Category: Manor, Offerton & Heaviley

Councillor Patrick McAuley joins Stockport Lib Dems

Cllr Patrick McAuley Liberal Democrats
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.”

Police & Crime Commissioner Elections – Today

PCC elections
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.

See more about Matt at his website:

http://mattgallagher.mycouncillor.org.uk/biography

Public on PCC Elections – we want former Policeman not former Politician

Results of Public Opinion are clear

Polls open on November 15th to elect a Police Commissioner for Greater Manchester.

Opinion polls show that voters across the UK want someone with Police experience to be the first Police and Crime Commissioners.

Here in Greater Manchester the choice is between former Stockport Police Inspector Matt Gallagher and Labour’s former MP for central Manchester.

See more about what Matt would do if elected on Thursday at his website, and back his campaign to cut costs – not bobbies:

http://mattgallagher.mycouncillor.org.uk/

Ann takes Forced Adoption Crusade to Stockport’s Airwaves

Ann Smith Radio call in
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.”

Our new Police and Crime Commissioner: Former Copper or Former Politician?

Matt Gallagher Lib Dem PCC
Matt Gallagher leading from the front in the fight against organised crime

Stockport Lib Dems are bacing former policeman Matt Gallagher in this month’s Police and Crime Commissioner elections in Stockport.

The elections on November 15th with postal voters receiving their ballots in the post soon.

The election in Greater Manchester is expected to be between former Stockport Police Inspector Matt Gallagher and Labour’s former MP for central Manchester.

“The last thing the job needs is another politician,” said Ann Smith.

“The Police Commissioner should have Police experience, and Matt Gallagher is the right man for the job.”

See more about Matt’s police career and what he will do for residents if elected, at his website:

http://mattgallagher.mycouncillor.org.uk/key-moments-from-matts-police-career/

Helping Residents Avoid Car Crime

Car Crime Stockport
Helping residents spot the things car theives look for

A car seized from a criminal under the Proceeds of Crime Act (pictured) was used by Stockport’s Safer Stockport Partnership (SSP) togive local residents insights into the minds of potential car thieves.

The car was parked in Mersey Square displaying the sticky ring left by a stolen sat nav on the windscreen, a lap top on the floor of the car, loose change, a mobile phone, sunglasses on the dashboard and window partially wound down.

The partnership consists of the Police, the Council and Greater Manchester Fire Service, and arranged the display to make people aware that most vehicle crime takes place where valuables are on show and the car is insecure.

Councillor Mark Weldon Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Supporting Communities, said: “Crime has fallen in Stockport for the 8th consecutive year and we are committed to reducing it even further. This event was a great way of getting the message to residents about how to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle crime. Taking simple measures such as removing valuable items from vehicles and ensuring vehicles are locked with the windows fully up will reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.”

Chief Inspector Leon Jacobs of Greater Manchester Police’s Stockport Division, said: “People can take some really simple steps to protect their property, such as parking in secure or well-lit areas wherever possible. They should also close all windows, use a steering lock and remove all valuables, especially sat navs and their mounting cradles. All doors should be locked and the immobiliser activated if you have one.

“It is a good idea to register valuables at www.immobilise.com and to security mark them with your postcode and house number or vehicle registration number.  Motorists should also keep a record of the make, model and serial number of such items. Finally, car keys should be kept hidden at home and away from doors and windows to prevent hook-and-cane thefts.”

This event launched an extensive crime prevention campaign in Stockport to help prevent vehicle crime. Other activities taking place over the summer include:

·     Distributing Safer Licence plate kits to local residents to secure licence plates and prevent their theft

·     Talking life-sized cardboard cut-outs of Police Officers in foyers of stores with large car parks reminding people to remove their valuables and secure their vehicles.

·     Posters and leaflets with crime reduction advice placed in community buildings and handed out at events.

To find out more about how to prevent your vehicle being targeted by thieves, visit www.saferstockport.org.uk or call 0161 474 3143.