Scott Collins

After five years of inspections, Northampton Borough Council is out of government monitoring.

In a letter received on the 21st December, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirmed that the government had wrapped up its monitoring of Guildhall performance.

The Guildhall was formally assigned inspectors back in 2004, when the then-Conservative Council posted a rating of ‘Poor’ in its annual assessment.

The ‘Poor’ score meant a Monitoring Board tracked the Council’s activity until steps could be taken to improve quality and value for money across the Council’s services.

Inspectors last met in January 2009, almost a year ago, but today announced the Guildhall had been given a clean bill of health.

It is the third piece of good news for the Lib Dem authority in recent weeks.

Scott Collins Commented “A trio of presents for Northampton this Christmas, Out of Government monitoring, Recognised as having improved significantly by the Audit Commission and shortlisted as one of the most improved Councils in Britain, I’m not sure we could have written a better Christmas list for Santa this year if we’d tried”

Earlier this month, the Audit Commission said the Council had ‘transformed’ itself and was now on a par with its peers.

And last week, the Council was shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle’s ‘Most Improved Council’ award.

Lib Dem Leader Brian Hoare welcomed the news, saying:

“This is another piece of good news for hard-working local taxpayers.

“After two years under the Lib Dems, the Council is now recognised as being well run, with solid plans for improvement.

“We now want the Guildhall to be up there with the best-run Councils in the country by 2013.

“Like the rest of the country, the Council is facing financial challenges the likes of which local government hasn’t seen in years.

“That’s why we are taking the tough choices now to work more smartly with neighbouring Councils, local charities and the private sector to get better value for people’s £200-odd a year.”

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council is in the running for ‘Most Improved Council of the Year’ at the 2009 Local Government Chronicle Awards.

The LGC also announced that the Guildhall would be shortlisted for a high-profile regeneration award following this year’s Market Square revamp.

Every year, the LGC recognises achievements in local government. The awards are considered an industry standard in local government.

The nominations wrap up a good year for the Guildhall, following hot on the heels of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council as a ‘transformed’ authority.

The judging panel were especially impressed by the transformation of Northampton’s historic Market Square.

Responding to the news, Council Leader Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington), said:

“This is great news and another vote of confidence in the progress we have made since 2007.

“The Council’s pace of change is now being recognised by residents, public sector partners, the Audit Commission and local government peers.

“We won’t hear if we have won until 24 March. But to be up there with the best is a huge achievement and shows we are making a difference.

“The Council still has a long way to go. But with Liberal Democrats at the helm, we can and we will make the Guildhall greener, smarter and more relevant to people in their everyday lives.”

“More good news!!” said Parliamentary Candidate, Scott Collins

Commenting further Scott said ” This is becoming a Christmas to remember for Northampton and the Liberal Democrats.

Following on from the Audit Commission report this is proof positive that Northampton under the Liberal Democrats is not just changing for the better but is actively being recognised for its progress, and not by Lib Dems or Councillors who might be expected to say such things, but instead by completely independent bodies”

“The only thing we can guarantee is that opposition councillors will refuse to believe any of this. So whilst the County Council under the Tory’s is floundering the Lib Dems are showing true leadership and direction for Northampton and our County town.”

Steve Webb MP and Scott Collins showing Britain if no changes are made

Northampton Borough Council has unanimously supported a proposal led by Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidates for Northampton North, Cllr Andrew Simpson & Cllr Scott Collins for South Northamptonshire, to sign up to the 10:10 Campaign to cut the Councils’ carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010.

The motion was proposed by Andrew Simpson and seconded by Scott Collins and was as below:-

“Notices of Motion

(i) Councillor Simpson to move and Councillor Collins to second:

This Council applauds the launch of the 10:10 campaign, which encourages organisations across the public, private and third sectors to cut their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.

This Council considers it vital that local government demonstrates robust political leadership in responding to the climate crisis and that the United Kingdom does more to reduce its carbon emissions and develop the green technologies needed to generate economic growth in the years ahead.

This Council further considers it important for the Borough of Northampton to lead by example in reducing its carbon emissions and to strive to be a regional leader on environmental issues.

This Council notes with great regret last month’s floods across the North West of England and recognises the link between extraordinary weather patterns and man-made climate change.

This Council resolves to sign to the 10:10 campaign, in accordance with other Liberal Democrat-run authorities, setting its baseline for emissions at 31st December 2009.”

