Commenting on Alan Johnson's statement to the House of Commons on the vetting of staff in schools and colleges, Rochdale Cabinet Member for Child, Schools and Families, Cllr. David Clayton said,
Commenting ahead of the publication of the Transport Select Committee's Report into parking charges, the Liberal Democrats have released new research which shows that since Labour came to power England's parking charges have increased a massive 82%. In the last year (03/04 to 04/05) alone they went up 6%. England's motorists are now being charged almost £1.2bn a year.
Liberal Democrat Councillor and Leader of Rochdale Council - Cllr. Alan Taylor has revealed his ambitious plans for a change of emphasis from Rochdale Council. The plans are now at an advanced stage and will start making a difference to resident's lives over the next few months. One of the main plans is to step up the fight against anti-social behaviour in the town - Cllr. Taylor explains: "One of the main complaints we all receive as Councillors is about crime, it is high time the Council got tough on people who makes resident's lives a misery. I will be meeting shortly with local Police bosses to discuss how the Council can help them tackle problems. One thing that we are already looking at implementing is sanctions on Housing Benefit - Tenants who are evicted from their Council Properties only to move on to cause distress in a new neighbourhood while still receiving Housing Benefit. I say this is completely unacceptable and welcome new legislation that will allow us, as a last resort to stop Housing Benefi
Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen has called for the money made by the sale of the Birch Hill Hospital Site to stay in Rochdale. Paul is seeking assurances that the multi-million pound windfall will be spent on improving acute services in the area. Over 400 houses are set to be built on the site and Health Bosses have not guaranteed that all the money will be reinvested in services in Rochdale.
Rochdale MP - Paul Rowen has called on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to investigate a number of problems with their administration which is leaving estranged partners vulnerable. In cases where a marriage breaks down, an ex-spouse may take the decision not to support her partner's application for right to remain in this country. This is a big step, and often causes disputes within a family. However, when a visa expires and the estranged partner fails to return to their own country, problems can escalate and the British citizen can find themselves being bullied, harassed and threatened.
The Liberal Democrats have re-iterated their calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East. Israel has continued carrying out air strikes in southern Lebanon after previously promising a 48 hour halt to attacks. Palestinian doctors in Gaza say several people have been hurt in fresh Israeli air strikes there, that took place as Israel's Lebanon offensive continues. Israel says it attacked buildings used by militants from Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza City and the northern town of Beit Hanoun.
