Author: stockportlibdems

Whilst many people enjoy organised firework displays, animal charities and those supporting people susceptible to alarm from them, including those with autistic spectrum disorders or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, have highlighted the harm caused by loud fireworks

Following the proposal of a Liberal Democrat motion at the recent Full Council Meeting, Stockport Council will now act to seek to increase the enjoyment and reduce the harm by raising awareness of the impact of fireworks and lobby government to introduce a lower limit for the noisiest fireworks sold to the public.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Mark Roberts, Lib Dem Councillor for Bredbury Green and Romiley and proposer of the motion, said: “I know from personal experience the impact fireworks can have on a loved family pet, more recently I’ve become aware of their potential impacts on those with autism and mental health conditions including PTSD and while I think it important people should be able to enjoy themselves as they wish they should be aware their choices have consequences for their neighbours. We would like to make it easier for people to make good choices for our communities and the types of fireworks they choose to celebrate with.

“I was delighted that following the debate on this motion we now have a policy in Stockport where the council will actively promote a public awareness campaign of the impact of fireworks, advertise public displays and lobby government for lower noise limits for fireworks. There is plenty of time between now and next firework season for this to be implemented properly.”

Cllr Suzanne Wyatt, Lib Dem Councillor for Cheadle Hulme South and seconder of the motion, said: “In my speech I highlighted many tragic stories of harm or distress caused to animals and people by fireworks. I am delighted that all councillors unanimously supported our call to action and that Stockport will now be a safer place for residents and animals alike.”

Responding to the news that Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party will not be standing candidates in Cheadle and Hazel Grove, the Liberal Democrats have said it’s clear that moderate Conservative voters have been left homeless.

Liberal Democrat candidate for Hazel Grove, Lisa Smart said:

“It’s clear that the Conservatives and Brexit Party are now the same. Boris Johnson’s alliance with Nigel Farage has shown that they have only one ambition in mind, to deliver the hardest Brexit possible that puts jobs and our public services at risk.

“Conservative voters across Hazel Grove have already contacted us, saying they simply cannot continue to back a party that would work with the likes of Nigel Farage and Aaron Banks.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Cheadle, Tom Morrison said:

“The Conservative Party has rejected the politics of Ken Clarke and Winston Churchill’s grandson and replaced it with the politics of Nigel Farage and Donald Trump.

“People across Cheadle deserve so much better. They are not the kind of people that would be comfortable with this nasty little alliance, and I’m sure this will be made clear in the next few weeks.”

Tom Morrison and the Cheadle Lib Dems have welcomed the decision of the Green Party to stand aside at this election.

Local Lib Dem candidate Tom Morrison said “We thank the Green Party for this brave decision. Brexit is a national crisis. This groundbreaking agreement, facilitated by the Unite to Remain campaign group, will help to secure more Remain supporting MPs in the next Parliament. We also thank all the candidates who have generously agreed to stand aside in other seats affected by the Unite to Remain arrangements.”

“It is deeply disappointing that Labour Remainers would not step up too, but its clear that on the doors across Cheadle, many Labour supporters are engaging with my positive plan for our area and understand that it is a two horse race between myself and the Conservatives.

“The people of Cheadle Constituency deserve a strong voice in Parliament, to stop Brexit and fight for a brighter future for Britain. The Liberal Democrats are the only Party that can make that happen in our area.”

Local Lib Dems have welcomed the decision of the Green Party to stand aside at this election.

Local Lib Dem candidate Lisa Smart said “We thank the Green Party for this brave decision. Brexit is a national crisis. This ground-breaking agreement, facilitated by the Unite to Remain campaign group, will help to secure more Remain supporting MPs in the next Parliament. We also thank all the candidates who have generously agreed to stand aside in other seats affected by the Unite to Remain arrangements.”

“It is deeply disappointing that Labour Remainers would not step up too, but they failed the test on backing a People’s Vote and they failed the test to build a new Remain Parliament. They are still a Brexit party.”

“The people of Hazel Grove deserve a strong voice in Parliament, to stop Brexit and fight for a brighter future for Britain. The Liberal Democrats are the only Party who can deliver that brighter future for our area at this election.”

Liberal Democrats at Stockport Town Hall have declared the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to be “dead in the water” at a meeting of the full Council last night. Speaking at the meeting Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said given the decision of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to postpone the next round of consultation until after the May 2020 local elections the controversial issue had effectively been “kicked in to the long grass”.

Cllr Hunter called for much greater emphasis to be placed on Stockport Council’s own Local Plan and demanded more urgent progress be made. He said “while Liberal Democrats recognise the need for more low cost homes in Stockport, we need the right homes in the right places. Accepting the case for new housing is not the same thing as giving licence to concrete over the countryside”.

The Liberal Democrats have twice attempted to persuade Stockport Council to disengage from the whole GMSF process but were defeated by a combination of Labour and Conservative councillor’s voting together.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Hunter said “it is increasingly clear that GMSF is going nowhere fast and the current Leader of this Council has no mandate to support it in its current form. With the position of the remaining Conservative councillors now a matter of great uncertainty, it’s clear that there is no majority in Stockport for GMSF to proceed. It’s time to focus on plan ‘B’ “.

Following concerns expressed by residents, the Liberal Democrat group on Stockport Council have today called on the ruling Labour Council Cabinet to reverse the proposed dangerous £315,000 cut in the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme. The fund was specifically set up to assist those most in need and the vulnerable. If Labour’s proposed cut were to go ahead it would represent a massive 68% reduction in help for those in the greatest of need in our community.

Cllr Mark Weldon, shadow cabinet member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods, said “This will be devastating for families and single people in crisis. These funds help people trying to set up homes after a crisis or young people leaving care, with grants for basic furniture and food and heating. The Lib Dem group will be opposing this attack on Stockport’s most vulnerable citizens”.

Full details of the proposed cut can be found here.