In proposing that the Council sign up Cllr Andrew Simpson said “It is fitting that on the same day that the world gathers in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Summit we in Northampton do our bit and sign up to the 10:10 Campaign to cut emissions”.

“The 10:10 Campaign is aimed at everybody and designed to give people a chance to help do something practical to help tackle climate change” continued Andrew. “Sometimes big world summits and targets for years ahead seem too remote, with the 10:10 Campaign we are simply committing to try and cut the UK’s carbon emission by 10% by the end of 2010. Something real and achievable.”

In seconding the motion Scott said “I have grave fears for the future of the planet as we know it if we do not act now. It is not all about making the hard decisions, sometimes just doing the easy things like being careful about lights that are left on or electrical items left on standby instead of being turned off that can make a difference.

The longer we persist in doing nothing the more dramatic the things we will need to do to fix the problem will be.

This is not a maybe issue we either act now as individuals, as a Council, as a community and as a world or it will be our children, grandchildren and their children that will pay the cost for our folly in not acting”

In spite of the whole council unanimously supporting the motion the debate was not without a couple of Conservatives saying that Climate Change was being over hyped for political ends and that flooding in Cockermouth and Dumfries was not down to Climate Change and the weather wether patterns it creates but instead down to poor flood defences.

I will leave you to decide which view you support.

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council has ‘transformed’ the way it works according to government spending watchdog, the Audit Commission.

In its annual assessment, published on the 9th December, the spending agency praised the improvements made at the Guildhall, commenting that the Council now has ‘the leadership and capacity to continue to improve’.

The report comes just two years after the Lib Dems took control at the Guildhall and is a marked improvement on the Conservatives’ tenure, during which the commission judged there was ‘little real progress’.

In 2007, the Audit Commission criticised Conservatives in the Guildhall for failing to improve on the Council’s ‘poor’ rating. The report picked out numerous failings, including lacklustre management, poor political leadership and inadequate financial controls.

According to their latest report, the Borough Council is now performing as well as most other comparable Councils - a huge improvement since their previous inspection, which rated the Council among the worst 13 authorities in the country.

Commenting on the report Scott Collins said “This is truly a great way to start the Christmas period. After so many years of mismanagement by both Labour and Tory administrations it has fell to the Liberal Democrats to make real change for the better across Northampton.

It hasn’t been easy but then good and lasting change never is. It would be foolhardy to say we have become the best council we can be but i feel we are more than aware that there is still so much to do if we want Northampton to emerge from this recession as a real force to be reckoned with across the region”

The report highlights how the Council is now better at listening and helping residents get involved. The ongoing regeneration and rejuvenation of the town centre also comes in for praise. There is also recognition that ‘good progress’ has been made to improve the Council’s Revenues and Benefits service and its Housing team - both of which support the town’s most vulnerable residents.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) welcomed the assessment as good news for local taxpayers, saying:

“I am pleased that the Audit Commission now recognises we are a transformed Council. Earlier this year we were told we had made significant progress; this report is further evidence that we have improved local services across the board.

“We will not be resting on our laurels and we have many more tough changes to make. This year has seen the financial climate change considerably; spending cuts and fewer jobs have a huge effect on the Council’s coffers and we must do everything possible to protect vital front line services.”

A copy of the report is available on the Council’s website - www.northampton.gov.uk

The 2009 Audit Commission’s Organisational Assessment has found:

The Council has transformed how it works.

The Council has the leadership and capability to continue to improve.

New staff and departments have enabled the Council to improve services for local people.

The Council has made good progress in improving the revenues and benefits Service, and has improved its approach to housing.

Local people are more involved with the Council.

The Council is aware that more improvement is needed to provide the Borough with cost effective services that meet people’s needs and hopes.

The Council has put in place good clear plans to continue to improve, linked to what is important.

The Council has set up good processes to manage and improve value for money.

As Northamptonshire County Council prepares to confront the full costs and complications of its failed contract with Carillion the Liberal Democrat opposition are calling for the figures to be made public. Leader of the group Cllr Brendan Glynane (Delapre) made a clear call for openness from the Conservative council Cabinet:

“In the name of all the hard working, scandal-weary taxpayers in Northamptonshire I am demanding that the financial incompetence of the Conservative administration be made public knowledge.

“First the Conservatives made this disastrous contract, now they have to pay the termination fees using tax-payers’ money. It is a terrible waste of funds at a time when the cash is needed elsewhere: to pay off the Conservative council debt and to ensure quality care services.

