Labour MP and Formby Labour Action Team's Peter Maguire and Cllr Catie Page raise residents' concerns over Smithy Green plans

Labour MP Bill Esterson, Ravenmeols Labour Councillor Catie Page and leader of Formby Labour Action Team joined scores of Formby residents who attended a special drop-in session to see plans for a proposed development for Smithy Green last Thursday.

 

The drop-in session, which was held at Royal British Legion, was held to give people the chance to inspect the plans for Smithy Green which if approved will see 18 two-bedroom (three person) flats and 24 three-bedroom (five person) townhouses built on the green.

 

MP Bill Esterson, Cllr Page and Peter Maguire attended the event to speak to residents about the plans.

 

Peter said: "There was a very impressive turn out at the drop-in session from locals who wanted to see more about just what One Vision have planned for Smithy Green.

 

"Throughout the three hour session, people not only had the chance to see the plans but also give feedback to One Vision officers, as well as give their thoughts to our MP Bill Esterson, Cllr Catie Page and I from the Formby Labour Action Team.

 

"We will now ensure that One Vision and Sefton Council's planning department get to hear the residents' feedback."

 

Cllr Catie Page said many residents raised the same concerns about the plans.

 

Cllr Page said: "While there were a small number of residents who were in favour of the development, the overwhelming majority of people had concerns.

 

"The issues raised included concerns about the increase in traffic, a shortage of suitable off-road parking, the loss of the green space and concerns about the introduction of younger families into a primarily older persons' estate.

 

"I'd like to thank everyone who came along and I ensure them that their concerns will be heard and the Formby Labour Action Team will ensure that residents throughout the Smithy Green estate are kept fully informed in relation to this application."

 

Formby's MP Bill Esterson said he is already arranging to pass the residents' feedback on to One Vision chief executive Roy Williams.

 

Bill said: "The many residents that I spoke to at the drop-in session at the Royal British Legion gave some very valid concerns which I am sure One vision will want to address.

 

"With plans for 18 flats and 24 townhouses for the green, most people are concerned that this is a large scale development for a small amount of space, with the subsequent problems that itself brings. 

 

"I am requesting a meeting with Roy Williams from One Vision to discuss the plans and the residents' concerns.

 

"My priority is to ensure that this development is in the interests of this community.

"I want to make sure that the concerns of the people directly affected by these plans are addressed. Any developments planned at Smithy Green must take account of the views of people living there now as well as the need for homes in Formby." 

Core Strategy Consultation

The report from the Core Strategy is now available on the Sefton Council website. Alternatively you can read the pdf document by clicking the link below.

http://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s37310/CONSULTATION%20REPORT%20FINAL.pdf

Put the NHS first!

The Government is planning the biggest re-organisation of the NHS since it began in 1948.

It is unnecessary, unwanted, wasteful and damaging – and threatens to end the NHS as we know it. Only last year, the Government promised people they wouldn’t do it. Many thousands of people have already called on the Government to stop.

But they are ploughing on, ignoring public and professional opinion, out of touch with Britain. We need to make the Government listen before it's too late. 

Sign the drop the bill petition below.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22670

Labour Action Team leader Peter Maguire calls for Sefton Council review of busy Formby road

Formby Labour Action Team leader Peter Maguire is calling for a review of a busy Formby road after being contacted by concerned local residents.

Peter is calling for the review of Southport Road, which many people say is a danger to cross, to find out what steps can be taken to make it safer.

Peter, who is leader of the Ravenmeols Labour Action Team and Labaour's candidate for Ravenmeols Ward at next May's local elections said the road is a busy one which is used by many elderly people as well as young children on their way to school. 

Peter said: "I have been contacted by a lot of people concerned about the safety of Southport Road.

"Many of these people are concerned parents of Trinity St Peter’s and Freshfield Primary School and many residents who wish to use the nearby public transportation. 

"Living in Formby, I know only too well how busy that road can be with cars hurtling off the bypass. The danger is made all the greater because of the nearby local primary schools.

"Because of this, I am asking Sefton Council to review the site, which is currently considered low priority, to finally ascertain what can be done."

Ravenmeols Ward Labour Councillor Catie Page has spoken to residents who have been publicly calling for a crossing for more than seven years.

Cllr Page said: "I have spoken to a lot of people who have been calling for action for years now. 

"There have been numerous stories in the Formby Times and the Formby Champion over the years and it has been one of the hot topics since I was elected last year.

"I think it is about time that road was reassessed."

Peter is now requesting a meeting with Sefton Council to discuss the road.

