In a passionate plea at the Worcester City Council meeting on Tuesday (28/11), Liberal Democrat Councillor for Warndon Parish North, Sarah Murray, put forward a motion to confront the looming threat of Ash Dieback that endangers the city’s woodlands. Cllr Murray urged council members to act swiftly in safeguarding these precious green spaces. Calling attention to the severity of Ash Dieback’s impact on the UK’s ash trees, Cllr Murray emphasised the urgent need for action. She criticised the significant delays in tackling this issue, highlighting the escalating economic costs of the delay and proposing a shift in priorities. The motion passed, albeit with some amendments. Cllr Murray who was elected in May said, “We can’t just talk about it; we need to do something, it’s time to prioritise our woodlands and take steps to protect them.” “My motion is a call to action. Words alone won’t save our woodlands. Let’s act now and ensure the well-being of our city’s green spaces. Sadly, it could already be too late to save New Plantation Wood which has not been properly managed since it was first planted. We cannot sit back and watch things deteriorate. We must put a responsible plan in place.” Ash Die Back is a non-native invasive fungus that presents a major threat to trees across the UK. At its current rate, the disease is predicted to infect over 80% Ash across the UK, the economic costs are projected to run into the billions, and it will take decades for the Ash population to recover, if recovery is possible. Trees can survive Ash Die Back, but year-on-year infections will eventually kill them. The rate of loss of Ash across the UK currently outweighs the rate of woodland creation and tree planting. The Liberal Democrat motion has tasked the Council’s Environment Committee to consider options to tackle the disease. Parish Councillor John Rudge added, “The Warndon Woods are a real asset to our community, and residents are passionate about keeping our woodlands healthy and open. I’m so pleased that Cllr Murray’s motion has passed and that tackling Ash Die Back is now high up on the Council’s agenda” Councillor Murray concluded, ‘I look forward to a swift response from the City Council in tackling this very serious problem.’
Government allowing Worcester’s Health Service to Crumble
Liberal Democrats in Worcester have accused the Government of being ‘content with local health services crumbling’ after Wednesday’s Autumn Statement failed to provide additional funding for local health services. Before the Autumn Statement, the party had been calling for the Chancellor to invest in a robust NHS rescue plan as ever-growing treatment backlogs have stalled the economy, damaging both growth and quality of life. These measures would have included reversing Conservative cuts to vital public health services in Worcester and delivering 8,000 more GPs across the country to create 65 million more appointments every year. It comes as the Liberal Democrats have warned that treatment backlogs are damaging economic growth. A poll commissioned by the party showed that one in seven people had taken a significant length of time off work whilst waiting for treatment on the NHS. Apart from ignoring the crisis in our health service, the Chancellor proposed tax changes that will not ‘touch the sides’ after years of unfair tax hikes that MP Robin Walker has consistently voted in favour of. Cllr Mel Allcott, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Worcester, said: “This Conservative Government seems completely content to sit back and allow Worcester’s local health services to crumble. “They are either so out of touch they cannot see how many people are struggling to access healthcare, or they simply do not care. “The Autumn Statement was an opportunity to get people off NHS waiting lists and allow them to return to work so we can rescue our flatlining economy. “Instead we got empty promises, stale nonsense and a tax cut that’s not even a drop in the ocean compared to what people have already paid.”
Councillor Jagger Highlights Oversight on Water Pollution in the King’s Speech
Councillor Jessie Jagger has raised a crucial red flag following the recent King’s Speech, expressing deep dissatisfaction over the notable absence of environmental considerations, specifically the glaring omission of sewage and water pollution. Despite the pressing national environmental scandal occurring in our lakes and rivers on a daily basis, the Conservative Government’s silence on water pollution in the King’s Speech is a cause for concern.
