Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats

Recent News From Alan Dean

• Jul 8, 2010:
  • Stansted Surgery - Latest News
    At a meeting chaired by Stansted Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Geoffrey Sell, West Essex Primary Care Trust announced that its attempts to find premises for new health facilities in the centre of the village are unlikely to be successful. Geoffrey Sell said "The PCT have said that they will have one more attempt to find premises in the village centre by July. Whilst the Parish Plan questionnaire did show a strong preference for a site near the current village centre, the worst possible outcome would be the loss of funding for a new surgery altogether". Councillor John Hudson added: "Everybody has been looking for a site for a new health centre for over eight years. The only available location at this time that seems suitable is at Walson Way on Foresthall Park. "It would be in nobody's interest to lose PCT funding and have local residents put up with more years of climbing stairs at the cramped and inadequate surgery in St. John's Road." Councillor Alan Dean summed up "With the NHS under financial pressure, and the threat of yet another local NHS reorganisation, we are pressing for action NOW to get the new health centre built." Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• May 25, 2010:
  • MESSAGE OF SUPPORT ON RUNWAY WITHDRAWAL FROM NORMAN BAKER MP
    Carol Barbone of SSE, Norman Baker MP and Lib Dem Councillor Peter Wilcock outside the Three Horseshoes at Molehill Green The following message of support from Norman Baker MP, the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, was read on his behalf by Cllr Alan Dean at Stop Stansted Expansion's Photo Call at Mole Hill Green today: "I am delighted that one of the first acts of the coalition government was to rule out any further runways at Stansted, and that this has now led to BAA withdrawing their planning application. "As the then Lib Dem Shadow Transport Secretary, I visited Stansted and made clear to local people the Lib Dems' opposition to further runway capacity at the airport. It is a sign of the value of the coalition government that we have acted so quickly on this issue. It has taken less than three weeks for the new Lib Dem-Conservative arrangements to bear fruit for the people in the Stansted area." "I would like to congratulate Stop Stansted Expansion for running such a good campaign and for keeping the issue in the headlines for the past eight years." Alan Dean, who was leader of Uttlesford Council at the time of publication of the Labour government's aviation white paper backing a second runway at Stansted, said: "After eight years crying 'No Minister!' it's good to be able to shout 'Yes, Minister, we agree!'. Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• May 24, 2010:
  • BAA Stansted has abandoned its planning application and appeal for a second runway
    Read Alan Dean's blog at http://alandean.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/05/24/second-runway-at-stansted-abandoned/ Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 25, 2010:
  • Can you trust the Conservatives on Stansted Airport?
    In a letter to the local newspapers Stansted Councillor Alan Dean draws attention to the Conservatives' sudden lack of enthusiasm for high speed rail links and questions whether their opposition to Stansted expansion is equally changeable. "The Liberal Democrats backed new, high-speed railway lines years ago as an alternative to higher-polluting aviation for domestic and continental travel. New, faster railways would reduce the need for more air travel and extra airport runways at Heathrow and Stansted. It's been proved in France and Spain, where people have switched from air to rail. Later the Conservatives took up the cause and backed a new line to the north that would take in Heathrow Airport. The Labour government joined in what seemed might become an all-party initiative. They came up with real plans with routes that their Lord Adonis wanted to discuss with other political parties. But last week the Conservatives backed off discussing the proposals. Apparently they are afraid of losing the votes of Tory-supporting residents in Buckinghamshire, through which county the new railway would pass. They seem happy to talk about the principle but are afraid of getting down to detail. Where does this leave Conservative policy on airports? Does their flip-flopping on rail travel to secure election votes signal that their opposition to a second runway at Stansted is also only to get more votes for Tory candidates in this area? Is their aviation policy only as skin-deep and opportunistic as their railway policy seems to be?" Related Links From the Daily Mail in 2007: Cameron ditches 'barmy' plan to freeze airport expansion Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 11, 2010:
  • Conservative Council Hoarding Your Taxes
    At a council meeting on Tuesday night, the Lib Dems proposed cutting the council tax increase so that the extra cash collected from April would be no more than the latest inflation rate above this year's tax level. Lib Dem councillor Alan Dean writes "The Tories voted that down; they want more money, confirming their policy of taking what they think they are entitled to rather than what they need." Read more at: http://alandean.mycouncillor.org.uk/ Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 17, 2010:
