Thank you readers for a record month of hits on the blog.  I hope you continue to find it interesting.  Comments for improvements are appreciated.

Tesco & Sainsbury’s are planning to unleash a supermarket war on Chorlton’s doorstep, with developments close to Lancashire Cricket Ground.  Chorlton Lib Dems are campaigning against both, fearful that Chorlton could be the real loser in their battle.  According to Tesco’s own figures, 10% of Chorlton trade would be lost.  The combined toll could be 25%.

Local Campaigner Victor Chamberlain said “These developments could severely affect the vitality of Chorlton centre and could be disastrous for local businesses. That is why I have asked Manchester City Council to put in formal objections. ”

The Council have since objected, but campaigners feel it is a lukewarm objection, one designed to look like an objection, but do very little to stop the development.

The final decision should be made by Trafford Council on 11 February.

Chorlton’s Big Green Festival has a new and rather excellent website.  The festival is just over 2 months away.  Looking forward to it already.

Manchester LibDem Leader Simon Ashley is offering his opinions on the World Cup bid in 2018.  Read the post here.

As some of you may know, I am a Councillor on the Greater Manchester Fire Authority.  The good work of the Authority makes me proud, reducing fire deaths dramatically.

I woke bleary eyed on Wednesday to find there had been a devastating earthquake and that we had sent out 8 firefighters to help in the rescue operation.  They have done a fantastic job over the last few days.

Councillors had a run through of many of the search and rescue techniques in September and I think we were suitably impressed.  Dog handler Mick Dewar was one of them, I think. 

It is also worth pointing out that the eight were ‘on call’ for the job and we have other brace firefighters that would have been willing to fly halfway across the world.  Thanks to them too.

Excellent news and great work from the dozens of campaigners deeply involved.  I am on Channel M talking about it tonight, but here is John Leech’s fuller report into it.  I will blog in full very soon.

The current forecast: Snow showers during the afternoon and night are expected to bring accumulations of 1-3 cm, mainly in the east of the region and on high ground. RST’s are forecasted to fall to minus -1c with air temperatures +1, this will bring a risk of ice and hoar frost.

LATEST INFORMATION

I have become more closely involved with Manchester’s Unite Against Fascism since attending a vigil against Muslim Grave desecration in November.

The next meeting is on 12th January, 7pm at the Manchester Central Church on Oldham St.

Severe Weather Conditions - Waste and Recycling

(info from Council officers, with some bolding by me and a brief comment at the end) 

Rubbish Collections
The rubbish bin collection service is running today (Thursday 7 January) and the collection crews will empty the normal Thursday collection rounds from accessible roads where bins are moveable (many bins are frozen to the floor). The crews will also remove any bagged side waste that is presented.

If your rubbish bin collection was missed on either Tuesday or Wednesday and you require a collection, please present your rubbish bin on Saturday if your usual day is Tuesday, or Sunday if your usual day is Wednesday, and collections will take place at the weekend if it is safe to do so (weather permitting).

Recycling Collections
A limited recycling service will be running today (Thursday 7 January) and the collection crews will empty the normal Thursday collection rounds from accessible roads.

If your blue recycling container has not been collected this week please could you return your container to your property and wait until the next scheduled collection date. As next week we will be collecting brown recycling containers if you are unable to wait two weeks until the next blue recycling collection dates can contact Environment on Call (954 9000) and request an additional collection and we will arrange for your recycling container to be collected when it is safe to do so.  

NB: I am not too happy about this recycling plan and will be trying to get another blue bin collection sorted out ASAP.

I meant to blog on this ludicrous news from John Leech MP’s website.  He has been pursuing cycle training for bus drivers.  There are a number of promising and successful schemes in other parts of the country, but nothing in Manchester.  Local bus companies wont put their drivers through a cycle proficiency training scheme because it is too dangerous.  True, but dripping in irony…

John Leech said, “”We’re just going round in circles - if even the bus companies think that the roads are too dangerous for their own drivers to cycle around, how are standards going to improve?”

