no major incidents
reported. I would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant and brace themselves
for the next strike which is scheduled to start at 9.00am on Friday 22nd and last for eight days"
CINEMA PLANS APPROVED IN WYRE FOREST!
Bewdley District Councillor
Stephen Clee was delighted to second a motion at the development control planning committee in Wyre Forest last night to approve
planning permission for the development of a four screen cinema complex on the
Crossley Retail Park in Kidderminster.
Councillor Clee speaking
at the planning meetings stated this site used to be zoned under the local plan for manufacturing purposes only. However,
shortly after becoming a district councillor (in 1992) the then development control committee for which I was a member, granted
permission to allow Sainburys PLC to relocate and open up the site to the thriving business park that it now is.
It is vitally important to
the regeneration of the district that this application was approved, which is contrary to the planners recommendations, for
our sustainable regeneration. Tourism and Leisure is now generating £5 billion of expenditure in the West Midlands and its
vitally important we grasp this nettle and have our slice of the cake
The recommendation to approve the application was supported by 16 votes for, 2 against and 3 abstentions.
Due to the fact that its against the district councils deposited local plan it will now be referred to full council has a
departure and then on to the Minister before finally being granted approval.
WORCESTERSHIRE'S CONSERVATIVE RUN COUNCIL DOING A GOOD JOB - OFFICIAL
Worcestershire County Councils assistant Cabinet
member for Cultural and Community Services, Councillor Stephen Clee, has today welcomed the news that just fifteen months
into the new Tory administration official figures show that Worcestershire County Council have moved from 31st
position in 1999/2000 (when the Labour and Liberal parties were in control) to 19th position in a list of 34 County Council performance indicators.
The performance indicators measure a range of
data including Highways, Social Services, Education and Cultural Services statistics focused on service delivery.
This is excellent news says Councillor Clee, in some areas we have improved or performance
by 71.5%. These figures are a significant achievement and it is encouraging to see us move from the bottom quartile up the
ladder.
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