Sarah Murray, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has called out West Mercia Police following a report that a woman who reported her police officer ex, was instead arrested herself. The woman called 999 to report her ex-partner for abuse but ended upbeing arrested and spending 18 hours in a police cell. The woman is convinced her ex-partner used his role as an officer to get her arrested and out of their house. Councillor Murray, a staunch advocate for ending male violence against women and girls, said, “This is an outrageous abuse of power and is the exact problem that led to convicted murderer, Wayne Couzens, being able to take advantage of his police officer status to gain power over Sarah Everard. The similarities are alarming and all police forces should have learnt from this catastrophic mistake.’ ‘Confidence in the police needs to be restored and this report only further damages the fragile public trust in our police force. A culture of misogyny evidently exists with abusers making it a safe career choice.’ ‘I am astounded at the lack of investigation into the allegations made against this particular officer. If I am elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner I will be working with the Chief Constable in acknowledgement of the Angioloni report released on 29 February, to improve standards of recruitment, vetting and investigation, so that no police officer will be able to hide behind his uniform or badge.’ ‘Further we need to uphold the exemplary behaviour of those police officers who are doing the right thing and are tarred with the same sticky brush that Couzens swept over the police force.’ Murray’s comments follows an investigative report by Nicola Goodwin at BBC Midlands into four complaints of abuse and coercive control, including one from a female police officer, made to West Mercia Police about an individual male officer. West Mercia Police deemed his service to be acceptable and no disciplinary hearing was required. PCC John Campion said he understood some victims of domestic abuse do not feel comfortable reporting their experiences to the police. Sarah told us ‘This just isn’t good enough. Female victims of male violence have a difficult time because of the lack of understanding shown to them. I am fed up with hearing this ‘there, there, there’ approach to female victims. I want to see action taken against men who abuse positions of power.’ ‘West Mercia needs a Police and Crime Commissioner who understands the needs of victims. Whilst a culture exists in which the police, the public or anybody turns a blind eye to violence against women, we will never put a stop to it. We need to call it in and call it out.’
SARAHS BLOG: Feb 2024
Local Elections 2 May 2024 February has been a busy month, and you will, we are sure, start to notice an upturn in political activity over the next few months as we draw close to another set of the local elections. These are local elections with a difference: Worcester is moving away from its current system of voting for a third of councillors every year (except for County Council Election year) and instead, from this year, will only have one City Council election every four years. Whichever party takes control of Worcester City Council on 2 May, will keep control of it for the next four years. Liberal Democrats have a strong and proud tradition in local government, with just under 3,000 councillors across the UK, currently leading 67 councils across England and Wales. We are the persistent defenders of local democracy and, as you will be aware, work hard for residents all year round. As all Council seats will be up for election, you will have two votes for Worcester City Council on 2 May and we hope you will choose your local LibDems to represent you. Sarah and John will be the candidates for St Nicholas (Warndon Parish North) and Paul will stand again in Leopard Hill (Warndon Parish South). The second candidate for Leopard Hill is just being decided and will be made known to you soon. Police and Crime Commissioner Election 2 May 2024 Sarah is delighted to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat Candidate for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner. Sarah is a strong candidate with a wealth of experience in the criminal justice system gained through her experience in the field of law, teaching and working in mental health services. Sarah is also known for campaigning vigorously to end violence against women and girls. She believes the root causes of crime need to be tackled and would love the opportunity to work with the Chief Constable to represent the policing needs of the residents of West Mercia. With a proven track record of listening to voters and campaigning to improve their lives, we hope to see Sarah elected to this important role. General Election 2024 We are thrilled to announce that Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mel Allcott, has been selected to stand in Worcester on behalf of the Liberal Democrats in the General Election. Mel has a longstanding history prioritising the interests of Worcester residents at a City and County level. Mel brings a fresh perspective to parliamentary elections and cares deeply about the welfare and aspirations of Worcester residents. Mel will be campaigning hard. If you haven’t met her and would like to, please drop one of us a message and we’ll let her know. Pump Track In spite of an attempt by some councillors to