With the explosion of bars in Market Street, local residents are concerned that the bar scene is saturated. Whilst many are well run and maintained some are not and continually seek to extend their license in what is a very close knit residential area. There have been many public meetings, with the local residents, planning officers, licensing officers and police but due to the general confusion and cross-over of License Laws and Planning Laws residents and officers feel unable to get clarity on the licensing procedures.

 After attending many of these meetings, I called on the Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Grayling MP to meet with the local residents of Hoylake to hear their concerns.

Residents asked the Shadow Home Secretary questions about licensing and planning laws under a Conservative Government as well as offering solutions to the issues facing villages and small towns across Britain. “There’s now a strong case to end Labour’s twenty-four hour drinking regime and that’s why a Conservative Government will review the licensing system including the area of temporary event licenses”.

I am delighted Chris has been able to take on board the views and suggestions of local people, including their suggestions for the tightening up of temporary event licenses. It was good to see the local community as a whole come together to tackle an issue that remains in Hoylake.

I’d like to hear more views too.

After hard work and vigorous campaigning by Wendy Clements, myself and all the local residents Irby Quarry has been designated safe from use as a landfill site.

This was a ridiculous proposal and thank goodness it was thrown out.  At the public meeting held by Wendy and myself the strength of feeling was clear, and the message  was loud—we may be a small village, but we have a big voice, that will be listened to.

 The report by Waste Planning Merseyside, published this week, approved other sites but deemed Irby Quarry, unfit for purpose. Many local people featured in the report that can be viewed online including myself and  Wendy Clements, Conservative Council Candidate for Irby, who said “I am delighted that I have been able to support the local community and that we have been listened to on such an important issue for Irby. It is a real testament to the people of Irby and by listening  to residents.

Wendy Clements our Council Candidate for Greasby, Frankby and Irby and me

Wet and wind swept but still Wendy went on to shoot a slam dunk! At least I think that’s the techinical term for it. I stood at the side cheering and eventually handed over an 1/8 of an orange.

Tonight the team is out in West Kirby meeting with local residents and this Sat from 10.30 am – 12 we’ll be in West Kirby, Banks Road if you want to meet with us.

Now that’s what I call bad parking – stretching over 3 car parking spaces – wont mention any names but it was a MALE driver who got out of the car to buy a pay and display ticket – I shouted over – you better get 3! (and get one for me while you’re at it!)

Yesterday – I went to meet with users of our local libraries and Sue Charteris. We were all there with the same purpose to Save our Local Libraries. Friends of mine arrived with their children, one of whom is only 3 years old ran over to Sue Charteris and said ‘Save our library, I love this library’. Many of the grandparents standing by were suitably moved for that little boy had said more in 7 words than most of us could have done in an hour’s conversation,  and he said quite simply what all  of us wanted to say…..’Out of the mouths of babes’

For those who know me, they’ll have heard me say all to often over the last 18months  ’I'm off to the library to write an essay’ or ‘revise for my Masters!’ Well no more as I’ve just completed my MSc in Corporate Governance and handed in my final dissertation. Blood sweat and tears has gone into that course ….. ok a bit of an exaggeration, but on top of everything else it has been a tough 18 months. However, the glutton for punishment that I am, I am now about to embark on a PhD within the same field. So yes I am a strong advocate of continuous education and yes I truly believe you’re never too old to learn! And if i’m honest I spent more time in the library for this MSc than I did for my O’s, A’s and degree put together and I enjoyed it!

Over 100 people came out to help over the weekend. Helping work with community groups, residents, doing litter picks and leafletting. Above Cllr John Hale and Eddie Boult - meeting with library users Sat morning outside Hoylake library.

This morning Cllrs Gerry Ellis,  John Hale, Jeff Green, David Elderton, Geoffrey Watt and prospective councillor for Hoylake Eddie Boult and I were out meeting with local residents. It was an early start especially for David Elderton, who got to West Kirby train station a good 20 mins before the rest of us, but we caught him finishing off a full English breakfast and mug of tea!

We’ll be back in West Kirby on Banks Road, Hoylake outside the library and Meols by the station tomorrow morning from 10.30 if anyone would like to come and meet us.

David Cameron with all 4 Parliamentary candidates for Wirral: Andrew Gilbert, Jeff Clarke, me and Leah Fraser

David Cameron visited Wirral for a meeting with Port Operators held at Birkenhead Docks.

David Cameron, announced that he is backing the campaign to address the financial crisis at UK Ports, which was caused by the failures in the Government’s Valuation Office Agency and which has left hundreds of businesses at the UK’s 55 statutory ports facing insolvency.

It is important to see David Cameron in Wirral listening to the concerns of the Port Operators of Merseyside. 6,000 people in Merseyside rely on the shipping industry for employment and David’s campaign for a fair deal for the industry can only help strengthen these jobs.