Better school dinners on the way?

Last night, I attended the latest meeting of the Community Committee at Christchurch CE Primary School on Upton Road.  It was set up by the governors to address some of the issues facing the school ‘community’ – both inside and outside the school gates.  I’m pleased to say the school is continuing to develop the Action Plan to tackle the problem of irresponsible parking near the school (not helped at the moment by the works on the gas mains!) and I’ll report back on this shortly.

We also discussed, at length, the ongoing work to improve the quality and choice of school meals.  Most of us have less than fond memories of school dinners but, no doubt, in the 25 years since I left school, the meals have improved.  We discussed possible further improvements at the school and agreed that changes will be recommended to the next meeting of governors.

Allotments update

Earlier this evening I attended the training coyrse for those of us who want to run the new Leasowe Community Allotments Society. The course is being run by Carol Seery at the Early Years and Adult Learning Centre. Carol has been a big help ever since I first started this project and it’s great to see residents getting involved. A big chunk of tonight was spent ‘on site’ measuring up so that next week we can have a look at possible site layouts for plots, paths and so on. It’s not too late to get involved!

Leaning lampost on Upton Road

I’ll avoid the George Formby remarks!  We have reported the leaning lampost on Upton Road (in front of the fantastic Baxters Fish and Chips) to the Council’s streetlighting manager, asking for it to either be fixed or replaced. 

Over the next couple of months, I’m pleased to report that the street lights in Blackheath Drive and Farmside will also be replaced – I first asked for this after complaints from some residents around three years ago and the work has now been scheduled.

New dropped kerbs on Danger Lane

A couple of months ago, I was asked by a resident if we could do something about the lack of  ‘dropped kerbs’ on Danger Lane, to help people in buggies or mums and dads with prams.  It took a few meetings with officers from the Council’s Technical Services and I think the issue was also raised at an Area Forum meeting, but some of the kerbs are, today, being ‘dropped’ including this one at the junction of Fairmead Road. The Area Forum has some money available for other dropped kerbs where people need them.  For more information, drop me an email ian.lewis20@btinternet.com

The Joy of Sex, Nick Clegg and a Cadbury’s Cream Egg

These were just some of the subjects we discussed over a coffee at Leasowe Library this afternoon. It was good to catch up with everyone after the election, which, inevitably was also discussed.

Maria, Chris and Gemma do a great job in making this library a real community hub – with activities for the kids and trips out to various local attractions.

NB the egg was a present for me; The Joy of Sex was discussed in not too much detail and Nick Clegg got the pulses racing. Or something like that…

Labour: 3, Conservatives 0

First, congratulations to Labour’s Anita Leech for being elected the new Councillor for Leasowe & Moreton East, alongside Labour Councillors Ron Abbey and Ann McArdle. All three are now part of a Labour-controlled council in Wirral (37 Labour Councillors; 22 Conservatives and just seven Liberal Democrats).

Elsewhere, I was really pleased to see Leah Fraser return to the Council in Wallasey and Chris Blakeley re-elected in Moreton West & Saughall Massie – both are good councillors and both were elected with increased majorities compared to 2011.

Anyone who loses, particularly if you were an existing councillor, will describe their result as disappointing. And, for me, the result is of course disappointing but whatever I felt on Thursday night, it did not dent how I felt four years ago, when I was elected as councillor in this former ‘rock solid’ Labour ward.

Thursday’s result of 1,776 votes was up 212 on last year’s Conservative vote but down 249 votes from when I was elected in 2008.

I have made many good friends in Leasowe and Moreton since then – across the political spectrum and in all parts of the ward. Several took a very active role in the campaign and helped in many ways.

When someone’s political office comes to an end, there are always people to thank. I’ll start by thanking those people in the local community who I have worked with

• Jean and Bev at Upton Park
• Anne Marie, Suzanne, Brian and the gang at West Way Square
• Pat Gannon at Yew Tree
• Everyone at the Leasowe Estate Tenant’s Association
• The residents who helped to improve some of the play areas
• The volunteers who have taken a role on the new allotments society
• The governors at Christchurch CE Primary School and Castleway Primary School
• The Leasowe Play Youth and Community Association
• The Autumn Club
• Seven Waves Community Radio
• and all those residents who have worked with me on issues of concern in their neighbourhood.

I’ve probably missed someone…if so, sorry!

A ‘big’ thank you to all those people who have helped with the campaign – by delivering newsletters and leaflets, phoning voters, calling on their doorsteps, displaying a poster and generally getting involved. Much of this was possible because of the effoorts of my election agent, Margaret Kalil, who is a great asset to our local organisation.

I’d also like to thank those Council officers who went out of their way to help me tackle some of the issues in the community – I won’t name them on here but will try to contact them over the next week. I was amused to read this comment on the Globe website by ‘Council Officer’:

“I have had some experience of Ian Lewis. He is very much like chalk an cheese really. I believe he really tries to make a difference but unfortunately he is a tory in a safe labour seat! He certainly does like his social media though but does not always use this as positively as he could. He is a straight talker and this doesn’t go down well in the Town Hall so he isn’t much liked because of this. I have had experience of many councillors an Ian Lewis is one of the decent ones. Although I have to admit; you will either love him or loath him!

Well, it made me laugh.

Election result

I was not re-elected as Councillor for Leasowe & Moreton East last night.

The Labour candidate beat me by 318 votes.

The full result is:

Ian Lewis (Local Conservative): 1,776
Anita Leech (Labour): 2,094
Catherine Williams (UKIP): 144
Cynthia Stonall (Green Party): 89

Out of 10,466 people who could vote, 4,103 did vote.

