Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust - All that glistens....Update November 2013

Back in December 2011 I wrote about how the situation with Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust had developed over the years, You can revisit it here  since then we see some improvement in the amount of services but we still have a minor injuries unit instead of an A&E, albeit open 24 hours a day at the moment.

We see a further exercise to build in more beds into Pinderfields and what seems a similar downward path opening up for Dewsbury Hospital as the Trust struggles with performance and funding.

Repeatedly through the process our local MPs have spoken about the undertakings that they received but they still do not seem to bring them forward into the public domain. It was all very well for them to say that the NHS was safe in their hands but they have badly fallen short and continue to do so.

Pontefract Christmas Lights switch on 25th November 2013 UPDATE Let there be light!

Well I must say that I was a bit optimistic.

Weather forecast for this afternoon and evening was looking cold and clear through the afternoon and into the evening. No announcements of biblical storms or proposals for torrents running across the Market Place.

Previous years we have had water falling from the sky...well at least horizontally. Even so folks have turned out in numbers wrapped against the elements and had a brilliant time.

So I looked forward to seeing as many of you as could make it coming out to see the opening shots of Christmas in Pontefract.

Whoohoo!  There were market stalls, fairground rides, the Wakefield Met Brass Band, entertainers a host of kids out to enjoy themselves, proud parents, a variety characters in varying degrees of fancy dress from the pantomime (St Giles and St Marys Pantomime Society (Cinderella at the Town Hall in January) Oh yes they are!

The Lions & Lionesses personing Father Christmas's grotto in St Giles church and at 6.30 four local councillors some youngsters, their proud parents/ grandparents and a cheering happy crowd for the switch with joy and fun had by allsorts. (did you spot the liquorice pun).

For those who were there, thanks for the waves.

See you there next year? Hope so,

Thanks for all those who said hello.

Merry Christmas Enjoy!

Geoff

Unlocking Democracy in Wakefield - tune in and see why the council has to change

Live broadcasting has finally caught up with the Wakefield Council Chamber 82 years since the first BBC live broadcasts from Alexandra Palace and It gives people the opportunity to see what goes on in the monthly set piece council meeting. This could be good thing considering that, in 2012, the majority of people in Wakefield District did not vote in the local elections.

Of the 257,119 people who could have voted. 180,259 chose not to do so, consequently, we see a controlling group that has held power since 1974. Under the present system there is an election in three out of every four years with, effectively, the potential for only one third of the council to change each time.

People do not see the power or point of their vote so do not engage with the process. Seeing it in living technicolor may help confirm why things must change and why each vote really is important.

The council meeting that viewers will see harks back to the process that was set up in the 1970s with some amendments by the controlling group over the years.

There are very clear protocols on who may speak and typically, depending on the Mayor’s grace and favour, if you have already spoken, you may not get the chance to reply to other’s comments.

Viewers of the first meeting will see that the majority of business is set by the controlling group using their block vote.

Tune in to see the seven or so members of the controlling group declare their interest as private landlords, the executive leader’s giraffe joke, half a question; the missing bit talks about the Mid Yorks Hospital trust getting £100,000 revenue from people calling on the 0844 lines when making appointments, a vote where the controlling group pass a 321% increase in allowance for a committee chairman’s post and an interesting discussion around HS2 including a venerable councillor’s dim recollection about the Beeching report and “Conservative” railway cuts in the 1960s, when in fact he could have usefully checked who was in power through the majority of cuts.

There is a debate on the private rental sector which strays off topic because the experts, councillors who are private landlords, have left the chamber, an all too frequent item on parliamentary matters that the council has no influence on concerning the EU, the last government’s light touch banking regulation, £11.5 billion paid out in bankers’ bonuses during their watch and the Labour perspective on the economy (apparently having the shadow chancellor as a local MP does not give Wakefield enough parliamentary influence).

There is a chance to learn that Wakefield’s £550m net expenditure in 2007/8 has now reached a projected £562 million for 2013/14, despite the leader’s continual message of government reductions. Finally a consensus item about a national campaign for ex-service personnel is dropped and an opposition motion on buying local and promoting Small Business Saturdays is graciously accepted by all.

