Last week’s column was not printed in it’s entirety due to lack of space, here is the full column.
Since my last column things have moved on apace regarding the delimitation of Hackney Cab licenses and letters have been sent to existing license holders across the city. On the face of it, this is an olive branch, offering a form of managed growth. However, some people still have concerns that without adequate monitoring and measuring procedures, it is managed growth in name only. One resident even shared with me a concern that the Council’s intention, to introduce full delimitation regardless, if the cab drivers didn’t agree to the revised proposal, was nothing more than a veiled threat, which they likened to a gun being held to the cabbies heads. The council must listen to those who have knowledge and understanding of the issues and bring them to the negotiating table. We must be cautious about putting in place something that is flawed and that may fail in the future.
The news that the Chief Executive is to review the Demi Leigh Mahon case is very welcome. Since my last column it has come to light that social workers were repeatedly warned about Demi’s chaotic life, yet Children’s Services has repeatedly told us that nothing could have been done to avoid the events that unfolded. I remain firm in my view that Jill Baker and Councillor John Warmisham should step aside. Some people need to do some real soul searching to ensure a satisfactory conclusion in this matter. It would be a mistake to let this fizzle into the background, knowing the council had not carried out due diligence.
At present I am working on a manifesto that I, and my fellow Lib-Dems, would like to have come to fruition: after next year’s elections it is likely that the Liberal Democrats will have a more significant role than ever in our city. Some of these ideas involve improving environmental services across the city to manage the escalating fly-tipping that is being dumped at the entrances to gated alleys, which myself, other councillors and residents are having to report on a weekly basis. Clearly, enforcement is weak and needs improvement. The transport and planning department also needs fresh thinking as well as further investment. Councillor Antrobus recently attended the Claremont Community Committee meeting where he was quizzed by residents over the poor state of our roads. The answers provided by Councillor Antrobus were seriously lacking to say the least.
I was happy to hear that the Salford Tree of Knowledge, a large and outstanding example of ceramic sculpture, has been saved from demolition. It is the only 20th Century ceramic mural in Salford and is described as `important and special’ by the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society (TACS). At present, it adorns the end wall of the former Irwell Valley High School, which was previously the Cromwell Secondary School for Girls. One person who was certainly happy to see the mural saved was Langworthy Lib Dem Councillor, Lynn Drake, who was a pupil at the school – we won’t say how long ago! What is even more amazing is that, for once, Councillor Merry eventually listened to public opinion and made a decision that met the public’s demands. It seems that all that’s required to get action from Mr Merry is to fill his inbox with something! But seriously: why did we have to wait until the eleventh hour to save this magnificent piece of 20th century art?
It was no great surprise to read in the Salford Star this week that Labour has finally admitted defeat and declared the Salford & Eccles constituency a marginal seat. The Salford Star is an important part of our struggling local media that has recently been praised for “shedding light on local decision-making and holding people to account for their actions” by Lib Dem MP Adrian Sanders, who sits on the House of Commons Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport.
I am pleased that the Port Salford project will be going ahead. The 2,000 jobs that will be realised as a result will bring some heart to the thousands of former dock workers whose jobs were lost in the 1980s. However, the upheaval this development will bring to local residents should not be forgotten and when construction does begin, moves should be made to minimise disruption to residents.
Finally, it was pleasing to see more Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings taking place, this time in Ordsall & Langworthy wards. PACT meetings have been highly successful in helping the Police better work with the local community in the area and are valuable for both the public and Police to give feedback and set priorities which the Police will act upon.
Councillor Norman Owen
Leader, Salford Liberal Democrats
