Opinion
In this section you will find commentaries written by Conservative Councillors to the local press.
Click here to go to the most recent letter
046 - Featured in Bath Chonicle, June 2010
The way that First Bus has acted over its most recent set of service changes has shown a complete disregard for the needs and wishes of its own passengers...
045 - Featured in Bath Chronicle, June 2010
The new Government has wasted no time in getting on with the job of reforming our education system and driving up standards in our schools. Such a clear vision for setting teachers free to deliver the best possible education is to be applauded...
044 - Featured in Bath Chronicle, May 2010
One of the key debates in British politics at the moment from all of the parties is about localism and decentralisation. It is about taking power away from central government and giving more power to local councils and local people, boosting local democracy...
043 - Featured in various local newspapers, May 2010
The confirmation that the new Government is planning to scrap the previous Government’s ridiculous house-buildings targets will come as extremely good news to all of us campaigning to protect our area’s Greenbelt land...
042- Various local newspapers, March 2010
Wansdyke Labour MP Dan Norris recently circulated a letter to residents of Bathavon West, the ward represented by myself on B&NES Council, the contents of which I feel are highly misleading...
041 - Featured in various local newspapers, February 2010
‘Bath and North East Somerset is a rich area, and therefore doesn’t deserve Government funding’. This appears to be Labour MP Dan Norris’s explanation for why the Government so massively under-funds our local area...
040 - Featured in various local newspapers, February 2010
So we now have it in their own words; Labour want to ‘postpone’ the tough decisions on public spending until after the election...
039 - Featured in The Week In, February 2010
I am writing to say that I completely agree with the sentiments of recent letter writer Patrick Harris, who calls for a fair deal for Keynsham from B&NES Council...
038 - Featured in Bath Chronicle, January 2010
It is clear from many conversations with local people that the vast majority of residents are firmly opposed to proposals for an ‘Urban Extension’ south-west of Bath...
037 - Featured in Various local papers, November 2009
Readers may have seen recent statistics which have shown that the number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance in Bath and North East Somerset has eased a little. The fact that our area is weathering the economic storm better than many other places is good news, but will unfortunately be of little comfort to those who have been hit by the recession and there is no room for complacency...
036 - Featured in the bath Chronicle, November 2009
As of this week, bus passengers in Bath can take advantage of a new ticketing scheme which should make journeys easier for many travellers...
035 - Featured in the bath Chronicle, October 2009
Homelessness and street drinking are both long-standing and difficult issues in Bath, and ones which local residents are acutely aware of. Finding a solution to these pressing problems is not an easy task, but is one which we cannot shy away from...
034 - Featured in various local newspapers, October 2009
Last week at the Labour Party Conference, Communities Secretary John Denham made the bold declaration that Labour would campaign on the record of Conservative councils...
033 - Featured in various local newspapers, February 2010
Dear Editor, This week Bath and North East Somerset Council published a consultation document on the future of development, economic growth, and house-building in our area for the next seventeen years, known as the 'Core Strategy'. With the Government's house-building targets in disarray, the Council's proposal to begin consultation on the original, more realistic house-building targets set by Government has been vindicated. Conservatives would rather the targets were scrapped altogether with local Councils' allowed the freedom to decide their own numbers and policies...
032 - Opinion piece on launch of Council's Core Strategy by Cllr Francine
Haeberling, featured in various local newspapers, Septermber 2009
This week Bath and North East Somerset Council is to debate proposals which will be of great significance to all residents in our area for the next two decades. The ‘Core Strategy Options’ document, as it is called, will also provide a great opportunity for local people to voice their views on what development should take place and where in the coming years...
031 - Featured in: various local newspapers, September 2009
Dear Editor, Rebuilding a strong economy and protecting the environment are certain to be two of the biggest issues our country faces over the next decade and beyond...
030 - Featured in: Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal,
and Somerset guardian; September 2009
The multi-million pound investment which has been secured for Midsomer Norton Primary, as reported on the front page of last week’s Journal, is great news for all parents and children in our area, and of course for those of us who can proudly call ourselves grandparents...
029 - Featured in: Bath Chronicle, September 2009
Pollution levels in parts of Bath are among the highest in the country. In some areas they are even higher than the United Nations’ targets on minimum pollution levels...
028 - Featured in: Bath Chronicle, August 2009
With the Government being widely criticised for trying to pretend to voters that there is no spending squeeze to come, it is astounding to see the Liberal Democrats come forward with such wild and uncosted spending figures here at the local level...
027 - Featured in vairous local papers, August 2009
So the Government has delayed its decision over its massive house-building targets for our area yet again...
026 - Featured in Bath Chronicle, 9th July 2009
Protecting and nurturing Bath’s position as a world-class centre of heritage, history and architectural beauty must always be a top concern for all of us living in this unique city...
025 - Featured in Somerset Guardian, The Journal and
Bristol Evening Post, July 2009
So the Government has delayed its decision over its massive house-building targets for our area yet again...
024 - Featured in the Bath Chronicle and The Week; 9th June 2009
Readers may be aware that it was recently announced that £100,000 from the Council’s ‘Recession Reserve’ is being released to be used for Recession Relief Grants, targeted at those worst-hit by the recession...
023 - Featured in the Bath Chronicle, Somerset Guardian and
Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal; 21st May 2009
Last week a debate took place at a B&NES Full Council meeting on the issue of Bristol Airport’s development plans. While it is North Somerset Council that will have the ultimate say over whether to grant planning permission or not, it is important that B&NES makes its views clear to the airport and North Somerset Council’s planning committee...
022 - Featured in the Bath Chronicle, Somerset Guardian and
Midsomer Norton & Radstock Journal; 21st May 2009
Last week a debate took place at a B&NES Full Council meeting on the issue of Bristol Airport’s development plans. While it is North Somerset Council that will have the ultimate say over whether to grant planning permission or not, it is important that B&NES makes its views clear to the airport and North Somerset Council’s planning committee...
021 - Featured in The Bath Chronicle; 7th May 2009
There have been two items of good news for everyone who wants the centre of Bath to be a place which residents and visitors can enjoy in the evening without being affronted or alarmed by anti-social behaviour...
020 - Opinion
In its search for votes, one of the Government's favourite tactics is to announce an eye-catching initiative and then turn round to local councils and say "and by the way, we want you to try and pay for it"...
019 - Opinion
It has recently been announced that, from the 8 th of June, most households in B&NES will have their refuse and recycling all collected on the same day. This news has been welcomed by people I've spoken with as making life easier for local residents. Not only will it make the weekly waste collection more convenient, but it will also help to boost our recycling rates even further. Households will soon be receiving information on their new weekly collection timetable...