  • Uttlesford Conservatives Snub Environmental Campaign
    In a letter to the local press, Stansted Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Dean has condemned Conservative-led Uttlesford District Council's refusal to sign up to the 10:10 campaign, which aims to persuade individuals, businesses and organisations to reduce their CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010 (www.1010uk.org). The Conservatives who lead Essex County Council also voted down a Liberal Democrat proposal to join the 10:10 campaign. Many other Conservative-led councils are also in denial about climate change. "Despite widespread disappointment that international leaders could not pull off a better deal at the Copenhagen climate change conference, some commentators are putting their faith in local leadership to cut carbon emissions. Across the UK some 100 local authorities have signed up to the 10:10 campaign to cut their own carbon emissions by 10% during 2010 as a symbolic and significant step in the right direction. It is, therefore, disappointing that Uttlesford council has failed to grasp the opportunity to demonstrate ambition and local leadership. Uttlesford is half way through a five-year plan to cut its global warming gases by 25%. Now in its third year, the council has slipped by a full year. It was on course to achieve only two-fifths of its five-year commitment until new measures were agreed last month which will both cut council tenants' heating bills as well as help to bring the plan back on track. So the council needs to achieve a 10% cut in 2010 to catch up on its own plan, but the ruling Conservatives would not sign up to the 10:10 campaign because it is someone else's idea. The planet and its peoples cannot wait for politicians who will not learn from and cooperate with each other, whether they are from China, the USA or even those who straddle the M11." Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Sep 7, 2009:
  • Uttlesford Lib Dems Say Come Clean on Planning Delay
    Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham. Uttlesford council's Conservative leader, Cllr Jim Ketteridge, has again been urged to come clean over slow progress with the district's Local Development Framework (LDF) after Lib Dems discovered a letter from Westminster encouraging Tory councils to adopt a 'go slow' on housing plans. Last week five Liberal Democrat councillors had asked Cllr Ketteridge in an open letter to explain why progress on Uttlesford's future housing and related plans had slowed to a snail's pace and why internal discussions between members and officers diaried for last week had been cancelled. In response, Cllr Ketteridge denied any personal role in the slow pace of the district's planning process. Yet within hours of this denial a letter sent to all Conservative council leaders by Caroline Spelman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, was acquired by the Liberal Democrats. The letter encourages Conservative-controlled councils to put on the brakes to slow down the local planning process. Ms Spelman wrote in August: "a slightly delayed Local Development Framework process will make the democratic choice at the general election more stark and clear for the electorate ". Elsenham and Henham councillor David Morson commented: "The Tories seem to be trying to give the false impression that the need for new homes will evaporate if there is a Tory government and that delaying the LDF's preparation will provide an escape route from the mess that local Tories have created. "They should get on now and finish the job they started two years ago rather than leaving this area blighted with uncertainty over new towns." Stansted councillor Alan Dean added: "It's time for Jim Ketteridge to come clean with the residents of Uttlesford. He is allowing at Uttlesford what Caroline Spelman suggests - drift and delay. "The Tories messed up in a big way two years ago with their new town idea at Elsenham. They keep promising technical reports that will resolve the uncertainty. These rarely materialize. They keep promising discussions for councillors. These get cancelled. They promised more public consultation this autumn. It's off until next year. The council is paralysed, I am sorry to have to say." Related Links Don't choke our communities petition Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 8, 2009:
  • Labour is finished in Essex - Lib Dems are now the official opposition
    The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a significant increase in councillors at County Hall and the re-election of this area's Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff. The County Council group went from 8 councillors to 12, taking seats from both the Conservatives and Labour to become the official opposition at County Hall. Lib Dem group leader Tom Smith-Hughes, said: "It has been an astonishing result for the Labour group who have been virtually extinguished - left with just one solitary County Councillor. Clearly Labour is finished here in Essex. The shambles that is the Labour government was no doubt a factor in the way people voted this time, although the Labour presence has been in steady decline at County Hall for over a decade." Stansted Division's Lib Dem candidate Alan Dean, who missed out on victory by less than a hundred votes, said: "Whilst it's disappointing to have come so close to success, but