THIS YEAR has seen the unfortunate deaths of two well known and well liked councillors, namely Bloomfield’s Mary Smith and Marton’s Jim Houldsworth, and the by-elections are on the way. Postal voting forms are being deposited through letterboxes this week for polling day on Thursday the 3rd of May. This article is the first of two ward roundups in advance of the forthcoming election.
THERE’S ONLY one motion on the agenda for the council meeting on the 18th of January 2012, but it’s one that most Blackpudlians would surely be in support of.
UPDATE: Labour submitted a government-bashing amendment resulting in the Conservatives rejecting the motion.
THE CASH-GRAB starts here. Cllr Fisher set the tone with crushing council tax hikes, but Cllr Blackburn has opted for a more subtle approach.
THE BLACKPOOL, Fylde and Wyre Economic Development Company has set about planning its Economic Strategy. An army of highly paid and highly qualified boffins have been locked in a think tank for years coming up with this stuff.
Most of it is just common sense, though.
THE LATEST attempt to squeeze cash out of hard-up businesses to pay for Blackpool Illuminations.
CONGESTION CHAOS is a regular sight at Amy Johnson Way, but will Blackpool’s ultra left wing Labour Party offer any real assistance?
PENNY PINCHING councillors have called for every visitor to Blackpool Illuminations to contribute £1 in donations because of a cash shortfall.
EVERY YEAR the council close the Blackpool Promenade to allow cyclists to enjoy a sneak preview of the Illuminations known as “Ride the Lights”. I did it, and here are my thoughts.