Recycling and Eastfield

When you read this I will have been out and about with my fellow Councillor, Geoff Evans, and the Scarborough Borough Council recycling team.
We decided that it was time to get out onto the 'coalface' and see the team in action as well as some of the problems they face. We have a great team of refuse collectors and they do a wonderful job for all of us. They are the key people in making sure that Scarborough leads the way in recycling.
There are still some people who continue to put the rubbish into the wrong bins but we believe that with continual education we will soon get it right. If we are serious about saving energy and recycling to save 'the planet' and your money also we cant leave it to 'the council'. We all have to play our part.
To help with this we are looking for more sites in Eastfield to place bottle banks because bottles cannot be collected in the blue bins.
Do you have any suggestions?

I'll tell you how we got on after I have been around with the collectors.

Councillor Brian O'Flynn

Recycling..a must if we have any thought for the future.

I am publishing below the text of a letter I wrote to the Press in answer to what I considered to be a very irresponsible letter published by Councillor Popple.
He took no part in the investigations that led the working group to make it recommendations to the full council. He could have if he so wished. It's a bit like someone trying to pick a team when they have watched no training or ever watched the players playing and then criticising the coach when he picks a team.
I sent in the letter below on Tuesday last but by Saturday it still had not been published. Why?

"Where has Councillor Popple been since 13th July 2006 when a Task Group was set up to examine the options for recycling? A report, which showed that Scarborough had one of the lowest recycling rates in the country (18%), was a warning that something had to be done. If we were to do nothing we were certain to be given ever increasing fines by the Government.
It would have been totally irresponsible to do nothing.
Yes, Councillor Popple, have you forgotten that a Pilot scheme has been tried in Filey? That showed some of the pitfalls but resources limited its expansion. After many hours of work looking at the options a very dedicated working group made a recommendation to Cabinet in December 2006 and Full Council accepted this in January. Where were you then Cllr. Popple?
At the end of February the Full Council, again with Cllr. Popple present, voted a budget for the new scheme. Money was at last being committed to this most vital task.
When the scheme is about to be launched and when the necessary costs have been committed it is totally irresponsible for someone who was part of the Council that voted for the scheme to try to sabotage it. Who will suffer if we do not succeed? All of Scarborough’s council tax payers who will be penalised. The SPARSE report just published shows that 19 of the top 20 performing councils have fortnightly collections and the highest rate of recycling. That should convince anyone. At just below 20% we are a long way behind councils that recycle 40-50% but that is our target and it must be if we have any concern for our environment and the problem of waste disposal. The vast majority of the public are ready and want to begin sooner rather than later".

Councillor Brian O’Flynn
Leader Liberal Democrat Group and Chair of the Recycling Task Group.

Land for building new houses.

For the next few months there is the opportunity for anyone to comment on the proposals being put forward for new building sites.
These are just proposal for land that could be set aside for building in the next 10 years.The next Eastfield First leaflet will show where there are.

There are three sites that affect Eastfield, one at Priory Place, one at Manham Hill and Braeburn House.

Of course the land at Deepdale was set aside many years ago and talks are still ongoing as to what sort of houses will go there, how many and how they are to be set out.

You will have the chance to comment on the layout in the coming months when the first suggestions are brought forward.

Do let us know what you think so that your councillors can represent your viewss.

When the rain was welcome

Your councillors working with many others did all they could, first to prevent the imposition of the Seamer Horse Fair travellers on Eastfield and then to control the use of Musham Bank Field.
We objected strongly to the cavalier action of Seamer Council and still more to the invitation of Mr. Simpson when he OFFERED the field to the travellers.
But the rain made the field so unusable as we predicted that most stayed away until the final day.
The closure of Musham Bank road was seen as the best way out and it proved to be so.
By evening the field was cleared thanks to the cooperation of the travellers representatives who removed all the rubbish.
The police reported that there were no reported incidents. Councillors did receive reports of some horses loose on the road but they were soon removed.
We will soon meet with council officials and others to make sure that Seamer Fair stays in Seamer next year.

Boiling Anger in Eastfield

The residents of Eastfield have good reason to believe that the problems associated with the Horse Fair at Seamer have been shifted over to them. They find it hard to believe that those responsible for finding a suitable place for the travellers did all that they could to keep it in Seamer. At the last moment and too late to do anything legally about it this year the leaseholder of some council owned land OFFERED it to the travellers!
We have already had one very stormy meeting about this and Monday's Parish Council meeting promises to be just as hot when a council official is coming to explain the situation.
What everyone wants to know is "if it is too late to do anything legally this year what and when will 'the powers that be' set about doing something for next year?

The Dawn of a Great New Venture for Eastfield.

To day, Wednesday 6th May, saw the official start on the expansion of the industrial estate . The Mayor cut the first sod, at least officially, even though a start had been made last week. The first stage ie. putting in roads, sewers, water and services together with changes to the surrounding roads will cost in the region of £10million.
It is hoped that the buildings will receive heat and electricity from the experimental pyrolisis plant at the nearby Seamer Carr tip and with the fastest internet connections in Britain, 100 Mb's, it should attract state of the art 21st century high tech industries.It aims to be the 'greenest' industrial estate in Britain. It will also have training facilities for some of the new jobs that will be created there. The whole project will bring in at least £100million of investment and being on the doorstep of Eastfield will give all our residents a big boost in the employment market.

