'Street Wardens Must Stay' say Lib Dems

Liberal Democrats on Horsham District Council have launched a powerful defence of the Street Scene Wardens. The 4 wardens, who are an important link between the public and police, face being reduced to 1 full-time and 1 part-time warden as part of the Conservatives' cuts to make up a £1.8m budget black-hole.

One of the wardens' crucial responsibilities is dealing with alcohol misuse by teenagers. Liberal Democrat Leader Sally Horner said at Wednesday's full council meeting, "If the Street Scene Team find youngsters drinking they can confiscate the alcohol, and if they're already drunk, call their parents to collect them. Often, parents have been completely unaware that their children had been drinking."

"It is surely much better for parents to receive a call from a street warden asking them to collect their child from the park, than from a policeman calling to say the child is in a cell or a paramedic telling them their child is in an ambulance."

She added "For 10 years the Tories have followed the Gordon Brown school of financial management - spending all the council's reserves in the good years instead of saving for a rainy day."

"Now the money has run out the Tories find themselves with a £1.8m hole in their budget, and face cutting essential services like Street Scene. This would be a terrible error - the Street Scene team are a great asset to the Horsham District and the Liberal Democrats will fight to keep their full number."

Along with Lib Dem District Councillors Godfrey Newman, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner for Horsham, has launched a campaign to save the Street Wardens.

Godfrey says, "For a long time Liberal Democrat policy, both nationally and locally, has been to get more police on the street. The Street Scene Wardens are not police, but they carry out similar roles - they provide a reassuring presence, they tackle littering and dog fouling and they provide a first line of defence against anti-social behaviour."

"They are an essential resource, and anyone who agrees that it would be a massive mistake for the Conservative Council to cut their numbers can support the Liberal Democrat campaign by clicking on the following link http://www.istarbright.co.uk/campaign/street_wardens_epetition.htm or writing to Godfrey Newman, 16 Smithbarn, Horsham, RH13 6EB."

Lib Dems select local campaigner as PPC

POPULAR LOCAL campaigner GODFREY NEWMAN, of Smithbarn in Horsham, expressed his pride at being chosen as Horsham's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner on Friday evening.

Godfrey said, "It's a great honour to be chosen to represent the Liberal Democrats in Horsham. I've always been committed to serving the community, whether as a Special Constable in Guildford or as a local Councillor for 16 years here in Horsham."

"In the run up to the General Election I look forward to speaking to as many residents as possible from all over the constituency, and standing up for people on key local issues."

In addition to his time as a special constable, Godfrey has worked as a teacher and in the NHS, so he his well aware of the importance of public services. With cuts in public spending essential to cope with the massive debt built up by the Labour government Godfrey has strong views on how to reduce spending and still improve services.

"Doctors, nurses and paramedics, teachers and social workers, police and fire officers and members of the armed forces are Britain's most important resource. They're in the business of improving lives."

"Just like anyone else, if we free them from red-tape, boost their morale and let them work the way they know best they will improve more lives, and save money at the same time."

Godfrey's selection comes at a time when respect for politicians is at an all-time low. Already fed up with Labour and the Conservatives' obsession with spin, the public were disgusted by abuses of expenses by many MPs, with Horsham's Tory MP Francis Maude being one of the most-heavily criticised.

Many people say that the problems in parliament come from most MPs being professional politicians who are out of touch with normal people. Roger Wilton, chairman of Horsham Liberal Democrats, is delighted that the local party has selected someone with so much experience working in the public services.

"People in Horsham were outraged to find out their MP was using taxpayers money to help pay the mortgage on a third home, despite already owning houses near Horsham and in London."

"In Godfrey's career he has worked as a teacher, in the NHS, as a volunteer policeman and been a well-respected local councillor. With this record of public service, people in Horsham can be sure he wants to become an MP to help his constituents, not to line his own pockets."

Godfrey is very keen to hear from local residents about any concerns they have. Please contact him by phoning 01403 211154, emailing godfrey_newman@hotmail.com or writing to Godfrey Newman, 16 Smithbarn, Horsham, RH13 6EB.

Save the Shelley Fountain Campaign

This is leading from the current threat to The Rising Universe.

Four district Councillors have decided to put their names to a campaign to ensure that The Rising Universe sculpture continues to rise and fall, and remains in its rightful place as a centre piece for the Bishopric landscaping.

Before taking this decision they have undertaken an unbiased survey of public opinion on site. People were able to voice their own views, the opportunity being offered to anyone keen to participate and to random bystanders.

