There are 2 idiots who live in Birchills

15th November
news that 2 electors have 'called' the by election in Birchills Leamore caused by the death of Joan Barton who was buried last week. If the date had slipped to the 6th december, it would have had to be left until next May. Now we have to go through a by election with 1000's cost £ to council tax .. with the need to run it again next May. By elections can be called by any 2 electors.. which had now happened. None of the political parties has called it so some 2 idiots in Birchills must be wanting to get out of Christmas shopping or spoil other peoples!
Never mind it takes all sorts in a democracy but in this case would like to send the bill to these 2 who called this by election... maybe they expect us all to dress up as Santa? Madness.... but I am sure  we will survive!
Cllr Ian Robertson
Blakenall  ward

Welcome back to Tim Oliver

Tim Oliver was vote back as Councillor for Birchills at the May 5th local elections. He rejoins the team of Joan Barton and Lee Jeavons and work wills tart immediatley to challenge the too fast too deep cuts being implemented by the tory/liberal alliance.
ring the team on 07791107909
regards
Cllr Ian Robertson
campaign coordinator
01922 634642

Read my lips . No increase in tution fees. It is a promise!

Read my lips . No increase in tuition fees

By Election Rushall Shelfield

1st November




There will be a by election on November 11th with Richard Worrall our Labour Party candidate. Help will be gratefully received with espcially help on wednesday 10th November to deliver the last leaflet.



Please contact 641084 and leave a message for Richard



thanks



regards



Ian Robertson

Settled in

Where have the last couple of months gone! I have now sat in around three council meetings, around four planning meetings, a corporate, a sprinkling of community meetings and yesterday I met with the beat Sergeant for Coalpool. We discussed issues of anti-social behaviour between Hospital St and Croft Street. I also met with a number of residents last night from said area. Hopefully in early September we will see the beginning of the end of some of these problems.

It is always a pleasure to meet residents, even in such circumstances. I have a surgery in Beechdale at the weekend. This is on Saturday at the lifelong learning centre at 10am, Saturday. My birthday! I hope to see more people there.

In the meantime, we now see the full extent of the Conservative manifesto pledges. Can you afford a VAT rise of 2.5%? Hard working families will be hit hardest by this rise. And the Liberals? A moderating force within government? No, they smelt the power and sold their party's soul for 30 pieces of silver. The by-elections in Bloxwich West and Bilston North are an ominous warning for the Liberals. They may yet be con-demmed.

Lastly, I pay tribute to Councillor Al Griffiths, Conservative member for Rushall-Shelfield. Despite political differences, it was clear that this unassuming and considered gentleman was regarded by all members in the chamber with respect. His sad passing is a loss to Walsall and his family has my deepest symapthies.

News from Tory run Walsall Council

We learn that the latest news to tory run Walsall from this Tory Government is that funding for the Borough has been cut by a further £6 million pounds, including over £2Million on education alone. The details are being worked out by the tory cabinet at the moment , but we await the details and will be probing especially the effects on the most vulnerable and already disadvantaged in the Borough and even more so in wards we represent.
The news that we shall not be sending any more children to Bryntysillio and that Willenhall Leisure centre will close is bad news for those from more disadvantaged backgrounds who value such opportunities. This Borough faces a serious problem of overweight children which will result in many such now children being outlived by their parents.


The committee looking at the loss by this Council of £ 3 million pounds due to poor record keeping and poor officer management met last Monday and it was admitted that the records are there but not in the right files and so claims back cannot be made. Next Monday the audit committee looks at the draft accounts for the Council and seeing that we have 91officers ( excluding education where we have 215 more) earning over £50000 a year and a chief executive earning over £190,000 a year .. that is £40000 more than the prime minister… are we getting value for money as council tax payers?
We also read that the tory cabinet in July is proposing to charge everyone for a replacement wheelie bin including those where the gree bin has worn out after 10 years service... and so the other bins brown and grey will also all be charged £18.50 but probalby going up to £25! The benefits of paying council tax are gradually diminishing
what do you think?


The news that 1 in 5 cancer patients are having to wait over 2 months to get treatment was revealed by the Primary care trust in their annual meeting… can they imagine what it is like to have to wait that long to find out if you have a possibly fatal illness and have some treatment?
We shall as labour councillors be pursuing these issues with vigour and welcome your comments.

Regards

Cllr Ian Robertson Cllr Bob Thomas Cllr Lee Jeavons ( labour Councillors)