Scott Collins commenting on the continuing farce said “It is a public disgrace to see such mismanagement of the public finances by the Tory administration, not only in the initial awarding of the Carillion contract but now to have the costs to the tax payer to resolve these failings hidden from the taxpayer smacks of holding taxpayers across the County in contempt”

“This from a Conservative Council that constantly crows about how well it is performing, but constantly fails to tell the public the real story, that the facts just do not bare any resemblance to the tall tales they tell”

Brendan Glynane further commented “Tax-payers have a right to know what the finance-bungling Conservatives in County Hall are wasting their money on; especially when that waste is due to mismanagement and incompetence by those they elected to govern sensibly.

“Before long the council tax-payers of Northamptonshire will have to be told of transition costs, legal fees, compensation payments and a host of other costs; the sooner the better.

“As Lib Dems we believe whole-heartedly in openness and honesty; council tax-payers can be sure that we will be pushing the Conservatives for them, all the way until they reveal these figures.”

Scott added “We must have clarity if we are ever to be able to believe a single word this Tory administration says. This never ending charade of smoke and mirrors to avoid their true failings is becoming the stock in trade of this Council and if George Osborne (Conservative Shadow Chancellor)* and Eric Pickles MP** to be believed we can only expect this kind of disdain for the public to continue in Whitehall should the Conservatives take power at the next General Election”

The full report on the Carillion contract will be debated at a meeting of the County Council Cabinet on Tuesday December 1st, at two pm. Northamptonshire County Council Liberal Democrats would like to urge concerned members of the public to register to speak at the meeting. This must be done before two pm on Monday November 30th.

The report can be found at http://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=461 as a PDF file titled ‘Item D1 Facilities Management Update Report’.

* “Conservative Whitehall will have much to learn from Conservative town [/county] halls.” George Osborne, speech to Conservative councillors, 10th September 2009.

** “Our Conservative Councils will demonstrate how we will run the country.” Eric Pickles (Big Ideas, Building on Conservative Fundamentals, Localis 2008).

Liberal Democrats in Northamptonshire have reacted strongly to news that Northamptonshire County Council faces a £100m shortfall over the next five years.

The news, announced ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting next week, puts hundreds of public sector workers’ jobs at risk.

Responding to the announcement, County Hall’s Opposition Leader, Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem, Delapre), said:

“As far back as 2005, the Liberal Democrats warned against keeping Council Tax artificially low while the going was good.

“By raising Council Tax just 2% their first term, the Tories would now been sitting on a £20m fighting fund to ease the pace of these cuts.

“It is sad fact that public sector workers in Northamptonshire will now be paying for the ‘lowest Council Tax in the country’ with their jobs.”

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for South Northamptonshire commented

“I am stunned that a Tory administration that spent the County elections telling voters that only they could be trusted with the counties tax payers money. Well following hard on the heels of the collapse of the schools sell off deal, Carriliongate, endless mishaps and debts set to reach £629m this administration has changed tack from financial mismanagement to a ’slash and burn’ farce.

The ramifications of which the public will be feeling for years to come.

George Osborne recently told delegates that he would learn lessons in good governance from Tory run Councils, Lets hope he isn’t including Northamptonshire County Council in his lesson!!

Whilst in his key note Conference speech Mr Osborne continually said “We are all in it together”, Well i’m not sure beleaguered Council Workers would agree with his sentiment”

“All of this is just more proof, should it be needed, that this current administration cannot be trusted with our money or our services.

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council has agreed a landmark deal with Legal & General binding the developer to push ahead with the redevelopment of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre and Greyfriars bus station.

As part of a multi-million Pound town centre overhaul, historic pedestrian routes across the town would be complemented by a open and covered shopping areas, better car parking and modernised bus facilities to replace the outdated bus station.

Legal & General will now work with the Council to set priorities for the venture before a planning application is submitted. Northampton’s biggest ever public consultation will form part of the work, involving businesses, bus companies and the public.

Responding to the news, Lib Dem Cabinet member for Planning & Regeneration, Cllr. Richard Church said:

“I am delighted that we now have a binding deal with L&G. It is a significant step forward towards a better, brighter town centre.

“The deal is a huge commitment by one of the country’s largest corporate developers in Northampton’s future and is doubly impressive given the state of the economy.

“The Lib Dems want Northampton to be a town with a stronger sense of identity, community and civic pride. Better shopping facilities and public transport facilities are a must, not an optional extra.

“There is still a huge amount of work that needs to be done before work gets under way, but this is good news.”

