We were absolutely delighted that Wyre Forest M.P. Dr Richard Taylor voted AGAINST the Government! Thank you Richard!!!!!

A good day for democracy and free speech!

BBC report...

The government has suffered two shock defeats over attempts to overturn Lords changes to the controversial Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.

In a blow to Tony Blair's authority MPs voted by 288 votes to 278 to back a key Lords amendment to the bill.

Analysis of the division list showed the prime minister voted in the first division but not in the second, which was lost by one vote.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told MPs that the bill would now become law.

He claimed what had happened had been "a purely political act" by Tories, Lib Dems and members of his own side to defeat the government, rather than a genuine consideration of the issues in the bill.

'Victory for Parliament'

The government has only suffered one defeat since 1997 before Tuesday night's vote and that was on the Terrorism Bill in November.

Shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve said the defeats were "a victory for Parliament".

He branded the bill a "foolish manifesto commitment" introduced to "appease" some minority groups, and which had "threatened freedom of speech".

Mr Grieve said in multicultural Britain people had to accept that freedom of speech may mean people could be offensive to them, as well as vice versa.

He said: "This (bill) was completely contrary to our national tradition of free speech."

Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrats human rights spokesman, said: "The government just failed to understand that they can't take liberties with freedom of expression.

"This has showed tonight that we will stand up for freedom of expression."

Joke restrictions fear

Labour rebel Bob Marshall-Andrews said: "It was an awful misjudgement to believe you could get a bill like this through in the teeth of opposition from so many of your backbenchers."

Labour's John McDonnell, chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, said the vote showed that "democracy has broken out".

Shami Chakrabarti, of Liberty, said her organisation "takes great heart as Parliament stands up for our rights and freedoms once more".

Earlier in the Commons, Home Office Minister Paul Goggins told MPs that moves to combat religious hatred would not damage freedom of speech and only those who intending to "stir up hatred" would be caught by the government's plans.

But objectors, including comedian Rowan Atkinson, feared the proposals would limit artistic freedom and might have stopped comedians making jokes about religion.

Safeguards

The votes came after hundreds protested against the bill outside Parliament on Tuesday.

In the first vote, 27 Labour backbenchers rebelled and more than 40 others did not vote. At least 15 of these were Scottish MPs believed to have been campaigning for next week's Dunfermline and Fife West by-election.

Mr Blair was recorded as voting with the government line in this division.

In the second vote, MPs voted by 283 votes to 282, majority one, to back the Lords - but Mr Blair was not recorded as having voted.

The Commons confrontation followed a series of defeats inflicted on the bill by peers in a bid to safeguard freedom of speech.

The peers said only "threatening words" should be banned by the bill, not those which are only abusive or insulting.

They also called for the offence to be intentional and specified that proselytising, discussion, criticism, insult, abuse and ridicule of religion, belief or religious practice would not be an offence.

Ministers had urged MPs to reject the Lords' amendments and back instead a government compromise instead.

The Pet Police will soon be on the prowl...

...see here!

January 27, the date the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz was liberated, is International Holocaust Commemoration Day. How are people in Poland commemorating this event?

Michal Kubicki reports for Radio Polonia 

A tram rolling through the streets of Warsaw is one of the ways in which Poles remember the Holocaust victims.

County dump Tennyson Way Crossing proposal...

Local Liberal Councillors say that they are furious over a sudden County Council decision to dump plans for a Pelican Crossing on Kidderminster's Tennyson Way.

Local Liberal County Councillor Mike Oborski explained today that "Over the last few years the Tory County Council has repeatedly PROMISED a Pelican Crossing on Tennyson Way by the Wordsworth Crescent Junction leading to Offmore First School — as part of the ‘Safe Routes To School’ package."

"Time and time again they told us "We’ll do the Spennells Valley Road Pelican Crossing, then the Comberton Road Pelican Crossing and then we’ll do the Tennyson Way Crossing". It was a clear and straightforward promise. Those other crossings have now been installed and we were expecting an early start to a Tennyson Way Pelican Crossing."

“As late as Thursday 12th January the County were promising a Pelican Crossing. Then a couple of days later they were suddenly talking about only doing little more than ‘kerb drops’ with NO Crossing of any sort whatsoever.”

