It’s a fact that many people are fed up with politics. It’s been over 4 years since the formation of the first Coalition government since the World War Two. The ‘good news’ is that the UK is recovering from the worst economic crisis in living memory AND the Liberal Democrats have shown that political parties CAN work together for the greater good. We have always believed in ‘working together’ to get results, even where it sometimes means making hard compromises. Sadly,
LOCALLY BOURNEMOUTH TOWN HALL HAS BECOME A “DEMOCRATIC DESERT”!
DID YOU KNOW? In the 2011 Council elections 1 in 6 voted Tory, 1 in 6 voted for others, 4 in 6 didn’t vote at all BUT
Tories now have 45 out of 54 Councillors, decisions made BEHIND CLOSED DOORS with an all Conservative Cabinet rubber stamped by compliant Tory Committees SO
NO proper debate or scrutiny
AND When one of the two Liberal Democrat Councillors dared to openly speak the Tory leader decided to suspend his emails and then took away his laptop.
From your local Focus Team Putting Residents First Hello, I’m Lorraine Crouch married, parent and grandparent. Lived and worked in Bournemouth since 1966. Local party campaigner and activist. I want to represent the people of Southbourne because I care AND I know Bournemouth could be a better place for us all. Hi, I’m Jon Nicolas I live in Southbourne with my wife and two boys. I first moved here in 1985. After studying and living away I moved back in 2006. Bournemouth is a fantastic place to grow up and live in. I want to represent the people of the town because I fell there is too much concentration on the centre, decisions left unchallenged. Like Lorraine I believe that Bournemouth can be an even better place. It is diverse town with much potential and energy, I very much want to help put these to the best use possible.
BOURNEMOUTH COUNCIL— REASONS TO CARE? TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK Bournemouth has huge traffic problems. With a conurbation the size of a major city shouldn’t the Council have a visionary transport plan as in other places?
STILL NO ACTION AT FISHERMAN’S JUNCTION More congested - More buses - More dangerous Lib Dems have lobbied many times for improvements. They will continue to do so.
CARE OF THE ELDERLY Care for the elderly continues to be a major problem everywhere as life expectancy is increasing BUT, given the support needed should the Council be closing Day Centres?
FAMILY HOUSING Finding a home is a nightmare for young families. Why then are the Council approving more and more plans for flats and so few for houses?
JOBS The Council talks about a Vision for Bournemouth but this seems to produce plans for more luxury flats, restaurants and cinemas. Shouldn’t the Council be encouraging more investment with better career choices for the youngsters?
SCHOOLS Past Liberal Democrat Councillors fought alongside residents to stop the Conservatives from closing Townsend School. Having done it, how does the Council justify spending millions to replace it?
AND OUR MONEY Bournemouth Council is apparently sitting with £133 million of Council taxpayers’ money in reserves. Do we really want our money used to set up risky building companies or a risky Council bank to lend £15 million to business ventures the private banks won’t fund? Do we want our car parkers transferred at low prices to developers? Do we want cuts in services such as Youth Services?
HUMPS AND MORE HUMPS
WHAT DO YOU THINK?