Category: Uncategorized

Since September, Manor councillor Sue Derbyshire has been knocking on Manor ward’s doors with her local Residents Survey – listening to local people’s priorities and concerns.

Sue told residents:  

“Thank you for the friendly reception and for taking the time to fill in the survey. I am hoping to cover most parts of the Manor Ward over the next few months. 

● “Potholes” and “dog fouling” were the most common issues mentioned as requiring action. 

● A remarkable 90% of you say you feel safe in your local neighbourhood – although there are small pockets where crime or anti-social behaviour causes concern.

● Many of you have no major concerns and expressed appreciation at what I and the FOCUS team are trying to do.”

Sue has been working hard to deal with local concerns, with much success – although some problems will take longer to sort out. These will of course be reported in the regular issues of Focus that are delivered by volunteers in the local area.

If you can spend some time to deliver some Focus newsletter, use the Contact form to get in touch or join the team on the section above!

Cllr Ann Smith, who represents the Davenport and Cale Green ward containing parts of Shaw Heath, has written an urgent letter to residents in Shaw Heath about a petition on resident only parking.

Ann was contacted by residents concerned about problems with the number of cars parking on Wellington Grove, particularly near the junction with Shaw Heath.

These problems have knock on effects further up Wellington Grove, as well on Crosby Road and Cale Road.

Ann told residents in her letter that “The local businesses on Shaw Heath are very important to us here, but they need to be fair about staff parking on residential roads. Especially when there is ample parking already in the Shaw Heath area.”

Ann proposed a Residents Permit parking scheme on Wellington Grove to solve the problem.  But she wants residents to have their say on whether they want this scheme to be adopted.

Permit Parking Schemes prevent the long term parking of vehicles owned by non-residents by providing space where only residents and their visitors can park.

Ann asked residents to have their say via a petition enclosed with the letter.  Residents can print a copy of this petition by clicking here, or e-mail their details to: petitions@stockportlibdems.org.uk.

The planned consultation on the future of the nursery site in Woodbank Park – involving everyone with an interest in the park – has been further delayed after action from Labour Councillors.

The park serves people all over Manor ward and it is important that lots of local people and groups that use the park have a say in the future of the nursery site.

This is why Manor Lib Dem Councillors Sue Derbyshire and Daniel Hawthorne wanted the Council to issue a consultation document to ensure these key stakeholders had their say.

But Labour Councillors representing Edgeley, Cale Green, and elsewhere in Stockport, blocked the plan.  They wanted a costly referendum-style poll, but for just the neighbours of the Park.

Cllr Daniel Hawthorne said: “One consultation document for all interested parties would have been preferable – but councillors from Edgeley, Cale Green and elsewhere outvoted the Manor councillors present.”

Lib Dem councillors Sue Derbyshire, Ann Smith and Daniel Hawthorne are fighting a plan from opposition councillors at the Town Hall to switch off alternate street lights in Stockport to save money.

Local Lib Dems have slammed the Tory proposal to switch off or dim alternate street lights.  One Conservative has even suggested that Stockport should be a pilot area for such a scheme. 

“Not only would this not save money, as dimming each light would itself cost hundreds, but it would make cyclists and pedestrians in the area more vulnerable,” said Ann.

“Stockport has already saved thousands in this area by changing to low energy bulbs and should continue with this policy. We will fight any plans to dim local lights.” 

Since launching the campaign and making residents aware of the debate in the regular Focus leaflets, Residents have responded with massive support. One described it as a ‘silly idea’ and an elderly resident said that she was ‘very worried’ about lights being switched off or dimmed near her.

Residents who want to have their say on the issue can contact us via e-mail on  streetlights@stockportlibdems.org.uk.  Please let the team know what you think about the plan.

Lib Dems on Stockport Council have agreed to continue their campaign to get behind local football club Stockport County by agreeing to a loan of £182,125 for the club.

The loan, which is underwritten by the Football League, would be repaid at the end of August at an interest rate of 3% above Bank Rate to ensure taxpayers funds are protected.

The loan is required because of what a Council report described as “an immediate cash flow issue” which has forced County to ask for the Council’s assistance with access to short term funds.

The report said:

“Over recent years, SCFC has faced a number of issues which have caused it difficulties in operating as a going concern. A considerable amount of work has been undertaken in stabilising the Club and in making changes to the management structure since it came out of administration.”

“The presence of a professional football club within the Borough is considered to be of significant importance by the Council. There are benefits to the locality in terms of business generated and local pride in SCFC continuing to be a viable club.”

Ann Smith welcomed the decision and said: “This decision helps protect an institution which is not only an important community asset to people all over Stockport, especially in the area I represent, but also reportedly brings in £1.7m a year into Stockport’s economy. This is too much to ignore.”

“Stockport cannot afford to lose County so it is in the interest of us all to get behind the club as best we can whilst ensuring taxpayers money is protected.”

There will be no more Post Office closures in Stockport after a Lib Dem Government Minister secured a ten-year deal between the Post Office and the Royal Mail.

Manor Councillor Sue Derbyshire – a long-standing campaigner against Post Office closures – hailed the new deal as “a very welcome move” that will safeguard the future of the Post Office.

The deal, announced in January by Lib Dem Business Minister Ed Davey, will give additional certainty to subpostmasters across the UK and covers the full range of Royal Mail products available at post offices – such as first and second class post, parcels, air mail, recorded and special deliveries.

“The new national deal will end Labour’s shameful Post Office closure programme, which saw more than 7,100 Post Offices disappear in their 13 years in office.” said Sue.

“After years of Post Office closures under Labour, it is excellent news that Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing by ensuring that the Post Office has a sustainable future ahead of it.”

“The news that Hempshaw Lane Post Office is safe is great news for local people,” said Sue. “The other two local post offices serving Manor Ward were closed under the last Labour Government.”