Cllr Oborski continued "I met Council Officers and Consultants on Thursday 19th January to discuss the whole issue as a matter of urgency. At that meeting it was made clear that:-

----- The County Council now point blank refuse to pay the £95,000 for a Pelican Crossing on Tennyson Way from the 'Safe Routes to Schools" funding;

----- The refusal is all about money. They say that they can no longer afford it!

----- They then proposed road narrowing measures on Tennyson Way either side of the junction rather than just the earlier desperate kerb drops proposals of a few days earlier.

----- At our insistence they then agreed to include a Zebra Crossing in with the road narrowing proposal at a total cost of about £45,000.

----- They then announced that if the £45,000 isn’t spent in this Financial Year (by April) the money available for Tennyson Way would go down to just £25,000. In other words it is a caseof agree now or effectively get nothing!

----- The County Council have now promised full public consultation on the Zebra Crossing  and road narrowing package in February.

Cllr Oborski said "It is absolutely appalling that after years of waiting when we were repeatedly promised a Pelican Crossing - because that was what was needed -  we have now been stabbed in the back by the County Council. This is no way in which to deal with the safety of children and safe routes to schools."

"As they are refusing to pay for anything else we must get the Zebra Crossing and road narrowing package started by April or we are going to loose out all together!"

ID Cards?

See here!

Liberals on Council Budget...

Liberal Leaders on the Wyre Forest District Council say that they “are well on the way to finding enough common ground to establish a Budget package for Wyre Forest in conjunction with the current minority Conservative administration.

The Finance and Corporate Affairs Policy and Scrutiny Panel and the Budget Review Group” under the Chairmanship of Liberal colleague Cllr Graham Ballinger have done a first rate job!”

“Their work has been a complete and total breakthrough in the way in which the Council develops a relevant, coherent and affordable Budget Strategy for the people of Wyre Forest. Cllr Ballinger should be warmly congratulated on his efforts.”

Liberal Group Finance Chairman Cllr Ballinger said “the proposal to recommend a 2006/2007 Council Tax on a Band D Property of £179.03  - an increase of 2.5% (£4.73) over 2005/2006 looks like the best possible outcome for Wyre Forest residents.”

“It is a low increase which makes sense and still delivers key service improvements” said Cllr Ballinger.

Group Leader Cllr Mike Oborski added “the irony is that Wyre Forest will get through as the result of a brilliant central Government grant which enables us to keep the District Council Tax increase down to about 2.5% while the Worcestershire County Council has been hammered by the self same central Government and that will probably mean a 5%  County Council Tax increase. With Police and Fire Service bills added on and the fact that the County Council take a far higher percentage of the Council Tax than the District the overall total Council Tax increase in Wyre Forest looks to be close to a Council driven 5% despite the lower target set for by the District Council.”

Within the Wyre Forest Council Budget Liberal Councillors say that they are “delighted by a series of initiatives within the Budget which take onboard Liberal priorities and concerns”.

“If these are delivered in the final Budget proposals” said Cllr Oborski “I think we have a package which Cllr Ballinger and I can fully recommend to our Liberal colleagues”.

Cllr Fran Oborski has welcomed contingency provision to back up Concessionary travel in Wyre Forest and has also already welcomed proposed improvements to local Car Parks. “Improving local public transport and parking should be a major priority” said Cllr Mrs Oborski;

Cllr Siri Hayward is endorsing funding for Neighbourhood and Street Wardens and proposals for extra funding to support Dial-a-Ride. “These are crucially important services and command our total support”.;

Contingency funding for another Youth Shelter has the support of national play expert Liberal Councillor Rob Wheway. “We need to find new and imaginative ways of supporting our young people he said”;

Proposed extra spending on Public Conveniences has been welcomed by Liberal Councillor Mandy Poole. “People are sick and tired of inadequate Public Conveniences”  she said “We need to get this sorted”.

Cllr Fran Oborski has already welcomed proposed contingency funding towards environmental improvements to Stourport’s Bridge Street;

Liberal Housing Spokesman Cllr Siri Hayward is backing funding to identify local housing needs. “Cheap and affordable new housing should be a priority across Wyre Forest”;

Liberal Constituency Organiser Tim Ingham has endorsed budget extensions to promote economic regeneration and development in Wyre Forest. “The economic future of the District is a major and crucial concern” said Mr Ingham. “We have to get this right”;

Initial Council funding for the Council to take over responsibility for Street Parking enforcement has been warmly welcomed by Cllr Paul Harrison. “At long last we may get a real grip on local car parking issues”.