to be beaten at the winning post, I have enjoyed meeting over one-third of the area's electorate over the past few months. "Now the Conservatives have won on a commitment to abandon Option 4 and their Elsenham new town plan, I challenge them to deliver their promise while also delivering a much-needed sustainable solution to the housing shortage in this area. It's time they turned their political rhetoric into reality for real people." The Greens failed to gain a single County Councillor in Essex, although the intervention of Green candidates did allow a number of Conservative County Councillors to be re-elected. The Greens also failed to gain an MEP in the East of England. Full details of the election results can be found here: http://countyelections.essexcc.gov.uk/PoliticalBalance.asp http://countyelections.essexcc.gov.uk/ListCandidates.asp?DivisionID=99 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/euro/09/html/ukregion_32.stm Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• May 7, 2009:
  • GROVE HILL RESIDENTS WANT ACTION TO STOP TRAFFIC CHAOS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS
    Diane Macfarlane and Alan Dean at the lights on Grove Hill, Stansted. Alan is pointing out where the yellow lines are needed. Residents of Grove Hill in Stansted are calling for urgent action to stop chaotic traffic jams at the traffic lights in Grove Hill, Stansted. Queues of up to half a mile have built up in recent weeks. It took district councillor Alan Dean 17 minutes to travel through the lights last Wednesday evening (April 29th) on his way home from Elsenham. Grove Hill is the start of the road from Stansted to Elsenham; a road that would become much busier if the proposed new town at Elsenham is allowed to proceed. The lights control a narrow section of road which is narrow and is single file. The jams occur when cars park on the hill near to the lights. Resident of Grove Hill, Diane Macfarlane, has been helping Cllr Dean to collect signatures from residents who want urgent action from Essex County Highways. Alan Dean said: "One idea is to put waiting restriction yellow lines near the lights by some of the cottages. Many residents want this. They don't park in front of their own homes as they know the chaos that it causes; angry drivers, honking horns; lorries mounting the pavement, etc." "I will be passing the signatures and residents opinions on to a parish transport working group which is meeting on Wednesday this week with a representative from the highways department. After months of complaints and letter writing, people in the hill really do want some urgent action. I know this will be welcomed by hundreds of motorists who use Grove Hill each day. Many have now started to 'rat run' through alternative narrow lanes." Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 17, 2009:
  • Sale Of Wicken House Is A Bad Deal For Everyone
    Wicken House - another Tory sell-off Stansted County Councillor Ray Gooding claims that the sale of Wicken House was a good deal for the taxpayer, but I fear the facts will tell a different story. From 2007 - at the very start of its plan to close this most popular and successful young people's activity centre at Wicken Bonhunt - Essex County Council deceived the public, local schools and the centre's users over its intentions. It carried out a so-called consultation about how much people used and liked the facilities. It said nothing about possible closure and sale. It said it would replicate the facilities and educational activities at other centres in Essex. It has failed to honour that promise. The house and its delightful grounds have stood silent and abandoned for 12 months. How much has maintenance and security cost the taxpayer over that time? How much income was thrown away from what was a full order book at the time that Cllr Gooding, and his then boss Cllr Tracey Chapman, shut the centre? Most significantly, how many hundreds of thousands of pounds were lost to the Essex taxpayer because the Conservative-led County Council sold Wicken House during a recession and so didn't sell it at anywhere near the price they expected and that they claimed justified the closure? Cllr Gooding claims to have saved £600,000 by avoiding paying for facilities for children with disabilities. Not a very admirable motive for closing the home, but probably close to the financial loss on the deal to the taxpayer caused by Cllr Gooding's forcing through the closure and sale in the depths of a recession. The public this time deserves the full and true facts from Cllr Gooding, not more obfuscation about a 'good deal' that looks more like a raw deal for everyone, especially our children and young people. Alan Dean Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 18, 2009:
  • Robust Rebuttal of Elsenham Eco-town to be Made