Add to this a number of polite and some not so polite insults and attacks flying about and you have an overview of a day in the life of a typical WMD council meeting.

For some this will sound all too typical, for others it will not really be what they expect their elected representatives are getting up to.

Local councillors should focus on local issues and stop wasting precious time running down the government and debating national issues which are more within the remit of local MPs.

Before casting their vote, perhaps people need to check what their local councillors will do for them. Personally I was elected to support the people in my ward on the local issues that are important to them, they give authority to the MP for the national issues.

Clearly in Wakefield we need to unlock democracy so that individuals can really hold the administration to account on the matters that are important to them and uphold the council motto “Working for you”.

Coun Geoff Walsh

Leader

Wakefield Conservative Group

Compliments of the Wakefield Express  Why Wakefield Council needs to be more accountable to the people of Wakefield district.

Labour vote to confirm a 321% increase for Committee Chairperson in Wakefield

Last Wednesday in the Council Chamber, completely against the interests of the people of Wakefield but completely supporting their own self interest the members of the Wakefield Labour Group who were present voted unanimously to nod through a 321% increase in the allowance for the Chairperson appointed earlier in the year to West Yorkshire Joint Services.

To quote a colleague you could not make it up.

Luckily the inaugural webcast captured it in glorious technicolour and I also demanded a recorded vote so that each individual had to confirm their vote.

To those Labour Group Members who voted this through.  We know who you are, do your electorate and how are you going to explain that?

Interestingly the MP's Pay Rise has gone quiet, I wonder when they will accept their proposed increase?

My message to our local MPs. Messrs Balls, Cooper, Creagh and Trickett "All because you can accept an increase does not mean that you should!"

Interestingly they don't want to talk about it.

What do you think?

Co-operative movement...where did it all start to go wrong?

This is a strange post for me. I studied the story of the Rochdale Pioneers and the foundation of the Co-operative movement as a college project as a student and found myself admiring the way that their retail ethos helped to give generations safe quality foodstuffs and a different sort of banking.

Their big mistake was to go political or at least in recent years that seems so true, in the case of the political selection process that put an under qualified, under experienced, Bradford Labour Councillor into the role of Chairman, at least one of his mistakes was Cocaine and there are others that put his judgement and intent in question.

The other really big mistake is for the Co-op is to sponsor the MP for Morley and Outwood, perhaps they might of been better getting somebody with financial knowledge and management experience for both roles.

Oh but I forget, Ed is the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and it turns out that Flowers authorised a donation of £50,000 to Ed Balls. Flowers was involved in authorising donations to Mr Balls and his Parliamentary office and said: ‘we believe in supporting our political friend’. He also said that it was ‘lovely to have affirmation from senior politicians’.

  I suspect Andrea Jenkyns will be aiming to dislodge Ed in 2015 more power to her elbow.

Ed Balls and I have previous, when he was supporting Post Office Closures and I was supporting the people of Upper Altofts

Poll shows strong support for spare room subsidy cut.

There was some detailed polling out on November the 8th. – carried out by Ipsos MORI for the Department for Work and Pension – showing strong support for the Government’s reform reducing the spare room subsidy for social housing tenants, bringing it more in line with the situation for those 3+ million households in the private rental sector and reflecting the choices that home owners have to make when matching accomodation to need.

Related Articles

• Homes are not being demolished due to spare room subsidy cut
• Labour ignore the plight of the overcrowded
• Conservatism must be about both statistics and people, competence and compassion
• Iain Duncan Smith MP: The public agree that cutting the spare room subsidy is fair

This is especially gratifying given the amount of effort the Labour Party have put in with misleading propaganda attacking the policy – notably, of course, the dishonest labelling of the reform as the “bedroom tax.”

It is not just the Labour Party. The trade unions, left wing sections of the media and assorted far left agitprop groups have made this a campaign priority. They have thrown the kitchen sink at it. No effort has been spared in the streets, in the courts, in parliament, on the airwaves. Yet the public remain supportive. Overall approval runs at 49 per cent, with 33 per cent opposed.