Car Cruisers Haunted by Ghostly Ghouls
It’s been eerily quiet late at night recently. More than a fortnight since all the ghosts and ghoulish figures haunted our streets, residents have been left wondering whether the spooky silence is indicative of certain individuals taking their late-night racing to a new location. Liberal Democrat City Councillor, Sarah Murray, says she is receiving fewer complaints since the City Council agreed to contact the Home Office and the Police and Crime Commissioner. She told us, ‘I wrote to the Police and Crime Commissioner about cars speeding around Warndon Villages back in August. His response was far from helpful. Instead, he blamed residents who were driving too fast during the day, completely missing the point about the late-night disturbances. However, since the City Council agreed to take some action on this, prompted by my motion at the September meeting, we have seen an increased police presence and I have heard barely any complaints about speeding cars. There also appears to be a reduction in late night thefts from cars. Again, I think this is down to a greater police presence. A response to the City Council from the Home Office confirmed that it is the responsibility of the Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure our policing needs are being met. It feels as though we have turned a corner since taking this positive action and I am happy to have taken the lead on this. As a result, residents of Warndon Villages are having better sleep at night.’
WLD’s Street Stall returns this Weekend!
The Worcester Liberal Democrats will be back to chat to the public this coming weekend as the Saturday Street Stall returns to its regular home in front of the Guildhall on the 18th November. As usual the team will have number of experienced friends managing the stall ready and able to answer any and all concerns from the people of Worcester. There will be a number of petitions for the public to sign and the ever popular ‘Have Your Say’ board will be ready and raring to receive those colourful stickers…. The team will be present from 10am through until 4pm so if you or anyone you know has any concerns you want to share, or if you would like to get involved and want more information feel free to come down and visit the WLD legends. We’ll see you there!
Worcester’s Conservative MP urged to back GP and dentists rescue plan in King’s Speech amendment
Worcester Liberal Democrats are calling on the local Conservative MP Robin Walker to back an amendment to the King’s Speech to address the crisis in the NHS The amendment calls for a legal right for patients to see their GP within a week and an NHS dentists rescue plan. It comes as NHS waiting lists have hit a record high of 7.8 million Liberal Democrats in Worcester have called on local Conservative MP Robin Walker to back an amendment in Parliament this week calling for a GP and dental care rescue plan. The call came from the party ahead of a series of crunch votes on the King’s Speech in Parliament which happened on Wednesday 15th November. The Liberal Democrat amendment would give a patient a legal right to see their GP within a week, and 24-hours if in urgent need. It also calls on the government to publish a dental recovery plan as promised seven months after a shocking rise in the number of ‘dental deserts’ leaving people struggling to see an NHS dentist when they need to. Other measures in the amendment include ensuring the Conservative manifesto pledge of building 40 new hospitals is met, with many currently facing delays and not receiving adequate funding. Worcester Liberal Democrats have said that if Conservative MP Robin Walker does not back the amendment it would show a “callous disregard for those in Worcester stuck on NHS waiting lists”. Parliamentary spokesperson for Worcester Liberal Democrats, Cllr Mel Allcott, said: “This Conservative government has brought our local health services to their knees. Everyday, people in Worcester are struggling to get a GP appointment or cannot find a dentist taking NHS patients. “Real action on the NHS was glaringly missing from the King’s Speech. MP Robin Walker needs to back the Liberal Democrat amendment to it and ensure that local health services are put front and centre of the government’s agenda. “Anything less would show a callous disregard for those in Worcester stuck on NHS waiting lists, unable to get the treatment that they deserve.”
Buy Tickets for the Lib Dem Draw!
Support the Worcester Liberal Democrats! Buy tickets for the Lib Dem Draw!!! The Lib Dem Draw is a great way to donate to the Liberal Democrat cause, and you could win one of our tremendous prizes to boot. Current Prizes include: £1,500 cash ! Just what it says: £1500 in your hands in time for Christmas! Bottle of House of Commons Whiskey….. Generously donated by Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney and signed by all our hard-working Lib Dem MP’s !! This will definitely give you bragging rights after Christmas dinner !!!! Chocolate Truffle Trunk Gift Hamper! A special case of 100 Monty Bojangles chocolate truffles in 9 assorted gift boxes. Who doesn’t deserve chocolates like these at Christmas? Half case of Champagne ! Who doesn’t love some Christmas bubbles? More prizes … …to be announced soon!! Tickets cost just £1.00 each!! Just go to https://libdemdraw.org.uk/worcester Best of luck and Merry Christmas from all the team at the Worcester Liberal Democrats!
