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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Liverpool date for voluntary ID cards sparks campaigners’ anger
Nov 17 2009 by Kevin Core
THE Home Office is planning a January launch date for identity cards in Merseyside.
Yesterday, the Government launched the voluntary pilot for the scheme in Greater Manchester, but has now announced a New Year start across the rest of the North- West.
It says they will be a cheaper alternative to passports and those who want one can carry a card or a passport, both or neither.
But campaigners say Merseyside’s economic recovery could be blighted by the introduction of cards and have scheduled a meeting in Liverpool to draw attention to what they call a "parasitic tax".
NO2ID North of England co- ordinator James Elsdon-Baker said: "What businesses across Merseyside need at the moment is help and support to get out of the recession.
"This scheme is not really voluntary. There is no way once you are on the database to get off. If you change your mind, then it is tough luck.
"The small print shows it ties you to a lifetime of bureaucracy and self-reporting under pain of penalty, at £1,000 a pop. The scheme will represent a parasitic tax on business which will risk being accused of ‘failing to adequately establish identity’ if they do not fall in line."
Campaigners have organised a meeting in Tuebrook to urge the city not to become a "guinea pig" in future voluntary schemes.
Cllr Steve Radford said: "As a young man, I campaigned against pass laws in South Africa. I never dreamed one day I might, as a British citizen, have to carry an ID card.
"The idea of 250,000 civil servants holding all my personal history is a gross offence and intrusion and flies in the face of our way of life."
A spokeswoman for the Identity and Passport Service said: "Benefits of the credit-card sized document include travel within the EU and a national proof of age card.
At £30, an ID card will offer an affordable identity document when compared to a standard passport at £77.50.
"In practice, we expect many people will choose to have both.
"As with passports, it will be for individuals to decide if they want to have an ID card
Meet Tuebrook Hope Centre Saturday 5th Dec at 11.30
author: Steve | 11/17/09 15:51
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Steve Radford reports back on Crime Issues to Priory Road Residents
On Monday 16th Nov Cllr Steve Radfod joined the Priory Road Residents Association. he fed back on the recent decline of house break-ins, advsied the group of efforts to visit every house broken into and their immediate neighbours, with Police giving security advise.
Steve highlighted that Anfield was still high on the areas for incidents of Hate Crime in particular racial abuse
He also pointed out that research by the Universty of Hull suggested that PIR lighting was a significant benefit to deter and reduce repeat house break-ins
Residenst were advsied ward cllrs of each district were able to purchase such materials, in his own Tuebrook Ward nearly 2000 solar PIR lights had been distributed to local households
author: Steve | 11/17/09 13:05
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Outstanding Alleygating Sites:
As you will appreciate the vast majority of locations in Tuebrook Ward have been alleygated
However there are a few remaining pockets that could benefit from securing
Unless we have any residents objections we hope to see the three following sites Alleygated by April 2010
If there is any residents object the sites will be substantially delayed for a hearing of the Traffic and Highways Committee
1) Entry between 133 Moscow Drive and 44 Kremlin Drive
2) Entry adjoining 2 Vicar Road
3) Entries rear of waste land on Ivy leigh to Hilberry Avenue
Even at this stage if any residents want to add supportive comments as to why they believe their security would benefit from these sites being gated it would be most helpful
We are continuing discussions with officers concerning other locations including
1) small entry Gloucester Road North by new houses
2) Bowley Road onto Tynwalld Hill
3) Hampson Street / Rockhouse Street by new houses
We have been given legal advise which may prevent the closure of the entry between Osborne Road and West Derby Road shops as this could restrict prime access to one or more flats, a practice that is now being discouraged
Best Wishes
Steve Chris and Hazel
author: Steve | 11/17/09 12:56
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
Roman Catholic Archbishop Kelly speaks out against Homophobia at Remembrance Day Service
"Three times in a week thousands have lined our city’s streets. First in the face of the homophobic attack on Police Constable James Parkes thousands said no to such hatred. Secondly thousands came to give the warmest of homecomings to Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion the Rifles, among them Rifleman Warren Richardson, on his crutches, with Corporal Nathan Hau at his side, who had pulled him to safety when he was shot.
