MY CONGRATULATIONS to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, in advance, for effectively closing down many of the Scout Groups in the area as many will find the new “rain tax'” charges operated by United Utilities an impossible burden.
Charges according to the size of the land occupied, rather than rateable value, could mean increases of £500 per annum as a conservative estimate. Many Groups have already had this charge levied and the Scouts Association estimate the “total drain from the pockets of children into the pocket of water companies'” will be, nationally, around £1.5m.
Groups have to rely on fund raising, a difficult task at the moment with the credit crunch in full force. Mr Benn attacked the large increases early in the year and stated he was keeping the situation under review, but any exemptions, including churches and social clubs, were totally waived. Scout Groups are totally run by unpaid volunteers and receive no grants whatsoever.
The Scouting Association in its recent annual report stated that there are waiting lists to join the movement as a result of a shortage of leaders and helpers. Can Mr Benn explain what will happen once a shortage of Groups comes into effect?
I would ask any member of the movement to contact their MP without fail to bitterly complain at this unjust additional cost that will ruin a key source of activity that children can enjoy in their local environment.
Name and address supplied
Wonderful
I HAVE been visiting Liverpool for over a year now since my son began studying there. I am really impressed with what the city has on offer. Last weekend, I took another family member who had never been there before. She was amazed at the wonderful buildings. We even had an ecocab ride for free from the Docks to the new shopping centre.
More than this . . . it is the people of Liverpool themselves who make the visitors so welcome. Nothing is too much trouble for them and shopping is a real pleasure when you have the caring attention of the shop assistants. Such great service should be available in every city!
We also saw a wonderful street performance in the front courtyard at the Bluecoat and enjoyed the atmosphere of the street cafes and bars. The music scene is Liverpool is second to none . . . better than London! There are so many bars which cater for new bands and the thriving music scene. Perhaps the only observation we made was that there appeared to be loads . . . and loads . . . of cigarette butt ends and litter on the pavements, especially in the older parts of the city like Bold Street and around St Luke's church.
These are great areas of the city too and they do need a bit of TLC from the council . . . . a regular street clean and some nice flower planting maybe?
BUT . . . it’s a great place to visit and so, thank you to everyone in the shops, bars, museums, cafes and taxis who take the time to chat and help us visitors and make our time so special.
Krystyna Wills, via email
Inconvenience
AS A supporter of the Changing Places campaign, I think it is a disgrace that Liverpool City Council doesn’t provide enough public toilets that meet the needs of local people with severe disabilities and their carers.
People with profound and multiple learning disabilities need Changing Places toilets – with a hoist, changing bench and plenty of space. Without them, carers are often forced to change their disabled loved-ones on toilet floors.
I urge the Liverpool City Council to install more Changing Places toilets. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else.
I encourage readers to take action sign the online petition about this important issue at www.mencap.org.uk/changelives
Louise Begg, L13
Have courage
WITH reference to the article by William Leece on Mann Island. Mann Island represents what Liverpool has been doing throughout Šthe ages, it has built on its history and must now embrace the future. To have been the Capital of Culture is meaningless unless a city is prepare to grow and get noticed.Š In the words of Darwin, "the species that survive are not the most intelligent but those who adapt".
ŠLast year, I moved from London to Liverpool because when I saw the designs for Mann Island I fell in love with both the city and the development. In London I was living in an iconic and in aŠ modern building, The Pavilion, opposite to another historicalŠ site, Lords Cricket Ground. The two together sent the prices of The Pavilion through the roof!
ŠLiverpool Šshould not Šjust be Šabout The Beatles and football – Paul McCartney, by the way, was my neighbour. Liverpool is about its youth, its energy and its beauty. Henry Kissinger once said that what he admires the most is not expertise because expertise one can buy – it is courage;Š oneŠ can't buy courage.
Countess Bea Sokolow, L3
Beating crime
I AM grateful councillors agreed for me to chair the cities Community Safety Panel for the city this coming year.
Our first task will be to look at the way City Safe funding can better match the real crime needs of different communities and how we can improve such funding effectiveness.
I would be grateful to hear from any councillors and community groups about the policies they have found most effective in reducing crime and any particular problems they have been frustrated by, please feel welcome to write to me at 41 Sutton Street, Tuebrook L13 7EG or e mail me at northwestliberalparty@hotmail.co.uk
Cllr Steve Radford, Leader, Liberal Party Group