Changes to Postal Voting
There are a number of changes to postal and proxy votes, applicable to all elections in England and General and PCC elections in Wales and General Elections in Scotland that have come in to force this week. The changes include: You can apply online to vote by post at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote You now to prove your identity as part of the application process. Both online and paper applications require ID verification either by providing their National Insurance number or using some other form of identification. You can hold a postal vote for a maximum period of three years. You need to reapply at the end of that time. Proxy voters will now only be able to have a proxy vote for two other people, whether they are related or not. Those who already have a postal vote in place do not need to take any action now. They will be contacted by the council when their postal vote is due for renewal. If you need any further information, you can find it at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/our-views-and-research/elections-act/changes-postal-voting
DEADLY TREE DISEASE THREATENS POPULAR ANCIENT WOOD
City Councillor Sarah Murray and Parish Councillor John Rudge have slammed years of inaction by the City Council under Conservative leadership over the threatened closure of a much loved woodland in Warndon Villages due to Ash Dieback. Ash Dieback is a fungus which penetrates into a tree via spores. Once inside the trees main body it grows blocking the main water transport systems causing the tree to die. With 75-80% of Ash trees in the area under threat from this destructive disease, the Councillors have been left dumbfounded that no action has been taken, despite being aware of the disease since 2012. At a public meeting last week, Officers advised that, because of the extent of the damage, one solution might be to flatten New Plantation Woods and re-plant the area affected. Tolladine Woods, the ancient woodland next to the Evangelical Church might have to be closed to the public due to the danger of trees falling. Cllr Sarah Murray said, ‘This is an environmental disaster which has been ignored for such a long time that we are now faced with the worst possible outcomes that could lead to the loss of access to a much loved, local amenity highly valued by the residents of Warndon Villages. Access to the woodland is essential for the health, wellbeing and enjoyment of local residents and the habitat of local wildlife. The ancient woodland is a haven for wildlife and provides numerous walking routes and short cuts and is especially loved by dog walkers . If residents are denied access, the natural environment loved by many residents will be lost.’ Councillor John Rudge told us, ‘The City Council have known about this problem for over 10 years but seem to have buried their heads in the sand over the issue. The longer you leave the problem, the more expensive it becomes to solve it. As the trees become more diseased, they become dangerous to work on and, as a last resort, may need to be felled with explosives rather than chainsaws.’ Following a recent tour of the woods provided by the City’s Tree Officer, Harry Simms, one local resident, David Smith, commented, ‘The message was delivered very clearly; the problem is serious and extensive. The officer explained that close to 75% of the wood is going to die. I would hope that the safety of the public is going to be a priority rather than wait for an accident. If the timber was going to be felled it could always be sold for wood burning fires, which would potentially give the Council an income stream. Let’s start being proactive, and let’s get the council to be more upfront as to the seriousness of the problem. It is all over the city and outlying districts.’ Cllrs Murray and Rudge are calling for the City to take positive steps to manage and preserve this ancient woodland for the benefit of all concerned.
A Big Thank You…….
Thursday 19th October saw the residents of Warndon Villages go to the polls for the City and Council seat by-elections following the sad passing of Councillor Andy Roberts in August. Standing for the Worcester Liberal Democrats was Warndon Parish North City Councillor, Sarah Murray in the County election, while in the City election Paul Jagger (of the illustrious Team Jagger) took up the baton. It was a Herculean effort from members and supporters, with many miles walked, hours of free time dedicated and residents contacted as we shared our vision for Warndon Parish. In the end it wasn’t to be on this occasion, but to each and every member of the team who helped during the campaigns we would like to say a heart felt thank you for all of your dedication, selflessness, passion and incredible skills. The Worcester Lib Dems simply couldn’t do what it does without you. And to the people in Warndon Parish who voted for Cllr Murray and Paul, we can only say thank you so much for your time and for your support. There were a lot of candidates to chose from and these things are never taken for granted here at WLD. To get your vote means everything to us and we want you to know that We. See. You. We will be back and will continue to campaign hard for the people of Warndon Parish. The Worcester Liberal Democrats want to make a real difference and you could be a part of it too! If you or anyone you know would like to join the team just click on the below link and from as little as £15 a year you can help shape the future of the Lib Dems in Worcester and beyond. Go to https://libdems.my.salesforce-sites.com/LiberalDemocrats/NewMemberLocal
