Councillor Anne Lonsdale's personal blog
Welcome to my blog†.
My name is Anne Lonsdale, Teignbridge District Councillor and Kingsteignton Town Councillor. I am a Liberal Democrat Member for Kingsteignton West Ward in South Devon, which comprises the Parishes of Kingsteignton West and Teigngrace.
My committee membership within the District Council includes the Overview & Scrutiny and Development Control Committees. I am also a member of the Licensing Act 2003 Committee and a substitute for the Licensing Sub Committees.
My responsibilities within the Parish Council include Recreation & Footpaths and Community Hall & The Fountain.
The purpose of this site is to try and keep you informed about my role and provide you with information about developments in Teignbridge District Council and our local Ward Kingsteignton West.
I will clarify my responsibilities in future blogs...
Last evening the 9th December the Councillors supported Mayor Beryl Austin at the Annual Civic Carol Service at St Michaels Church.
The service was conducted by Reverend Mark. The Mayor had invited special guests, Chairman of Teignbridge District Council, Stephen Purser and his wife Claire. Also Mayor Carol Bunday of Newton Abbot accompanied by her sister.
The service was a jolly affair. Pupils from St Michael's Primary School and Rydon Primary School each giving their own rendition for Christmas with carols and readings from the Bible.
Being a school governor I listened attentively and was proud along with all the parents turning out on a very cold night. The children looked grand in their respective uniforms.
I would like to congratulate the teachers who encouraged the children to give a superb performance especially as they have a very tight curriculum to keep to.
Sunday 14th November was a rainy day. Nevertheless I was determined to march with others from Kingsteignton to the cenataph and remember service men and women who had made sacrifices in the first and second world wars to keep our country free from invasion.
To remember also our young men and women who are in the forces fighting for justice and democracy to overcome tyrany in Iraq and Afganistan and other places not given publicity on television or in the papers.
We walked with umbrellas, but this was drowning the person in front or beside us. The pain of arthritis in my ankles and knees were agrivating but I told myself that this was nothing against what soldiers have to put up with.
After the Cenataph we went into Church listened to readings from the dignitaries and the school children from Rydon and St Michaels Primary. The children were so professional and confident.
Reverend Sandra Gill lead a very moving service. We sang hymns 'O Valient Hearts, who to your glory came.
Then another hymn close to our families heart ' For those in Peril on the sea' which always made my cousin cry for her daddy in the Navy also our Grandad who had survived both world wars on Ships HMS Revenge and HMS Furious both of which were bombed and eventually sank. In James Holland book 'Fortress Malta' he recounts how the Furious looked tired with a rusting hulk, but a later account ' what Furious lacked in terms of state of the art facilities it more than made up for with its food- freshly baked bread, real butter and plenty to drink'. At that time Grandad was steward, Petty Officer Stanley George Hearn. The Furious eventually was bombed and sank. Grandad was hit by fallen debris on the chest but he and his men were saved. He lived until I was 10 years old. He was made up to Chief Petty Officer and worked from Keyham,Devonport. Later we were to find out that my Father was with his regiment in Malta. His war was not over though because after he had met my mother in 1945 he was sent to Palestine.
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We are in a period of pessimism regarding job-losses and business closures. Parents must be worried about prospects for their sons and daughters.
On Thursday 4th November I attended an 'Intergenerational Event hosted by Senior Council of Devon at the Exeter Conference Centre. Intended for good relations between the younger generation and the older generation and the perception we had of the other.
However on viewing the presentation boards around the centre put together by different organisations attending the event there was one that stood out and seemed to be 'a jolly good idea'. It gave optimism for the future for our young people.
I picked up a leaflet headed 'yess' for Young Entrepreneurs' Support Solution, intended for youngsters :
14 to 19 year old,
Interested in Business
Would like to run their own business
Or be involved in Entrepreneurial Activity
Developing business Ideas into a reality: www.exe-coll.ac.uk/yess
I am a member of the Development Control Committee and wherever possible I vote for applications that plan the building of small industrial units for small businesses. For example the Sainsbury Development at Shutterton, Dawlish proposed for 2012.
So Go For It ...... And Good Luck Young Entrepreneurs...........
The event held on Friday 15th October and attended by the Mayor Carol Bunday and MP Anne Marie Morris.
Also in attendance was the leader of Teignbridge District Council Alan Connett who expressed his concern for the welfare of elderly residents in Teignbridge and particulary those who reside in Park Homes. He said that there were more park homes in Teignbridge than any other district in the South West and they were designed with a quality standard. Teignbridge DC work with Age Uk in the Stay Warm Campaign along with the coalition policy to keep the winter fuel allowance. Alan mentioned the Boiler Scrappage Scheme which TDC gave grants for and there is still money left for people with the right criteria.
Among the organisations attending was the Fire Department, Care and Repair and the Senior Council for Devon.