Peter said: "The residents living near to Southport Road believe there is a clear need for a crossing.

"I'm asking Sefton Council to look at the road again to see if a crossing is needed and if not, what measures can be taken to make it safer for people to cross, particularly the elderly and parents and children."

Formby mum selected to represent Labour Party in Harington Ward at May's local elections

A Formby and Labour Party campaigner has been selected by members in the town to stand in Harington Ward at May's local elections.

 

Married mum of three Nina Killen has been chosen by Labour members in Formby to represent the party.

 

Nina, who is a parishioner of Holy Trinity, has been an active campaigner opposing the Tory-Lib Dem government cuts here in Formby and throughout Sefton.

 

After studying Law at the University of Manchester, Nina completed a Postgraduate Diploma in print journalism at the University of Central Lancashire before then working on newspapers which have included the Manchester Evening News, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, the Daily Star, Sunday Express, New magazine and she is now a part-time features sub-editor on the Daily Express in Preston.

 

She is also a breastfeeding support worker and volunteer for BreastStart, Sefton's breastfeeding support service, a doula (childbirth supporter) and she is training to become an antenatal teacher.

 

Nina said she is delighted to have been chosen by members in Formby to stand in her home town and said fighting for the interests of the people of this community was her main aim.

 

Nina said: "I am honoured to have been selected to stand in Harington Ward for the Labour Party.

 

"I care passionately about Formby, a town where I live and where my husband and I have chosen to bring up our three young children. I have the same concerns as many local residents - road safety for our children, green open spaces, dog mess and litter, plus protecting the public services that a community relies on, such as libraries, the police and social care.

 

"I am already a very active member of this community through the Labour Party, as well as through my involvement in Sefton Council's Area Parent Forum, Steering Group and the newly-formed Maternity Services Liaison Committee.

 

"I have been heavily involved in the campaign opposing the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government cuts in Sefton and I am the parent rep for my local children's centre, Freshfield, which I am involved in campaigning to save.

 

"It would be an honour for me to work on behalf of the people of Harington and help fight for their concerns and objectives and tackle the issues that are important to them."

Formby Labour Action Team slam town's Tories who voted against much needed investment in local park

Formby's Labour Councillor Catie Page and Labour Action Team leader Peter Maguire have slammed the town's Conservative Councillors who jeopardised the much-needed refurbishment of a town park and very nearly allowed thousands of pounds to slip out of Formby.

 

Cllr Page and Peter Maguire both attended last week's area committee in which three of the town's Tory councillors, Denise Dutton, David McIvor and Barry Griffiths, all voted against plans to refurbish Barkfield Lane playground - despite assurances from council officers that the funding would almost certainly be spent elsewhere of the project was not agreed.

 

Cllr Page, who voted in favour of refurbishing the Barkfield Lane park, said the work was long overdue.

 

Cllr Page said: "Lots of time and effort went in to looking into what both users and residents wanted for the park. Then in collaboration with officers of the council and the councillors of Formby a plan had been devised and funding found to add to and make the most of £5,000 which had become available from the 106 fund (a developer's premium).

 

"It was agreed that the redesign of the playground would breathe new life into an otherwise tired children's facility, which is the only one in the area. This work will be an asset to this community and will be an active area where children can play in safety.

 

"So I was shocked and disappointed that Conservative councillors Griffiths, McIvor and Dutton voted to oppose the redevelopment of Barkfield Playground, despite being informed by council officers that the money could be spent elsewhere in Sefton if the scheme was not approved.

 

"Over the time there has been a mantra from many of our Conservative councillors in Formby that funding 'should be used for a different project'. Yet, there has at no time been any inkling of even an idea of an alternative way to spend the 106 fund money from them.

 

"Cllr Dutton's objection and voting against the spending of £1,000 of Harington's fund to help the project will result in cost cutting on the children's playground and will reduce the development, which is a great shame. However, the Barkfield Plaground is going ahead, despite the best efforts of the Conservatives on Formby Area Committee."

 

Formby Labour Action Team's Peter Maguire said he was disappointed by the three Tories' failure to back the Formby scheme.

 

Peter said: "It’s disappointing to see the Conservatives in Formby vote against these plans. The funding was earmarked to improve a park that was in desperate need of refurbishment. 

 

"I think it was only fair that this area of Formby have a high quality children’s play area seeing as the parks in Duke Street and Alt Road have been renovated in recent years. 

 

"But the worst part about this was that if these plans had been rejected the majority of the funding would not have been put back into the Formby Area Committee fund, it would more than likely be spent in another area of Sefton. Which would have been a loss of much needed funding right here."