Chris Lofts

(Click picture to play video)

It is shameful that, despite all the promise on a four or five year old’s first day at school, or the passion of their teachers, you can all too often plot that child’s path just by asking how much their parents earn.

The £2.5billion Pupil Premium was one of the four pledges on the front page of our manifesto.  And now, with Liberal Democrats in government, schools are using the money for things like breakfast clubs; homework clubs; or to provide one-to-one-tuition. These are the sort of experiences many middle class children take for granted but a poorer child might rarely enjoy.

Yesterday I visited a fantastic primary school to see how they are spending their Pupil Premium, highlight our new Summer Schools to ease the transition from primary to secondary, and to set out our plans to reward teachers and hold schools to account.

The Pupil Premium shows that, in tough times, we are implementing Liberal Democrat values and prioritising help for those pupils who need it most.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg MP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister

PS Click here to find out how much money your local school will receive from the Liberal Democrats’ Pupil Premium.

The Leader of the Official Liberal Democrat Opposition at County Hall, Cllr Brendan Glynane, is calling for the Conservative administration to ensure the investigation in Northamptonshire Economic Partnership (NEP) is not just a whitewash.

Cllr Brendan Glynane said “NEP is receiving £2m of taxpayers money yet does not meet in public, or publish spending over £500, as the Government’s “Transparency Agenda” demands. There have been some serious concerns raised about NEP’s performance and accountability. We know that economic regeneration and creating jobs are crucial in the current situation nationally. We also know that it is equally important that, with such a limited amount of public money available, every penny of Northamptonshire taxpayers cash is spent wisely and efficiently.”

“There are serious issues to investigate. For example, why does NEP meet in private? The public have a right to know what their taxes are being spent on, and how effective that money is. Do we really need to spend hundreds of thousands of local taxpayers cash on an office in Brussels? Is there duplication with the successful South East Midlands LEP, which has brought the Enterprise Zone to Northampton? The investigation must be independent and robust. It can not simply be a whitewash to protect Northamptonshire Conservatives pet project.”

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman Councillor Chris Lofts is calling for Northamptonshire County Council to do more for local young unemployed people. Cllr Lofts has tabled a motion at the meeting of Full Council on Thursday asking for the administration to look into extending the concessionary fares scheme to young unemployed people to help them get to interviews and work placements.

Nationally Liberal Democrats have helped launch the Youth Contract as part of the coalition government’s pledge to reduce youth unemployment, a growing problem for a decade. The scheme opens up work experience and apprenticeships with a range of employers, and 3830 young people in Northamptonshire stand to benefit this year. Last year 4820 apprenticeships were created for young people in Northamptonshire.

Councillor Chris Lofts said that “Young unemployed people need every help they can get to put them on the first vital step to full time employment. Nationally I am very supportive of efforts of the Liberal Democrats to ensure every young person has the opportunity to earn or to learn. Youth unemployment has been rising for a decade, and Labour’s legacy of debt has made the challenge even harder.”

“Locally there is much more that we can do. Cuts by the Conservatives to Connexions, and in previous years to the youth service, have made things even tougher for young people in Northamptonshire. Add to that the fact that in rural parts of Northamptonshire there are few local employers, meaning that young people need to travel to interviews in the urban centres, it is clear that we must do more. I am calling for the Conservatives at County Hall to extend the elderly and disabled bus pass scheme to cover young unemployed residents so they can travel to low paid work experience or apprenticeships.”

Since being elected in February County Councillor Chris Lofts has been collecting evidence about the disgraceful condition of Marlow Road. Northants County Council are responsible for this road and have let down local residents.
Facts:
Repairing Potholes is an expensive waste of money
Marlow Road needs complete replacement
NCC claim they were unaware of the problem before 2012
Replacement is now on the forward plan but no date has been set
The more complaints NCC get the better
Chris Lofts will continue to nag NCC about replacing the road but you can help. Report potholes to NCC by phone on 0300 126 1000 or by using the online Street Doctor facility – http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Transport/roads/streetdoctor ,use the BBM Barcode below, or by contacting Chris Lofts on 354396 or email chris.lofts@tiscali.co.uk. The more complaints the better!