stall the proposed pump track in St Peters because of some concerns raised by residents, LibDem Councillor Jessie Jagger put forward an amended proposal and the decision was made to proceed with the proposed works whilst working with residents to mitigate their concerns. Councillors also voted that officers should look for further sites in Worcester to locate a pump track which will provide active play for children and young people in Worcester, bringing proven benefits to their physical and mental wellbeing. Offerton Lane Nature Reserve At John’s request, Sarah invited an officer from Worcester City Council on a tour of the ward. We wanted to show him the state of Offerton Lane Nature Reserve, how the ponds have silted up and how blocked ditches and culverts are resulting in localised flooding. We also took him to see the difference volunteers have made to Corfe Avenue ponds and showed him historical (20 years old) photographs of the wildlife that used to reside in Offerton Lane. The officer was inspired to put proposals forward for a project that will see works carried out over the next year or two, to reduce the reed bed and unblock the ditches and culverts. We have heard from residents that they want the Nature Reserve restored to its former state, as a flourishing natural habitat where visitors can thrive alongside the biodiversity of the site. We will keep you updated and are delighted to have been instigators of this project. Ash Dieback As you will be aware, Sarah was instrumental in the implementation of an Ash Dieback plan. This month, Sarah supported Cllr Stephen Hodgson’s proposal for a budget amendment to support the work that will be required to manage ash dieback throughout the City, but predominantly in New Plantation Woods. The proposal was voted down by other councillors. An increase in the budget would have saved officers from having to return to committees to request further funding should it be needed, which might have saved valuable time and possibly have saved trees. Untreated, the disease will spread and we want to save New Plantation Wood from having to be cleared entirely. Sadly, we were in the minority. St Nicholas Ward and Leopard Hill New election boundaries for Worcester have now been approved by Parliament. The impact on our corner of Worcester is that our wards will change name. This will take effect for the May elections and so you can expect to see the name change in future leaflets from us. Warndon Parish North will now be known as St Nicholas and Warndon Parish South will be known as Leopard Hill. We like the new names and think they will be easier for residents to understand. We’d love to hear your thoughts. You can read about the boundary changes across Worcester here. March Nature Walk On 9 March at 10am-12pm, we would be delighted if you would join us for a 2k nature walk along part of the Wild about Worcester Way with Paul Snookes from Worcester Environmental Group, followed by a visit to Waitrose for coffee and cake. The route will start at Bath Road, through Battenhall Park and Redhill up to London Road with lots of stops to observe and learn about the nature on our doorstep.
Lib Dems Seek Answers Following the Announced Closure of Farrier House Local GP Practice
After the announcement that Farrier House GP Surgery was to close, the Liberal Democrats have been making efforts to understand the underlying issues. The Lib Dems launched a petition that gained closed to 200 signatures and consulted with healthcare experts to explore options for saving the practice. Cllr Jessie Jagger, a City Councillor and patient of the practice, said, “We spoke to a member of the House of Lords and some independent health care experts to explore options we could push for. We had a meeting with Simon Trickett, CEO of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and his team. We came armed with research and options. Unfortunately, it became clear that the ICB staff had already exhausted most of these avenues. It also became clear that long-term work is needed to prevent other practices from suffering a similar fate.” The Lib Dem team has also reached out to Three Counties Medical School at the University of Worcester which is already doing a great deal to address these issues, but because of the LibDem interaction, new ideas have emerged and the ICB has promised to work with the university to explore this. Mel Allcott, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, said, “flaws in the funding formula, particularly in Worcester, have placed undue stress on GP practices. GP funding allocations are based on assumptions that don’t always align with the needs of our community or keep up with changes in demand, making challenging for practices to remain attractive and sustainable.” Lib Dem research has further revealed that many patients wait at least 4 weeks to see a GP. Sir Ed Davey, commenting on the analysis, remarked, “Millions of people are being left anxious or waiting in pain because they can’t get an appointment with their GP.” Paul Jagger, a patient, and Libdem campaigner said “I am very disappointed by the closure of our local GP practice, especially considering that our area is underfunded. The disproportionately high young demographic in the city centre clashed with the GP funding formula, making it challenging for practices like ours to thrive. So, we need a re-evaluation of the formula to ensure Worcester gets what it needs when it needs it”.
