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DEAR
EDITOR:-
"Corruption allegations."
"ECENTLY or not
too long ago a ballot took place asking council house tenants to
vote on whether they wished the local authority to continue to run
the housing stock on the authorities’ books. The vote originally
showed that tenants wanted to stay with the local authority. The
authority claimed that abuses where committed and they decided that
they would re-run the ballot. The original ballot that took place
included postal ballots. The second ballot however did not include
the right to vote via a postal ballot. I know that a lot of people
voted using the postal ballot and voted to retain the status quo
with the local authority.
It would seem that
Sefton wanted rid of the responsibility for reasons known only to
them and refused to accept the original vote made democratically by
Sefton council tenants. Those people who voted using the postal
system where not given the same opportunity the second time around.
This is something I truly believe that Sefton Council were relying
on to turn the vote in favour of handing the properties over to be
run and maintained by another consortium.
I honestly believe this
was always the original intention and that Sefton were determined
that no matter what the voters wanted the council were never going
to agree; democracy means nothing here in Sefton. This is an
Authority who has continuously misused and abused the power given to
it by voters over the years. Money has been badly spent on projects
even when the Authority received personal warnings from other
authorities. Projects such as where Morrison’s now stands originally
supposed to be the new Winter Gardens, The development on the
Promenade was and is a shambles, no matter what the Authority says
about it publicly. It was never the development that Southport
residents wanted, but which was eventually forced upon it. The
Strand in Bootle on which huge overspends occurred, that cost the
council tax payers.
What I find so puzzling
about what goes on here in Sefton is simply that not one of the
media sources, has ever investigated the actions of this Authority
or its chief executive, some one, who people have asked time and
time for his resignation for his misdeeds. You would have thought
that someone in the media would have asked the question about what
goes on behind closed doors here in Sefton. You would have thought
that someone in the media could have smelled a rat somewhere in all
what goes on with this Authority.
Democracy needs a
redefinition which will explain what the word means today in the
modern world of dirty politics. One thing is sure something very
strange goes on in this borough and you wonder whether it is with
the blessings of those that we think represent us all. I suppose the
only people they really represent are themselves and the gain they
now receive in the benefits they claim year on year. One thing is
sure they certainly earn a lot more than the average earner here in
Southport and the expenses they claim are unwarranted and
undeserved. They certainly do not balance with any kind of expense I
can think of. They just claim as much as they can and the rules they
claim it by are the only justification they need.
Why is no news paper or
TV media investigating the actions of those civil servants and
councillors that cost the borough so much money, when it seems
blatantly obvious that there is something not quite right with what
goes on in a so called democratic Authority."
A concerned Southport resident.
Name and contact information supplied.
News Room Answer:-
"One
problem I see with questioning the councils activities, is that
whenever it does happen there are people in the Authority just as
vocal as you are that do not want any bad publicity shone on the
area, because it might affect tourism. So you cannot have it
both ways either we report everything good or bad, or we only report
the good stuff and leave all the corruption down in the dark, and
let the council continue the abuses for which it is accused."
ASSAULT- NEVILL, STREET, SOUTHPORT
Merseyside Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault in
Southport.
At about 3.20am on Sunday 19 March a man, believed to be in his mid
to late 20s was walking along Nevill Street in the direction Lord
Street.
He was chased by a group of 5 men and at the junction of Stanley
Street and Nevill Street was assaulted by one of them.
He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries where his
condition is described as critical.
It is believed that the victim was with a friend at the time and
detectives are appealing for him to come forward.
The identity of the man is not known at present however it is
believed that he may be Polish. He is described as being white, 5'
10" to 6ft tall, of
medium build, in his mid to late 20's with black collar length hair
and a goatie beard. He was wearing dark clothing.
It is believed that his friend is of similar appearance.
Detectives are also appealing to anyone in the Polish community who
may know they identity of the man or who knows who is responsible
for the
assault to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800
555 111 or Southport CID on 0151 777 3405.
The victim has been identified as a 29 year old Polish national who
lives in Southport. The friend he was with has also been
identified and detectives are talking to him. Detectives are
treating this incident as racially motivated.
The victim is a bricklayer who has only been in Southport for 2
weeks. The group of 5 are believed to be 16 to 18yrs old.
The victim's condition is described as serious but stable.
Detectives on 20 March 2006 where following up a number of positive leads, but are
still appealing for anyone who has information to come forward.