And today, silently to remember with thankfulness those who sacrificed their todays so that our tomorrows would be lived out in safety, security, not scarred by hatred of others, because they are other.
These three events in the city come together in Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid who died this last week. He was trying, as he had done many times before to make safe a road side bomb; on this occasion he died in his attempt to save others.
The sincerity of our Remembrance Day makes us determined so to live our todays that our children shall have tomorrows safe and sound from all harm, all hatred and fear..
And in the silent remembering God’s Holy Spirit will give us a wisdom that “is first pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3.17f
author: Steve | 11/15/09 22:37
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Monday, November 09, 2009
Tax on Suffering Communities
Dear Editor
Our Community Safety Panel has been looking into detailed actions taken in the four wards with the highest reported incidence of anti-social behaviour, These being Kirkdale, Clubmoor, Everton and Kensington/Fairfield
The number of ASBO;s issued for each ward for the year starting August 08 was as follows ;
Clubmoor 5
Everton 4
Kensington & Fairfield 5
Kirkdale 10
This was out of 90 issued across the whole city in the same monitoring period
This reflects significant work by the Police, City Council Anti-Social behaviour Unit and housing Associations
What is truly alarming is that the Ministry of Justice has announced its intension to increase the cost of an ASBO application from £150 to £200.
For the 90 ASBo;s over this period of a year the additional cost would be £4500.
To expect local authorities and Housing Association to commit to this additional costs during a period of local government spending being restricted is irresponsible. It would mean fewer cases going to court at an early stage,
This is a short sighted tax on suffering communities and along with councillors from the cities three main parties. Lib Dem , Labour and Liberal we have asked for this decision to be reversed.
I would urge interested residenst to raise this with our cities MP's
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group
Chairman of Liverpool City Community Safety Panel
author: Steve | 11/09/09 20:16
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Friday, November 06, 2009
Response on Muirhead Roundabout Flooding
Dear Cllr Radford,
Further to your recent e-mail concerning the recent flooding at Tuebrook.
In 2008/09 I obtained funding from the Environment Agency to undertake a survey of all the open watercourses in Liverpool and this included the section of open watercourse adjacent to Tuebrook Terrace.
This survey highlighted the need to undertake a similar exercise on the culverted sections of watercourse in Liverpool. Hence, an additional bid was submitted to the Environment Agency and funding has been made available for 2009/10.
This survey will be undertaken on a watercourse by watercourse basis, with the Tue Brook being the first watercourse surveyed. Work is expected to commence during week beginning 23 November 2009.
I have also submitted additional funding bids to cover engineering works to improve access to the culvert at West Derby Road to facilitate maintenance/inspection works.
In addition, Enterprise Liverpool Limited have undertaken investigatory works to try and locate a manhole that was indicated on our archive records, however, this proved to fruitless. I am currently discussing potential short term solutions with officers from 2020 Liverpool and Enterprise Liverpool Limited.
Should the culverted watercourse survey identify the need for significant engineering works to permanently resolve the problem at Tuebrook
I will submit an additional funding bid to the Environment Agency, however, it would be a condition of any funding award that the downstream impact of any works was fully assessed.
I will keep you advised of any significant developments as and when they arise.
I trust this clarifies the situation, however, should you wish to discuss this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Paul Hughes
Senior Engineer
Note : we have arranged a site visit as clearly the flow of water in the vicinity of the roundabout is not sufficiently flowing into the local storm drains
author: Steve | 11/06/09 21:15
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Thursday, November 05, 2009
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group
41 Sutton Street
Tuebrook
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935
Dear Editor
The Community Safety Panel has received significant information on the levels of burglaries in the wards of Anfield, Yew Tree , Tuebrook and Stoneycroft and Kensington/Fairfield
In a research study by University of Huddersfield Applied Criminology Department,( Prof Ale Hirschfield, Dr Andrew Newton and Michelle Rogerson) has looked at the Impact of Target Hardening in Liverpool.