Commenting on the news Scott Collins, Parliamentary candidate for South Northamptonshire, said “This is fantastic news, not just for the areas of Northampton now part of the South Northants constituency (East and West Hunsbury and Nene Valley) but also for wider Northamptonshire.

This is just another example of the the Liberal Democrats to re invigorate Northampton and make Northampton a destination for shoppers and businesses across the country and also the confidence a major developer has in our ambitions for the town”

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion promoting the 10:10 campaign.

Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary and Martin Horwood, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Minister will be opening and winding up the debate for our party. I shall be present and vote with enthusiasm to support this important motion.

Liberal Democrats understand that the next few weeks and months are of vital importance in our efforts to tackle climate change.

In December world leaders will meet in Copenhagen to seek a global agreement to address the worsening climate crisis. To secure a deal, Britain and the developed world need to accept their historic responsibility for the industrial emissions which are causing runaway climate change. And take action.

Liberal Democrats want to commit Parliament to sign up to the 10:10 campaign and want the government and public sector to achieve a 10% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of 2010.

Now is the time for action on climate change, not just more warm words. The UK government and parliament has a chance on Wednesday to take a leadership role and send a powerful signal around the globe of its commitment to address the climate crisis.

The Labour party has had twelve years in government and failed for too long to take the serious action needed to prevent the climate crisis. The Conservatives have claimed to be an environmental party but policies to deal urgently with these issues seemed to have dropped a long way down their agenda. This Wednesday is the chance for the two other main parties to match their actions and their votes to their words.

Liberal Democrat Councillors tonight elected Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) to succeed Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St David) in the Guildhall’s top job.

Brian’s elevation from Deputy Leader saw Paul Varnsverry (Lib Dem, West Hunsbury) elected in his stead as Deputy Leader.

Cllr. Hoare will now formally be elected by the Borough’s 47 Councillors at their next meeting on Monday 26th October. Cllr. Varnsverry will also be formally noted.

Changes to Cabinet posts, committee positions and Council appointments to outside bodies will also be confirmed at the meeting.

Liberal Democrat, Dave Hodgson, has been elected as the Mayor of Bedford Borough.

Scott Collins, Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire, sent and the constituency’s congratulations to Dave and his team stating” This was a hard fought but well deserved campaign and proves that the Tory resurgence is not real and has been found wanting in Bedford”

Commenting Scott said “Bedford Party can be truly proud of their efforts and have again in Dave Hodgson shown that the Liberal Democrats are the peoples choice when it comes to straight talking, honest and trustworthy government. This also dispels any myth that the Tory Party are automatically the next Government in waiting.”

This election which received visits from David Cameron and other Tory MP’s has shown that the public are no longer swayed by the much hyped Cameron Effect which they think will steer them to Government next year, The voters are seeming though their sham speeches written for soundbites not progress and policies written for press not people”.

The result, following the re-allocation of second preference votes, was as follows:

Dave Hodgson (Lib Dem) 13555

Parvez Akhtar (Con) 11543

In his acceptance speech, Dave Hodgson paid tribute to Frank Branston, whose sudden death in August caused the by-election. He pledged to work to make Bedford a great place to live, work and do business.

In response to Northamptonshire County Council leader Cllr Jim Harker’s recent announcement of ‘new’ “internal spending restrictions” official opposition leader Cllr Brendan Glynane, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on the County Council said:

“The Conservatives only have themselves to blame. Liberal Democrat County Councillors warned that the Conservative budget was unsustainable six months ago.”

“This comes after the Conservatives announced a huge increase in borrowing - up from £427 million to £629 million - a debt of £2400 for every family in Northamptonshire.”

“Add to that the £32 million Carillion contract that went bad; on which we are still waiting for the Conservative administration to explain why they failed to apply due diligence when implementing the contract.”

“Finally, so far, there is the fiasco of the aborted sale of surplus school sites sales in Northampton. Now the Conservatives are holding a ‘fire sale’ to offload these sites individually at knock down prices due to the property price-crash. We warned that the planned sale of the sites to one bidder was doomed to fail.”

“The Conservative administration is locked into a pattern of financial incompetence. This latest budget crisis just serves as further confirmation of that.”

Scott Collins commenting on the news said “This is just another example of the Tory administration failure to manage the finances of the County Council. This from a party that spent months extolling the virtues of financial stability, the truth is now being laid bare on a daily basis to the cost of every tax payer and service user.”

