Tressell Blog

written by Cllr. Peter Chowney

December 2009:

December 23rd:

Went to the Halton Heights Christmas coffee morning.  About a couple of dozen residents there, to discuss local problems and issues with me and Amicus Horizon officers.  Lots of goodwill and mince pies - although I seem to have developed a nasty cough.  Just before Christmas.

December 22nd:

Another estate inspection, this time a different part of Halton Estate.  Some parts of the estate are a lot better than others, but the standard of cleaning isn't brilliant in places.  And some minor damage, too, but not bad overall, compared to what it used to be like.

December 21st:

The first meeting of a special group set up to look at ways to cope with funding cuts in Council services.  The group is unusual, in that it comprises councillors from all three parties, and a cross-section of council staff from different services and at different levels, and the trade unions.  We managed to steer it in a fairly positive way, focussing on how we can sell our services to generate income, rather than making cuts.  Let's hope that momentum continues.

December 17th:

Licensing Committee in the morning.  We refused an application to extend the hours of a late-night kebab shop, and agreed to impose restrictions on a noisy and troublesome pub, at the request of environmental health officers.  The landlord of the pub said that it was about to close down anyway, so that may have been somewhat irrelevant.

December 16th:

An inspection of parts of Halton Estate in the morning: not impressed with the grounds maintenance, which seems to be just indiscriminate slashing down of the shrubs rather than proper pruning.  In the afternoon, Jay and I met with planning officers to talk about the future of the Upper Ore Valley in the new Local Development Framework.  We're trying to preserve as much of it as possible as designated open space, rather than for house building.  There's some sympathy with this from council officers, but it's going to be hard to persuade them!  The real battle will come with the publication of the site-specific part of the plan for consultation, next summer.  And then, Full Council in the evening.  The usual knock-about stuff, with the new Tory councillor there - after just scraping home!

December 11th:

A meeting with Jay Kramer and PC Golding, our local police officer, about problems in Tressell Ward.  Drug dealing is still a problem in some places it seems, but he's having difficulty getting people to come forward with witness reports and evidence.  The problems with a specific group of young people in Bembrook Road are being taken seriously now, and actions are being taken ... hopefully this will prevent the anti-social behaviour.

December 10th:

The St Helen's by-election today.  Spent all day there, knocking up (ie persuading known Labour voters to come out and vote).  In the end, we did very well - although the Tories held on to their previously safe seat, their majority was only 90 votes - a swing of fifteen percent from Tory to Labour.  Which looks promising for the full council election next May ...

December 9th:

An inspection of the Amicus Horizon properties in Hardwicke Road this morning.  Some of the blocks were OK, but some of them are dirty and in a poor state of repair.  These are not good properties, and AH needs to do something about them.  We'll see if they've improved by the time of the next inspection.

December 8th:

Had a meeting today which should have been with relevant Council officers and the developer of the Broomgrove allotments site, to talk about what the developer intends to do with it, and stop it being dangerous.  Not surprisingly, the developer didn't turn up.  Still, it was a good opportunity to learn what officers have been doing.  An enforcement notice will be served on the developer, to make him submit a scheme to stabilise the site according to the planning permission.  If he doesn't do that, a court order will follow ... 

December 5th:

Labour Party stall outside the Co-op in Ore Village today.  Very cold and rather wet, but we stuck it out for a couple of hours.  Most people seemed very positive, and it was a good opportunity to introduce our candidates for next May's council elections to local people.

December 3rd:

Door knocking today, in Halton Heights, a sheltered housing scheme near Halton Estate.  The residents there seemed mostly pleased to see us, and didn't seem to have too many problems, beyond some minor maintenance issues for Amicus Horizon housing association, who manage the properties.

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