    Uttlesford's environment committee last night (Tuesday 17 March) started to live up to the council's public commitment made in April last year to oppose totally and to campaign against an eco-town between Elsenham and Henham. This turn of events was the result of a proposal from Liberal Democrat councillors Catherine and Alan Dean. Until two weeks ago, and before the Liberal Democrats and the Save our Village campaigners started to put on pressure, the council's only response to the latest consultation on Eco towns was to be a short two paragraphs saying virtually nothing about why North East Elsenham was the wrong location for a large, new settlement. Cllr Alan Dean asked committee chair Cllr Susan Barker when the campaign agreed last April had taken place. Cllr Barker admitted that the decision to campaign against the eco-town had not been carried out by the council. Cllr Catherine Dean spelled out a long list of reasons why the developer's proposals were not credible. These included suggestions of a bus-priority road lane to Stansted Mountfitchet on narrow country roads and other claims that eco-town traffic could be kept out of that neighbouring village. She wanted to know what effect the closure and avoidance of the Elsenham railway level crossing would have on other roads and the implications for secondary education of relocating the Mountfitchet Mathematics and Computing College. Cllr Alan Dean was applauded by a large crowd of residents from the Elsenham and Henham area when he claimed the Conservative-led council was spending more time and taxpayers' money trying to work out how the eco-town could be made to work instead of rebutting the proposal and demonstrating why it is the wrong plan in the wrong place. Cllr Jim Ketteridge, the Conservative council leader, introduced a party political note by trying to put the blame for the Eco-town onto the Liberal Democrats. This brought cries of derision from the public gallery and a riposte from the Lib Dem member for Henham, David Morson. He reminded the meeting that it was the Conservatives' own proposal for a new eco-settlement at Elsenham that had encouraged the government's eco-town plan. Despite the political ding-dong, all Liberal Democrats and some Conservatives voted for a robust rebuttal to be sent to the government. No-one voted against. The council's planning officers will now prepare the robust response for members to agree at the next full council meeting on April 21st. The full text of the resolution is: "The promoter of an Eco town at North East Elsenham makes claims for sustainability and deliverability which have not been submitted to rigorous scrutiny. This Committee doubts that many of these assumptions are attainable, and remains totally opposed to an Eco town at this location, as resolved by the Full Council on 22 April 2008. "The Environment Committee therefore resolves to require a robust report rebutting the Elsenham eco-town proposal to be submitted for endorsement at the Full Council meeting on 21 April 2009." Related Links Read what the Save Our Villages campaign made of the meeting here. Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 14, 2009:
  • Uttlesford District Council To Discuss Eco-Town On 17 March
    Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham. Uttlesford District Council's environment committee is to address the government's present consultation on eco-towns at its meeting at 7.30 p.m. next Tuesday, March 17th. You can find the agenda and paper for item 7 at: http://ggpweb.uttlesford.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=8771 There would have been no agenda item on this most crucial and controversial subject had one not been requested by Elsenham and Henham councillor Catherine Dean. The council's Conservative adminstration was apparently content to let the whole consultation (which was about to close but has now been extended to 30 April) to pass by with only the procedural comment it made last year - that it was content that any planning decision will have to be handled by UDC (if it gets so far). The report to be found at the above link cannot be described as an analytical response to the government's proposal for a 5000-home eco-town at NE Elsenham. It concentrates on procedural matters and issues of general principle for any eco-town. Most of the report simply repeats what has been said in the government's own financial viability report; that the eco-town MIGHT be able to pay for itself and some local infrastructure improvements. There is nothing to say whether the eco-town makes sense for Uttlesford people at the proposed location or any rebuttal of the developer's and the government's proposals beyond some questions about renewable energy and whether the plan really is to pump water all the way from Colchester. The report is the equivalent of UDC responding to the second runway proposal at Stansted by saying only that the government should review its policy on aircraft engine design. So whereas local residents have been commenting on the realities of the eco-town for this area, Uttlesford District Council, which is the official planning body for this area, seems to be content to stay largely silent rather than to act as a democratic voice for local people. Cllr Alan Dean comments: "I have written to complain about the apparent lack of objectivity by Uttlesford's planning department. I am sure that silence by UDC on this crucial issue will be interpreted by the developer and the government as acceptance by the council of an eco-town at Elsenham". Residents are urged to attend Tuesday's meeting. Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 7, 2009:
  • LIBRARIES COME OUT TOP, SAY LOCAL RESIDENTS