Cllr Rachel Lewis has declared her support for additional resources for street name signs and for improved Streetscene cleansing. “Everyone knows our streets are dirtier than they should be. Any cost effective solution to the problem is welcome.”

However Liberal Councillors are also demanding the appointment of a Disability Access Officer to help the Council meet local needs across the District.

Cllr Oborski said he “hoped that helpful and positive input which Liberal Councillors have made through the Corporate Affairs Policy and Scrutiny Panel and the Budget Review Group both chaired by Cllr Graham Ballinger will have a crucial input into the Council Budget”.

Cllr Oborski is “extremely hopeful of a positive and totally acceptable outcome to Budget negotiations.”

NHS debate at County Hall...

   Speaking in the key issues debate on NHS Reforms at the County Council on Thursday Jan 12^th Cllr Fran Oborski  thanked Dr Richard Taylor MP for the briefing which he had provided for her and Cllr Mike Oborski, she went on to explain that she was speaking in the absence of Cllr Jill Fairbrother-Millis who was unfortunately ill but who is absolutely dedicated to the defence of health and hospital services in Wyre Forest and across the County.

   Quoting the Health Select Committee Report  which had been issued the previous day Fran outlined the problems already arising from the Governments proposed changes to Primary Care Trusts. 

   Fran highlighted the Select Committee conclusion that:

   “The risks of the proposals contained in ‘Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS’ are high and there is little evidence that the costs will be off-weighed by the benefits. The Department must more carefully consider the impact of its proposals on its staff, which are its most valuable asset … Major changes to the NHS have large costs and should not be embarked upon lightly.” 

   Fran also drew attention to their statement that: 

   “It is clear that the impact of proposed reconfigurations on PCTs’ day to day functions, including clinical services, will be substantial – it takes on average eighteen months for organisations to ‘recover’ after restructuring and to bring their performance back to its previous level. The restructuring of PCTs is likely to have significant effects on their ability to undertake their core functions, including commissioning services, providing community health services, and protecting public health. The destabilising effects are already becoming apparent: clinical staff are moving from PCTs to the acute sector because of uncertainty over their future roles. There are also well-founded concerns that patient care will suffer because of the proposed reforms.”

   “After the immediate disruption of reorganisation, it is thought to take a further 18 months for the benefits to emerge – a total of three years from the initial reforms. Thus, just as the benefits of PCTs (established in 2002) are about to be realised, the Government has decided to restructure them. The cycle of perpetual change is ill-judged and not conducive to the successful provision and improvement of health services.”

   Fran went on to agree with Labour's Cllr Nigel Knowles about the increasing democratic deficit in the Health Service under the present government.

   “This Government got rid of the Community Health Councils, which were a valuable local voice for patients, elected members and community organisations, now they are taking away our local Primary Care Trusts and making it even harder for the local patients’ voice to be heard.

   Fran told the Council “We need Councillors to be actively involved in the PCTs, we are elected and accountable, there is an appalling increasing democratic deficit in New Labour’s NHS. 

   In a three minute time allocation Fran was of course only able to highlight  specific areas of concern.

   The overall impression was that the Tories and Labour Leader supported the proposed reforms but Liberals, Liberal Democrats and, interestingly, many Labour backbenchers took a very different view.

Simon Jenkins gets it right in today's Guardian...

All this drivel does is bring Basra to our doorsteps

Blair's Respect plan is just another example of the centralising mania that has dismembered our communities

"Typos"...

Everyone who regularly writes leaflets dreads "typoss" - those textual errors that leave you looking stupid or incompetent. We've all done it. The strange thing is how yoy can check the small print to perfection and still leave a major blunder in a headline - even after extensive proof reading. Still there is really no excuse for the otherwise excellent "Wyre Forest Sports & Leisure Centres" - currently dropping through your letter box - carrying on large print at the top of the front pagethe words  "Spring & Summer Programme 2005"!