Good News
Following a request from a resident in Marlow Road Chris Lofts has arranged for South Northants Council to replace the missing street name signs at the junction with the A5. Visitors to Marlow Road will no longer get lost as they drive into Towcester.
Vernon Road School Crossing Patrol – Lisa Samiotis has continued her campaign to keep this vital child safety service. Chris Lofts has pledged £1000 from his County Council Community Fund and Lisa has helped collected the rest of the cash to employ our Lollipop Lady for another year. We need to keep on campaigning for a permanent solution to funding for the crossing patrol which is safe until 2013 at least.’

Councillor Chris Lofts has urged South Northants Council to do more for local young unemployed people. Parts of Towcester have higher than average rates of unemployment for under 24 year olds. SNC has a number of support activities in place to link unemployed young people with job vacancies but transport is still a key barrier.
Councillor Chris lofts argues that ‘Young unemployed people need every help they can get to put them on the first vital step to full time employment. There are few local employers in a rural area such as South Northants even in Towcester. I have asked SNC to extend the elderly and disabled bus pass scheme to cover young unemployed residents so they can travel to low paid work experience or apprenticeships.’
Nationally Liberal Democrats have helped launch the Youth Contract as part of the coalition government’s pledge to reduce youth unemployment. The scheme opens up work experience and apprenticeships with a range of employers. Locally many of these employers are in Northampton. Young people in Towcester and across South Northants find transport costs a real problem as they eat into most of the wages they earn.
Councillor Martin Johns added, ‘We are talking about a relatively small number of people so the cost would be limited. SNC are sitting on nearly £240,000 that was supposed to be spent on youth services across the district. They seem to prefer to keep this in the bank rather than use it to make a real difference to young unemployed people.’
‘When children leave school and look for work not every parent can provide a free taxi service, especially in these hard financial times. SNC could, and should, help with transport costs.’ said Councillor Lisa Samiotis.

Conservative run South Northants Council (SNC) has given in to pressure from the
Liberal Democrats, who have been calling for the size of the council’s Cabinet to
be cut. The Council’s Leader made the surprise announcement at the annual
council meeting on Wednesday 9 May.
“On the face of it this is very good news.” Commented Liberal Democrat
Councillor Martin Johns: “SNC plan to cut the size of its Cabinet by two, down
from 8 to 6. As each Cabinet Member has an allowance of over £6,000 a year it
could mean a saving for local tax payers.”
Lib Dem Councillor Lisa Samiotis commented: “When we stood for election the Lib
Dems in Towcester made reducing the size of the Tory Cabinet one of our aims.
It’s brilliant that we have won the day on this.”
SNC has currently one of the largest Cabinets in Northamptonshire and bigger than
its larger partner council, Cherwell in Oxfordshire.
“We do need to be a cautious.” Observed Lib Dem Councillor Chris Lofts, stating:
“At the same time as cutting the size of its Cabinet, the Conservatives are floating
the idea of new posts for councillors, including so called ‘Champions’.”
Towcester Liberal Democrats will continue to ensure there is no additional costs on
hard pressed tax payers as a result of these developing proposals.

This week, Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat minister at the Department of Health) has launched a national £4 million lung cancer awareness campaign. The campaign, the first of its kind, will use TV, radio and press adverts, and advertising on pharmacist bags and inside GP surgeries, to raise awareness of the disease.

One of its aims is to persuade anyone who has had a cough for more than three weeks to see their doctor.

You can find more information about coughing and lung cancer at the Department of Health website, here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/05/coughing-could-be-a-sign-of-lung-cancer-2/

With 33,000 new cases diagnosed each year, lung cancer is a blight on the lives of far too many of our families and an early diagnosis can make all the difference. Please take the opportunity of the Be Clear on Cancer campaign to find out more about prevention and diagnosis, and to visit your local doctor if you’ve had a persistent cough – it is always better to be safe than sorry!