Final day of campaigning

We stopped at 9.30pm, having spent the day delivering leaflets and letters, including this one, speaking to voters and organising our volunteers for tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone including Jeff Green, Jacqueline Foster MEP, Eve Sorrell, Chrissy and Lewis, Mark, along with several ‘new volunteers’ and my fantastic agent, Margaret Kalil. 

One of the leaflets we delivered featured comments by residents from across the area.  

Lifelong Labour supporter Geoff Harrington says why he is voting for me tomorrow:

In the past, I have found it easy when it came to elections of any kind , local or national, but this time I have been torn between my lifelong Labour support and local councillor Ian Lewis.”

As Ian was the only person in a position of authority that physically helped and supported local residents when our road was flooded. He was in the area almost immediately when we lost our gas supply when he also stayed and helped with the distribution of emergency aid, I am happy to say my vote will go to Ian Lewis.

He clearly cares and indeed gives massive amounts of time to our local area , sometimes we have to look beyond party issues.”

I really respect Geoff for saying that, and to everyone who appeared in the leaflet (Pauline Murphy, Chris Connolly, Nicky Proctor, Janny Walker, Laura Oldrid and Jen Docherty).  Some have never voted ‘Conservative’ in their lives because they are dyed in the wool Labour and they’ve made it clear to me, and to their neighbours tonight, that they are voting, above all, because they want to keep me working for Moreton and Leasowe and not for Party politics.

I’ve spoken to many residents who feel the same and, if I win tomorrow, I shall continue to work for everyone in this community, regardless of who they vote for nationally. 

The night finished with a member (or ex-member, not sure!) of the Labour Party, who has posters in the window for me and gave me a drink and wished me luck – and asked why I hadn’t asked her to be in the leaflet!

Local issues update

There’s quite a bit happening locally and so, over the next couple of days, I’ll update on some of these issues, starting with the Reeds Lane, Ditton Lane, Whiteheath Park area:

Farmside: the Director of Technical Services has agreed to work up a scheme to tackle the problem of the churned up grass verges.  I’ll make sure (see* below) residents are consulted first.

Blackheath Drive: new streetlights will be installed in July, and also in Farmside.

Cronton Avenue junction: hopefully, the blocked drain has now been cleared. Some excavation was needed and promised.

Birket Embankment: the Council has served a notice on the landowner to have this site cleared up and I’ve also contacted them, Taylor Wimpey North West, to offer support to keep this local beauty spot clean.

Whiteheath Park path: I’ve asked for an inspection of the path, following concerns that the tarmac (or is it bitmac?) near the play area is breaking up.

Castlegrange Close junction: I’ve met with a highways officer a while ago and await details of proposals to provide a traffic regulation order to improve visibility (see note * below)

Reedville Grove/Reeds Lane near the station: a traffic regulation order is being worked up by the Council.

Twickenham Drive/Castleway junction: the Council has agreed to install junction markings.  The old sign has also now been removed.

 

North Wallasey Approach Road

The other day, Leah Fraser and I were driving along the North Wallasey Approach Road (from Wallasey, towards the motorway) and we spotted this fence.  I say ‘spotted’, in fact you can hardly miss it.

Apparently, the fence, which blocks visibility, is to improve road safety.  A few years ago, I asked for junction improvements at this roundabout because of the large number of accidents and complaints from a resident. 

It seems Costain, the contractor for the recent roadworks has erected and paid for the fence at the request of the Council as ‘a road safety measure’.  The Council’s Road Safety Team are monitoring the situation closely and, quote: ‘if it’s felt the screen is not having the desired effect, or could lead to more accidents, then it will be reviewed and if necessary removed’.

In the words of Leah Fraser: “Surely if an assessment of the area has been carried out then the correct road safety measure should be put in place – not something which ‘may not have the desired effect’.  Actually I don’t think it will be removed by the Council, it’s been erected in a big open space with no visible supports, so I think the wind and gales will do that for them – and I hope it doesn’t hit a car in the process.”

At the same time, as a local councillor, I am frequently told that requests for road safety measures can’t be considered because there is no evidence that they will improve matters.

Hundreds of needles found in Lyons Road flat

I have, over the last month or so, been in regular contact with the Police and Wirral Partnership Homes over the problems caused by a tenant in Lyons Road.  Mums and dads nearby contacted me, worried about the number of people visiting the property at No 12 and the kind of problems in the area that were being caused. 

I visited the property shortly afterwards, or, should I say, tried to visit.  The windows were boarded up but the front door was wide open.  I barely set foot past the gate and was overwhelmed by the smell and, within minutes, several ‘F…Offs’, which was strange because he didn’t know I was the Conservative Councillor

Anyway, I’m delighted to see that the eviction of Kevin Lockley has been reported in the local press, following work by the Police and Wirral Partnership Homes, who kept in regular contact with me.  Several of the residents have asked me to pass on their thanks to both. 

Along with the recent clean up of the area, I hope residents will see some improvement in their quality of life.

Action on allotments (at last!)

One of the projects I have been working on (as well as play areas and planting more trees), has been the need to provide a low-cost allotments site in Leasowe and Moreton.

Earlier this week, we held our first meeting ‘on site’, followed by a discussion at the nearby Adult Learning Centre.  A committee has now been elected and, through the centre, a course is starting next Wednesday (10 lots of two hour sessions) for anyone who wants to know more about developing an allotment site.  At the same time, the Committee will be idfentifying the immediate issues around the site and drawing up a layout of plots of various kinds. 

Now is the time to get involved – email me ianlewis@wirral.gov.uk or contact Sheila Henry at Leasowe Community Centre.