I attend the Manchester cycle forum where matters like this are raised.  We have had some good news recently, in that a new scheme to fund cycle training for cyclists will go ahead in the next financial year.

However, it is the tougher nut to crack, bur drivers and motorists that need training too.   I will keep you informed.

LATEST INFORMATION (from Council officers - my comments in italics if necessary)

Weather conditions:

Little change is expected in the weather for the next few days but it is very much ‘business as usual’ for Manchester as the city returns to normal.

Travel advice and gritting:

The latest Met Office advice is that the weather conditions are expected to last for the next few days but thanks to the efforts of the gritting teams all of Manchester’s main roads are now clear.

Gritting of all of Manchester’s priority routes will continue this evening and the snow plough will continue to clear the most congested routes.

When making a journey by road it is advisable to exercise caution and take extra time for your journey.Public transport is running - subject to some delays (see GMPTE website for latest updates).

Manchester Evening News website is also invaluable

Libraries and leisure:

All the council’s libraries and leisure facilities will be open as normal tomorrow.

Hmmn, don’t be surprised if they close early. They have done for the past two days and I would support them shutting early if necessary

Waste and recycling:

The City Council will resume waste and recycling collections on Thursday January 7 in areas that have become safe enough for collection vehicles to enter.

Extra rounds will be organised on Saturday and Sunday to catch up on collections that had been suspended earlier in the week due to the severe weather.

For further information about collections in your area, contact Environment On Call on 0161 954 9000.

Just leave your bins out till they are collected.  Nobody will mind that for a few days in the circumstances.

Health advice:

NHS Manchester are advising patients that most services are gradually returning to normal although patients should contact their  local hospital to check whether or not specific clinics are operating

If you have a health problem that is not life threatening patients are advised to visit their nearest NHS Walk in Centre or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

The report has come through just as I have to head out.  All chorlton ward Primary schools plus Chorlton High & Loreto High are closed tomorrow.

Will add more details on this and other services later.

My LibDem colleague John Bridges has already queried when the service resumes and what the schedule would be.  I suspect we will just have to hang fire till the snow stops falling and much more is expected.

Of course, I will keep you informed of further developments. 

A quick post on School Closures in Chorlton tomorrow.

Brookburn, St Johns & Chorlton CofE are confirmed closed.  EDIT: Oswald Rd school is also closed tomorrow.

Schools in neighbouring wards that are also closed include:

Manley Park

Chorlton High

Loreto High

Martenscroft (Surestart)

Lancasterian

St Margarets CE (not certain this is the one on Withington Rd)

Whalley Range High.

NB: This list isn’t exhaustive.  The full list is here.

Should I hear news on Oswald Rd (or Chorlton Park Primary) I will post ASAP

UPDATE: A parent from Chorlton Park has contacted me saying that school is closed too. 

The current forecast is: Snow showers continuing in the morning giving accumulations of 3-6cm, with scattered lighter showers from 14:00 hrs onwards, finally clearing by 20:00hrs. Dry for the rest of the night and Wednesday morning with a very small chance of a light snow shower in the north by midday. Any partially melted snow will re-freeze once showers clear, leading to a severe ice risk and frost.

MP urges constituents to call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 for their free Little Book of Energy advice booklet

Thousand of households in South Manchester could be missing out on savings of up to £250 a year on the energy bills because they are failing to claim free insulation grants to which they are entitled, local MP John Leech warned today.

Recent research suggests there are 3.6 million eligible households across the country that missing out on free help and up to 3600 homes in South Manchester could be saving around £150 a year on their heating bills by insulating their lofts and another £115 a year with cavity wall insulation.

John Leech said, “The Little Book of Energy is a valuable resource to help families save money and keep warm this winter, and is now available for free to all residents across South Manchester. The advice booklet provides you with tips for making your home more energy efficient, and provides valuable information about free grants for insulation and assistance available to help reduce your heating bills.”

