Battle lines drawn in key county by-election (From Hereford Times)
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Battle lines drawn in key county by-election
10:00am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News
THE battle is on in Ross-on-Wye ahead of a county council by-election that could wipe out Herefordshire’s Tory dominance.
Conservative, Lib Dem and independent candidates make up the three-way fight to stand for the Ross West seat.
Should the Tories miss out it will mean their one-seat county majority is lost as opposition members will number 29, the same as the current Conservative administration.
Ahead of election day on January 24 the three candidates – Conservative Richard Mayo, Independent David Ravenscroft and Liberal Democrat Caroline Bennett – have been busily campaigning.
The election has come about following the death of Conservative member Gordon Lucas in November.
The 82-year-old ran Lucas Motorcycles in the south Herefordshire town for 50 years
Comments(15)
William Jackson
says...
6:45pm Sun 13 Jan 13
He's worked very hard for Ross, is young and enthusiastic and would be a breath of fresh air ... for too long we've seen people elected who are content to oppose without offering anything positive.
Your correspondent also blames the Council for decisions of the health authoririty and a private chairity - even though Herefordshire Council isn't perfect it shouldn't be attacked for things it doesn't have any responsibility for.
M M
says...
7:39pm Sun 13 Jan 13
I want the Conservative dominance removed on the County Council.
The Conservatives vote as one following the party line.
Also Richard needs experience before being a County Councillor,
probono
says...
9:25am Mon 14 Jan 13
William Jackson
says...
1:15pm Tue 15 Jan 13
At the last Council meeting there were several Conservative Councillors voting in different ways on different items - seems to me that they were voting for what they believe would be best for the County.
Perhaps 'MM' could explain how it is the the so-called independents have all the trappings of a political party - a leader, joint campigning, a party-colour and a full-blown selection process (if the rumours in Town are true) ... frankly it looks more and more as if the 'independents' are a sham.
M M
says...
5:21pm Tue 15 Jan 13
Conservative, Lib Dem and independent candidates make up the three-way fight to stand for the Ross West seat.
Should the Tories miss out it will mean their one-seat county majority is lost as opposition members will number 29, the same as the current Conservative administration.
Are you a Councillor William? the parties do follow each other when voting!! As regards to the closure of the Care Home, The Council owned the home, when the lease ran out they proposed a huge increase in the rent and a short lease, the Charity could not afford to continue to run and maintain it, the Council would not increase the subsidy for the non paying residents, and the trust felt it was impossible to increase the charges for the fee paying residents to cover the extra costs. I was told it was a Million Pound asset to the Council, and they have sold it,
megilleland
says...
8:20pm Tue 15 Jan 13
At the last Council meeting there were several Conservative Councillors voting in different ways on different items - seems to me that they were voting for what they believe would be best for the County.
I don't think so from the council meetings I have attended. The usual procedure is for conservative controlled committees to make their decisions, following the chairman's nod, even if they do not understand what is being discussed.
William Jackson
says...
10:22am Wed 16 Jan 13
megilleland wrote:megilleland:
At the last Council meeting there were several Conservative Councillors voting in different ways on different items - seems to me that they were voting for what they believe would be best for the County.
I don't think so from the council meetings I have attended. The usual procedure is for conservative controlled committees to make their decisions, following the chairman's nod, even if they do not understand what is being discussed.
I was referring to the last Council meeting, not a committee.
'MM': I'm not a Councillor (as you would see if you looked up the list on Herefordshire Council's web-site). I am, however, interested in seeing people like Richard Mayo - people who actually give something back to the community, elected as such.
The fact is that the care home was closed by its trustees NOT the Council. I'm sure you would complain if the Council didn't use its assets properly and simply sought to increase Council Tax endlessly to balance the books.
And no answer to the so-called 'independents' having all the trappings of a political party?
bobby47
says...
11:26am Wed 16 Jan 13
My very warmest regards to you and a very Happy New Year.
