Britain's answer to the three tenors, the Chancellor Debate, was televised on Channel 4 at 8pm tonight, and was must-see viewing.
I urge you to make time to watch the highlights, and to watch them again if you saw the broadcast already. It will give you a real feel for the difference between the three parties' fiscal policies and their vision for taking Britain forward from recession over 5-10 years.
It was fascinating and very worthwhile viewing: even our 15 year old son sat down to watch as he wandered in half-way through en route from computer to fridge via the TV room, then stayed.
http://www.channel4.com/microsites/A/askthechancellors/live.html
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid74425226001?bclid=74070457001&bctid=74487230001
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8593969.stm
Monday 29 March 2010
Sunday 28 March 2010
EU parliament saves us from our own folly
At last, a part of the UK government has opened its eyes and read the spirit levels.
According to a report on today's BBC news website, the Commons Foreign Affairs committee said the phrase "the special relationship" did not reflect the "modern" Anglo-American relationship and could raise unrealistic expectations about the benefits it can deliver to the UK.
That the UK is too deferential to the US government was witnessed by it passing the SWIFT proposals through parliament recently, in effect giving EU citizens’ data to the USA and not securing the same rights in return. Fortunately as we're a member of the EU, our European parliamentarians were more savvy and stopped it happening.
The term 'special' is much overused and therefore devalued in many walks of modern life and the UK's relationship with the USA is yet another example.
My own personal relationship with America is special owing to family ties (my Dad's favourite sister was a GI bride post WWII, who gave me five cousins) and to dear friends in Los Gatos, Rock Island and Catonsville, Baltimore.
But please, let's say what we mean, mean what we say and keep "special" truly special. And keep reading those spirit levels.
What do you think? Not seen the BBC story yet? visit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/03/is_the_us_and_uk_relationship.html
According to a report on today's BBC news website, the Commons Foreign Affairs committee said the phrase "the special relationship" did not reflect the "modern" Anglo-American relationship and could raise unrealistic expectations about the benefits it can deliver to the UK.
That the UK is too deferential to the US government was witnessed by it passing the SWIFT proposals through parliament recently, in effect giving EU citizens’ data to the USA and not securing the same rights in return. Fortunately as we're a member of the EU, our European parliamentarians were more savvy and stopped it happening.
The term 'special' is much overused and therefore devalued in many walks of modern life and the UK's relationship with the USA is yet another example.
My own personal relationship with America is special owing to family ties (my Dad's favourite sister was a GI bride post WWII, who gave me five cousins) and to dear friends in Los Gatos, Rock Island and Catonsville, Baltimore.
But please, let's say what we mean, mean what we say and keep "special" truly special. And keep reading those spirit levels.
What do you think? Not seen the BBC story yet? visit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/03/is_the_us_and_uk_relationship.html
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Rural issues in the Lib Dem sights
Some of the issues challenging Barton-le-Clay and surrounding villages are replicated across the country. Here are some I discussed with colleagues at the Lib Dem spring conference earlier this month, with proposed solutions for us to try:
1. Speeding through villages - campaigning with police
Many local police forces now have vans equipped with speeding and automatic number plate recognition, which they could deploy in rural areas. They are bound to take action if there is public concern, therefore a useful way to raise a village's concerns is to raise the issue at a Parish Council, who then notify the Local Authority, who are bound to raise it with the Police, who in turn are bound to take action.
If anyone has an example of this, please let me know.
2. HGVs in rural villages
This is an ongoing issue raised in the Commons including: 27/01/09 - David Heath http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090127/debtext/90127-0002.htm#column_155 20/04/09 – Mark Hunter http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090420/text/90420w0091.htm#0904226000024
If there are any examples of community action regarding HGVs or speeding please let me know ASAP.
3. Bus passes not valid when crossing borders – Wales/England/Scotland and not valid for community transport schemes
The cross border issue already on the agenda, it was addressed on last week in a debate in the Lords - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100315-gc0001.htm#1003155000119.
What is your experience and what your preferred solution in Central Beds?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks.
1. Speeding through villages - campaigning with police
Many local police forces now have vans equipped with speeding and automatic number plate recognition, which they could deploy in rural areas. They are bound to take action if there is public concern, therefore a useful way to raise a village's concerns is to raise the issue at a Parish Council, who then notify the Local Authority, who are bound to raise it with the Police, who in turn are bound to take action.
If anyone has an example of this, please let me know.
