It was agreed by councillors of all parties that great progress has been made over the last decade in helping children and adolescents with mental health problems. From hyperactivity to attention deficit disorder and depression, mental health covers a wide range of areas.  Of the 68,000 young people in Stockport borough, it’s estimated that 6,360 […]

Exlcuding pupils from schools is the decision of head teachers and governing bodies.  In Stockport, as was discussed at the Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee last night, the numbers being excluded are higher than we’d expect. There are times when a young person needs to be excluded, for their own good and that […]

The spending plans of the big parties looks to be becoming a big battleground in the General Election. The Lib Dems have a fully-costed plan that puts £700 in the pocket of most taxpayers.  Under the Lib Dems, your first £10,000 of income is tax free, and the party’s set out exactly how that gets […]

I’ve received this today (7th April): I am writing to advise you that important maintenance checks will be carried out tonight on Runway 1’s edge and end lights (Runway 23R/05L). Faults have developed today and they must be investigated immediately. Whilst these faults do not affect the safety of aircraft, due to the stringencies of […]

There are two sets of elections in Stockport on 6th May. The first is the local council elections – one third of Stockport’s councillors are up for election.  In Cheadle & Gatley that’s me.  Although I was only elected last September, I’ve got to stand again as that’s when the late Brian Millard would have […]

Dear resident, As it is widely anticipated, tomorrow Gordon Brown will call for a General Election to take place within weeks. I want to take this latest opportunity to update you on some of my recent activity as your local MP: Let me fill you in on what’s been happening in recent weeks: •          As […]

In the last few months, a huge amount of time has been spent by the ten Greater Manchester authorities deciding whether to expand our existing relationships into a Combined Authority, or City Region. All ten authorities have now agreed to go ahead – Stockport was the last to sign up. This is my personal perspective […]

Area Committees are this week considering a Lib Dem proposal to help with street cleaning. Some roads are so full of cars that they almost never get a proper clean, no matter how often sweepers are sent round. Under this plan, the Council might say, for example, that a road will be  cleaned on the […]

After years of trying, it looks like Brookhead Arcade on Stockport Road, Cheadle is finally to be gated.  The arcade of shops near Jubilee Park has a walk-through in the middle that’s long acted as a magnet for anti-social behaviour at night. The aim is for gates to be fitted by the end of April […]

Following a letter from Mark Hunter requesting action, PC Gareth Pemberton has been spending time at the one-way side-road running alongside Councillor Lane near Demmings Road. PC Pemberton reported that incidents of people driving the wrong way along the road seem to have reduced, and he’s continuing to visit the location and check with local […]