Dear Resident Christmas is almost upon us, and your local LibDem team have had a busy December. Sarah and John are finishing off residents’ surveys which we started back in the summer, but which were interrupted by the recent by-election. We’ve also been busy participating in community church events. Sarah and John both read lessons at carol services at Woodgreen Church and St Nicholas Church. They are also members of the singing group at St Nicholas and enjoyed performing John Rutter’s Christmas Lullaby at Sunday’s Carols by Candlelight. St Nicholas features on our calendar which we are delivering to all houses in Warndon Parish North. We thought this was particularly relevant this year as, if the Boundary Commission proposals are approved by Parliament, our ward will be changing its name to St Nicholas in 2024. Sarah has been recovering from her second hip replacement of 2023 and so has not been out and about as much as she usually would. She is recovering well and is looking forward to campaigning for the May elections. On City Council matters Sarah has been in contact with officers about a range of issues on behalf of residents including trees, flooding between Tolladine Woods and Harlech Close, hedge trimming, raising a matter on behalf of community nurses, active travel and council tax banding. Ash Dieback In November, Sarah tabled a motion to Worcester City Council, requiring them to take positive action to protect our local woodland from Ash Dieback. The Green party put forward an amendment which watered down the motion and leaves the Council in the position that it was already in. There is currently no Ash Dieback plan and the Council is kicking the can down the road which potentially could cost taxpayers’ money to resolve. Both of your City Ward Councillors (Stephen Hodgson and Sarah Murray) voted against this amendment, but the Green Party and Labour Party Councillors all approved the amendment to delete the positive actions Sarah had proposed. We will continue to campaign to protect our precious woodland. St Paul’s Hostel John Rudge was invited by the Mayor of Worcester to spend an evening at St Paul’s hostel on 7 December, getting to know staff and residents by helping out in the kitchen and serving food. John was impressed by the quality and variety of food on offer and the chef’s commitment to catering for all dietary needs. John found St Paul’s to be professionally run, providing a welcoming and supportive environment to some of our most vulnerable Worcester residents. John is urging anyone who can, to volunteer to support the amazing work undertaken by St Paul’s. Barbara Hopper On Tuesday 19 December, Sarah and John attended the funeral of Barbara Hopper in St Nicholas Church. Barbara was a local historian who wrote about the history of the church and surrounding farm land. She also wrote poetry books and books outlining good local walks; she set up the walking group which leads walks from the Lyppard Hub. Barbara loved singing and was part of the church singing group with Sarah and John. She was also a keen gardener and was full of energy even to the last. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Climate Change As keen environmentalists, Sarah, John and Paul attended an event put on by the ecology group from Worcester Cathedral at the Bishop’s Palace on 7 December, for prospective parliamentary candidates from the four main parties to attend a husting to state their party’s case on all matters ecological. John asked all candidates about their party’s policy on rewilding as a possible solution to so many of the issues being debated, including the issue of flooding in Worcester. None of the candidates seemed very sure whether their party had a policy on the subject. This was disappointing to us as rewilding has so many benefits from improving biodiversity to slowing the flow of water from hills and preventing flooding as a result. John is keen to campaign for politicians to catch up with the pioneering work done by conservationists, reverse the damage that has been done in recent decades and give nature a chance to recover so that we can all benefit from living in a vibrant and rich environment. 2023 Summary We end 2023 with double the number of City Councillors that we had this time last year. We hope to end 2024 with even more. Your votes have helped to put a Liberal Democrat on every Committee at the City Council, providing scrutiny and challenge and bringing the most important issues to the top of the Council’s agenda. As the year draws to a close, all that remains is for us to wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas and New Year. We will be on hand if you have any issues you need our help with. Join Us You can help us to fight for a better future. Liberal Democrats work hard for communities. We hear your concerns and never take you for granted. That is why we can now boast a membership of more than 90,000 people and that number continues to grow. Liberal Democrat members devise, develop, debate and decide Liberal Democrat policy. Members can get involved through joining policy working groups, responding to consultations and attending conferences. If you would like to join our growing membership you can do so here. A portion of your membership fees will go directly to our local party and help us to gain even more seats in future elections. You would be joining a local team of motivated individuals who all want to campaign for a fairer deal for residents, their families and friends. We hope you will consider joining us. Volunteer If you can spare an hour or two each month and would like to help us win locally, perhaps you’d be happy to deliver for us in your street. The more deliverers we have, the more time we can spend talking to our neighbours and persuading them to vote for us next May. If you can’t deliver, perhaps you would enjoy getting involved in other administrative tasks. You might even want to join our canvassing team and come out knocking on doors with us. If you’d like to help, please let me know. If you have any problems or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Cllr Sarah Murray – sarahmurraylibdem@gmail.com Cllr John Rudge – rudge.john@yahoo.com Paul Jagger – pauljaggs@me.com Kind regards Sarah, John and Paul
CLAINES COUNCILLOR BACKS UNIQUE CHRISTMAS ‘RENT-A-TREE’ BUSINESS
Cllr Jessie Jagger is ushering in the holiday season with a heartfelt commitment to sustainability by choosing to rent a living Christmas tree. As a dedicated environmentalist Cllr Jagger hopes to give strong support for farmers who cultivate Christmas trees, acknowledging the positive environmental impact of tree farming. This festive season, Cllr Jessie Jagger has opted for a Norway Spruce, a traditional Christmas tree grown in a pot, symbolising a harmonious coexistence between holiday traditions and environmental stewardship. Cllr Jagger said ”I never loved the idea of a plastic tree that will end up in landfill one day, so we opted for a real Christmas tree. Also, I’ve always been hugely supportive of farmers who dedicate themselves to cultivating real Christmas trees. Any tree planting effort is a fantastic contribution to the environment. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort about cutting down a healthy tree only to throw it away after a few weeks.” ‘When I heard of the option to rent a tree, I thought it was the perfect solution. The potted Norway Spruce minimizes needle shedding, emits a delightful natural aroma, and eliminates the risk of toppling over, making it a practical and sustainable choice for festive decor.’ “We rented our tree from Roots Family Farm, a local Worcester establishment committed to sustainability, the “Rent-a-Tree” scheme offers a simple and environmentally friendly solution for holiday decor. Customers can choose their preferred size of living Christmas tree. The tree is then delivered to their doorstep in a sturdy pot with a watering saucer or people can collect it. We stuffed ours in our mini!”. ‘After the holidays, a scheduled pickup takes the tree back to the local tree nurser or the costumer can take it back to its home, where it continues to grow for another year. The following Christmas, the tree is ready to bring joy to another household, completing a sustainable and cyclical approach to celebrating the season and the farmer makes money on the same tree.’ Cllr Jessie Jagger clarified, “I am not associated with this business in any way, I just thought this was a great idea and decided to support it. I love that my tree will get to retire and grow old in a forest one day when it gets too big for Christmas”. The “Rent-a-Tree” scheme, individuals can support farmers, minimise environmental impact, and continue the tradition of a beautifully adorned tree in their homes.