“Following George Osbourne’s comments recently on learning from Tory Councils, we can only expect dark days of financial failure under a Tory Government if they learn from Northamptonshire County Councils administration”

The Conservative shadow chancellors comment that a Conservative Government must learn from the way Conservative’s run the councils they control will surely raise a smile across Northamptonshire amongst the elderly, the vulnerable, the disabled and the young alike.

Scott Collins, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate in next year’s General election said “This has to be a joke. Since the Conservatives took control of the Counties services there has barely been an area that has not failed, been slashed or just plain removed”

“For the man who wants to manage the countries finances to think that Government can learn lesson from Conservative Councils is a shocking statement and must herald an era of cuts in support for the most vulnerable, a reduction in investing in new services, massive financial mismanagement and debt and not surprisingly another era of spin and denials”

“This is the way the Conservatives have run Northamptonshire County Council. I am sure the exposure of the £268 Million of debt already accrued by this administration is surely only a sign of the slash and burn budget we can expect from the newly elected cohort of Conservative councilors. We all know how deep they cut in their first post election budget in 2006.”

The comment made to a Conservative Seminar in London surely highlights the Conservative mindset of cuts, cuts and more cuts.

Commenting further Scott said “Only the Liberal Democrats have the policies to make a real difference to the economy, education, employment and people’s lives in Britain . A careful future of support and the removal of government waste and mismanagement compared with the Conservative mantra of blindly cutting services to fit the budget regardless of the outcome or affect on peoples lives”

As many as 1 rural primary school a month is closing due to a dramatic fall in school rolls. This is the finding of reseach carried out be the National Housing Federation which represents social landlords and housing associstions and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

The information released under a freedom of information reuest has shown the true scale of the issues facing rural areas. With ana average of 13 schools closing every year.

They predict a further 200 schools could close by 2014 due to thew escalating problems of school rolls falling as families are priced out of rural comunities.

The problem which is driven by a lack of affordable housing for young local families to maintain the balance within villages.

Scott commented “The Emergent Joint Core Strategy’s forced growth agenda will be yet another cause of the decline of rural villages.

The drive towards huge levels of growth in Northampton, Daventry, Towcester and to a lesser degree Brackley will only deprive rural areas of the much needed affordable housing projects.

This will all lead to further falling roles and the loss of essential facilities from Post Offices to Pubs and the closure of schools.”

Scott Collins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire , has backed a call by Tim Farron MP for fair trade for British farmer’s.

The call comes as farmers see further falls in farm gate prices whilst retail prices have remained static. During a recent speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth Tim Farron MP said “Supermarket greed is forcing farmers out of business. So whilst world food demand is set to double over the next 40 years we are losing the capacity to produce it. This situation is not just immoral, it’s completely stupid.”

He went on to say “”We have the tragic irony of millions of consumers going to the supermarket each week, going down one aisle and buying fair trade Columbian coffee …and then going down the next aisle and buying the milk to put in that fair trade coffee from an exploited British dairy farmer”.

Speaking after the speech Scott Collins said “The idea that supermarkets can continue to exploit British farmers whilst reaping the profits is just not sustainable or moral. We need to look again at how farmers and producers are treated by supermarkets. Driving down farm gate prices is damaging our ability as a country to produce food. If we are truly to move to a more environmentally sustainable economy then we need to promote local produce and cut down the amount of food shipped in from abroad. All the time we allow farmers and producers to be driven out of business by large supermarket chains we become more dependant on foreign imports”.

Tim Farrons speech to the Bournemouth Conference is available at http://www.libdems.org.uk/news_detail.aspx?title=Speech%3a_Tim_Farron_speaks_about_rural_Britain_at_Liberal_Democrat_Conference&pPK=4fc37f4d-83bf-4736-832d-6c19702aef3d

His speech also includes pledges on second homes and Post Offices.

It has been revealed that the Conservative County Council is predicting a debt of £629 Million by the end of the financial year.

The debt is just another sign of a party in power but unable to govern for the people of Northamptonshire.

A series of blunders and gross mismanagement of the county Council has led to a mammoth debt being accrued and leaving the County finances in a disgraceful state.

“This debt is just another indictment of failed Tory policies in County Hall and proof of the Liberal Democrats assertion over the last few years that the Tories were producing undeliverable, ‘Fairytale’ budgets full of unaffordable aspirations and unachievable savings. ” Said Scott Collins, Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire in next years General Election.

