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Yarm Reporter

THE INSIDE STORY OF THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE

Having only thirteen seats on Stockton Borough Council, the conservatives were offered a power share by Bob Gibson, the labour leader, who had no interest in joining with either of the other groups. The conservative leadership, Cllrs Lupton and Beaumont, met with the Liberals and Independents who were treated to a show of bombastic arrogance demanding that they join together (34 seats) with the insistence that they must take the Leadership of the council.  That leadership would then decide who would take chairman and vice chairman of committees.  This totally overbearing attitude failed to convince the Liberals and  Independents that these rigid conditions should be accepted by them.  Having had their terms refused they returned to the Labour Party with an ultimatum of “Leadership with Labour” or they would be leaders with Liberals and Independents. Again being economical with the truth their bluff succeeded.

At SBC Annual General Meeting 4 Labour and 4 Conservative cabinet members were elected.  The Liberals and Independents called for a recorded vote on the position of Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee. Nominations, Lee Narroway of IBIS and Bob Gibson of the Labour Party.  During the recorded vote the eleven Conservative Councillors present including the three councillors from Yarm Ward all voted for Bob Gibson and cheered when he was elected by 33 votes to 21.  It is even more interesting that the Conservatives need not have voted at all as Labour with 22 votes could have beaten the 21 votes from the Liberals and Independents. 

It would seem that the long suffering Conservatives who voted ”to keep labour out” have voted  to help labour priorities be realised as was confirmed in the press by a Labour Cabinet member.

What a pity that the Conservative Party could only see pound signs and power at any price. We could have had a complete and positive change that would have been of benefit to all residents in Stockton on Tees.

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YARM TOWN COUNCIL

A Conservative Borough Councillor excelled himself collecting nominations for the Town Council from public bars and byways. Voters could not understand the change to a political Town Council. The reason, said a confident Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, was that they had given his party bad press but unfortunately they had not been able to rid themselves of Mrs Simpson. This vindictive act was confirmed by our Kirklevington lady councillor at a local meeting weeks later.  Confusion caused nine inexperienced people to be elected. LONG LIVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH especially when reporting the truth.  It is obvious that the Conservatives do not agree with this opinion.  At present Yarm Town Council is “A Comedy of Errors”.

The Town Council has always been non political and over the years it has worked very well indeed. At the May 2007 election The Conservative Party decided to turn the Town Council political, the outcome of which caused confusion to electors and ten new councillors were elected.  Marjorie Simpson was the only councillor elected from the original council.  Conservatives gained nine seats from eleven candidates and Yarm Independent Association gained two seats from two candidates.  Result chaos.

The chairman has recently introduced himself to Yarm business people as the Mayor of Yarm.  Rumour has it that he was also disappointed not to be announced as the Mayor of Yarm when he attended Stockton Borough Council AGM.  Does this sum up this gentleman?

The chairman also thinks he is all powerful and can demand certain information from developers. I think in one case after a very acrimonious meeting he will have found that he has no more power now than he had before being elected.  He left the meeting without being given private information and rightly so.

Some of these newly elected people are no doubt very nice people but any act of one can seriously damage others. Yarm Independent councillors have distanced themselves from much of the activity of the last four months.

Sewer Politics have been the order of the day with councillors harassing a resident with whom they felt they had a dispute which, of course, suggests a personal and maybe even prejudicial interest. Read all on gazettelive.co.uk. 

At the time of writing this update we understand that a Yarm Town Councillor has resigned after four months in office.

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SMALL ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENTS

Stockton Borough Council have provided a large number of Flower Tubs and Displays that have appeared in abundance in the Town Centre.  Apparently these were provided on condition that the Ward Councillors consulted Parish Councils, residents and businesses. YIA were puzzled as to why this had not occurred in Yarm.  An  extract from an Eaglescliffe Liberal leaflet answered this question very adequately.  “Meanwhile your councillors had the strange experience of being told by a Conservative councillor for Yarm that he wanted to put some of Yarm’s spare planters on the grass in front of the Blue Bell.  Maureen told him we’d need to consult with the businesses in the vicinity and with Egglescliffe Parish Council which spent a lot of money some years ago on improving that area.  He replied “Thanks, but no thanks, not worth the hassle”.  So when you hear a Tory say that they listen to people remember those words!”

I wonder if this was the reason that he decided to have his own Town Councillors – nine out of eleven would give him a Yes so why ask -  Does this mean that the residents and businesses are not worthy of being consulted? Typical!

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PLANNING

We note the comments that have been sent to SBC in connection with the proposed relocation of Yarm School. We agree with all the traffic concerns and that it is essential that all traffic can be accommodated within the school. We also believe that a 30 mph speed limit should be imposed and as many road crossings as possible to create a safe passage for all children walking to Conyers or Yarm School. As for the infamous Kirklevington letters we shake our heads in amazement.  Whatever will she think of next. There is nothing stopping her from taking a full part in this application as changes to the Code of Conduct now allow her to speak in committee but not vote.  Out of committee she can represent as normal.

Old Kirk site is still unfinished and untidy in places.  Traffic calming has been omitted and is needed to prevent the present speeding vehicles.

Garden development - Many residents ask themselves “Why can they get planning permission in their garden and we are refused” It is alleged / perceived that certain favours are granted to the favoured few.  We believe that a Fair Deal should be offered to all residents and this will always be our policy and we will offer help to applicant or objector. We do not interfere with the work of planning officers.

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YARM ALLOTMENTS

A valuable community area that needs your support.  Why not add your name to the waiting list? Call in on a Saturday morning and have a talk to the tenants to give them support and encouragement.

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