December Update 2023
THE WORCESTER PLAY PLAN – PROGRESS REPORT By Cllr Jessie Jagger Worcester, UK – Exciting developments are underway for children and young people in Worcester as Cllr Jessie Jagger eagerly reports on the progress of the Worcester Play Plan. The plan, approved in July 2023, aims to enhance play opportunities for the city’s youth through various short-term and medium-term projects. The Worcester Play Plan was approved in July 2023, with a commitment from officers to provide a follow-up report on phase 1 progress and future pipeline projects. This plan was the outcome of an extensive consultation process and projects have been prioritised in accordance to need making provisions in areas and age groups with the greatest need fist. Short-term Projects: Progress Cotswold Way The Cotswold Way project involves creating a ‘play on the way’ route using natural play materials, enhancing the environment for biodiversity, and increasing car parking space by 16 spots on derelict land. Public consultation is set to begin in November. Horizon Hub The Horizon Hub project includes a Youth Shelter, fence height extension to the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and resurfacing the MUGA with a polymeric surface which does not pose a risk of micro plastic contamination. Park Pump Track The project aims to install a pump track for participants of all ages and skill levels, including adaptive bikes and wheelchairs. Public consultation is ongoing. Green Lane MUGA The Green Lane MUGA project focuses on improving the space for the local community, with works including regrading, pathway installation, resurfacing, cycle stands, and more. Funding of £13,850 was approved, with additional funds of £4,822 granted. Work will commence after the land ownership transfer. Medium-term Projects: Progress The committee has identified medium-term priority projects that can be delivered over the next 3-5 years. These include “mapping the gaps” for play provision and the development of an all-ages accessible and inclusive destination play venue. Update for Claines Residents In Claines, we are lucky to already have many accessible play areas compared with other areas of the city. However, some of these play areas have fallen into disrepair and we are working with the city council to resolved this. Perdiswell Play Area are scheduled repairs are already taking place. Residents can expect these improvements to enhance their play experience. Additionally, further information about the Sabrina Play Area will be shared once available. Cllr Jessie Jagger is enthusiastic about these developments, which are strategically chosen to prioritize areas with the greatest need. The Worcester Play Plan represents a significant step towards creating inclusive and accessible play opportunities for children and young people across the city. The community can look forward to exciting changes that will benefit current and future generations. Stay tuned for more updates as these projects progress and transform Worcester’s play spaces. List of upcoming repairs in Claines In Claines, we have some specific details about repairs and maintenance for the Perdiswell Play Area and the Sabrina Avenue Play Area. We understand the importance of these play areas to the community, and we’re committed to ensuring their safety and functionality. Here are the details: Perdiswell Park Play Area Bush Structure: The bush structure at Perdiswell Park Play Area has collapsed, causing excessive wear to both the pin and hanger. This asset is in a high-use park and requires urgent servicing and repair to maintain its safety and enjoyment for all visitors. The city council team is aware of this and is working to resolve it. Spitfire Play Structure DDA and Entrapment: The Spitfire Play Structure has experienced issues with DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliance and entrapment due to the removal of bracing timber and the addition of a bracing bar. These issues need prompt attention to ensure the safety of all users. Sabrina Avenue Play Area Roundabout Surface: The roundabout surface at Sabrina Avenue Play Area has been deteriorating, with significant holes in the surface. The condition has worsened, and the hole now extends to approximately 3 meters by 1 meter. This poses an increased risk, and urgent action is required to address the issue. We are actively working to address these concerns and make the necessary repairs and improvements. The safety and well-being of our community are of utmost importance, and we will keep residents updated on the progress of these maintenance activities. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we strive to create a safer and more enjoyable play environment for all in Claines. We will continue to monitor and address any issues to ensure these play areas remain a vibrant part of our community. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see in Claines or further repairs needed to play areas please do not hesitate to contact me at: jessie.jagger@worcestercity.net
Councillor Takes a Stand for Worcester’s Woodlands
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!
