Below issues I feel strongly about. If elected issues I will campaign and lobby on. I’m realistic to know I will not win every battle, but I will give them all a good go.

If elected, I do not intend to disappear into a cupboard at County Hall as other Rossendale County Councillor have done. I will be very visible and vocal. Above all I will open honest and transparent. I intend to keep up a blog and website. Albeit better than this package I chose because it was very cheap. It is ridiculous the small amount we are given to run a campaign.

See also my Page on school buses.

EDUCATION AND CARE OF CHILDREN

? I want to put a stop to unnecessary school mergers and closures throughout the County.
? Labour is not investing enough into children’s social care – I support the Conservative’s proposal to improve the life chances of our children.

CARE OF THE ELDERLY

? I am opposed to Labour proposals to introduce the ‘electronic tagging’ of elderly residents. After a lifetime of work and service, our old folk deserve to be treated with respect and care – electronic tagging is how we treat criminals, it would be a disgrace to treat our elderly residents this way.

HIGHWAYS
? Under Labour controlled Lancashire County Council our roads and footpaths are being very poorly maintained and are falling apart.
? One of the major issues which Labour is not addressing is that of traffic congestion. It needs to be reduced at peak school times, with particular focus on our busiest roads – Bacup Rd, Newchurch Rd and Burnley Rd.
? One of the ways to reduce the current congestion issue is to increase the use of school buses as they are not being used enough – this will also reduce the number of carbon emissions.

COUNCIL TAX
? Council Tax is one of Labours many stealth taxes.
? In Lancashire, Council Tax has DOUBLED under Labour - 71% of your council tax in Rossendale is paid to Lancashire County Council.
? I fully support the Conservative proposals to freeze Council Tax for 2010/11 if elected.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
? Major improvements need to be made to public transport links – residents should be able to rely on a regular, reliable service.
? I want to see the East Lancashire Railway route open as a commuter line to serve as a link to Bury and Manchester for local residents. Increased use of this service will also help my bid to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES
? Providing activities for young people to keep them from falling into a path of crime and anti-social behaviour is something I am keen to take forward.
? Increasing their involvement in sporting activities is one of the proposals I want to introduce. We need to increase the number of venues and provide sufficient resources and interests for young people.

LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY
? Labour is not in touch with the local community – I will improve the level of communication with residents by holding regular surgeries with the public.
? The public needs a local, accessible person working for them. Running my own salon allows me to interact with the local community on a daily basis and hear and understand their views and concerns on a range of issues.