The research, conducted for the Home Heat Helpline by independent think tank, the New Policy Institute (NPI), found. The 3600 homes in Manchester Withington which are missing out, account for around 9% of all local homes.

John Leech said, “These free grants for insulation could provide a lifeline for thousands of families in South Manchester as it gets colder through the winter months.

The NPI research highlights low income households claiming either out-of-work or disability benefits, working tax credit or pension credit, who could benefit from the insulation grants. In addition, anyone over the age of 70 can apply for the free grants, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits or tax credits. The grants are provided under the CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) scheme, which provides cavity wall or loft insulation for poorly insulated homes.

Christine McGourty, spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline, joined Mr Leech in calling for residents to find out if they are eligible, saying: “This research shows the huge scale of unclaimed help that’s out there on offer from energy suppliers. We have trained advisers who can help you get grants for insulation, special reduced tariffs as well as advice and support on how to keep warm and save money on your bills.”

Anyone who is concerned about their fuel costs or those of a relative, neighbour or friend, should call the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 33 66 99 to see if they are eligible for help.

Taken from John Leech MPs website

The Manchester Evening News has an interesting report on the cost implications of our bid for two venues for the 2018 World Cup.

The £30M cost sounds extreme, but I have looked at other reports for events and Manchester as a city would probably recoup more than that.  Of course much of those monies would go to Hotels etc that are multinationals, but the employees would be Mancunian.

I seem to remember the Royal Oak became an adoptive pub for a lot of Czech Republic fans back in Euro 96 and football fans are bound to want to send some of their down time in Chorlton rather than Clayton. 

Are you happy to pay to boost business?  Let me know?

I sit on two Scrutiny Committees, Children & Young People as an ordinary member & Communities & Neighbourhoods as the LibDem Spokesperson.

This week I will be discussing schools attendance and the closure of Ewing Schools as well as Winter Services (gritting essentially) plus business plans on Leisure & Housing.

You can get to the reports from here, but feel free to contact me on any subject.

The site visit for the Planning Committee to visit Chorlton Meadows has been arranged for 14th January at 10.15am.  Most of the Planning Committee (attendance isn’t obligatory, but most will attend) will visit the site to see first hand the impact the growth of the football club could have on that part of the Meadows.

All are welcome and it is by its very nature less formal than the main Committee that sits at 2pm the same day.

I am furious at Jack Straw for insulting police officers throughout the country.

Locally, Inspector Hubbard and his team do a great job.  A gang of burglars robbed properties in the ville in the early hours of 23rd December. Arrests were made within 36 hours.

We have a situation where PCSOs have virtually no paperwork and police officers are overloaded. 

This means that the visible side of policing is being done by PCSOs.  I know the valuable role they play, but many members of the public see them as ‘plastic police’.    

Straw should apologise and get more police out on the beat, by making it easier for them to be on the beat.  Sort out the bureaucracy, Jack!

Not been really thinking about your responsibilities to the planet, today?  Nursing a hangover?  Worrying about whether Matt Smith will be any good as the new Doctor?  Delivering all your remaining calendars because Labour have had the temerity to do a calendar too?

Well join the club!

Luckily, the good people at the Guardian have anticipated our slumber and offered a helpful guide to get our 10% cut.

I have been looking at what I can do and any issues.

1. Cut the electric & gas bills by 10%

2. Unplugging more appliances, one very bad habit of mine.

3.  Not driving on Tuesdays. 

4.  Flying??? As I told a labour blogger recently, I haven’t flown anywhere since 2006, but next year will almost certainly include two (possibly 4) flights.  I need to offset that. NB: Paying for carbon offsetting doesn’t count.

5. Energy meters.  Helps cut the bills and the CO2.

6. Turn down the brightness on the TV.  Not before Doctor Who though.

7. What the hell are chimney balloons?

 More to follow over the year.