Five men were arrested on the morning of 22 March 2006 on suspicion of
committing grievous bodily harm. Two 17 year olds and one 16 year old
from Maghull,
along with a 17 year old and a 16 year old from Skelmersdale, are
being interviewed the 22 March 2006. |
Liverpool 8 Anti-Gun Crime
Initiative
A GROUP of 60 young people from Dingle, Granby and Toxteth
(Liverpool 8) are playing an integral part in a 6 month pilot
project launched by an environmental regeneration group to help
reduce levels of gun crime in the city. Groundwork St Helens,
Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool, in partnership with Include,
Merseyside Police, Youth Offending Team, the City Council and Youth
Service, has been running the anti-gun crime initiative with the
help of volunteer members from local youth groups in L8.
Crime figures involving gun crime from Merseyside Police across
Liverpool reveal 1 murder by shooting in 2005, compared to 6 in
2004, and attempted murders by shooting, down from 12 to 4 over the
same period. And, in terms of Section 1 firearm injuries, there were
25 reported incidents in 2004, compared to 21 in 2005.
Neighbourhood police inspector for Princes, Picton and Wavertree,
Ian Black, said:- "This initiative is positive in the way it
raises awareness among young people about the devastating effects
and consequences that gun crime has on local communities and the
families of the victims and offenders. The initiative is part
of the wider Merseyside Police commitment to decrease gun crime on
Merseyside. And education is a key component within the Force
strategy to tackle firearms related issues."
Added Groundwork’s Include Young Voices project co-ordinator, Becky
Elliott:- “This is a collective approach involving a number of
partners with a vested interest in tackling what is a serious
problem for Liverpool. With the help and co-operation of young
people, the project is addressing attitudes around gun culture
through interactive drama-based workshops. The city council’s Youth
Offending Team and local police representatives are also taking a
very hands-on approach to help young people understand the issues
and outcomes of gun crime within their local community.”
The anti-gun crime initiative follows recent Groundwork community
research across L8, asking what young people liked, disliked and
wanted to change. Their overriding concern was fear of guns, gun
culture and rival street gangs. Said Becky Elliott:- “By
bringing these fears into the open, and creating a forum for young
people to voice their concerns and desires for a safer place to
live, this action is helping to alleviate the problem at a local
level. The programme continues to raise awareness, whilst
challenging the attitudes and perceptions around the subject of gun
culture. Our hope is to roll out the programme city-wide in due
course.”
The workshops are being
led by Josh Terry, head of locally based drama group L8 Create, at
centres around Liverpool: Unity Youth Club, Granby; 468 Youth Club,
Dingle; St John’s Youth Club, Dingle; the David Lewis Youth Centre,
Toxteth; the Methodist Centre, Toxteth; St Michael’s Youth Community
Centre, Lark Lane, and at Liverpool’s Youth Offending Team.
“Workshops are focused around the young people themselves,”
said Josh Terry. “The sessions are open, honest and very
interactive, with a distinct creative element. Thanks to Toxteth TV,
the kids are even producing their own DVD to help promote the
project to others. We’ve been exploring the issues surrounding
gun crime through drama and dance, looking at non-violent conflict
resolution and anger management. Feedback from both participants and
partners is very encouraging.”
Activity has been based around 3 core programme elements: Creative,
led by Josh, Informative and Recreational.
“With support from Merseyside Police and the City Council’s
Youth Offending Team, factual and statistical information, debate
and exploratory sessions around the issue of gun crime and conflict
have been incredibly informative for all participants,” said
Becky Elliott. “And, through real life stories from victims of
gun crime, we also explored the consequences. The programme
has been interspersed with recreational activities chosen by the
young people, helping to break down the territorial barriers within
the L8 community by integrated group activities.”
The project will culminate in a conference being organised by
partner, Toxteth Educational Trust at the Lace Centre from 10am-4pm
on 5 April 2006. Guest speakers from partner and funding
organisations, including City Safe, youth and community groups will
be joined by the workshop young people themselves who will stage
poetry, dance and drama presentations.
Project co-ordinator,
Danielle Shaw from the Trust believes the event will provide an
excellent opportunity for agencies to come together to address the
effects of gun crime on both families and the community:- “The
whole project has enabled us to work in partnership with a number of
organisations and engage with a cross section of young people to
establish realistic understanding and views on gun crime.”
The project’s young
participants will also be awarded a formal accreditation from
Merseyside Open College Network in communication and interpersonal
skills.
Fiona Mount, senior development worker, Area 4, with Liverpool Youth
Service concluded:- “Sadly, more and more young people we work
with are affected by gun crime, perhaps through the direct loss of a
family member or sibling, or just being plain frightened within
their own local area due to the threat of gangs and guns.
There has been no shortage of young people wanting to get involved
in this project, all hoping to make a positive change within their
community and Liverpool itself. Working collectively, we have broken
down many barriers by bringing together youngsters who wouldn't
normally meet, and who perhaps have more in common than they
originally thought.”
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