Age Uk reported that in 2009/2010 there were 36,000+ deaths related to the cold weather conditions and energy poverty. There is still £5 billion unclaimed benefits. It is suggested we look out for neighbours in need and let Age Uk know. Tel 0845 296 7810
www.ageconcerndevon.co.uk
Anna Coote, Head of social policy and the new economics foundation offers an explaination of what is meant by the ' Big Society'.
"The government says it wants to make society stronger by getting more people working together to run their own affairs locally. It aims to put more power and responsibility into the hands of families, groups, networks, neighbourhoods and locally-based communities and to generate more community organisers, neighbourhood groups, volunteers, mutuals, co-operatives, charities, social enterprises and small businesses. The idea is that all of these will take more action at a local level, with more freedom to do things the way they want".
For more on the Big Society: www.urbanforum.org.uk
September was a busy time for campaigners and candidates of the bi-election fighting for the position of District Councillor filling the position that was held by Vic Elliot. Liberal Democrats are so pleased to welcome the successful candidate Alistair Dewhurst. To celebrate, Alistair and his lovely wife Judy hosted a lunchtime barbeque for friends and helpers. The weather was fine and it was held in their garden at Ipplepen. It gave me a chance to chat to residents of that area which allowed me to hear their perspective on subjects including the welfare of children and the elderly.
Our lunch completed a few of us went to visit the Abb-fest at Fermoys, for a taste of local food, craft and Abbotskerswell's culture.
On Saturday 11th September at the Rydon Community Hall the Annual Garden and Craft Show will take place and will be opened by the Mayor Cllr. Mrs Beryl Austin. The Show Commences at 2pm .
If you have a garment/craft piece you have made during 2010 and would like to submit it to be judged go to the local post office in Kingsteignton for an entry form and take it to the Council Office at Rydon Community Hall to be submitted.
The same applies for Garden produce, flowers plants or vegetables.
There are so many classes to choose from, I am sure there is one for you. To name a few: Art, photography and cookery.
Look forward to seeing you.
Getting into the rhythm of things has been hard for me. A visit to Slovakia was a good start to see how another part of Europe coped with life and the Euro.
My family and I flew into Krakow Poland and taken by Land Rover to the village of Zdair a quiet farming community, similar to the village of Stoke-in Teignhead where I grew up sixty years ago.
I came back however to two bereavements. My daughter was unable to keep her Jack Russell Terrier because she couldn't afford to keep it. Although not my dog I had become fond of that warm affectionate little dog.
Then the terrible news of Victor Elliot, Farmer and Councillor for Ipplepen. Victor made it alright to be 'ordinary', to call a spade a shovel! He helped me to relax when I spoke in the chamber. I will miss him along with so many other people who knew him far better than I.
The Opening of the 'Hub' was a happy occasion for Kingscare and people who use Kingsteignton Doctors Surgery. It will be used as a 'community information centre' and coffee shop for weary shoppers. I look forward to calling in and having a chat about anything and everything!.
Two dates for your diary:-
Saturday 7th August at the Lawn, Dawlish from 11am - Lib Dem Summer Fete.
Saturday 28th August at the Den, Teignmouth from 11am Lib Dem Summer Fete.
There will be refreshments in a marquee at both events.
Kingsteignton Twinning hosts visitors from Orbec. This takes place during the third week of August and all twinning members are busy preparing. I am already baking most furiously for my freezer as I intend to spend my time with the french party on excursions and events.
Sunday 23 May saw Teignbridge Liberal Democrats at a "Thank You" party given by Richard and Sue Younger Ross held at Bitton House.
There were tears of disappointment and wishes of Good Luck especially to the younger generation who had put their energies into campaigning. Richard suggested the experience would hold them in good stead to follow a career in politics.
However in anticipation of the coalition, we go forward with hope of seeing Richard and Sue back on the 'circuit'.
There was chance to look around the gardens of Bitton House which were fully in bloom of summer flowers enhanced by the brilliant sunshine and deep blue sky. This included a visit to see the exotic flowers in the Orangery.
Meanwhile my council duties continue. Funding to charity organisations is all the more necessary now.
I am in my last year of my first term of being a Councillor and using my Councillors Community Fund I am funding , concentrating on Kingsteigton organisations. I have to say all my fund is exhausted now. However should I be voted in again for another term of four years then I could review my list if the fund is still in existence.
Vote for change.
Vote for a fairer Britain.
Vote Liberal Democrat.
Vote for Richard Younger-Ross MP for Teignbridge:-
I am proud to be a Liberal Democrat Councillor. I have received a lot of help and encouragement from Richard. Now See what he can do for you!
