Lib Dem policies at local and national level have led to a 60% increase in Stockport apprenticeships
Unemployment figures out this week show another fall in unemployment in Stockport.
Stockport’s unemployment rate is now down to 3.3%. This compares favourably with the overall 4.8% figure for Greater Manchester, the 4.3% figure for the North West and the 3.8% figure for the whole of the UK.
Significantly, youth unemployment is also down. The JSA claimant rate for 16-24 years olds was down 3.9% and the 18-24 age group down 4.2%. The results are good news for Stockport’s apprenticeship work, in conjunction with the Lib Dem policy pushed in government to boost apprentice numbers.
The results of this work mean that 6,290 new apprenticeships have been created in Stockport since 2010, a 60% rise on the apprenticeships created in Stockport under the last government.
Cllr Patrick McAuley joins the Lib Dem group at Stockport Town Hall
Councillor Sue Derbyshire welcomes Councillor Patrick McAuley as new member of the Stockport Liberal Democrat Group at the Town Hall
Speaking after the Stockport Liberal Democrat Group voted to accept the membership application from Councillor Patrick McAuley, Independent Councillor for Manor Ward, Councillor Sue Derbyshire said:
“Since he was elected Cllr McAuley has shown dedication to being an effective councillor but that is very hard to do as an Independent.
“I am glad that he has looked closely at what the Liberal Democrat Group is doing in trying to protect the most vulnerable people and essential services in these very difficult times and has decided to join us to promote the interests of Stockport.”
Following his election to the Group, Councillor Patrick McAuley said:
“It has become clear that the only party prepared to put people first in Stockport, and who embody the principle of “people matter” that I have espoused since leaving the Labour party almost a year ago, are local Liberal Democrats.
“Councillors Derbyshire, Hawthorne and I will be a formidable force as ward colleagues in working tirelessly for the interests of the residents of Manor ward.
“The road ahead is long and there will be significant financial challenges to face but I continue to be impressed by this Group’s approach to inclusiveness in their efforts to reduce the impacts of the economic crisis on our residents.”
A development agreement has been reached for Stockport’s new ‘Office Quarter’.
Stockport Council and Muse Developments have signed and sealed a Development Agreement, marking an important milestone in the development of a high-specification office quarter, next to the train station in the town centre.
The Council bought the Grand Central site last year to bring forward the office-led development, including hotel and improved car parking, as well as an attractive new gateway to the town centre.
National development and regeneration specialist Muse Developments were appointed by the Council as development partner to deliver the project.
Phase One consists of a new 1,000 space multi-story car park and a range of highway improvements, due to be completed at the beginning of 2014.
The new car park will meet increasing demand for parking next to the railway station and encourage more people to take the train. A temporary parking solution for commuters will be provided during its construction.
Phase Two has been masterplanned for the first commercial office building, new public space, a hotel and highway improvements by 2015.
Phase Three will include further office buildings, extension of the open space and further improved accessibility for pedestrians on a phased basis up to 2020.
Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “The signing of the Development Agreement confirms both parties’ commitment to delivering a cutting-edge new office quarter and commuter destination for Stockport. It is a crucial part of our overall vision for the town centre – attracting jobs, investment and footfall. We’ve worked hard to make sure that it’s self-financing and at no extra cost to the Council-tax payer.”
Matt Gallagher leading from the front in the fight against organised crime
Today is your chance to vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner serving Stockport and the rest of Greater Manchester.
The election here is expected to be between former Stockport Police Inspector Matt Gallagher and Labour’s former MP for central Manchester.
Call the local team if you need a lift to vote on this chilly November day!
Opinion polls show that voters across the UK want someone with Police experience to be the first Police and Crime Commissioners.
Matt joined the Greater Manchester Police in 1978. He served for thirty years, constantly on frontline policing duty, rising to the rank of inspector.
First responder to the Manchester bomb, his no nonsense approach to both drug gang violence and racism and bullying within the police, his leadership in tackling some of the most serious outbreaks of violence in the cities recent history, and involvement in solving some of its most notorious murders, are just some of the hallmarks of an extraordinary career.
Matt has been married to Rhonda since 1981 and has two grown-up children. His son Will is a Royal Marine Commando and daughter Olivia is a Mobile Carer in South Manchester. Matt has two grandsons, Alfie and Leo. Since retirement he has been an active member of the Liberal Democrats.
Ann pushes her campaign for justice on Stockport’s Pure Radio
Ann Smith is campaigning for an official government apology for the policy of forced child adoptions in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s.
These forced adoptions took place because of social pressure on women who had given birth to children outside of marriage.
To make things worse, no information was provided to many of these women about any support that existed that might have prevented the forced breakup of their families.
Now Ann is taking part in a campaign to get a government apology about the practices, and took her campaign to the airwaves on Stockport’s Pure Radio.
“An apology won’t reverse the past,” Ann told listeners, “but women who had children outside of marriage were often stigmatised and then ignored. An apology can go some way toward helping the children and parents who were victims of this practice.”
