11
Mar 10

Sore point

by Philtheone

More genius from the ultra-professional Gazette.

Ouch!

10
Mar 10

“First class” Fowler rapped for jollies

by Philtheone

You can probably imagine how much my eyes lit up when I was reminded about this story in today’s early edition Gasjet. Oh yes. Early in 2009 they published the same story but my site wasn’t really around then, so I’ll take the liberty of highlighting it this time round.

In 2007-2008, the council splurged £74,000 on first class rail travel and the worst offender is my favourite councillor, car park commissar Ian Fowler, with 30 first class rail journeys. In the last six months he has been at it again with another 20 first class journeys costing about £1200.

10
Mar 10

The £220million question

by Philtheone

The mythical beast that is the Talbot Gateway is edging closer to planning approval, and once again I have to question whether this is really the way Blackpool can progress.

There are many questions that must be asked about this project, mostly about the practicality and foresight that has gone into it.

We are told that the first phase of the project will include 14 town houses, a supermarket and a plaza. Perhaps I’m missing something, but what is going to attract anyone to pay top dollar for a spangly new town house in one of the most prolific areas for crime in Lancashire?

10
Mar 10

Budget on March 24th

by Philtheone

Gordon Brown has today unveiled the date for the next budget as being the 24th of March. This budget could be pivotal in deciding the election.

It goes without saying that it will be laced with electioneering spin and will try to distance Labour from the Conservatives in the run up to the election which many, including myself, are suggesting will be on May 6th. Creating such a party divide is a difficult task given that both parties are fighting over middle ground, though.

09
Mar 10

Review: Fayez Tandoori

by Philtheone

A few weeks ago my girlfriend and I were headed to the Vue cinema in Cleveleys to watch Up in the Air and on the way we decided to try out the Fayez Tandoori on Victoria Road West.

My favourite curry house is Michael’s in Thornton because the food is consistently good and the service is rapid, so this is my benchmark upon which I will compare the Fayez.

08
Mar 10

Destroyer of Harperson comes to town

by Philtheone

William Hague MPA newsletter from Ron Bell shuttled into my mailbox on Friday night advertising a wine and cheese afternoon at the Queens Hotel on Thursday the 11th.

It’s on between 14.30 and 17.00 and the guest speaker is none other than William Hague MP, so it’ll probably be quite good even if you wont be voting for Ron Bell.

Seems like a snip at £10 per head, although I don’t know whether there are any tickets left. If anyone closer to it than me reads this, give us an update!

08
Mar 10

Fowler shafts ratepayers by another £25 a week

by Philtheone

It’s no secret that Blackpool is one of the most expensive towns to park in the UK, but despite this, parking charges are to increase by up to 200% under the stewardship of Ian Fowler.

The Conservative councillor for Waterloo – recently cleared of bringing his authority into disrepute by the Standards Board – said that the charges at Gynn Square, Seed Street and Banks Street car parks will be brought up to the levels of other car parks in the town. This means that what currently costs you £2.20 (8 hours) will cost £7.50. What currently costs £3.30 (24 hours) will cost you £10.00.