2. HGVs in rural villages
This is an ongoing issue raised in the Commons including: 27/01/09 - David Heath http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090127/debtext/90127-0002.htm#column_155 20/04/09 – Mark Hunter http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090420/text/90420w0091.htm#0904226000024
If there are any examples of community action regarding HGVs or speeding please let me know ASAP.
3. Bus passes not valid when crossing borders – Wales/England/Scotland and not valid for community transport schemes
The cross border issue already on the agenda, it was addressed on last week in a debate in the Lords - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100315-gc0001.htm#1003155000119.
What is your experience and what your preferred solution in Central Beds?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks.
Sunday 21 March 2010
Pupil Premium: without hypothecation it's for the birds
I'm sorry I've not posted for a while: I went to the Lib Dem spring conference last weekend, then my husband was away working for three days, leaving me home alone with our two teenage children in the taxi years, plus a full-time job. It made me think and commiserate, as I do from time to time, of how a single parent manages.
The spring conference was very good value: fun and thought provoking in equal measure and a chance to meet lots of thoughtful, caring people who I look forward to seeing again. Back in the saddle now, I do want to share some reflections over the next few days.
One of the Lib Dem ideas for governing that Nick Clegg spoke about was the pupil premium, a sum to be entrusted to schools for spending on helping struggling children as the staff judge fit. He was adamant that it was not to be ring-fenced, that head teachers should be trusted to spend it well.
My deep and abiding fear is that without having to show extra, focussed initiatives (accountability), the money would go into a general pot with no overview on how it is spent. While a parent governor 2002-06 at Arnold Middle School here in Central Bedfordshire, I saw how it spent £4,000 from memory on library finger-printing equipment to replace cards and book-stamping, rather than books. I only found out about this after it was under way and was not impressed.
Then last year Harlington Upper School installed finger-print recognition equipment so that the catering staff didn’t have to handle small sums in cash, and instead made students aged 14-18 give finger prints to credit and debit sums from their lunch accounts. When pressed, HUS said that alternative arrangements could be made where parents objected, but these were never made explicit in writing, and certainly not to my then 14-year old who did what all his mates did and gave his fingerprint, but not telling me for several months because he knew I'd be annoyed at the coercion. He thinks that it could be handy if he went to other schools using the same system, because he could access his account there - aargh!!!
Who else can access these accounts? What is the data protection in place to ensure the system is not abused and such personal information used, maybe sold, for illegal use, fitting innocent children up for a criminal record? I must press HUS to be assured - it's on my To Do list
Perhaps Central Bedfordshire schools are in the vanguard with such initiatives. I'd certainly like to know. Please share your views and experience with me.
Must go now, the sun is shining and the water is beckoning so I'm off to row with my Star Club recreational rowers on the Ouse at Bedford.
The spring conference was very good value: fun and thought provoking in equal measure and a chance to meet lots of thoughtful, caring people who I look forward to seeing again. Back in the saddle now, I do want to share some reflections over the next few days.
One of the Lib Dem ideas for governing that Nick Clegg spoke about was the pupil premium, a sum to be entrusted to schools for spending on helping struggling children as the staff judge fit. He was adamant that it was not to be ring-fenced, that head teachers should be trusted to spend it well.
My deep and abiding fear is that without having to show extra, focussed initiatives (accountability), the money would go into a general pot with no overview on how it is spent. While a parent governor 2002-06 at Arnold Middle School here in Central Bedfordshire, I saw how it spent £4,000 from memory on library finger-printing equipment to replace cards and book-stamping, rather than books. I only found out about this after it was under way and was not impressed.
Then last year Harlington Upper School installed finger-print recognition equipment so that the catering staff didn’t have to handle small sums in cash, and instead made students aged 14-18 give finger prints to credit and debit sums from their lunch accounts. When pressed, HUS said that alternative arrangements could be made where parents objected, but these were never made explicit in writing, and certainly not to my then 14-year old who did what all his mates did and gave his fingerprint, but not telling me for several months because he knew I'd be annoyed at the coercion. He thinks that it could be handy if he went to other schools using the same system, because he could access his account there - aargh!!!
Who else can access these accounts? What is the data protection in place to ensure the system is not abused and such personal information used, maybe sold, for illegal use, fitting innocent children up for a criminal record? I must press HUS to be assured - it's on my To Do list
Perhaps Central Bedfordshire schools are in the vanguard with such initiatives. I'd certainly like to know. Please share your views and experience with me.
Must go now, the sun is shining and the water is beckoning so I'm off to row with my Star Club recreational rowers on the Ouse at Bedford.
