Amanda Hopgood with former City Council leader Sue Pitts on the campaign trail on Saturday in a rather windy Kelloe. Most of the residents we spoke to in Kelloe said they were either voting Lib Dem or thinking about it!
Campaigning in Kelloe
Labour’s climate change shame
A few months ago Lib Dem councillors tried to make sure that Durham County Council would meet the challenge of Climate Change.
Sadly a Labour Party motion changed the deadline for the Council to meet climate change targets to 2050 from the 2030 being introduced across the Country by almost all other councils.
Durham Labour have let down our county and should be ashamed. Protesters at the end of the meeting made their feelings known very loudly. Lib Dems tabled an amendment to the motion seeking to change it back to the 2030 target.
Lib Dem group leader Amanda Hopgood comments, “Durham isn’t in a bubble unaffected by climate change. We don’t have static CO2.
“County Durham should be leading the way on this issue, just as Lib Dems did when getting the Council to scrap single-use plastics.”
Chairman of Central Durham Lib Dems, Edwin Simpson says, “Being carbon neutral can save money as we find new ways to do things, cut waste and make County Durham a better place to live and work in.”
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, parliamentary campaigner adds, “We have stunning countryside, wonderful communities and a World Heritage city.
“Across the whole of the County, much more could be done with more Liberal Democrat MP’s and councillors.”
Nationally and locally it is the Liberal Democrats leading the fight against climate change.
DLI Closure, clothing allowance, £50m HQ, £millions of waste, Labour’s undemocratic council
Across County Durham people are joining the Lib Dems because they see us as the only opposition to an out of control local Labour Party. We are the official opposition party on Durham County Council, leading the fight against Labour.
Residents are signing up, helping deliver leaflets, and agreeing to stand for election in their area.
So many people are angry at the way Labour is running County Durham.
When Lib Dems uncovered a £12600 a year taxpayer-funded payment to the Labour chair and vice-chair for clothes it hit the national press. We got it scrapped.
When Labour shut the Durham Light Infantry Museum, Lib Dem councillors led the political fight-back alongside furious residents.
And Lib Dems have led the fight against a new £50 million taxpayer funded Council Palace.
You can now join the Lib Dems for just £1 a month. Visit www.libdems.org.uk
Speed down not up in the Shincliffe’s
Department of Transport statistics show that the most dangerous type of road are rural single lane roads.
Councillor David Stoker says, “Durham South has its fair share of roads like this. Sadly there have been 3 fatalities in the last two years, and two of these were on roads with 60 mph speed limits.
“It is high time we got some speed reductions. I am campaigning to improve accident black spots in our area, and here are the worst ones:
● The A177 from Bowburn to High Shincliffe.
● The A177 from Shincliffe Bank, through the village.
● Mill Lane / Shincliffe Lane, which is full of blind curves, and a speed limit of 60 mph, where there has been a recent fatality.
● South Road at the Crematorium entrance, which has a blind dip at either end. Bizarrely the speed limit increases from 30 mph to 40 mph despite the fact that drivers may not be able to see corteges turning into, or leaving the Crematorium.
● The junction near the Seven Stars, where Shincliffe High Street meets the A177 is also a nightmare especially for cars exiting to go up the bank, and even worse for pedestrians crossing the road.”
Lib Dems winning seats with over 60% of vote in former Labour areas like Langley Park
Bev Coult won the Esh and Witton Gilbert County Council By-election earlier this year with an astonishing 1115 votes or 63% – A 749 vote majority over the Labour candidate! The Tories came in fourth with just 7% – 128 votes.
Lib Dems and local residents fight to save Kepier Woods
Local Lib Dems are continuing their fight to protect our open spaces and environmental gems.
The County Council’s plans to rip apart Kepier Woods have been resoundingly rejected by local residents.
Whilst there is some support for a new road, the route proposed will lead to serious damage to the Wear Valley.
Lib Dem parish councillor Mick Watson (left in pic) with campaigners Gail Robinson (right) and Dawn Watson (centre), two of the many residents involved in the battle to stop Labour damaging the lungs of our World Heritage city.
Cllr Watson says, “The County Plan will soon have its day in public and we are working hard with everyone who is interested to stop this damaging proposal.”
Lib Dems have repeatedly called for a proper analysis of all possible routes for a new road as well as other options which might be available.
Whether it’s road routes or it’s crazy new HQ plans, Lib Dems are the only party fighting Labour’s damaging proposals around Durham City.
Pro-business Belmont councillors help young entrepreneur
Lib Dem Councillors Eric Mavin and Lesley Mavin (Belmont Division) are keen to make sure that their area has thriving businesses.
With this in mind when a young entrepreneur approached them because there was a problem with the electricity supply to her new premises, Eric and Lesley intervened and soon had the supply reconnected.
Shona’s business is going from strength to strength and looks great too.
If you’re trying to set up a new business, contact Business Durham on 03000 261 261 or visit businessdurham.co.uk
New tennis and multi games courts looking great in Framwellgate Moor
Framwellgate Moor now has a wonderful newly resurfaced Multi-use games area which can be used for basketball, football and other sports.
It now also has one of the few tennis courts across the area which can be used by the general public for free, or be hired at specific times for by coaches and clubs.
Lib Dem Parish Councillor Colin Hillary comments, “We got some very good quotes for fully resurfacing the courts and our Lib Dem county councillors used some of their local funding to pay for the work.
“The Parish Council is going from strength to strength.”
Outdoor classroom for Trinity School Durham
Your Lib Dem councillors in Framwellgate and Newton Hall have provided matched funding from local budgets to help Trinity School build an outdoor classroom.
Cllr Mamie Simmons explains, “It is really important for children to have the opportunity to be outside and get fresh air and enjoy outdoor activities.”
Mamie adds, “This is especially important for children attending a special school like Trinity as the benefits are significant.”
Your Lib Dem councillors are also working with local residents and Trinity to make sure the school and residents have the best relationship possible by tackling local issues.
New Steps in Belmont Division help disabled
After local artist Peter Hemming raised concerns about access safety on one of our local paths local Lib Dem councillors Eric and Lesley Mavin intervened.
Peter comments, “Thank you for your perseverance when it seemed the wall of bureaucracy appeared to be insurmountable, but now, after many emails, the work has been completed.
“The pitch of the new steps is at less of an angle than the previous ones which makes them so much safer walking in both directions.”
Improving access for all
If there’s an area where access is difficult for local residents your Lib Dem councillors would like to know.
Earlier this year Labour councillors blocked attempts to fund disabled access ramps in the County despite the Lib Dem councillor group providing options to fund the works.
Cllr Eric Mavin comments, “We recognise that for the elderly and disabled, it can be difficult to get around. Contact us and we will do our best to find a way to fix these problems.”