You would find that hard to believe if you listened to the local Labour Councillors in Wakefield. Clearly they have little thought for those people in overcrowded accomodation who would be glad to have access to spare rooms that are blocked across the district.

This and related articles courtesy of Conservative Home

Wakefield Council Webcast 13th November 2013

Live broadcasting has finally caught up with the Wakefield Council Chamber 82 years since the first BBC live broadcasts from Alexandra Palace and It gives people the opportunity to see what goes on in the monthly set piece council meeting.

Follow this link to see the webcast.

Or this link to see my comments on the meeting itself in the Wakefield Express

Days of Remembrance 2013

For those who wish to reflect on loved ones and dear ones who may have made the supreme sacrifice, giving their lives for us and others, or for the many who have come back from conflict damaged or broken then St Giles has a quiet space for them to think on.

Pontefract has a military history going back hundreds of years and visitors to St Giles Church can see examples that will provoke thought.

Remembrance continues with a chance for people to share a 2 minute silence by the War Memorial at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, tomorrow.

Lest we forget.

Updated...: Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust and Pontefract Hospital - Funny Money

Many of us are aware of the dire financial straits that re-organisations and changes have created for Mid Yorks Hospital Trust and we keep hearing of additional issues. Just emerging we discover that people phoning Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust have been hit by an enhanced phone charge scam that has generated over £100,000 in revenue by bumping up the bills of people ringing in. This charge on the sick and vulnerable is simply not acceptable and they should stop it.

I will be criticised by some for suggesting that in these difficult times that they should do away with the tactic , but would simply counter that those GP practices that use this money generator tactic at public expense are being challenged to stop it by the NHS and the other Yorkshire Hospital Trusts do not put this extra charge on their users.

Update:
I asked a question in the council chamber on Wednesday of Cllr Pat Garbutt, who was a Director of the Mid Yorks Hospital Trust, but apparently is no longer. They see off directors quite quickly it seems.

That said a number of members of the previous board resigned on mass following my advice that they should (have a look hear)

On the call charging front I guess my next person to challenge is the CEO

Unlocking Democracy in Wakefield

In 2012, the majority of people in Wakefield District did not vote in the Local Elections.  Of the 257,119 people  who could have voted. 180,259 chose not to do so,  we see a controlling group that has held power since 1974 and a majority who do not see the point of voting. Under the present system there is an election in three out of every four years with, effectively, the potential for only one third of the council to change each time. People do not see the power or point of their vote and do not engage with the process. We need to see that chance for change. With colleagues, I am working on a proposal that could change this situation and unlock democracy for the people of the district. If you want to help please get in touch........ What do you think?

The Electoral Commission - Find out more about voting, postal voting if you are away, how to register for your vote (Click Here for more information)

UPDATED Does Hardwick Road still have a Post Office? - 2

Absolutely!

Called in this morning to buy a newspaper, a couple of Hinnits scufflers and a pack of rindless unsmoked bacon. Blissful start to a Saturday morning. None of that would have been possible but for the determination of a great Sub Postmaster and a community that rose up to challenge the Post Office when they were pushing Labour's Post Office closure programme across West Yorkshire.

To read about the fight and how we did it click here.

Northern Lights - Time Lapse Photography

For those of you that could do with a short break up north.

Have a look at this Vimeo production

Festival of Remembrance - Wakefield Cathedral Friday 8th November UPDATED

Mayor's Remembrance Ceremony at Wakefield Cathedral.

I know that this is an evening that Cllr Brian Holmes would have absolutely attended. It is right and proper that it goes ahead and brings a chance for the people of Wakefield to gather before the other ceremonial aspects of remembrance.

See you there?

6.45 for 7pm,

UPDATE
A very positive evening of remembrance. Church and Civic Dignitaries, Royal British Legion, Cadet Forces and community, with musical backing from The City of Wakefield Metropolitan Band and a performance by the Crigglestone Theatre Company. Two memorable pieces by Edward Elgar, Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Nimrod, a service with thoughtful readings, classical hymns and ceremonial.

