As a parent of a 20 year old I have to admit it was with some relief that I read a report from the police in Bognor Regis that they found no knives on young people who were out on a Saturday evening. I understand that this was a random check on many young people in the area. In my view such checks should be in use during the weekend on a random basis.

 I can not be the only parent out there who has the same fears when they hear the news that some other poor youngster has been innocently stabbed. In my book a knife is every bit as dangerous as a gun and sentencing and punishment should reflect that. I have to say that this is a personal opinion and may not represent Liberal Democrat policy.

Well the credit crunch has well and truly stooped the Construction industry in their tracks. Recent job cuts at Berekley Homes,barrats and Persimmons have made the likelyhood of Policy Site 6 being bulit or the Relief Road in the near future as zilch. However the discovery of a Roman skeleton on the construction site in the past 3 weeks will certainly give them cause for concern but is it a showstopper?

More worringly St Modwen continue towards their 2nd round of consultation with so many questions still unanswered.

• WILL THEY CLOSE THE PROMENADE?
• WILL THE LIBARY BE MOVED?
• WHAT IS THE FINAL DESIGN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE?
• WILL IT BE BETTER THAN OUR CURRENT THEATRE PROVISION?
• WILL THEY MAINTAIN THE THEATRE WHEN BUILDING THE NEW ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE?
• WILL THEY GET RID OF THE HIDEOUS TOWER AT FITZLEET?

All these questions and so many more. The biggest question of the lot though is will the banks lend the money in the present climate?

Liberal Democrats in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have attacked Government offers to compensate low income earners losing out under tax changes as “vague promises of jam tomorrow”. 

The doubling of the 10p income tax starter rate was announced last year but was put into operation at the start of April after Labour MPs voted for it in March. Since then, Labour MPs have suffered a backlash from low income people whose tax rates were doubled by Gordon Brown. 

“Thousands of residents of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have been hit hard by Labour’s decision to double the 10p income tax starter rate,” said Simon McDougall Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate “Labour MPs, having only just voted to put this tax rise into operation, suddenly started shouting about how terrible it was. 

“It is disappointing that they have caved in and agreed to back the Government’s last minute offer of vague promises of compensation. All that is on offer is jam tomorrow. There are no details of how the compensation scheme will work. 

“Having previously been told there was no money in the kitty to reverse the tax rise, the Government has failed to explain how they will pay for the compensation scheme. 

“And as is so often the case with this government, we should believe it when it happens. In the meantime, those on low incomes in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton continue to lose out whilst Gordon Brown’s tax rises bite into pay packets and pensions. 

“It is staggering that in the same week as vague concessions for some of the lowest paid people in the country were dragged out of the Government, Gordon Brown’s door to Downing Street was wide open for bankers to visit him and successfully argue for £50 billion bailout from the taxpayer to keep the banking system afloat. 

“There is something seriously wrong when a Labour Government turns its back on ordinary people. We have 4 Council wards in multiple deprivation and are amongst the lowest earners in West Sussex ,with rising fuel bills, council tax bills and below inflation pay rises this is another hammer blow local people can ill afford.  ” 

  

Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Simon McDougall has slammed the recommendations for St Richard’s Hospital for ignoring public opinion and turning the hospital into a glorified satellite centre for Worthing. Commenting on the proposals Mr McDougall said” Local residents need to wake up to the reality of these proposals and what they mean to those who are pregnant, serious injured, seriously ill or have children with long term health problems. They will in the longer term need to go to either Worthing or Portsmouth for emergency treatment. This situation is unacceptable and will undoubtedly put lives at risk” 

The proposals to make Worthing the only major general hospital in west Sussex are due to be ratified by the PCT on Wednesday 4^th June. Mr McDougall went on to say “ With a growing population and a totally ineffective road network  the revelation that blue light times were not a material consideration in the final decision is in my view bordering on negligence. No matter what way these proposals are window dressed they can not get away from the fact that journey times will be longer and potentially lives will be put at risk. The A27 is not likely to see any improvements in the near future and anybody with a knowledge of local geography can tell the PCT these services will not work unless the A27 and the A259 are upgraded  to meet the demands of the new service provision”.

Following the stakeholders meeting held at BRCC the future provision of Youth services at the school has fallen under the microscope. Concern was raised at the previous meeting 6 months ago by County Councillor Simon McDougall as to the future arrangements when it became clear that the current building used by the service is earmarked for demolition this summer as part of the set up works for the new BRCC building due to start in October this year.  

Commenting on the situation Cllr McDougall said” I have had several meetings with County officer’s and local Youth Workers to provide a temporary arrangement and look at a long term arrangement for the future provision of the Youth Wing. I have also written to the cabinet member for Children and young people services outlining my concerns.  I was absolutely amazed to go to this meeting to find we are facing a funding shortfall as well as no where near guaranteeing that a temporary solution is in place.” 

It is estimated that a multi-purpose building that will house Youth and early years provision would cost in the region of £750,000 to provide onsite. The situation is not clear if it is lack of government funding that has lead to the shortfall or lack of available funds at the County Council. The County Council at the moment has identified potential funding to the tune of £350,000.  

Cllr McDougall said “The community was told that this project would lead to an all life learning process. I take that to mean extended school provision facilities as well as early learning year’s provision and other community use. I am deeply concerned that the County Council is taking its time to make temporary and secure long term provision for both Youth and early years learning. The Youth wing has an average attendance of 600 plus youths per month and on a Friday evening this can be as high as 130 Youths in one evening. They are clearly enjoying the environment provided for them and not roaming the streets and drawing attention to the police. This is a success and needs to continue. There is also a young mother’s group that meets weekly to address their needs and the excellent Bridge project which deals with young people on the verge of exclusion is also housed within the Youth Wing Building. Pevensey is one of the most deprived wards in West Sussex and this situation which could be avoided does not help to the continuation of these services that go along way to addressing deprivation issues.

Do you live in Bersted or Pevensey Wards have an hour a month to spare and share the beliefs and aspirations of the Liberal Democrats?

Have you ever thought of joining or helping the Lib Dems I am constantly looking for new members to join my team and play their part in the local community. We regularly put out focus leaflets to the local community along with direct mailings to electors and would appreciate any help or time maybe able to offer. We have a very active social section where we combine fundraising with social events its a good way to meet other local councillors and Lib Dem activists in a friendly and warm social environment.

If you would like to know more about helping the Lib Dems please contact me on the details on this site and I will be more than happy to discuss ways of helping further.

Given the background to conference last weekend in Liverpool I think Cleggy played an absolute blinder. Europe earlier in the week looked like plunging the party into an internal crisis but I can honestly say the subject was hardly mentioned in the bars. I believe last weekend was a defining moment in our parties history and will be known as the time we grew up as a political party.

 I e-mailed Nick on Monday to congratulate him on what I thought was 2 superb speeches. His main speech was the best I have ever seen from a Liberal Democrat leader and he really looked like a future Prime Minister. His views and general policy direction are radical and his willingness to take the fight to both Labour and the Conservatives was truly inspiring.

I am extremely concerned about the proposals being put forward by St Modwen for regeneration of Bognor Regis. The headlinein the Bognor observer was “WOW! What a proposal” my response was “what a disaster”. When St Modwen was selected as the preferred developer some 16 months ago they showed a vision that thought outside the box, that would kick start a better Bognor. I have to say the recent consultation was very disappointing.  

I said 16 months ago that this has the opportunity to be the real deal and have with the exception of the future of theatre provision in the Town supported this project whole-heartily. I am 41 years old and have lived here all of my life and have been waiting for the big bang all of this time. Bognor Regis is full of potential if only it was developed right. Our two prime assets, the Regis centre site and Hothampton, both are under threat with no real kick start for the Town. The latest proposals simply do not add anything to the Town apart from a bowling alley and a new health centre. Both badly needed but they will not regenerate the Town alone. A multi purpose entertainment centre sounds great until you look into the real impact, this will sound the death knell for the picture dome and without any guarantee that the new centre will be better than the Hotham Arts Centre. As for the tower at Fitzleet one is tempted to invite Prince Charles to comment, monstrosity and carbuncle do not seem to cover this issue.  

I was particularly disappointed with Cllr Fyfe, at the recent Town Council meeting; he seemed to want a political fight. Whilst I would happily debate Lib Dem national policy with him on a public platform this was neither the time nor the place. This is the type of behaviour we have come to expect from Westminster politicians not local elected councillors, who are here to represent the interests of the Town. We have one opportunity to get this right, I am happy to work with anyone regardless of political views to get it right. I want to see a development constructed on terms that suit Bognor Regis residents not the fat profits of developers. 

If this is truly consultation St Modwen will take on board the wide range of criticism coming from local residents and come back with far reaching proposals that reflect the views of local people. It is also worth pointing out that no local member democratically elected to represent Bognor Regis has had any input into these proposals before the public were asked. When final decisions are made it will be Councillors outside of the town holding the sway and influence. By the time it comes to planning it will be too late as the application has to be judged against planning law and merits. I would urge all residents of Bognor Regis make your view known now before it’s too late to influence change.  

In 2005 as our General election candidate I increased the LibDem vote locally by 4.7% and I seriously believe that this will further increase next time. I am constantly asked what motivates me to be in the public eye all of the time. Well the answer is simple I believe our 2 Towns deserve better and are crying out for a new direction. Like many of you I have lived my entire life in this area and care deeply about its many varied communities and I get angry when I see the policies of the Conservatives locally and Labour nationally consistently fail the resident’s of this area. I get even more fiercely defensive of our area when they are the butt of jokes by many comedians. Our area has failed to thrive in my lifetime and realise its full potential it has consistently been let down by Conservatives for as long as anyone can remember.  If I was paid £5 for every time someone said to me the Conservatives always win here and always will I would be a very rich man now.  So why am I prepared to stick my neck on the line time after time well that’s simple too OUR TOWNS’ AND COUNTRY DESERVE BETTER AND ITS TIME FOR A SEA-CHANGE IN NATIONAL POLITICS!During our recent leadership election campaign I supported Nick Clegg and I am absolutely ecstatic that he is now our leader. Nick and I share the same vision for our country  we are the same age both have passion and care deeply about the state of politics in our country today and we are both essentially Liberal to the core.

Britain is a Liberal Country and so are the Towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton as the only prospective candidate who can challenge the Conservative arrogance in this area it falls upon me to take the Liberal Democrat message to every corner of our community. Over the next few months I will be doing that highlighting here and on our local party website my position on many crucial local issues and my vision for the future of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. I will be taking to the streets campaigning on the big issues but also talking to as many of you as possible on the doorstep I want to give you a serious alternative to another Conservative MP I want to make your MESSAGE FOR THE FUTURE MY MESSAGE I WANT TO DELIVER THAT SEA CHANGE ALTERNATIVE AND TAKE THIS AREA BY STORM! 

In the past on site 6 Bersted Parish Council under my chairmanship took developers and Arun District Head on to argue the case against development on this site. We succesfully applied to the high court to get this site quashed and removed from the local plan only to be let down by the Labour Secretary of State who finally gave planning permission for the site.

My concern is the the New Parish Council has not yet woken up to the danger that lies ahead. I constantly warned that if planning permission for site 6 was granted then all greenfields in Bersted would be at risk of development. With potential allocations within the North West Bersted area they need to have their eye on the ball at all times. Sadly when it came to setting a budget for next year only a small amount was allocated for professional fees to look into these matters. There now seems to be a hardcore who seem to want to cut costs to the taxpayer even though this can be measured in pence to the individual than looking ahead and meet the challenges that will shape the community for decades to come. I can only hope in the long term they will rise to the challenge again.