If YOU are an affected parent then YOU need to think about…

• Are YOU happy with the catchment areas for your area?
• Will this give YOU the Primary School and the High School YOU want for YOUR child?
• If YOU are in the St. George’s Primary School area would you want YOUR child to go to Wolverley High School or King Charles I High School?

If YOU want to discuss matters further then please contact Cllrs Mike & Fran Oborski on (01562) 823911.

PROPOSED CATCHMENT AREAS FOR BROADWATERS WARD...

The area bounded by Hurcott Road down to and including Hurcott Village — Chester Road North from Hurcott Road down to the Yew Tree Inn— around the back of Highfield Road to Hurcott Village and including Highfield Road, Turton Street, James Road, Batham Road, Vine Street, Hurcott Road, Harriers Green.

---> Going on to King Charles I High School

The Sion Hill area plus Broadwaters Drive, part of Stourbridge Road, Ashley Road, Kendlewood Road, Heath Drive, Wolverhampton Road, Chapel Court, Pitt Street.

--> Going on to Wolverley High School

The area bounded by Blackwell St, Hurcott Rd (Sladen School side), Chester Rd North then along the edge of the brook to the Stack Poll and across the canal and along the canal to the Town Centre. This includes part of Stourbridge Road, Brecknell Rise, The Quarry, Springfield Lane, Brookdale, Lyndhurst Dri, all of the Waterside Grange area, Stoney Lane, Broad St, York St, Windsor Drive, Queen St, Larkhill, Eddy Rd, Grasmere Close, the Lakes high rise flats, Gheluvelt Ave, The Foxholes, Greenhill Ave, Imperial Ave, Waverley Close.

---> Going on to Wolverley High School

The area between Hurcott Rd and Birmingham Rd including one side of Hurcott Rd, Long Acre, Baxter Ave, Gilbert Scott Way, Harold Evers Way, Radford Ave, Blackwell St (one side) and Silver Street.

---> EITHER...

ALL children from St. George’s will go to WOLVERLEY HIGH SCHOOL, or

ALL children from St. George’s will go to KING CHARLES I HIGH SCHOOL.

PROPOSED CATCHMENT AREAS FOR GREENHILL WARD

Comberton Primary School

All of the Aggborough area plus Lorne Street, Yew Tree Road, Villiers Street. Both sides of Offmore Road from the Railway Bridge to Chester Road North. Both sides of Chester Road North from the Railway Bridge to the Comberton Road junction including Linden Grove.

---> Going on to King Charles I High School.

Offmore Primary School

Birmingham Road (above Chester Road North), Rosemary Road, Linden Avenue, Merton Close, Lyndholm Road. Everywhere above Chester Road North between Birmingham Road and Hurcott Road.

---> Going on to King Charles I High School.

St. George’s Primary School

The whole area enclosed by Comberton Hill – the Railway Line – Chester Road North (from the Railway Bridge to Hurcott Road) – Hurcott Road – the Ring Road.

---> EITHER...

ALL children from St. George’s will go to WOLVERLEY HIGH SCHOOL, or

ALL children from St. George’s will go to KING CHARLES I HIGH SCHOOL.

PROPOSED CATCHMENT AREAS FOR OFFMORE WARD

Offmore Primary School

Catchment area remains the same. The whole Offmore Estate plus the area bounded by Chester Road North (from the Railway Bridge down to the Yew Tree Pub) — round the back of Highfield Road — Hurcott Road down to and including Hurcott Village — back up Hurcott Lane including of course Birmingham Road (above Chester Road North), Rosemary Road, Linden Avenue, Merton Close, and Lyndholm Road.

---> Going on to King Charles I High School

Comberton Primary School

The Comberton Estate and the parts of Spennells currently in the Comberton 1st catchment area. Oldnall Road, Russell Road, Hillgrove Crescent, Barnetts Lane. Both sides of Chester Road South down to the Viaduct. Left hand side of Comberton Road down to the Ring Road along with Farfield, Stewart Court, Firs Close. Right hand side of Comberton Hill down to and including Yew Tree Road, Lorne Street, Villiers Street, Chester Road North from Comberton Road to the Railway Bridge, Offmore Road (from Railway Bridge to Chester Road North).

---> Going on to King Charles I High School

EXTRA OPTION

Children from Stone may possibly also go to Comberton Primary School.