Sometimes we just can't make it to vote. Don't miss your chance! Get a postal vote application Today at: www.LibDems.org.uk/PostalVote
The following are council backed schemes and are available to home owners, private tenants and private landlords. It is not available to social housing. The aim is to save people money on their fuel bills. Under the scheme, householders in the towns of Teignmouth Dawlish and Newton Abbot can get a free, no obligation survey and then have their home insulated for as little as £150. For Cosy Devon Energy Saving Trust contact 0800 512 012 or the Cosy Devon web site at www.cosydevon.co.uk
People outside these areas can apply to Teignbridge District Council, Warm4Winter Scheme which is similar to the Cosy DevonScheme. For Warm4Winter the contact is Zoe Farmer at TDC telephone No. 01626 215764 or e-mail: Zoe.Farmer@teignbridge.gov.uk.
For people over 60 or for families on low incomes of up to £18,000 these services could be free.
With the election day getting nearer I would like to remind my readers that the Liberal Democrat Party had 'green' policies before any other party. Teignbridge District Council encourage recycling and have a record 57% success rate for 2008/2009. This is a rise from the low 13% when we joined the Independent colleagues to run Teignbridge in 2003. Nationally Teignbridge is 6th for its recycling and second for the low amount of waste we throw away.
Teignbridge also took part in the national 'No Car Day'. My Teignbridge colleague and Devon County Councillor Gordon Hook (instigator of Composting, recycling of tin and introducing the kitchen caddy programme) is champion for Liberal Democrat Green Issues. So before voting for another party click here and see just what the Liberal Democrats stand for.
This persistent problem is most difficult to rectify. At the December meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee it was discussed in depth and suggested that the Enforcement Department would be asked to attend and to make this problem a Teignbridge Wide Issue. Since then the Dog Warden has told me that the problem in Kingsteignton is under control and perpetrators are being tracked down.
Maybe the answer will be to bring lisences back. Therefore only responsible dog owners will be able to own and look after their pets.
More news on this subject later.
Friday 22nd January was a busy and exciting day for me and fellow Liberal Democrats anticipating a visit from Lord Paddy Ashdown. District councillors had received an e-mail from our Lib Dem Chairman Wally Protheroe that Lord Ashdown had requested a meeting with us at Old Forde House.
Our business meeting with Lord Ashdown was at 4pm.
Lord Paddy arrived late but we didn't mind. We all sat around the table in the dining room and thrashed out the issues that were uppermost in our mind.Faciltated by our Leader Alan Connett the meeting was attended by Anne Fry Bradley Ward, Sally Morgan Bovey Tracy myself from Kingsteignton West Ward, Gordon Hook and David Corney Walker from Buckland and Milber,Sheila Cook from Kingskerswell Keith Smith from Newton Abbot Town Council and others from Teignmouth.
When it was my turn I think my heart nearly stopped but his lordships' encouraging smile and I ventured forth with my question on Health and Social Care. Mainly the shortage of money for caring for the elderly in their own homes and the quality of care. Overworked Care Assistants and not enough care assistants for the visits needed for each patient sometimes up to four times a day. All these things Lord Paddy noted.
He told us a little of his work with the military, Ireland and Afganistan. My second question was about the aftercare of Service Personnel and their dealings with SSAFA and the British Legion, which I had experienced lately and noted ,were not altogether satisfactory. This has led me to write a letter to MP Richard Younger Ross. Lord Paddy has stated he will get involved if necessary.
Our successful meeting with Lord Ashdown lasted about an hour and we disbanded whilst he had a further meeting with business people of the district.
Note to my Lady readers:-I chose to wear a trouser suit to be in keeping with the 'lads' albeit with champagne coloured silky blouse.
A few of us were already attending a Dinner in his honour that evening and it was unlikely I would be on top table. Therefore I was ecstatic about a face to face meeting with M'lord.... Sorry Guys, please indulge me. .... So ladies what is a girl to do?....
First a visit to the hairdresser. I would like a feminine, business like hairstyle please. My Hairdresser Pam at Minx Newton Abbot obliged. Next off to Matalan, Kingsteignton for an outfit under £50 please. There I was 'kitted 'out with a Grey and Yellow dress £25 from the SOON range, A grey shrug cardi from 'et vous' £12 and shoes to match £12. For my handbag I found exactly what I needed in Brantano next door to Matalan.
A cold start to 2010 but nevertheless I wish my readers a 'successful' New Year. Ice and snow in Kingsteignton has been a worry. Should I clear the path or leave it as it is? Crunchy snow seemed better for a grip when walking. Salt seemed to work but I was only able to get one dispenser of table salt but soon the supermarket was out of it.
I have written to our new Leader of the County Council Councillor John Hart to have more grit boxes for our side roads. I noticed our Doctors' Surgery had a supply of grit but not on the pavements of Whiteway Road. I also notice that my milkman is able to get milk to my doorstep. I have my radio on listening to the weather reports but my advice is to stay at home, keep warm and have plenty of hot drinks. I will be in touch with more news soon....
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