    Alan Dean at Stansted Library Libraries in west Uttlesford came 'top of the pops' in a recent survey of public services. Ninety-six percent of people who use local libraries said the service was adequate or better, with 87% judging the service good or very good. "This is quite an achievement and shows that personal service is appreciated by the public", said Cllr Alan Dean, who analysed the results from over 350 replies to the survey carried out by local Liberal Democrat councillors. "I have already visited Stansted library to congratulate the staff and intend to catch up with the travelling library in the coming week." Comments from the four in ten residents who use the library service included: helpful, knowledgeable and friendly staff. The mobile library staff came in for special praise for their friendliness. Several people said the Stansted library should have more and fresh books but that the staff there 'are lovely'. Some people want the Stansted library opening hours to be extended. Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 28, 2009:
  • 'Please Grit Our Pavements', Say Angry Residents
    Lib Dem Councillor Catherine Dean collecting petition signatures on Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet. Exactly 100 frustrated residents of Stansted signed a petition last Saturday morning calling for village centre pavements to be gritted to make them safe when it snows. Many people complained at the lack of concern for pedestrians following early February's heavy snowfalls. The petition was organised by local Lib Dem councillors Alan & Catherine Dean, John Hudson, David Morson, Geoffrey Sell and Peter Wilcock supported by local resident Frances Spalding. They also urged people who signed the grit petition to respond to the government's consultation on the Elsenham eco-town. Alan Dean commented: "Councils neglected the safety of local people during the recent treacherous conditions. It's not good enough to abandon bin collections for the safety of council employees but then to refuse to grit outside council offices, in council car parks and on pavements, especially in shopping areas. "There's a risk avoidance culture brought on by lawyers and insurance companies; so the council puts the risk onto the general public rather than providing the services the public deserve and needs to make getting around safer for them. It time to return to putting the public first. "On Sunday I was talking to Mr Howard Reeve of Elsenham. He is losing four weeks of work after falling and cracking ribs on the pavement in Bishop's Stortford. He is very angry at the lack of thought for pedestrians and thinks that too many council staff hide behind desks instead of ensuring the public's safety." Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 20, 2009:
  • Uttlesford Roads in 'Third World Condition'
    Cllr Alan Dean with former Clavering parish councillor Melody Carter at a deep and wide water-filled pothole at Ford End, Clavering on Sunday 15th February. Residents in Uttlesford have given a thumbs-down to Essex County Council on the state of local roads. One resident of Clavering described some rural roads as no better than in the Third World. Stansted councillor Alan Dean said: "Road maintenance has been neglected for too long. The recent frost, snow and heavy rain has only brought to the surface potholes that require quality repairs, not botched patching that lasts no time and is a waste of taxpayers' money. I am sending the results of the survey to Cllr Norman Hume, who has responsibility for local roads at the county council. The public deserves to know what actions they will take and when." The opinions were collected from around 350 residents by Liberal Democrat councillors in the Stansted area. Three times as many people (72%) were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Essex's maintenance policy of leaving potholes until they are 50mm deep as were satisfied (23%). Only one person in 200 was very satisfied. Residents were asked the following question: Essex County Council has recently decided to leave potholes until they are 50 mm deep before repairing them. Previously potholes were repaired when they were 25 mm deep. Are you satisfied with local road maintenance? The following is a selection of comments received during the survey: · Footpaths at Bullfields, Newport not been repaired in 16 years except for 'disgusting' patches. · Patching is a waste of time. · Repairs keep failing because they are not correctly filled, sealed and rolled. · New pavement laid outside Waterloo House, Newport - dip in tarmac causes large puddle or freezes over in cold weather; safety hazard. · Wood End, Widdington has had potholes and no attention for years. · Service road off Cambridge Road, Ugley has had potholes for 20 years over 50 mm deep. · Carter's Lane, Henham has potholes and not been resurfaced in 48 years. · Church Road, Stansted has rain-filled potholes; pedestrians get soaked, especially near Fullers House. · We need better roads throughout our countryside; it's all potholes now. · Many country roads have poor surfaces; dressing with stones and tar is no good; should be stopped and done properly. · Church Road, Stansted has rain-filled potholes; pedestrians get soaked, especially near Fullers House. · Roads are resurfaced and then dug up again; e.g. Pesterford Bridge, Stansted · Croasdaile Road, Stansted ruts at kerbs, bad for pedestrians. · Most pavements around Stansted are uneven, slippery and dangerous. I am constantly tripping, despite taking care. · Potholes are a particular danger to cyclists at edges of country roads. Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Feb 6, 2009:
  • Are The Conservatives Really Opposed To Stansted Expansion?
