Gainsborough Liberal Democrats   
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| "Liberal Democrats aim to provide a secure environment in which a free and democratic society can flourish to the benefit of all."Gainsborough Liberal Democrats Statement of Purpose |
Gainsborough Liberal Democrats covers the 455 square miles of the Gainsborough Parliamentary constituency, very similar to the area served by West Lindsey District Council where Liberal Democrats are the opposition to the Tories.
Loads of Rubbish
Lib Dem District and County Councillor Mick Tinker wants to know why Gainsborough Town Council left discussion of a proposed waste transfer station to be built on Heapham Rd Industrial Estate in Gainsborough until three working days before the matter was discussed at a Planning Committee Meeting at County Hall, Lincoln. Gainsborough Town Council were notified of the planning application on 28 November 2011 and have had three council meetings since that date at which the issue did not appear on the agenda. Lincolnshire County Council finally made a presentation to an informal meeting of Gainsborough Town Councillors on 7 February.
Councillor Tinker, who represents the uphill area of Gainsborough, objects to the proposal as it is within a few hundred meters of existing housing. He said "Plans have been approved by the District Council to build a further 2500 homes south of Foxby Lane over the next 12 years which is too close to a site that will see some 45,000 tons of rubbish pass in and out each year." Cllr Tinker also considered that a waste transfer station within the new Somerby Business Park will not help attract the types of business he would like to see come to the town. In his opinion the County Council should consider further other sites they have identified, which are more remote from housing and business parks.
More for Less at Gainsborough Town Council
Click on photo to watch our video trailer
The Council at their meeting on 3 Jan 2012 accepted the proposals of the Liberal Democrat Group to reduce the precept by 3.8 per cent while maintaing services and expanding budgets in some areas. Lib Dem leader Councillor Trevor Young said
"The Liberal Democrat group are committed to ensuring this council provide value for money quality services to the people of Gainsborough. With this objective in mind we want to develop the good services the council already provides but at the same time explore how the council in partnership with groups in our community can provide a wider range of services while being cost effective. So we aim to provide more for less."
Read more...
Mayor's Column
Harry Clarke, Liberal Democrat Mayor of Gainsborough is now writing a fortnightly coulumn in the Gainsborough Standard. Buy the Standard to read the current column. We post previous columns here.
What have Lib Dems Done for You?
- Have taken 880,000 low earners out of income tax altogether through the key Lib Dem policy of raising the basic income tax threshold
- Completed first stage of a manifesto pledge to raise the basic income tax threshold to £10,000, making most workers £200 better off from April 2011
- Restored the link between pensions and earnings, scrapped by Margaret Thatcher, in the Coalition's first budget
- Met a manifesto pledge to introduce a banking levy that will raise £2.5bn a year
- Backed Coalition plans for a Superfast Broadband Future including a digital hub in every community
- Forced the Tories to make key changes to the Health Bill, protecting the NHS and giving patients more say in its running
- Lincoln Eastern By-pass given the green light after a 75 years wait.
- Humber Bridge tolls to be reduced by half.
Lib Dem Minister shows that Government is a friend of the Railways
In a parliamentary debate on 14 December 2011, centred on the footbridge at Sheffield Station, Lib Dem transport minister Norman Baker set out the Government's achievements for railways. He said
"notwithstanding our difficult economic situation and inheritance, we now have the biggest investment in railways since Victorian times, a commitment to improve rolling stock on several lines, an electrification programme that has extended way beyond what was originally anticipated and a tram-train pilot in Sheffield. There is a great deal of investment in transport, and any fair-minded person would look at the Government’s investment portfolio and conclude that, since May 2010, transport and, in particular, railways have done rather well.
The Chancellor’s growth statement included several roads that the hon. Lady may notice, but what was not picked up was that £1.4 billion extra is being allocated for rail, as against £1 billion for roads. So we are seeing massive investment in the railways, and that includes—[ Interruption ]—I wish she would not chunter in the background; I am trying to answer her questions—investment in rolling stock. There is a commitment to new rolling stock for the east coast main line and for the First Great Western line; new rolling stock is being introduced to the Thameslink programme; and we are continuing with our intention to bring in 2,700 new carriages.
I fully accept that we have a problem on the railways, in that more people than at any time since 1929 now travel by rail—if that is a problem—on a network that is between a half and two-thirds of the size it was in 1929. I call it a success in some ways, but it is called a problem in terms of its consequences. The public’s perception of their journey is also much more favourable than was the case even 10 or 15 years ago, and people now regard trains as safe, more punctual and more pleasant to use. That is a problem of success, so the inevitable consequence is that we have to follow people’s increased use of trains, which has largely been recession-resistant, and ensure that there are sufficient orders to pick up extra passengers.
One answer is to invest in high-speed rail, and, if the Secretary of State concludes when she makes her statement in due course that she wishes to pursue the Y-shape proposal, her decision will significantly benefit the Sheffield area, as well as everywhere else in the country. So I assure the hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith) that we are doing our best to ensure that there is real investment in carriages and infrastructure. That is quite a long answer to her point, but I hope it assures her that we take rail extremely seriously. Indeed, I would not be doing my job of lobbying within the Government if that were not the case, but I am happy to say that it is."
