Tonight, New Labour was trounced: rejected by the voters and left trailing with barely 20% of the vote in a ward they used to hold.   Steve Williams is the new councillor, taking over following the sad death of Suzanne Moseley.

Conservatives won 70% of the vote (up from 60%) when Suzanne was last elected.  The Liberal Democrat and Green votes also fell and many of the former Liberal Democrat voters switched directly to Steve.  We also noticed how many fed up former Labour voters are now switching directly to us.

Steve Smith and I went along to the count at Moreton Community Centre to see the votes counted.  Well done to Cllr. Steve Williams and everyone who worked so hard for tonight’s result.

I was pleased to hear the good news that General Motors are not going to cut any jobs in Ellesmere Port. It is about time the workforce got some good news.  I know lots of people locally work there, so well done to everybody for their hard work.

With all the floods and problems with rainfall we’ve seen over the last week, I was really impressed to receive a call from an Environment Agency inspector who was on site, at the River Birket, following my call to them on Tuesday.  He is now inspecting the length of the river to check for dumped rubbish and other material that could cause an obstruction at the grills which, last time, caused the river to break its banks.  I’ll report back later.

Tonight, we split into several teams to complete the final night’s campaigning in the Moreton by-election following the sad death of Suzanne Moseley.  I led a team around the Wastdale Drive and Curlew Way area of the town – visiting Labour supporters and asking them to switch. 

I was delighted that so many said they would be – either to Steve Williams (the only local candidate) or Alec McFadden (the independent-scoialist-trade unionist).

Thanks also to our colleagues from Liverpool who came over to help and to Chris for the drinks in Sorella’s afterwards.

Whatever the result tomorrow, I think Steve with support from Chris, Simon and Leah, has run a positive campaign that seems to have been in tune with the circumstances of this election.

After a busy morning cooking the mens breakfast at Christchurch Parish Centre and then delivering the by election newsline on the Lingham Estate, along with our candidate Steve Williams, a less strenuous afternoon was the order of the day.

I  visited the Christmas Fair at Sandbrook Community Centre along with Leah Fraser.

The fair was well supported and had the usual stalls, bric a brac, cakes and my favourite tombola. I came away with two cans of lager as my prizes, not like Leah who carried off a bottle of gin! Father Christmas was pleased to see me as the photograph demonstrates, I did ask for an early Christmas present, wonder what it was?

Well done to everyone involved in organisisng the fair, it was good to see the scout post with a stall at the fair too.

We have received reports of dumped rubbish and furniture along the Birket.  Clearly, after the flooding problems of last year, we don’t want a repeat of the grills becoming blocked.  I’ve been in touch with Streetscene and the Environment Agency and asked for urgent action.  Residents can also report any problems on the river by calling 0800 607060.

Good news!  I have been advised that temporary lighting columns are to be installed on the stretch of Leasowe Road (Pasture Road to Reeds Lane) to enable street lighting to be provided, having been off for some months.  This is until the money allows permanent lights to be installed next year.  It seems that Colas, the Council’s contractor, didn;t have any lighting columns until this week…thanks to those residents who have been in touch for their patience!

A little while ago, my colleague commented on charges by Wirral Council for small businesses trying to gain new customers in the recession.  You can read that here.  This week, I have received an email (as have the two Labour Councillors for this area), from the Enforcement Team at the Town Hall.  Sayers, at 3 Upton Road, have applied to put an ’A’ board outside their shop.  If you have any comments on this,  email  charlottecrowe@wirral.gov.uk  quoting reference CPL/ES/09/403.  Comments must be submitted by 17 December.

I’ve received an update from United Utilities concerning their work to replace water mains on Hoylake Road.  I know this has been a cause of disruption to many people across Moreton, so the news that the current work (from Chadwick Street to Bermuda Road) will be completed by Friday is good news.  The company is looking at the case for replacing the mains from Bermuda Road to Carr Lane.

Some time ago, I passed on information given to me by a resident regarding drug dealing on Pasture Road.  I’m pleased to report that police have recently arrested a man for dealing drugs from his car. 

As well as this, two men have been arrested after a drugs warrant was used on a flat in nearby Furze Way.  Well done to our local police and, if you suspect someone near you is dealing, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.