The Dawn of a Great New Venture for Eastfield.

getting money for eastfield

I went to the Area committee meeting to night and there was only one application from a group in Eastfield.
Despite telling so many groups about this fund why is it that so few make the effort to put pen to paper and submit a bid?
Eastfield junior football club were fortunate to get £1000.00 but they were the only applicants from Eastfield. Meanwhile many organisations especially those from Filey were granted thousands of pounds.
Wake up Eastfield and get asking. You wont get the cash if you don't ask

A whole week end off!!!

It's Saturday morning and I feel almost guilty because I do not have a plan for canvassing during the weekend.
After all the walking and talking and door knocking and delivering it's heaven to have a weekend off.After I have finished writing to some of the authorities to clear up housing or other matters I can even clear some of the paper that has been accumulating in my living room and catch up on the jobs at home that have been put on hold.
Thanks to all those who helped us by delivering leaflets. Without them Brian, Geoff and I could never have found time to call on so many people. Now we must set about doing those things that we promised whilst continuing to consult and report back to those who elected us. We are only at the start of our real work now.

There is always a first time

There is always a first time and to night I had the leg of my trousers ripped off by a dog. I was told " he thought you were the postman". Well it's bad enough being ripped because you are a councillor but pity the poor postman.
Fair dues I was promised compensation by the owner but watch this space and I will let you know if I do get compensation.

It's near the end and the beginning.

Thursday 3rd May seemed a long way off some time ago and now it is rushing towards us. Brian and Geoff and I have been out night after night and some days too trying to get to every house in Eastfield and meet those who whom we hope will give us their vote of confidence.
Not everyone was at home and now we are trying to catch those who were out, when we called, before Thursday. But we could not manage all that without the wonderful band of helpers who all do their bit and who let us get on with the canvassing. That way we find out what people are thinking and what the problems are. If you read this and have any queries dont hesitate to contact us and we will do our best for you.

brian o, brian s, and Geoff E.

Canvassing in Eastfield at this time of year provides one pleasure...looking at the great variety of gardens and the care that so many take with them. To night I saw a narrow garden in Sweetbecks but with the variety of planting and layout it looked very much bigger and full of interest. I wish I could do as well.
I am always amazed at the way some people can get a lawn to look so clean of weeds, level and green. And then there are the gardens with some sort of water feature. They must be loved by the birds when they need a drink. But right now some plants are really suffering from a lack of water because it has not rained for a long time. So many are hanging their heads I wish I could carry water to them all.That's all for to day folks.

It's not easy!

Many of you will have received your postal votes yesterday and may even have voted and posted.
We hope you considered Geoff Evans, Brian Simpson and I for your vote.
We work as a team and each brings to it their own skill, experience and time. If you cannot reach one of us by phone try any of the others and that person will pass on the message or look into your query.
It always surprises me, when canvassing, the number of problems that we come across that were never brought to our attention earlier.
You have many ways of contacting us but please if you telephone say your number slowly and repeat it once. It is very frustrating for us and disappointing for you if we cannot recognise your number and you fail to get a call back.
Lot's to do to day and every day until the elections are over...and then the real work begins or should I say ...continues.

Police and not pieces of paper

Whitby and Scarborough Lib Dem councillors win the day
Whitby councillor Rob Broadley, and his Lib Dem Colleague Brian Simpson managed to convince SBC to adopt their motion to oppose the government's introduction of compulsory identity cards. Brian, who put the motion to the council said, "We,at Scarborough Borough Council, are opposed to the introduction of National Identity Cards by the government on the grounds that the estimated costs of £22 billion and rising would be better spent on more useful and targeted policing in our local communities in the form of extra police. We also believe that a proportion of the proposed funding should be spent on strengthening Safer Communities Teams like our own, giving them real power and strengthening the fight against anti-social behaviour." This was seconded by Rob, who said "It is not just about introducing ID cards, but also the creation of a National Identity Register where every individual's details would be stored on a massive data base. Knowing full well the goverment's record of failed data bases at huge cost to the taxpayer, the Government has not made a case.There is no evidence the system will produce the stated benefits. Less liberty does not imply greater security. ID does not establish intention of terrorism, and in no instance has the presence of an identity card system been shown a significant deterrent to terrorist activity. Indeed, experts attest that ID unjustifiably presumed secure actually diminishes security." The motion was passed by a large majority, and the council agreed to write to the Home Office registering its opposition. To find out more about this, click on the No2ID website , where the motion has been referred to and welcomed by that organisation in issue number 66.

Has anyone had a problem gaining admission or even using thePindar or Filey Road Sports centres?
Rumours are going round about their future and any information would help those of us who want to keep them open as Community centres and more available to all. Let me know if you can help.

What do we do about litter?

Eastfield is getting a new clean look because Councillor Brian Simpson and I keep after the council to 'clean it up'. Cleaning it up takes away money from other things we want to see done in Eastfield.
But it is discouraging to everyone to see that there are some antisocial people who just do not care about anyone else.
Just look at the side of the Dell. A few days ago the grass was cut and it looked great.
And then..............someone scattered a load of rubbish down the side!
Do they want to turn the Dell into a Tip, like Seamer Carr?
If the council wanted to make into a tip we would all be in uproar.
Who is doing this to us?
Please report the ANTISOCIAL enemies of the people of Eastfield to the Council .
We want Eastfield to be First in everything EXCEPT for scattering rubbish.

Welcome to Eastfield Liberal Democrats' blog.

For years we've been obeying the old rule of politics: if you want someone to know something, write it on a piece of paper and stick it through their letter box. Don't worry, Eastfield First isn't going away, but this is a way of Eastfield Councillors getting news and political views to you, and for you to provide feedback on how we're doing and how council services are being delivered. Feel free to leave comments, but they will be moderated so please keep it civil.