Commenting further Scott said “Considering that the Tories sold themselves to many voters as the party of good governance and a ’safe pair of hands’ during the last County Elections, they must now hang their heads in shame given the debacles over the bungled Carillion contract, failed school site sales and now a debt which endangers the very stability of the County’s finances”

There can surely be no response from the County Council which can account for this ‘black hole’ in the finances of the County Council especially considering the number of cuts that have taken place in virtually every area of the County Council’s services.

A video of the local party campaigning across the area has been put together to show the local party as the real alternative to either Labour or the Conservatives.

To view the video follow the link below or go to scottcollins.org.uk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI7Qet6QccU

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate welcomes the speeding up of the adoption of roads in Grange Park.

Today the County Council Cabinet will finally listen to the call from residents to have their roads adopted by the County Council.

Grange Park has for the last 10 years endured various issues associated with the non adoption of the roads on the estate.

The lack of agreement between the developers, South Northants Council and the County Council led to the lack of the roads being maintained by the County Council.

During the By Election in February this year the issue was highlighted by the Liberal Democrats as one of the key issues affecting the local populous and something mentioned by most people we met during the campaign.

When asked for his view, Shaun Hope the Liberal Democrat candidate in the February By Election said “It’s a shame it took a contested election in February to finally get the Tories to pull their finger out and get the roads adopted after a delay of almost 10 years”

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire, Scott Collins said “The issue was brought into sharp focus during the campaign when we saw some of the worst and prolonged snowfall of the last ten years. This resulted in residents being left to clear snow from the major access roads into the estate or worse still being unable to leave the estate at all.

Many residents tried and failed to leave the estate by car and those that did had tales of near misses with other cars in the snow or fears of not being able to get onto the estate at the end of the day. All this because years of ‘heel dragging’ by all the stakeholders involved meant that the streets could not be cleared or gritted by the County Council”.

Commenting further Scott went on “It cannot be reasonable for these residents to have been left so long in this position? I only now hope that a speedy and productive conclusion can now be reached and that the residents will never again have to suffer such a situation again where they were effectively left to fend for themselves by the county Council”

“We will be keeping a close eye on the progress of this issue as this is far from the final chapter in this saga, it is merely an agreement to speed up the process. A process which has already extended into nearly a decade! ”

The full report can be seen on http://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=5539

The Budget will do nothing for ordinary residents of South Northamptonshire, who have been clobbered by rising food, fuel and transport prices, local Liberal Democrat have said.

The Budget was criticised for failing to give much needed help to those struggling in recession by refusing to back Liberal Democrat calls to cut income tax by £700 for the vast majority of people.

Commenting Scott Collins, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate said:

“As the cost of food, heating, water and transport continue to rise, families in South Northants haven’t been given any practical help by the Government.

“People who aren’t on huge salaries are noticing more and more of their cash is going on the basics. Gordon Brown should be putting money back into their pockets by cutting income tax for the vast majority of taxpayers by £700.

“Britain’s taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it and too easy to avoid for those who know how.

“Labour is out of ideas and out of steam. This Government has condemned us to years of unemployment and a decade of debt. The country deserves something different.”

Thousands of people in South Northamptonshire will be taken out of income tax altogether by new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats. And thousands more will see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.

The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg on 20th April who said that they would boost family budgets battered by rising food, power and transport prices. The plans call for the personal tax allowance to be raised to £10,000

Scott Collins, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire said, “Thousands of families on low income in South Northants will benefit from this tax cut. They will be lifted out of income tax altogether.

“People earning over £10,000 will pay £700 less income tax a year, paid for by ending the loopholes and tax avoidance schemes used by the wealthy and big corporations.

“Ordinary people are struggling because of the recession. Now is the time to make a far reaching and permanent change to the tax system that benefits those on low and middle incomes. Liberal Democrats want to see more money left in the pockets of ordinary people rather than taken away by the Government.

“Here in South Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats will be going into the general election committed to a lasting income tax cut.”

A crunch financial report to County Councillors yesterday saw County Hall budgets overrun by £1.1m this year, despite one-off savings gained from new accountancy rules.

County Hall bosses benefited from government rules allowing roads and other major works to be accounted for differently, resulting in one-off balance-sheet savings of up to £4m this year.

Without the changes, Northamptonshire County Council would have overspent on key projects by over £5m, instead of the £1.1m indicated in today’s papers.

The report also highlighted the council’s failure to deliver its budget on target, citing budget pressures of £8.5m planned as ’savings’ last year.