As difficult as these things are to discuss on this forum, you must William grasp one thing, the Posters who come on here are not a bunch of fools and they most certainly are very well informed.
I know that you are not dismissing us as fools, with the possible exception of me, but you must grasp the genuine mistrust and hurt we all feel toward this unholy Council Leadership.
You coming on here William is great and I really do appreciate it but its no good trying to tell us that alls well and the Council ain't so bad.
All is not well and while this council wastes our funds, backs badly thought out schemes, delivers us pointless gimmicks and actually exists, then there is no hope for any open minded dialogue here William.
In short, we've had a guts full of sitting back watching our home slide toward the abyss with no handbrake and any rational thinking.
Me? Ive never believed that its just simply a matter of which political party you are affiliated to. For me, it's the bloody unusual dynamics that exist within our Council Leadership that are bringing about our ruin.
Who would I vote for? An Independent. Simply because they have had the courage to write to the Hereford Times and raise their objections to this chaotic and deluded Council Leadership.
Once again William, thank you for taking the time to come on here and I offer you my warmest best wishes for the New Year.
M M
says...
12:04pm Wed 16 Jan 13
William the Council were responsible for the closure of the Care Home, By the huge rent increase and shorter lease which would have undoubtedly have led to yet another rent increase. I explained in my previous post the trustees could not ask the paying residents to keep subsidising the Council funded residents, and the ever increasing maintenance costs. Yes I do complain that the Council do not spend their assets properly.
dippyhippy
says...
2:28pm Wed 16 Jan 13
fore service users cannot afford to use the very services that are for them,the council say it is an under-utilised resource,and closes it. This is going to happen more and more. Its so sad,I have said before,the most vulnerable ARE being targeted - they have no voice.Vote with your consience,and hopefully,change will follow.
William Jackson
says...
9:46am Sat 19 Jan 13
I'm happy to agree that Herefordshire Council isn't perfect - few of us are!
'MM' makes calims that are simply wrong in his/her desire to promote an independent who seems to belong to an organisation that is a political party in the way it behaves but 'hides' its structure/beliefs.
Looking at the three candidates - my assessment (and the reason why I support Richard Mayo) is:
Independent - retired local government officer, rejected by a large margin in a different ward in 2011 and offering 'more of the same'.
Lib-Dem - retired local government officer, no doubt a pleasent woman but no discernable record of achieving anything.
Conservative - young man, set up a thriving local business, organised/set-up local traders association, organised Christmas market and other initiatives to bring people to Ross, looks like a breath of fresh-air and actually sets out some thoughts on a programme of action.
That, in brief, is why I hope Richard Mayo wins on Thursday.
M M
says...
10:28am Sat 19 Jan 13
I still say he should not have got affiliated to any party.
If the weather doesn't improve there will be a very low turn out, only the young, fit and interested will vote.People are very apathetic and disillusioned with all the main political parties.
M M
says...
7:43pm Sat 19 Jan 13
And then William says they don't follow the party line when voting !!!!
megilleland
says...
9:14pm Sat 19 Jan 13
M M says...
10:28am Sat 19 Jan 13
I still say he should not have got affiliated to any party.
If the weather doesn't improve there will be a very low turn out, only the young, fit and interested will vote. People are very apathetic and disillusioned with all the main political parties.
Yes you would think that people would make an effort to bring about change. A few minutes getting to the polling station on Thursday could send a strong message that the present county council are not preforming as well as they think. If Mr Mayo wins the seat he will only keep the sinking ship afloat for another 4 years - is it worth it?
M M says...
6:25pm Sun 13 Jan 13
I have never known one as bad, and I have always lived in Herefordshire, the council tax is about to rise again and they are spending our money on stupid unnecessary things,
Signs:- "Here You Can" while closing down essential services Minor Injuries Units at Leominster and Ross only open 9.30-5.30 Monday to Friday.
The Care Home for the elderly closed, The cost of Meals on Wheels and Care for the elderly charges rising astronomically and so much more I could mention but my blood pressure has risen to a dangerous level !!!