Worcestershires schools set to receive a £14m cut to spending power
Schools in Worcestershire are set to be hit with a 14m cut to spending power in 2024/25 data from the National Education Union (NEU) reveals. It means that funding per pupil in Worcestershire will be cut by £168 in 2024/25 compared with 2023/24. There are 226 schools in Worcestershire. 210 of which will have less spending power in 2024/25 as a result of these funding cuts. For Primary schools in Worcestershire, there will be a £164 reduction in spending power per pupil over the next financial year, and in Secondary schools there will be a £243 fall in spending power per pupil. Worcesters Liberal Democrats have warned that the fall in spending power will push already stretched school budgets to the brink, with a worse educational experience for pupils and worse outcomes. It comes as new data released today shows that this Conservative Government has cut the annual growth in funding in cash terms from 8% in 2023/4 to 3.1% in 2024/5. The Lib Dems are calling for the Government to review school funding after the IFS has concluded that the purchasing power of school budgets in 2024 will still be about 4% lower than in 2010. Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Worcester and recently announced Parliamentary candidate Mel Allcott said: “This Conservative government has failed Worcesters children. Parents in our community should not have to send their children to schools which have had their funding decimated by a Conservative government that has lost interest in providing high-quality education. “Investing in education is investing in our future but this Conservative government has let school buildings crumble and overseen a severe shortage of teachers. Far from preparing the next generation for the future, Ministers have totally abandoned them. “The Liberal Democrats know that investment in education boosts our children’s futures. The Treasury needs to urgently look at increasing school funding”.
Cllr Sarah Murray chosen as candidate for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
The Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Councillor Sarah Murray is their candidate for the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner . Cllr Sarah Murray is a strong candidate with a wealth of experience in the criminal justice system gained through her experience in the field of law, teaching and working in mental health. Sarah is an advocate for mental health services and has also campaigned vigorously to end violence against women and girls. She believes the root causes of crime need to be tackled and although the Liberal Democrats would scrap Police and Crime Commissioners, whilst the role exists Sarah would like the opportunity to bring liberal values to West Mercia Police Force to help tackle crime and provide policing that meets the needs of the community. As an avid Lib Dem campaigner, Sarah has a proven track record of listening to voters and campaigning to improve their lives. With the surge in Liberal Democrat support across the region, particularly in Shropshire, the race is widely considered to be between Sarah Murray and the Conservative candidate. Cllr Murray said ‘I am delighted to have made it through the selection process. I believe I can bring a degree of authenticity and diversity to the role. My background in law, teaching and mental health lends itself to a role that requires a dynamic approach to tackling and preventing criminal activity. I would love the opportunity to bring Liberal Democrat values to West Mercia.’