The figure - a shortfall of 30% on the council’s savings target - will come as a further blow to the embattled Conservative administration just days after news of its mismanagement of a £34m privatisation deal.

Commenting ahead of this afternoon’s meeting Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader Brian Hoare said:

“The accuracy of this year’s overspend must be called into question. There is no provision in today’s report of the huge legal costs that will flow from scrapping the Conservatives’ Carillion contract two years early.

“There can be no doubt that County Hall bosses will have run up thousands in legal fees for a report that said that Cllr. Parker had agreed to an illegal deal in 2007.

“There are also concerns that the termination of the Carillion contract could event result in claims for commercial compensation - a further cost not covered in the report.

“Taxpayers will need to know that the council’s overspend could in fact be much higher.”

Again recently Towcester found itself cut off again as traffic was re routed from the M1 through the town.
With the massive planned expansion of Towcester over coming years it is clear that the proposed single lane bypass around the edge of the town, connecting the A5 with the A43, will not as a single lane road cope with the levels of traffic we are now seeing on a more and more regular basis.
Martin Johns commenting on the plans said “The current planned by pass seems to be little more than a glorified estate road. The numberof roundabouts that HGV’s would have to negotiate will make it unpop- ular with the very form of transport we most need to move out of the town”
The Liberal Democrats across Britain and locally are calling on the
Government to scrap the obscene and damaging housing targets that no longer bare any resemblance to a realistic future in the current economic climate.“We need increased
housing and for Towcester to thrive it needs to expand but it should be natural
growth not enforced targets to suit Labour grand social engineering targets supported by the Conservatives” said Scott Collins

Local people have contacted the Focus Team to highlight the recent increase in vandalism and graffiti across the town. Areas around the Rec, the empty business units of Burcote Road (good news over the page) and various other areas.
Many of these problems have been reported to the Council by residents but have not been cleared away or removed.“With the old Connexions building on Burcote Road standing empty it has become a prime spot for graffiti and vandalism” said Scott.

Do You Have a Grot Spot? Why don’t you let us know where the areas are that bother you?

£32M Carrillion contract failure could lose county tax payers £million’s

The Tories have again demonstrated that they are unfit to manage the County Council and it’s finances. The Tory County Councillors failure toact within the Councils own rules have been condemned by aninvestigation released recently.
The consistent mistakes and failures, featuring key Councillors in the ToryAdministration at County Hall, have led the Council to act Ultra Vires(Illegally) I the awarding of a key Countywide contract worth £8 Million a year. The report points out the failure in following the Councils rules on agreeing contracts and more worryingly that key documents regardingthe awarding of the contract cannot even be located.
The Councils Cabinet made the decision to cancel the contract recently asit could no longer afford the costs this in itself will surely lead tocompensation for West Midlands based Carrillion for early termination ofthe contract?
Scott Collins Commenting said “This is just another example of the financial and contractual incompetence of the Tory’s on the County Council, risking more public money and as the investigation states “..the Council has acted Ultra Vires (Illegally)because it had no capacity to enter into the contract Whilst people struggle to make ends meet as the recession deepens in shows that people can no longer trust the Tory’s with their tax’s. They must go.”

The Tories have again demonstrated that they are unfit to manage the County Council and it’s finances. The Tory County Councillors failure toact within the Councils own rules have been condemned by aninvestigation released recently.
The consistent mistakes and failures, featuring key Councillors in the ToryAdministration at County Hall, have led the Council to act Ultra Vires(Illegally) I the awarding of a key Countywide contract worth £8 Million a year. The report points out the failure in following the Councils rules on agreeing contracts and more worryingly that key documents regarding the awarding of the contract cannot even be located!.
The Councils Cabinet made the decision to cancel the contract recently asit could no longer afford the costs this in itself will surely lead tocompensation for West Midlands based Carrillion for early termination ofthe contract?
Scott Collins Commenting said “This is just another example of the financial and contractual incompetence of the Tory’s on the County Council, risking more public money and as the investigation states “..the Council has acted Ultra Vires (Illegally)because it had no capacity to enter into the contract Whilst people struggle to make ends meet as the recession deepens in shows that people can no longer trust the Tory’s with their tax’s. They must go.”

Whilst under 16’s and over 60’s will be able to swim in Northampton for FREE the same people will not be able to do the same in South Northamptonshire’s leisure centres.
Scott Collins speaking after the decision said “In an area with many rivers, canals and open areas of water, such as the lake at Ironstone Quarry outside Towcester, it must only be sensible to encourage every young person to not only learn to swim for safety but also for fitness and fun. This is a perfect way to help keep both children fit and combat obesity but keep the over 60’s fit as they get older. Another case of Tory penny pinching and not offering the opportunity to the residents of Towcester and South Northants.”
All this and a bigger council tax rise!