There are similar acts of remembrance happening all around the country. Royal British Legion from the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow evening, Services on Sunday and further acts of remembrance on Monday morning.

Lest we forget... those who gave their lives for ours and for all who have put themselves in harms way for us and a chance to think of those who remain.

Wear your poppy with pride.

24 New houses in Priory Wood?

Request to Call in Planning Application reference 13/02705/OUT 24 Dwellings Land at Wakefield Road, Pontefract WF8 4HW

FOR INFORMATION

I am writing to you as case officer for Planning Application reference 13/02705/OUT, Land at Wakefield Road, Pontefract WF8 4HW.

(Outline Application for 24 number Dwellings (access only) together with demolition of existing dwelling and removal of commercial uses.)

I understand that you are at a stage where you are proposing to address the application using delegated powers.

May I ask that should you have sufficient information and are minded to refuse the application that you proceed under those delegated powers, in the event however that you are minded to approve the application for access, that you instead put that forward for scheduling for the Planning Committee to decide the application, so that interested parties can make representations to the Committee.

I realise that the application is an OUTline one to secure highway access for a potential development on Priory Wood and other more detailed matters would then be decided at a FULL application should this initial application be successful.

Focussing on the application to hand, whilst the applicant has put forward a highway study, I do not believe that this reflects the true situation and the real challenges that will come from allowing a further highway access so close to the existing junction which is a critical choke point for access to Pontefract and is identified as an AQMA due to existing traffic and pollution  levels.

We already accept the seriousness of standing traffic at this point by use of traffic control and parking restrictions, further  the Planning and Highways Committee accepted the seriousness of the existing traffic situation by linking a condition to the Ackworth Road development to fund much needed junction improvements on Wakefield Road, Mill Hill, Southgate and Jubilee Way to mitigate flows and to reduce pollution levels.  Those funds are in place and the long awaited work is, according to officers due to start at some point early in 2014.

Again whilst acknowledging that this is an OUTline application for access, the applicants technical experts have provided a number of reports on other aspects that would benefit from close scrutiny. 

Priory Wood is on a hillside at the at the rear of existing domestic properties on Mill Hill and Wakefield Road and on the edge of the Friarswood Valley Gardens and Button Park conservation area.  It is situated within a five minute walk of Pontefract Town Centre and contains a number of trees protected by order, Priory Wood itself is part of the positive side of the air quality balance for the residents of surrounding properties. There are other items of habitat and environment that will be impacted should the access be granted and should significant numbers of properties be allowed this would further lead to losses of amenity and quality of life for existing residents and future ones alike.  

Whilst it is true to say that the Priory itself and outbuildings damaged and made uninhabitable by fires in recent years, would benefit from remediation or removal, replacement with 24 houses whilst potentially economically viable, is unlikely to enhance the traffic flows and the potential overlooking, loss of woodland environment  and amenity to the residents of Mill Hill and Wakefield Road, whilst it may cause further disruption and delay  to the planned junction improvements.

Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Cllr Geoff Walsh
Councillor - Pontefract South 

Mob 07973 747342
Details

http://mg.wakefield.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1256

Pontefract South Ward Census - Getting in touch - Keeping in touch

Pontefract South:

Ackworth Rd, Baghill, Carleton, Carleton Park, Chequerfield, Darrington, East Hardwick, Hardwick Rd, Larkshill, Wakefield Rd and Wentbridge

Over the autumn and through into spring, I will be conducting a census across the ward to confirm peoples local priorities for the next 12 months.

 If you receive a questionnaire please give examples of council services that you value and examples where you would like to see something done better. I will be calling, knocking on peoples doors, conducting drop in sessions and Q&A sessions with groups and associations and am happy to visit by appointment if that would help. So look out for a Walsh appearing somewhere near you. If you do seem me out and about please say hello.