SARAHS BLOG: January Newsletter
Dear Neighbours, A belated Happy New Year! We hope you managed to have a relaxing break over the holiday period and wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a healthy and prosperous 2024. We hope you manage to achieve all your goals in the coming year. As you know, there will be all out local elections on 2 May and we hope to gain even more seats on the City Council. We hope we can rely on your support to achieve this. Please do let us know if you have any questions about our activities or plans for this area. Green Spaces Sarah and John are currently campaigning to protect local green spaces. We recently visited the Nature Reserve and noted that some work needs to be done to preserve this precious, ecological site. We have asked questions of Environment Committee at the City Council as to their plans. This is something we intend to closely monitor. Ash Dieback John has also been photographing and reporting Ash dieback where he perceives there to be a danger to pedestrians or houses. It was disappointing that the Green Party blocked Sarah’s motion to put in place a robust plan to deal with Ash dieback across Worcester, but we will continue to monitor the position and ensure that any cases we see are reported. If you spot any Ash dieback it would be really helpful if you would use the Council’s reporting page to let them know. It is a real concern that left unchecked, diseased trees could cause damage or injury. You can report cases of Ash dieback in public or open spaces and parks here. Trees along a highway or verge are the responsibility of the County Council and can be reported here. Measles Vaccinations There is currently a serious outbreak of measles across the country and a national incident has been declared following a surge in cases of low vaccine uptake. Measles can have a devastating impact on unvaccinated children, potentially causing serious health consequences and even death. Two MMR vaccinations stop a child becoming seriously unwell with measles. If you know of any unvaccinated children or where there is uncertainty as to whether a child is vaccinated, please ask their parents or guardians to make an appointment with their GP. Missed vaccines can be caught up with. More information about the MMR vaccine can be found here. Unvaccinated children who are exposed to the virus must be kept away from school for three weeks. Bike Hire Scheme We are delighted to share with you that a new bike hire scheme has been agreed with Worcester City Council, and Beryl Bikes should be available for hire from late May 2024. It is hoped that bike parking stations will be located so that we can all reach them within a 5-minute walk from our homes. 225 bikes will be available to hire across the city with 175 of those bikes being electric bikes. The bike share scheme will go a long way to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, as well as encouraging residents to be healthy and active. Local Fundraiser Local resident, Pete Moody, is going to be running the London Marathon to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. On Saturday 3 February, Pete is holding a fundraising event at St Nicholas Church Barn from 10am to 5pm. There will be games, cakes, a barbecue and a raffle – 1st prize a Chesham United Football Shirt signed by Taskmaster Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne!! Social Events February Bingo Following the success of our darts evening in December and our bowling event in January, February’s social event will be a bingo evening at the Ale Hub in St Peter’s on 20 February, We will need to book tables in advance and there is a limit of 6 places per booking. If you would like to join in, please let us know as soon as possible and we will put you on the list. March Nature Walk On 9 March at 10am-12pm, we would be delighted if you would join us for a 2k nature walk along part of the Wild about Worcester Way with Paul Snookes from Worcester Environmental Group, followed by a visit to Waitrose for coffee and cake. The route will start at Bath Road, through Battenhall Park and Redhill up to London Road with lots of stops to observe and learn about the nature on our doorstep. For more information, please click here. Quiz In the evening, a fundraising event will be held closer to home. We are planning a quiz and raffle in the Barn at St Nicholas church on 9 March in the evening, following the nature walk in the morning. Cost is £5 per head for the quiz. You can join as a team of up to 6 people or we can allocate you to a team on the night. We will ask quizzers to take their seats at 6.30pm and the quiz will start promptly at 7pm. Please let us know if you would like to book a place as space is limited. There will be a prize for the winning team. Warndon Parishes Name Changes Provided the Electoral Commission’s suggestions are approved in Parliament in March, from May, Warndon Parish North will be changing its name to St Nicholas and Warndon Parish South will become Leopard Hill. Stand as a Liberal Democrat Is 2024 the year you decide to make a difference? Being a candidate is empowering and an effective way to bring change to your local area and the UK. If, like us, you are passionate about Worcester and its community, we need people like you. We welcome applications from people from all walks of life. Our approvals process is inclusive, transparent and clear. It assesses competencies and skills rather than qualifications and who you know. If you would like to join our growing team of activists and bring about change for the good of your local community, we are the party for you. Represent your community and be the change you want to see. Contact us for an informal chat if you are interested. 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JESSIES BLOG: Empowering Youth Voices: A Personal Perspective on the Pump Track Progress in Battenhall
