Lib.Dem Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable,seen here with Karen Henshaw, highlighted the failed economic policies of consecutive Labour and Conservative governments over the past two decades when he spoke at the Liberal Democrats Spring Conference in Harrogate

Vince accused Brown and Blair of making a “pact with the devil”, turning a “blind eye to massive salaries and bumper bonuses, the large scale use of tax havens and tax dodging and dangerous high risk activities of some investment banks” in return for compliments,party donations and tax revenue.

Turning to the Conservatives, Vince said “If they did come into power, they would have a very hard time as they have no idea,frankly, how to deal with this crisis.

Good news!  Cllr. Tony Ford has persuaded Fylde Borough Council to set up a Task & Finish Group to look into all matters related to Dog Fouling.  Cllr. Ford raised issues over Enforcement, signage and an apparent lack of action in addressing the borough-wide problem. Over the last six months complaints to the Council about cases of dog fouling on the street or public parks has almost doubled The Task and Finish group will essentially be a working party to look into the problems associated with dog-fouling and then make recommendations to the Cabinet with regards to what resources should  be assigned and what actions will be  taken.  

Already FBC has issued a Press Release reminding owners about their responsibilities and officers have vowed to take action against an increasing problem of dog mess before it gets out of control.

‘MORE than 850 dog owners have been slapped with £75 fixed penalties in a crackdown on dog muck across North Wales.’ Perhaps similar strong action is needed here.

Supporters of Ashton Gardens are hosting a public meeting  in which landscape consultants Bertram Hyde Ltd will present the latest plans for the £2 million revamp of the  Gardens. The first ‘turf’ was symbolically dug a few days ago. The SOAG exhibition is being held at St Margaret’s on Friday 3rd April at 7.45pm - everyone welcome.

Fylde Council’s DC(planning) committee have recently approved plans to demolish one house and replace it with 5 separate apartments and a coachhouse ,despite strong objections from St.Annes Council

Although I led the objections to the scheme, based on insufficient on and off street parking and the loss of privacy to Durham Avenue residents - I was unfortunately outvoted by six votes to 4.

I am convinced that this unwise decision will lead to considerable traffic congestion in the Durham Road area, especially when the new National Health PCT centre is completed there in the coming months .

With more people than ever planning to holiday in Britain,  Fylde Borough Council are set to close the Tourist Office in the heart of St. Anne’s.  The Conservative-led administration voted to close down the present facility with effect from the end of March. It is being relocated in the Town Hall.  But the Town Hall is closed on weekends and Bank Holidays when most people visit St. Anne’s. 

St. Anne’s Town Council, eager to find a base from which to operate, have been in discussions with Fylde Borough about retaining the building and jointly managing it but such a deal wouldn’t give the Borough Council the savings it so desperately needs.

Another serious accident occurred this morning at the junction of St.Leonard’s Road East and St.David’s Road North. Luckily no one was seriously injured although the female driver of the van was taken to hospital as a precaution. (Crash photo courtesy C. Lanyon)

I have been calling on Lancashire County Council for extra measures to be taken at this junction and the nearby junction at St.Leonard’s/Headroomgate Road for many years.

Although the stop signs and red tarmac were installed several years ago, the double yellow lines are often ignored because of the absence of traffic wardens to regularly patrol this junction. Hence the illegal parking disrupts the view of oncoming traffic and this obviously needs to be urgently addressed.

Wednesday 11th March 2009

In his keynote speech at the Harrogate Conference, Nick Clegg said “the never ending cycle of red-blue, blue-red government has got us into this financial mess - but only the Liberal Democrats can get us out.”