Views are diverse - as with all art, The Rising Universe is loved and loathed. Opinions expressed are often impromptu & very personal, not based on age, gender, politics or demeanour.

As we all know the sculpture is controversial but what was clear from this local consultation was that most people would hate to lose it.

Why save the Shelley Fountain:

" It is a unique sculpture by a world renowned artist Angela Connor
" It has been used as a media image for Horsham town (e.g. South Today)
" It is imposing and dramatic from every angle
" Illuminated at night and in full flow it is spectacular
" Children and visitors enjoy its performance
" It has a specific meaning for Horsham that encompasses the work of local artist Percy Byssh Shelley
" It is great marketing tool to encourage visitors to the town, which is all good for the local economy.
" The existence of this modern sculpture in a historic town helps to blend the ancient and modern aspects of Horsham town ensuring that it is not a clone town.
" Art should be controversial
" Many people who hate the piece would not want to see it go
" At a time of recession this is an icon to draw more trade and interest to town.
" There are many works of art around Horsham town, the Rising Universe is part of a trail of fine pieces covering traditional and modern schools of thought

What should be done:

" The Council needs to take its responsibility to art seriously
" The past maintenance of the sculpture should be fully reviewed and lessons learnt from missed opportunities to rectify faults and make the mechanism more efficient and easier to maintain.
" Engineering solutions need to be found to ensure that the fountain is seen as it was intended to be seen.
" Restoration and modification should be looked at to make sure that the fountain is fit to face the years ahead.
" Funding should be sought through the artist using Grant agencies, Art benefactors and commercial outlets or a Trust.

In conclusion:

Horsham needs to have landmarks that sets it apart
If it is changed or removed, future generations will lose the chance to have full enjoyment from this iconic sculpture
Horsham will have proved itself unable to sustain world class art
The local economy will lose a powerful marketing magnet to attract trade, tourists and business.

The Rising Universe deserves public support

Cllr Sheila Dale
Cllr Sally Horner
Cllr Christine Costin
Cllr Belinda Walters.

27 July 2009

Liberal Democrats make gains from Tories across West Sussex

Voters across West Sussex have sent a clear message that they are fed up with the Conservative Council's wasteful spending and high taxes, after the Liberal Democrats gained 4 seats from the Conservatives in Thursday's elections, as well as winning a new seat in Horsham. On a day when County Councils across the country turned blue, West Sussex Liberal Democrats bucked the national trend - emphasising residents' dissatisfaction with Tory control.

Liberal Democrat group leader Morwen Millson said, "West Sussex is the only place in the country where the Liberal Democrats have made significant gains from the Conservatives. People across West Sussex put their faith in the Liberal Democrats' plans for careful investment in the most important services, ending Conservative waste and keeping Council Tax rises below the rate of inflation."

"Sadly, due to the collapse of the Labour vote the Tories still have a large majority, but the Liberal Democrats are now in a real position to challenge, and pressure the Tories to mend their wasteful ways."

"Rail fares must be frozen" says Lib Dem Transport Spokesman on Horsham Visit

Mr Baker said, "At a time when we are trying to encourage more people out of their cars, the Government's determination to push rail fares up above inflation every year does not make sense. We could pay for a national freezing of rail fares by cancelling just 4 miles of road-widening across the country."

Mr Baker then laid out 3 criteria for assessing transport projects:
- What does it do to carbon emissions?
- What does it do for economic regeneration?
- What does it do for social mobility?

He then pointed out that investment in rail infrastructure is beneficial on all of these points, saying, "Rail passenger numbers are at their highest level since 1946, yet the rail network is half the size it was then. We need to re-open old train lines, upgrade existing lines, and increase the length of trains. It is ridiculous that rolling stock companies have an incentive to maintain a shortage of trains."

In a wide-ranging debate with Mott MacDonald Aviation Strategist Laurie Price, Mr Baker also made clear his opposition to new runways either at Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, saying that many travelling needs could be met by improving rail links, so reducing the need to fly from London to Northern Europe or the rest of the UK. He criticised the Government's Air Passenger Duty, saying there are far better ways to tax the environmental cost of flying. "Air Passenger Duty is a blunt instrument, a stealth tax on consumers. It is far better to tax the aircraft, not the passenger, and so give an incentive to airlines to increase load-levels and stop flying empty planes."

Morwen Millson, leader of West Sussex Liberal Democrats, said, "With large numbers of commuters in Horsham, and the proximity of Gatwick Airport, transport is a huge issue here."

"Listening to Norman Baker speak, re-emphasises the fact that the Liberal Democrats have policies for cheap, comfortable and environmentally friendly transport that Labour and the Conservatives simply cannot match."