Greetings, I’m thrilled to share my reflections on the recent developments surrounding the pump track project in Battenhall, following last night’s Policy and Economic Development Committee meeting. As a representative of the Liberal Democrats, it was a pivotal moment for me to advocate for a more inclusive and community-oriented approach to decision-making. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to both the Labour and Conservative groups for their unanimous support with the amendment that sought to make progress on this. The cross-party collaboration demonstrated during the committee meeting was truly inspiring and reinforced the importance of putting community interests above party lines. I also want to express my appreciation for the bravery displayed by Green councillors Hanna Cooper and Katie Collier. In the face of party tensions, Hanna and Katie stood firm on their convictions, demonstrating a commitment to the youth they represent. Additionally, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank colleagues who opposed the motion. I understand the challenges of being in the firing line of resident anger, and I respect the decisions made by those who had reservations. It’s crucial for us, as a council, to collectively address the genuine concerns of residents and work towards a solution that benefits the entire community. While progress has been made, it’s essential to note that the decisions in the committee still need approval at the full council meeting. The road ahead is promising, and I am committed to navigating it with diligence and sensitivity to the concerns of our residents. The consultation process, as it stands, has faced its fair share of challenges. The online survey, in my view, proved to be an inappropriate tool for such a contentious topic like the pump track. I attributed no weight to the survey data, considering it not representative, easy to manipulate, and overall unsuitable for capturing the nuanced views of our community. Instead, I focused on the identified needs in the play plan and relied on my discretion as an elected presentative, coupled with the voices of those around me. It became clear that the residents’ concerns needed a more nuanced and thorough approach. While the progress achieved in the committee is commendable, I firmly believe that officers need to engage more extensively with residents to find a compromise that effectively addresses their concerns. Advocating for young people is a personal commitment for me. It goes beyond political ideologies; it’s about creating spaces and initiatives that contribute positively to the development and well-being of our youth. The pump track project in Battenhall presents an opportunity to achieve just that. Almost three years after the pump track was first proposed, I couldn’t help but worry that postponing the decision until after the election might well kill the idea in an area where there is a considerable need. Time is of the essence, and our community deserves initiatives that address their needs promptly. As we move forward, I encourage officers and fellow councillors to engage in a more robust dialogue with residents. Finding a compromise that addresses concerns and reflects the diverse perspectives of our community is crucial. While progress has been made, the journey to a mutually agreeable solution requires continued collaboration, open communication, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of Battenhall. I look forward to the continued collaboration and dialogue that will shape the future of our community. Warm regards, Councillor Jessie Jagger Liberal Democrats Watch the highlights of the debate right here:
Navigating the Next Steps Against Ash Dieback: Budget Approval Crucial for Warndon Villages and Claines
As Worcester City Council continues its resolute efforts to combat the looming threat of Ash Dieback, significant progress has been made following Councillor Murray’s impactful motion to the full council. The city has not merely acknowledged the urgency of the Ash Dieback issue but has also formulated a comprehensive management plan. This blog post delves into the city’s proactive strategy, with special attention to Warndon Villages and a note on tree removals in Claines. Acknowledging the Widespread Impact: Ash Dieback, a pernicious fungal disease identified in 2012, poses a substantial risk to public safety and the vitality of our cherished ash trees. Councillor Murray’s Motion: Councillor Murray’s motion (which can be found HERE) to the full council has proven instrumental in catalysing a robust response. The city council, recognising the urgency, has crafted a detailed Ash Dieback Management Plan (which you can find HERE). This strategic document delineates a systematic approach and underscores the creation of a specialised team devoted to managing the disease. Commitment to Minimising Removals: A pivotal aspect of the council’s strategy is a resolute commitment to minimising tree removals. The management plan, employing a