All the best for 2014

Here we sit at the end of 2013. 

A new year lies before us. Just as people have faced up to challenges over previous years we undoubtedly will have challenges and issues for the year ahead.

I wish you and yours the very best, thanks for the friendship and support in 2013 and all the very best for 2014!

Mid Yorks Hospitals NHS Trust - the costs grow...again

Between 2010 and 2013, £16.6m was paid for negligence cases involving Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which operates hospitals in Wakefield, Dewsbury and Pontefract.

Christmas Greetings 2013

Well we are nearly there. The midnight service at St Giles will mark the end of Christmas Eve and the start of Christmas Day in Pontefract. I wish you and yours the very best for Christmas thanks for friendship and support in 2013 and all the best for 2014!

But first we have a chance to celebrate the Christ Child's return.

Geoff

Prince of Wales site Pontefract launch event.

Along with a number of others Walsh was to be found at a briefing and launch of the new Prince of Wales development on the old colliery site off Park Road today. A number of people talked in clear, positive terms about what is planned. I can see that there are significant opportunities to put in place what will hopefully be a major development which if done right will be part of the positive regeneration of a piece of land that is at one of the gateways to Pontefract. Harworth Estates the principal developer face a big challenge. I am sure that they are up to that, but we do need to see that the supporting infrastructure works, not just for future residents of the Prince of Wales site but also for the residents of Pontefract as a whole.

We shall see.

Harworth are hoping to start laying bricks towards the end of 2014.

11% increase for MPs in Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, Morley & Outwood, Hemsworth and Wakefield...A liberty to far?

Back in July I wrote to our four MPs pointing out that if there was an inflation busting pay award made for them, that they did not automatically have to accept it. I personally believe that the public do not approve of the 11% pay increase that IPSA are likely to recommend on Thursday. In our part of the world Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper, John Trickett and Mary Creagh are generally reckoned to be on a generous package when compared with many of their constituents,

IPSA was set up after the MPs expense scandal to bring their financial packages back under control. It is unfortunate that they appear to be creating another us and them problem and their failing to acknowledge that people in society at large typically do not have such options shows a mind-boggling lack of consideration.

It could be worse, IPSA could have given a 321% increase to MPs in a similar way to the Labour Group in Wakefield who bounced an increase of that amount through for one of their Labour colleagues and we as local tax payers will pick up the bill..Again.

Pointless?

You just could not make it up!

Just been partaking of a bit of late afternoon BBC and on a question about British Politics answers were forthcoming for four out of five anagrams, the clue TO CREEPY VOTE was found to be the only pointless answer.

Nancy Astor, Betty Boothroyd, Jacqui Smith and Margaret Thatcher,were each recognised as significant British Parliamentarians and scored points.

Yvette Cooper our MP was pointless.

 How true, but it has taken some time for people to see it..

UPDATED The Christmas time machine at St Giles

I have just been hearing about BBC Radio Leeds who have recorded their Christmas Day Service and concert at St Giles in Pontefract on Tuesday evening. There were about 250 people involved and a wonderful time was had by all. Interesting to be celebrating such of a future event.

Follow this link to the podcast.

Autumn Statement - George Osbourne to Geoff Walsh to you - Key Messages today

Dear Geoff,

Today I set out the Autumn Statement and my message is clear: our long-term economic plan is working, but the job is not yet done.

We are working through the plan to secure a responsible recovery for all.

Thanks to the sacrifice and endeavour of the British people, the economy is recovering.

The deficit is down, debt will fall sooner, businesses have created 1.4 million new jobs, and the growth forecast for this year has more than doubled.

• We have been able to offer a £1,000 discount in business rates to shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs as part of a wider programme of help for the high street and support for businesses.
• We have been able to freeze fuel duty, to get energy bills down, and to freeze rail fare rises.
• As part of a youth package, we have been able to abolish the jobs tax for employers hiring people under 21. There will be a university place for anyone with the right grades, and through our welfare reforms we are giving young people the skills they need to succeed.
• We are also recognising marriage in the tax system.

The single biggest risk to the recovery comes from the Labour Party who call for us to abandon our plan, to borrow more and to spend more. That is exactly what got us into this mess.

But there is still more to do. We need to keep on working through the plan. That is why we are legislating to cap welfare, making sure we fix the roof when the sun is shining by running a surplus and keeping public spending under control.

You can find out more about what the Autumn Statement means for you at this website.

Share it on Facebook and Twitter and help us finish the job.

Thanks,

George Osborne

A busy weekend in Pontefract and the advent candle lit

As we get closer to Christmas the number of events start to blossom and all of a sudden here we are in December. I noted with interest that American retail giants all for the introduction of Black Friday following on from Halloween.

Saturday in Pontefract was a nice busy market day with lots of folk visiting. Just what we want to see.

Last night brought a bumper performance by the Doncaster Youth Stage Band, the entry point for the first of the Doncaster Associations bands performing a variety of swing style numbers including a brilliant version of Smoke on the Water to a packed audience in St Giles church.

This morning back to St Giles for the first candle of advent to be lit again a wonderful moment.

Next week really starts to get busy and I may well meet myself coming back... If you see me out and about say hello.