Geoff

OR If you have a specific issue you wish to discuss please get in touch with me

Call 01977 801091 or email geoff.walsh.npc@gmail.com or visit http://geoffwalsh.blogspot.co.uk/ and leave a comment 

You need friends

Friends Groups

As a Historic Borough and Market Town, with a Royal Castle, three railway stations and a Racecourse, the first in the western hemisphere to hold an election by secret ballot, any big decisions were made for Pontefract by Pontefract people. That stopped in 1974 when the Borough of Pontefract ceased to be and the key decisions about the town's growth, investment and well-being moved to Wakefield.  The Friends Groups that are coming together and thriving are great examples of taking back some say in decisions to improve our Town. 

If you can, please consider joining or supporting one of the groups, or passing their details on to a friend who might like to get involved or help.

Friends of Pontefract Castle 

Secretary Janet McNaught 01977 794466

Friendsof Friarwood Valley Gardens 

Secretary Maria Dransfield 01977 704747

Friends of Pease Park 

Secretary Matt Haddleton  01977 780529

PontefractCivic Society 

 Secretary Paul Cartwright, 01977 708658

Progress made and help for hardworking people

The last four years have been hugely challenging for many as the government has sought to repair the financial damage and to pay down the deficit left by Labour. 

We are starting to see real progress:

• UK Deficit down a third.
• Balancing benefits reducing tax burden on hardworking people.
• Biggest ever cash rise in the basic State Pension.
• By April 2014 we will have seen an average tax cut of £705 for 25 million people.
• 2.7 million people with the lowest incomes taken out of tax altogether.
• Supported people and businesses who have created 1.4 million new jobs and 300,000 more small businesses.
• Record numbers have started apprenticeships – half a million in the last year alone.

A cut in the EU budget and a treaty vetoed because it wasn’t in Britain’s national interest

Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust and Pontefract Hospital

Many people in the five towns have been exasperated about the situation with Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust. The trust, at the behest of our local MPs, drove through a PFI which resulted in a significant building programme a whole parcel of debt and a series of re organisations with services being centralised around Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The hospitals at Pontefract and Dewsbury have faced service deletions and restructuring. In the latest set of proposals some services will return to Pontefract and some be retained in Dewsbury. In all of this process getting results has just become more difficult. We regularly see photoshoots outside one hospital or another with our MPs looking glum and we get a service which falls short when compared with the exemplars.

The latest shocker is the discovery of a £13 million pound bill for 6 months temporary staff cover...You could not make it up.

Now there will be those reading this who will say that its the government that's at fault and in a way they are right with the previous Labour Government going for a spend at all costs without ensuring that Mid Yorks Hospital Trust spent wisely. The NHS was not safe in their hands as the Stafford Hospital fiasco proved.

The Mid Yorks situation will end up in front of the Health Minister at some point. Here's hoping he will do more for this district than previous Labour politicians or the Hospital Trust.

Remembrance 2013

Regardless of peoples views on the rights or wrongs of the situation in Afghanistan. Our young people are out there and a growing number have payed the ultimate price. Many more have returned broken shadows of their former selves.

Sunday the 10th will present a chance to acknowledge their sacrifice and commitment.

Wear your poppy with pride.

Royal British Legion

Visit Help for Heroes

And for those who remember on Sunday the 10th or next Monday the 11th you may hear part of this, some may question the sentiment,but for many it still rings true.

For the Fallen

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon September 1914

With many of my colleagues I will be attending the Royal British Legion's service of remembrance at Wakefield Cathedral on Friday evening and laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Pontefract on Sunday morning and present on Monday the 11th at 11pm in Pontefract/

Lest we forget.

Pontefract Choral Society - St Giles - Messiah

Thursday night we had the chance to experience one of the great Yorkshire traditions. Paul Dewhurst and the Pontefract Choral Society performed Handel's Messiah, a great night with brilliant performances from choir, soloists and musicians. A good time had by all and we really experienced the grand acoustics.

What with Friday lunchtime organ recitals and other musical performances, St Giles, Pontefract is well on the way to becoming a great venue as well as a magnificent church. Well worth a visit and you will find Walsh there most Saturday mornings having a coffee........ and maybe the odd piece of cake. See you there?