risk-based approach, allocates resources judiciously to reduce or remove individual trees that pose a high risk to health and safety. This approach ensures that unnecessary removals and prolonged closures of public spaces are avoided, allowing the continued safe enjoyment of our parks, nature reserves, and plantations. Warndon Villages and Claines: Priority Areas: The Ash Dieback Management Plan extends its focus to priority areas, with Warndon Villages taking centre stage. A ‘heat map’ identifies higher-risk zones, including New Plantation Woodland Edge, Warndon Woodland Edge, and Astwood Cemetery. The council has initiated monitoring processes for individual trees that will require eventual removal in these areas. Additionally, it is crucial to note that some trees in Claines had to be removed due to the severity of the disease. The Next Steps: Crucial Budget Approval As the city proactively addresses the Ash Dieback crisis, the next crucial step involves securing the necessary budget for the comprehensive management plan. Officers have identified a pressing need for £65,000 in the first year to execute the proposed strategies. This funding will undergo scrutiny by the Policy and Resources Committee, whose approval is essential for the successful implementation of the plan. It is paramount that this budget is approved to ensure the safety of residents and the preservation of our city’s natural beauty. Annual Review: Emphasising a commitment to adaptability, the Ash Dieback Management Plan will undergo an annual review. This iterative process ensures that strategies remain effective and aligned with the evolving challenges posed by Ash Dieback. Looking Ahead: The forthcoming budget approval represents a critical milestone in the battle against Ash Dieback. The city’s commitment to a proactive stance and robust strategies, coupled with ongoing reviews, underscores its dedication to protecting our environment and ensuring a sustainable future for Worcester. Conclusion: Worcester City Council’s response to Ash Dieback demonstrates a commitment to proactive and comprehensive management. As the city moves towards securing the necessary budget, let us collectively rally behind these initiatives, safeguarding our city’s natural heritage for generations to come. See Councillor Jessie Jagger ask questions of the Council on this topic…..
74,260 people in Worcester waited more than four hours in A&E last year
The number of patients waiting more than four hours in Worcester’s A&Es has risen by 50.7% compared with four years ago, Liberal Democrat analysis of House of Commons Library research reveals. The data showed that across Worcester, 74,260 people waited over four hours in 2023, 24,970 more than in 2019, a 50.7 increase. The data also revealed that the number of patients who waited over 12 hours to be seen in A&E in Worcester rose from 948 in 2019 to 3,372 in 2023. In England as a whole, there were nearly 6.5 million waits of over four hours in 2023, up nearly 3 million since 2019. This comes as Liberal Democrat research revealed that the NHS budget is facing a £4.7 billion cut this year when inflation is taken into account. Conditions can worsen significantly for patients who are not promptly seen, and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine has previously estimated that there were 23,003 excess patient deaths in England in 2022 associated with long waits. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to reverse its near £5 billion of real terms cuts to NHS funding over this year and next, and invest more in local health services including A&E. Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Worcester and newly announced Parliamentary Candidate, Mel Allcott, said: “Every year A&E delays keep getting worse under this Conservative government as hospitals in our area are starved of the funding they need. “These appalling delays are leaving often vulnerable and elderly patients in our area waiting for hours on end in overcrowded A&Es. “It is simply unthinkable that Rishi Sunak is now choosing to slash funding for the NHS further, while appalling figures like this are emerging. This will just pour petrol on the flames of the NHS crisis. “Worcester deserves so much better than this Conservative government that is ignoring the suffering of patients and driving our health service into the ground. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to fix the NHS and ensure people can access the care they need.”
Worcester Lib Dems back Proportional Representation Petition
At the present time in the UK we have a myriad of different voting systems, the Welsh and Scottish assemblies have a form of PR, while our electoral system for the Westminster Parliament is the First Past the Post system. So England has a different system for its electorate than Wales and Scotland, yet we are all supposed to be one “United Kingdom” The Liberal Democrats are advocates of Proportional Representation. If the majority of the people are being ignored in our voting system then we don’t have democracy and the majority of the people need to force a change. If you feel the same as we do, please sign this great petition ‘Use Proportional Representation for UK General Elections.’ Also please share the petition with your friends and family and together lets work to get a better and fairer election system that truly represents the will of the people. Go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/655171