Sunday 7 March 2010
Barton Players audition call
Keith Badham sent me the following information and would be happy to take queries on tel: 07595 053251
War to War Variety Show – Performance Dates – May 8th & 9th:
Director Ann Holloway – Producer Keith Badham
Rehearsals – Barton Methodist Church – 8.00pm onwards
Tuesday 30th March, Tuesday 20th April & Tuesday 4th May
The Importance of Being Earnest – Show Week – 23rd – 30th October 2010
Director – Keith Badham
Initial Meeting and Read Through & Visit to Pub Afterwards
Barton Methodist Church
Thursday March 4th – 7.30
Auditions
Barton Methodist Church
Thursday March 11th & Thursday March 18th from 7.30 till 10.00 please.
Full Scripts are available for download from www.bartonplayers.co.uk in the members' area. Please contact Keith you need the general log-in information.
War to War Variety Show – Performance Dates – May 8th & 9th:
Director Ann Holloway – Producer Keith Badham
Rehearsals – Barton Methodist Church – 8.00pm onwards
Tuesday 30th March, Tuesday 20th April & Tuesday 4th May
The Importance of Being Earnest – Show Week – 23rd – 30th October 2010
Director – Keith Badham
Initial Meeting and Read Through & Visit to Pub Afterwards
Barton Methodist Church
Thursday March 4th – 7.30
Auditions
Barton Methodist Church
Thursday March 11th & Thursday March 18th from 7.30 till 10.00 please.
Full Scripts are available for download from www.bartonplayers.co.uk in the members' area. Please contact Keith you need the general log-in information.
Cherish the green, green grass near home
I don't know about you, but one of the reasons we moved to this area was for the rural aspect, the easy access to green spaces on our doorstep to exercise ourselves, then our children, and by the time our elder one was six, our family dog too.
Our green spaces are to be cherished, and new building should prioritise regeneration of brown field sites such as the Vauxhall plant in Luton, which has been an issue taking up column inches in the Luton press of late.
Everyone needs green space close to home. We often take it for granted, but natural places are crucial to our quality of life, whether it’s to get some fresh air, to walk the dog, to connect us with nature, or to meet friends.
Next weekend, I'll be attending the spring conference of the Liberal Democrats in Birmingham and look forward to building this view into a policy statement to safeguard our green spaces.
Is there a green space near you that may be at risk? Perhaps owned by the financially challenged Central Beds Council that may wish to sell it for development? If so, I'd like to hear from you.
Our green spaces are to be cherished, and new building should prioritise regeneration of brown field sites such as the Vauxhall plant in Luton, which has been an issue taking up column inches in the Luton press of late.
Everyone needs green space close to home. We often take it for granted, but natural places are crucial to our quality of life, whether it’s to get some fresh air, to walk the dog, to connect us with nature, or to meet friends.
Next weekend, I'll be attending the spring conference of the Liberal Democrats in Birmingham and look forward to building this view into a policy statement to safeguard our green spaces.
Is there a green space near you that may be at risk? Perhaps owned by the financially challenged Central Beds Council that may wish to sell it for development? If so, I'd like to hear from you.
Wednesday 3 March 2010
Gypsy and traveller site allocations consultation ends Monday 15 March
Central Bedfordshire Council's recent IT failure has meant that online comments for the the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) could not be delivered. Comments will now be accepted up to 5pm on Monday 15 March 2010.
Councillor Tom Nicols, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development at Central Bedfordshire Council has said: "We are encouraging local people to take part in the consultation as their views are critical to the whole process, residents can take part by visiting www.talktocentralbedfordshire.co.uk to post comments, or people can pick up hard copies of the consultation questionnaires from all Central Bedfordshire Council's customer contact centres, local libraries, or by calling the LDF team (0300 300 8000) who will either post or email hard copies out."
The plans seem reasonable to me and do not include the mooted site at the southern entrance to Barton-le-Clay on the Luton road, blocking the view to the Sharpenhoe Clappers, for example. Please let me know your views.
Councillor Tom Nicols, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development at Central Bedfordshire Council has said: "We are encouraging local people to take part in the consultation as their views are critical to the whole process, residents can take part by visiting www.talktocentralbedfordshire.co.uk to post comments, or people can pick up hard copies of the consultation questionnaires from all Central Bedfordshire Council's customer contact centres, local libraries, or by calling the LDF team (0300 300 8000) who will either post or email hard copies out."
The plans seem reasonable to me and do not include the mooted site at the southern entrance to Barton-le-Clay on the Luton road, blocking the view to the Sharpenhoe Clappers, for example. Please let me know your views.
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