So Swim for free but not in South Northants

Note: This in no way affects the excellent work done in providing free swimming for school pupils via the school’s by the Stratgic Sports Partnership helping children gain the start in swimming.

Following several complaints about speeding on Buckingham Way, Highfields and Wood Burcote Scott met with Police to see a speed gun in use. The speed gun had been purchased by a Lib Dem Councillor for the local Police to cut speeding in the ward.
Scott said “Maybe this is something to be considered in Towcester. I have seen parents and children almost hit by cars on Buckingham Way first hand and it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.”

The issue of speeding on some of Towcesters roads is not a new one but it is one that is becoming more preverlent. It is a wonder that this issue has not been seriously addressed by the County Highways Department before. With the towns County Councillor having been in post for 12 years it is shameful that she has not resolved this, especially since she has been a cabinet member for the last four years.

I have just returned from the party’s spring conference in Harrogate. The Conference had many high points showing yet again more that we as a party are proud to set out potential policy to our membership and debate the parties direction giving every member the right to comment on the destination of the party. Debates included the future of the Post Office, Prisons and Criminal Justice, Early Years Education, Further and Higher Education and our proposed Childcare Policy Paper. This open debate with members is something not seen in other parties and shows the Liberal Democrats willingness to listen.

With a packed conference centre Nick Clegg set out the Liberal Democrat future for Britain, a future that gives Britain a realistic and hopeful future.

The speech laid out the parties stance on a myriad of issues, from Education from early years through to Higher and Further Education (A key part of the weekends agenda), Isolationism, Protectionism, The failed politics of both the Conservatives and the Labour party and, of course, the main subject of concern, the economy.

For the full text of the speech follow the link below:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/conference/nick-clegg-keynote-speech-to-the-liberal-democrat-spring-conference-2009-184750079

After almost two years of a Lib Dem administration at Northampton Borough Council the progress being made has been publicly recognised by an Audit Commission report.

The biggest improvement has been in Financial Management where the rating leapt from one star to three stars. With a new team making huge differences to the financial controls within the Borough Council helping to ensure that the council delivers the very best value for the tax payers money.

Under the previous Tory administration only 4 areas of the council met the Audit Commissions minimum standard. Under the new Lib Dem Administration 10 areas meet those minimum standards.

The report point out that the council has made significant improvements in managing performance against budgets and the ways it seeks to get value for money.

Speaking today Scott Collins, Parliamentary Spokesman and member of Northampton Borough Council, said “This is great news and a true reflection of the efforts of the staff at every level of the [Borough] Council and the political leadership that now exists within the council”.

“It is also a stark comparison between Tory administration before the Lib Dems took the helm at the Borough and of course the ‘flat lining’ Tories at the County Council” said Scott. (See previous story)

Yet more proof that Lib Dems have the idea’s, the policies and the political leadership to make a difference.

The publication today of the Audit Commissions report into County Council services has shown that they have failed to make a difference to the overall standard of services to citizens of the county.

“For an administration that arrived in County Hall espousing the rebirth of the County Council and promising to improve the lot of every resident this report is one showing abject failure to deliver on their promises” said Scott Collins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for South Northamptonshire.

Commenting further Scott said “When we look back over the last four years we don’t see the calendar of highlights we were told to expect. Instead we see cut after cut after their failure to gain control of their budgets and address the real issues facing the council and more importantly the County”.

The report states that the County has still not risen above the two star rating the council had in 2005. The council has consistently failed to rise above the two star rating in 2006 and 2007.

“If you ask most people what the council has done in the last four years almost everyone remembers a cut or loss of service in those four years. This Council made great claims about the future but have backed them up with a myriad of cuts and failed policies, from the closure of care homes, cuts in respite care, the loss of the county’s youth service, removal of grants from groups like those that ran the Roadmender and charities. Not to mention the state of the roads which, in spite of protestations from the County Council, nobody can say they are markedly better and in many cases are very much worse. This is in contradiction of their 2005 Manifesto promise”.

“With yet another independent review of the Conservative County Councillors failure in administration it will be interesting to see if the public will accept four more years of the same on 4th June at the County Council Elections” said Scott who will himself be hoping to stand in the forthcoming County elections.