    In a January House of Commons debate on a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Tory Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers MP said that the Conservative Party is not necessarily against airport expansion in the south-east. In a letter to local newspapers, Stansted South Lib Dem District Councillor Alan Dean asked "Does the Conservative Party hold to any firm principles over aviation emission and climate change? If it is mindful to consider airport expansion that is not at Heathrow, where will it be? " "Those of us around Stansted have a right to expect clarification from a party that aspires to government and to be assured that its policy is more than skin deep and not just expedient, depending on which extra runway is in the news at any one time." The Liberal Democrats rule out airport expansion in the south-east. We need investment in a high-speed rail network, not further money wasted on the fastest-growing source of pollution. In the same debate, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said "The hon. Gentleman is quite right. While we are talking about Gatwick, let me make it absolutely clear that we Liberal Democrat Members are totally opposed to any further expansion of airport capacity in the south-east, and in the term "south-east" I include Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow." Related Links Conservative Transport spokeswoman Theresa Villiers MP speaking in the House of Commons: "We do not rule out the possibility of airport expansion in the south-east" Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 30, 2009:
  • 'Save us from new towns!', say local residents
    In a recent residents' survey people in Uttlesford have given another 'thumbs down' to plans for new towns in the district. The survey was conducted by Liberal Democrat councillors and was returned by several hundred residents and supporters of all political parties from across the district from Saffron Walden to Stansted. An overwhelming 85% of local people said they supported housing growth in all towns and villages of the district to provide homes where people want to live and to support local amenities such as shops and schools. Only 10% of respondents supported the plans by local Conservatives and the Labour government for a new town between Elsenham and Henham. The survey was organised by Uttlesford councillors Alan Dean and Peter Wilcock. Alan Dean commented: "There is fierce opposition across the whole district to the new town plan at Elsenham; as strong as the rejection by the villagers of Elsenham and Henham. "The latest unwelcome suggestion from regional consultants for a 20,000-plus large, new town in the Dunmow-Takeley area has been encouraged by the council's open-door approach to new settlements. The drive for the Elsenham new town came from the council's Conservatives - particularly Conservatives from the Dunmow and Takeley areas. "If the recent consultants' report is allowed to gain acceptance, the Tories' foolish bit of Nimbyism, to dump the homes where they thought no one cared, will have backfired in a spectacular and tragic way." At last week's meeting of Uttlesford's environment committee Cllr Dean called for all party talks on a new strategy for future housing distribution. The Conservatives were unwilling to take up the Liberal Democrat olive branch. Alan Dean added: "The Tories seem paralysed and incapable of accepting help to get them out of the hole they have dug for the entire district. It's time they started listening to what local people are telling them through this survey, because it will soon be too late". Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 28, 2009:
  • Bishop's Stortford Citizens' Advice Bureau
    Liberal Democrat councillors concerns about the effect of cutbacks in funding by East Herts District Council for the work of Bishop's Stortford Citizens' Advice Bureau were endorsed at last week's meeting of Uttlesford Council's Community & Housing Committee. The Committee resolved unanimously to write to East Herts Council to make representations about the effect on residents living in the south of Uttlesford. Stansted Liberal Democrat councillors Alan Dean and Geoffrey Sell had brought this issue to the attention of the council at a recent meeting of the south area forum at Mountfitchet Mathematics & Computing College. Councillor Sell said he was pleased with the decision of the community committee, of which he is a member. "At a time of economic downturn and increased problems for local people, councils should be strengthening and not weakening their links with bodies such as the CAB," he said Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Dec 23, 2008:
  • Local Tories Exposed: They Supported Housing Numbers
    Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham. In a letter to the local press, District Councillor Catherine Dean has blasted the distortions being peddled by local Conservatives, who are trying to deny that it was the Conservatives who are to blame for Elsenham eco-town. Cllr Dean writes:- "My husband, Alan Dean, does not need me to defend him, but Cllr Ray Gooding's letter of 18th December contains so many distortions that I am compelled to reply. I'm not sure whether Cllr Gooding has deliberately chosen to misunderstand Alan's letter or whether he really is ignorant of the history of housing allocations for the Uttlesford District. Let me give some facts, rather than the fictions of Cllr Gooding's letter. The Council unanimously agreed across all political parties to accept the housing numbers proposed for Uttlesford by the Regional Assembly (Council Meeting 15th February 2005). It was acknowledged that accommodating