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/tag/be-clear-on-cancer/

Following the discovery of urine filled bottles and other debris from an area in Towcester used by HGVs for overnight parking local campaigners urged Northamptonshire County Council to introduce a parking ban. County Councillor Chris Lofts has now heard that the campaign has been successful.
Old Tiffield Road in Towcester has suffered for years from overnight parking by HGV lorries. During a regular litter picking event organised by Towcester Rotary Club members of Towcester W.I. found upsetting waste that was potentially health hazard. Pressure has been brought on NCC to restrict parking on the road. NCC have agreed to the measures as there is a recognised lorry park on the A5 close by.
‘This is excellent news.’ Said W.I. member Sue Hamilton ‘I was disgusted to find human waste in an area so close to housing and shops. The parking ban will really help improve things.’
Towcester County Councillor Chris Lofts added, ‘I regularly help clean areas in Towcester and feedback to both NCC and South Northants Council any particular hot spot areas. The new parking ban shows that local knowledge really can influence decision makers.’

Official reports have confirmed that no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has increased council tax for their residents. This is unlike both other major parties, many of which are increasing council tax by up to 3.5% this year.

Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils’ record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:

“While Labour and the Tories fight over how many of their councils raised Council Tax, it’s clear that with the Liberal Democrats your money is safest: no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has raised Council Tax.

“Ordinary working families are struggling already with paying bills, without their councils increasing the burden.

“The choice in next month’s elections is clear: vote Liberal Democrat for financially responsible councils that create jobs. Vote Labour and the Tories for waste, mismanagement and tax rises.”

As well as freezing council tax across the country, Liberal Democrat councils are protecting front-line services, fighting to keep libraries and Sure Start centres open. This is in addition to the achievements of the Liberal Democrats in government, which after the Budget include a £130 income tax cut for all working families, the largest-ever rise in the basic state pension, an increase in child tax credits for the poorest families, and an increase in the Lib Dem Pupil Premium to £600 for every pupil receiving Free School Meals.

At every level of government, the Liberal Democrats are cutting taxes for low- and middle-earners and better targeting help to those that need it the most. It is a record of financial responsibility of which we can be proud.

The Liberal Democrat Official Opposition at Northamptonshire County Council have reacted with astonishment and anger after the Conservative Cabinet Member for Transport attempted to blame the police for switching off speed cameras in the County and claimed he would “not have encouraged” the move.

Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Brendan Glynane said “It was the Conservative decision not to fund the Casualty Reduction Partnership that was directly responsible for speed cameras being switched off across the county. They can’t pretend it was nothing to do with them and wash their hands of it now! The Conservatives hypocrisy is astonishing.”

“We warned the Conservatives last year that switching off cameras led to a massive increase in deaths and serious injuries in neighbouring Oxfordshire and that the decision to cut the speed camera money would be extremely risky and put lives at risk. Now we see the tragic results – an increase in lives lost last year to 28 and 14 deaths in the first three months alone this year.”

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman, Cllr Chris Lofts said “Last year the previous Conservative Cabinet Member told the local press “even if I did have a million pounds I wouldn’t spend it on safety cameras”. Now the new Conservative Cabinet Member says it was a mistake and they were wrong. He claims that he “would not have encouraged” the decision, yet he was part of a Conservative Cabinet that cut the money and he, personally, voted not to fund the speed cameras.”

“The Conservatives simply can not have it both ways. The truth is they didn’t fund cameras, they were warned about what had happened in Oxfordshire (where the Conservatives had to switch cameras back on after a 50% increase in deaths on the roads), and now they are trying to hoodwink the public and pretend it was nothing to do with them in the first place! The Conservatives should have listened to us last year. Now they should heed the lesson from their colleagues in Oxfordshire and switch the cameras back on.”