One of their conclusions states " there is some evidence to suggest that the installation of PIR lighting reduced the risk of future burglary"
With that in mind we have arranged a substantial provision of solar PIR lights for residents in the Tuebrook and Stoneycroft Ward.
Any householder in our ward who as not collected their solar lights can call to our Tuesday Evening Advise Centres , United Reformed Church Lister Drive 6 to 6.30 or Christ Church Buckingham Road 7 to 7.30
or on Friday mornings to the Tuebrook Hope Centre, 1b Snaefell Avenue between 10 and 12.
Residents will need to bring some evidence of their name and address like a utility bill
Whilst there has been some recent reduction in the number of burglaries across these four wards however we should not be complacent with the onset of Christmas often sees a rise in house break-ins
Neighbours can take simple steps to reduce vulnerability like ensuring keys are not left in the lobby of their homes, Double lock UPC doors, challenge callers to show identity, ensure alley gates are closed
Regards
Cllr Steve Radford
Chairman Community Safety Panel
Leader Liberal Party Group
author: Steve | 11/05/09 14:14
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Monday, November 02, 2009
Steve Radford's speach to the Stanley Street Vigil
It is often in the face of adverse challenges people draw upon the strength of their inner selves and the strength of those around them
We come here today, whether we are gay lesbian trans or straight, whether we be white or black, we come together bound by a basic decency, our humanity
We will not be silent in the face of violence and intimidation , particularly when that is directed against one minority or community, in this case my community - the gay community
We do not accept being gay lesbian or trans is a reason to be second class citizens in our own city , our own country,
We come here tonight to assert our right to lead our own lives as equals and we will be second to none.
Those who hurt james , just as those who murdered Michael Causer and Anthony Walker, They harm all of us
In seeking to degrade and injure just one individual part of our community they hurt all of us.
As a city we speak with one voice - no we shall not stay silent in the face of violence and discrimination,
we are one city equal under the hand of god.
We demand that the cowardly thugs , this rat pack , who did this be hunted down and brought to justice
We also have come tonight to express our compassion, so together let us pray for James, his partner and his family so they will know of our support in their hours of need
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader Libeal Party Group
- you can see more coverage of the Vigil on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=171173820754&oid=168266236090
author: Steve | 11/02/09 11:23
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Thousands attend Liverpool anti-hate crime vigil for PC James Parkes
Nov 2 2009 by Samantha Parker, Liverpool Daily Post
Candle-lit vigil for James Parkes
LIVERPOOL’s diverse communities came together last night to hold a candlelit vigil for PC James Parkes who was a victim of hate crime.
Trainee PC Parkes, 22, was attacked by a gang of teenagers last Sunday on Stanley Street. Last night thousands joined his partner Tom Downey at the scene of the attack to make a stand against such violence.
Mr Downey was the first speaker to address a packed crowd of around 2,500 people.
At the end of his address Mr Downey led the crowd in three cheers for James who he said was desperate to get better and get back to the job he had always wanted to do – policing our streets.
James has returned home despite suffering multiple skill fractures in the gang assault. The other speakers included Emma Louise Stewart, who is organising a march for James at 1.30pm on November 22 at St George’s Hall, Cllr Nick Small, Martin Fenerty from Armistead, MP Louise Ellman, Cllr Steve Radford, gay rights campaigner Pura Aviza and organiser Carl Alderdice.
At 8.30pm, Mr Downey lit the first candle and led a one minute silence for his partner.
Twenty of James’ close friends and family wore orange T-Shirts with pink lettering with “Live and let live” on the back.
Speaking at the vigil Mr Downey said: “I’m really pleased the T-shirts look good and stand out to give my message, which is Jay’s too.
“He loves the T-shirts and is here with us tonight in sprit. We’re both still so overwhelmed with the support we have received and I can’t believe how many people are here tonight.
“It shows how important it is to all members of the community to get rid of hate crime – to show it is not acceptable.
“It’s hard to be back on Stanley Street, I feel sick to my stomach but I'm trying to rise above it.
“The attack on us won’t stop us from going out on Stanley Street. Why should it?”
author: Steve | 11/02/09 11:01
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