Colin Macalister: LibDem candidate for Marple South and High Lane

[jimblob]

I suspect it's what some of the local councillors wanted along with Nick Whelan from Stockport Highways trying to justify his job. Whilst a handful of local residents were probably consulted, the hundreds / thousands of road users who need to use these routes on a daily basis to get to/from their place of work were not. Ironic when, their ability to get to work and earn a living to pay for the inevitable Council Tax increases is hampered by the very speed measures they end up paying for but didn't want.
Totally behind Colin on this one. I'm not a LibDem voter and I'm also Marple North, but if he were standing in Marple North, he'd get my vote. Not often we see a LibDem councillor with b**ls!
#voteColinMac

[ChrisGleeson]

The Council is currently consulting now on increases in Social Care and Car Park provision. This is in my opinion is the fore runner or softening up for proposals for a major increase in Council Tax I would be interested in your views. The Council seem to have thrown out the Green Agenda of the previous Administration and are solely looking at income generation streams, I think this is short sighted and again your views would be welcome.

Hi Colin

Local authorities up and down the country are under the cosh, and there are some really difficult choices to be made.

An increase in parking charges is being consulted on, as well as some increases to adult social care charges, as part of the council’s response to central government austerity (which started under the Tory/LibDem coalition).

In 2010 40% of the budget came from central Government and a third from Council Tax. By 2020 the central funds will cease, apart from education which has to be passed on to schools.

In the 7 years since 2010 SMBC has lost £100M and in the 3 years to 2020 will lose another £50M.

However we have record numbers of elderly and children in care. By 2022 we will need an extra £10M just to cover that increased need.

More on that here
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tories-approve-eye-watering-6-11723291

[ColinMac]

Hello Everone

I'm Colin Macalister the Liberal Democrat candidate for Marple South. I have lived in Marple for the last 19 years, I am married to Nicola and have 3 Daughters who all grew up here, one is still at school, in Harrytown. I own my own transport company which specialised in TV/Film. I have over the last few years undertaken work for the local authority taking children with special needs to and from School, this has allowed me to spend more time at home. In the school holidays I do slip back into the TV work with my last job on the BBC production Victoria.

Marple is a great place to live and one I wouldn't swop although getting out at 7.15 every morning can be a nightmare, fingers crossed the new relieve road will alleviate some of the congestion. The Council needs to undertake a Pollution survey on Air Quality especially on the A6 through High Lane and the centre of Marple. I will be outlining a 5 point plan come the New Year and putting a petition to the Council.

The Council is currently consulting now on increases in Social Care and Car Park provision. This is in my opinion is the fore runner or softening up for proposals for a major increase in Council Tax I would be interested in your views. The Council seem to have thrown out the Green Agenda of the previous Administration and are solely looking at income generation streams, I think this is short sighted and again your views would be welcome. I will be undertaking Street Surgeries throughout the next year so please look out for the letter the day before advertising where, please come and meet me and my team with any issues you may have.

When I stood last time I lost by 23 votes if you didn't vote last time or voted differently try and be one of my lost 23.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year.