Headline of 2011
  | In an election year when across Britain the Liberal Democrats took a battering this headline was a welcome relief. With meagre party resources bit though sheer hard work of candidates, party members and volunteers we took control of the Town Council and lost only 8 percent of our vote on the District Council although because of the first past the post voting system we lost three seats. |
Annual General Meeting
At the AGM on November 5th the matter of a new constitution was reffered to the party Executive.The following were elected as officers to serve from 1 January 2012:
- President - Pat O'Connor
- Chairman - Barry Coward
- Vice Chairman _ Ken Bridger
- Secretary - Aidan Turner
- Treasurer - Guy Grainger
- Membership Development Officer - Ray Sellars
- Data Officer - Andrew Heathorn
- Press Officer - vacant
- Constituency Organiser - vacant
- Auditor - David Cotton
Two ordinary members were elected to the Executive
- Melanie Jackson
- John Butler
Federal Conference representatives are :
- Andrew Heathorn
- Barry Coward
Regional Conference representatives are
- Andrew Heathorn
- Barry Coward
- Guy Grainger
Lincolnshire Federation representaives are
- Aidan Turner
- Peter Turner
- Barry Coward
- Guy Grainger
The Fund Raising Committee which has not met since December 2010 will be brought back to life under the chairmanship of the Membership Development Officer. All members interested in raising funds and increasing the size of the party membership should contact Ray Sellars.
The motion tabled by Barry Coward and Guy Grainger Forward to First Principles was unanimously approved. Read the statemnent of purpose at the head of this page.
The meeting thanked Peter Turner our retiring President, for his long and valued service to the party especially during the difficult recent past.
Councillor misses meeting to save life
Liberal Democrat Town Councillor Mark Binns missed attendance at the meeting of Gainsborough Town Council on the evening of Tuesday 4th October because he assisted a member of the public found in distress on Spital Terrace. Mark, a member of Gainsborough St John Ambulance, used his skills as an advanced first aider until an ambulance arrived to take the patient to Scunthorpe Hospital. It is rare that a first aider is required to use their skill to support those suspected of a heart attack.
Subsequently Mark's efforts were reported in the Gainsborough Standard and in Lib Dem News.
Meet Your Councillors
 Photo: Councillors representing Gainsborough talk to their voters |
Gainsborough residents met their County, District and Town Councillors at Marshall's Yard Shopping Precinct on Saturday 1 October. The brain child of Cllrs Robin Perry and Trevor Young, this event was a golden opportunity for folks to raise issues with their elected representatives. One Tory, one Independent, two Labour and eight LIb Dem Councillors were on hand to talk to residents. Despite being the hottest October day ever both councillors and public considered the event successful, so watch this space it could become a regular feature for Gainsborough. Although a Lib Dem initiative Councillors from all parties and none participated. |
Gainsborough Lib Dems meet their party Leader
Gainsborough Lib Dem members Guy Grainger and Barry Coward travelled to Oadby in Leicstershire to join forces with other members from across the East Midlands to meet party leader and deputy prime mininster Nick Clegg.
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For an hour Nick took questions from fifty members representing more than 20 constituencies including Gainsborough and Lincoln. Guy Grainger remarked that there were no new policy statements but it was an invaluable opportunity for local party members to get a better understanding of Nick. What came across clearly was his drive and determination and openness. Nick stated more than once that he is very worried about the global economic situation. He made it clear that a major priority of the coalition government has to be to reduce the budget deficit. He did note that the coalition’s plan to reduce the public sector spending by £16 billion a year is hardly any different from Labour’'s planned reduction of £14 billion a year. He was asked whether the cuts to police spending could be reviewed in the light of the recent rioting. Nick responded by saying that he had spoken with senior police officers who confirmed that they could presently manage without cuts degrading front line community policing. In response to concerns voiced by a Lincolnshire ‘ConneXions’ youth project advisor, Nick recognised the importance of working for and with young people who had become marginalised in our society. He was aware that this was a problem that has been visible on estates for at least a decade. Many young people now feel desperate for a variety of reasons, including trying to find work. |
200,000 apprenticeships were available to young people throughout the country. Nick had been told when visiting Tottenham that there are 1,300 apprenticeship places available within a 3 mile radius of the epicentre of the riots. The pupil premium is also a major initiative that can help disadvantaged youngsters.
Read the full report
Two Liberal Democrat Mayors
Liberal Democrats controlled Gainsborough Town Council elected Cllr Harry Clarke as Town Mayor with Cllr David Manning as his Deputy. Harry gave a short address hoping that the whole council would now work together as a team for the benefit of the townsfolk.`
Twenty miles East of Gainsborough in Market Rasen Liberal Democrat West Lindsey Cllr Ken Bridger was elected Town Mayor. In Market Rasen the Town Mayor acts both as chair and council leader so Ken is going to find little time to sleep in the forthcoming year.
Gainsborough Liberal Democrats Buck the National Trend
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On 5 May 2011 Gainsborough Liberal Democrats took control of Gainsborough Town Council winning 12 of the 18 seats on the council.
Liberal Democrats councillors are :
On 12 May the Liberal Democrats group elected Trevor Young as their leader and Paul Key as deputy leader. |
Read our Manifesto for Gainsborough Town Council
11 Liberal Democrats elected to West Lindsey District Council on May 5.
At the 2011 elections for West Lindsey District Council although Gainsborough Liberal Democrats lost two seats to Labour and one to the Tories (in a ward contested by Labour too) we retained eleven council seats :
- Gainsborough East - Mick Tinker, Mel Starkey
- Gainsborough North - David Dobbie
- Gainsborough South West - Judy Rainsforth and Trevor Young
- Market Rasen - Ken Bridger
- Nettleham - Malcolm Leaning and Ray Sellars
- Saxilby - David Cotton
- Stow - Reg Shore
- Thonnock - Lesley Rollings
The Tories retained control of West Lindsey, well that's not exactly true the council officers retained control as the Tories give them no clear policy directives and fail to effect scrutiny of the officer's management of the council. This is no criticism of council officers for if there is a void from their political masters officers have no option but to create their own policy for the council.
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