the houses would be challenging, but when compared to the larger numbers allocated to other districts in the region, it was considered that Uttlesford got off quite lightly. So it is complete nonsense to accuse Alan of being the architect of the housing allocation. As for Option 4 (3,000 houses at Elsenham and 1,200 in the main settlements), Cllr Gooding again has the effrontery to lay the blame at Alan's door. Let me remind him that it was the Conservative administration at Uttlesford that pulled the option out of a hat at the last minute in September 2007, without consulting residents or their elected representatives. The public had put a new settlement in tenth place out of ten, and no studies had been carried out to assess the impact of development on Elsenham and Henham. It is Uttlesford Conservatives who should be hanging their heads in shame for "distress and devastation" to the local community. The residents that I represent will not be fooled by Cllr Gooding's desperate attempt to find scapegoats." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read here how Tory county councillor Ray Gooding attempts to make out that Lib Dem councillor Alan Dean, as one of a 100 members of the East of England Regional Assembly, is solely responsible for the region's allocation of housing to Uttlesford and for the eco-town plan at Elsenham: http://www.saffronwaldenconservatives.com/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=249 Read here the truth that Tory councillors Cheetham, Barker (formerly Flack) and Ketteridge joined the whole council at Uttlesford in unanimously supporting the housing allocation and that Cllrs Cheetham and Barker (Flack) properly declared their membership of EERA along with Alan Dean: The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting on 15th February 2005 (minute C87 - DRAFT EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN)can be found at http://ggpweb.uttlesford.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=11117 Read here the truth that Uttlesford objected to all new housing being located only around Dunmow. The proposal was removed from the regional plan after Alan Dean made representations at EERA on behalf of the council. Also read here that Uttlesford in 2005 objected to a new village in the district, a principle reneged on by the Tories in 2007 with their ill-considered Option 4 proposal. The Minutes of the Environment Committee on 8th March 2005 (minute E42 - EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN) can be found at http://ggpweb.uttlesford.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=11144 Alan Dean comments: I despair at Uttlesford Tories. Yet again they attempt to rewrite history to mislead the public in a vain attempt to blame others for their own incompetence. Until they accept responsibility for their own mistakes and give the proper leadership for which they are paid by the taxpayer, they will not regain the respect of the public. I suspect some of their own members are ashamed of their collective antics. If they are incapable of delivering on the responsibilities of elected office, are suffering from collective amnesia or simply can't face up to the truth, it is time they stood aside and let people of integrity and competence run the council. Related Links Conservatives want to shun their housing responsibilities Ray Gooding's letter Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Dec 13, 2008:
  • Conservatives want to shun their housing responsibilities
    In a letter to local newspapers, Stansted District Councillor Alan Dean has lambasted local Conservatives, who are trying to draw attention away from the fact that it was the Conservatives who first put forward plans for an eco-town at Elsenham. "Sir Conservative councillors Jim Ketteridge and Ray Gooding, together with MP Alan Haselhurst, are all in print recently putting faith in a possible future Tory government to rescue them from a self-inflicted credibility crisis over Uttlesford's housing plans. They seems to think that a different government would somehow disband the system of regional housing planning in favour of future housing numbers being decided In isolation by each district council. That has never been the case; not even under the previous Conservative government. Then there was a regional planning panel. The public hardly knew it existed, but it assessed market needs and derived housing numbers, handing them down to counties and then on to districts. That is what has been done in recent years through the present regional assembly. Councillors from across the regional were advised by specialists; county totals were argued over and district totals were consulted upon. The present government has pressed to resolve years of housing shortage that has led to much personal and financial pain for many local individuals and families. I am deeply saddened that local Conservatives want to shun their responsibilities to come up with a socially and environmentally sustainable solution to Uttlesford's housing needs. It does their reputation no good whatsoever to play party politics by dragging their feet and by attempting to mislead the public into thinking that if they vote in a future Tory government, the need for extra housing will somehow evaporate. The public are not stupid. They are already seeing through the irresponsible game-players at London Road, Saffron Walden and they may resent being misled in the name of untrustworthy and cynical party political mischief." Published and promoted by Paul Westlake on behalf of Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at 32 Lambert Cross, Saffron Walden. Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY