Wycombe Liberal Democrats

The Government has decided to axe another 2,500 Post Offices, and yesterday we learned which Post Offices are facing closure in Buckinghamshire. They include:

• North Town, Totteridge Road, High Wycombe (pictured above)
• Loudwater, Station Road, High Wycombe
• Hazlemere Crossroads, High Wycombe
• Desborough Road, High Wycombe
• Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green
• The Parade, Bourne End

Parliamentary Spokesman, Steve Guy said

Post Offices are the lifeblood of communities in both rural and urban areas, particularly when they are combined with other services, such as the local shop. When the local post office closes other services often follow suit, which can be devastating for the community. Yesterday I visited one of the Post Offices affected. North Town Post Office in Totteridge Lane serves between 750 and 1000 customers every week. Nearby elderly residents are devastated that their local Post Office is going to close. They tell me that their local Post Office helps them to maintain their independence.

What is particularly sad is that all of these closures could be avoided. In 2006, the Liberal Democrats set out a detailed, fully costed set of proposals which would secure the future of our Post Office network - and even allow for the opening of new ones. The Post Office network is a wonderful asset which has been allowed to wither on the vine by successive governments, both Tory and Labour. We will be campaigning vigorously against all of these heartless, unnecessary closures.

You can sign our petition at Northtown Post Office, and we will be visiting all of the other Post Offices affected over the next few days to find out how the threat of closure is affecting their customers.

Tory Councillors say NO to local democracy!
At a meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee on March 11th the Tory councillors voted against true local democracy by blocking a review, proposed by Councillor Snaith, to consider the advantages of a town council for High Wycombe.

Councillors Green, Lambourne and other Tory councillors had obviously been “whipped” to argue that a town council would cost more. The reality is that the financial numbers that the Tory group came up with are based on “a finger in the air” and guess at the cost. The Tory arguments were based on supposition and not fact. In fact, a town council carrying out duties performed everywhere else by parish or town councils could probably be more efficient than the District Council – and therefore less expensive!

Conservative councillors want to deny the 46,000 people in High Wycombe town the local democracy they are entitled by law to have!
Its unfortunate that the Tory members who have expressed support for a Town Council are being gagged by the Wycombe Tory party!

Councillor Snaith and Councillor Farmer are working with other political parties and local groups to deliver a truly non-political Town Council for the Town of High Wycombe. —- We welcome all councillors who want to be part of High Wycombe’s future to be part of a non-political team - even Tory councillors when they overcome their fears of the party whips!

Be careful where you park - even outside your home!

Today I was contacted by a local resident in Kingsmead Road. He had been given a parking ticket for causing an obstruction - outside his home!

It appears that the parking in Kingsmead car park was full and visitors were parking along the road opposite his home.

It seems the amount of public parking for some leisure facilities in Ryemead is becoming an issue. This is a problem that needs addressing.

The answer isn’t to simply put a parking ticket on the cars. That is not treating the underlying cause. The lack of off road public parking and the lack of a cohesive public transport strategy is the real issue.

Specific problems identified by residents in several areas of Ryemead -

1. Rugby Club public car park off Kingsmead Road.

2. Kingsmead Netball car park in Fennels Road

3. Fitness First area in the new retail park.

4. The Rye during summer holiday months and some Sundays.

In the interim be vigilant and ensure your car is not in a position where it could be ticketed!

At a recent Council Meeting the question was asked what could be done to achieve Fairtrade status for High Wycombe
The comment back from a Conservative Member was that was there was nothing that our council could do.
Im amazed at such a response.
For the benefit of our readers and the leader of the council —

To become a Fairtrade Town (or any other populated area), 5 goals must be met:

1. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.
2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population)
3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc)
4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign
5. A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.

To apply and find out more, download the Fairtrade Town Goals and Action Guide (PDF) Or order a hard copy.

Go to http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_fairtrade_towns.htm

Whos behind this ?
Have received numerous calls and e mails from people asking what’s going on .
Ive copied in Leader of BCC – David Shakespeare he is also our BCC for Ryemead and am asking for personal response on plan of action to resolve problem

To raise concerns-
BCC Footpaths and bridleways is 0845 230 2882
County Councillor is David Shakespeare —email dshakespeare@buckscc.gov.uk