Wednesday 10 March 2010
Silverman Lecture - Brierfield Community
Centre, 19 March 2010 at 7.15 p.m
Jon Cruddas MP for Dagenham will deliver the Sydney Silverman
Memorial Lecture
- 'A new Labour Covenant'
Pendle Labour Party is pleased to announce
that Jon Cruddas MP will deliver the 2010 Sydney Silverman
Memorial Lecture.
Jon became MP for Dagenham in 2001 and prior to that he worked in Number 10
Downing Street, liaising between the Government and the trade unions, helping
promote an agenda for working people.
In 2007, Jon stood for election as Labour's deputy leader following the resignation
of Tony Blair and John Prescott as Leader and Deputy Leader. After winning
the most first round votes, Jon ended in third place. By standing for election,
Jon opened the contest to new ideas - especially on housing, immigration and
public services. He won the support of tens of thousands of members and trade
unionists.
Bob Allen President of Pendle Labour Party
says “We are delighted that Jon has agreed to give
the Silverman lecture.
His principles of fighting for the rights of working people align so closely
with those of Sydney.
The lecture in memory of Sydney is a public one that annually celebrates the
life of the MP for Nelson and Colne from 1935 -1968. Sydney was an MP in the
old Nelson and Colne constituency for over 30 years and one important milestone
in his political career was finally, after many years of campaigning, seeing
his bill to end capital punishment through the Commons and onto the statute
book. In addition he campaigned on other human rights issues and for nuclear
disarmament.”
Jon Cruddas says”
'The depth and danger of the recession has
brought our country to a turning point in its history. The
future of the Labour Party will be won or lost in England.
We need to create a new covenant with the people”
Tuesday 09 March 2010
New businesses power ahead in East Lancs
 |
Latest figures from
Regenerate Pennine Lancashire (RPL) show a big increase
in
new business start ups. |
 |
Help with setting up new businesses comes from "No
Limits" which is funded by the Government's Local Enterprise
Growth Initiative (LEGI).
Speaking from Westminster, local MP Gordon
Prentice, said: "I am hugely impressed by the scale
of new business growth- and at the way in which everyone
is pulling together. It is all about promoting enterprise
and generating new jobs and prosperity."
"In Pendle we have 182 new business
thanks to this initiative. It is great news.
Tuesday 09 March 2010
MP welcomes action on Dangerous
Dogs
Local MP, Gordon Prentice, has welcomed the Government’s
decision to review
the law on dangerous dogs.
In a consultation document published today,
the Government says it is seeking views on whether current
legislation on dangerous dogs adequately protects the public
and whether it encourages responsible dog ownership.
Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: “I
know from my constituency casework that dangerous dogs are
a problem. Who feels comfortable walking past a slavering,
bull necked dog with a spiked collar and fangs and which
is off the leash?”
“These “status dogs” seem
to me to lie at the very frontier of the term “domestic
pet”. They are, instead, instruments of intimidation.”
The consultation paper looks at a series of
options which include tightening up the legislation and introducing
Dog Control Notices.
Other options being canvassed would require
all dogs to be covered by third party insurance and requiring
all dogs to be microchipped.
The MP added: “I am very much in favour
of tougher controls.”
The consultation period runs from today (9
March) to 1 June 2010.
The document is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/
Tuesday 09 March 2010
Cameron’s Euro MPs vote against
plans to tackle tax dodgers and target tax havens - Arlene
McCarthy MEP
British Conservatives voted against proposals supporting
the automatic exchange of information to crack down on those seeking
to hide their money from the tax authorities.
Arlene said: “Tory Euro MPs’ actions make a mockery of George Osborne’s
pledge at Tory Party Conference “to target tax evasion and offshore tax
havens”. We should judge the Tory Party by their actions not by their words.
Weakening proposals which seek to crack down on tax dodgers using tax havens
shows they are not serious about tackling tax cheats.
“
The Tories cannot be trusted on tax, time and again they protect and
prioritise the wealthy and privileged minority over law abiding taxpayers.”
“
If we have learnt one lesson from the financial crisis, it is that
reforms must be based on more transparencyand increased access to information on all financial transactions. Labour Euro
MPs support, alongside 25 out of 27 EU member states, the introduction of automatic
data-sharing in the fight against tax evasion. With an estimated 18.5 Billion
Pounds lost to the UK every year, tax evasion robs our schools and hospitals
of vital resources. The wider public can judge for themselves whether the motivation
for weakening global and EU efforts against tax evasion and tax havens is linked
to the fact that major Tory party donors themselves
have non-transparent tax status.”
Euro
Report March 2010 (PDF 478KB)
Monday 01 March 2010
Ashcroft should resign
 |
Gordon Prentice MP
Standing
behind David Cameron in the photograph (right)
is Lord Ashcroft who
instead of paying UK tax on all his income
has been
filling
the
coffers of the Conservative party.
|
 |
Lord Ashcroft this morning disclosed that he is a non dom.
He does not pay UK taxes on his worldwide income
but only on that part which is generated in the UK.
Speaking from Westminster, Pendle MP, Gordon
Prentice, commented: "Ashcroft has dissembled for a
decade, concealing the fact that he is a non dom.
"He promised to take up long term residence
in the UK as a condition of his peerage - and that means
paying UK taxes like the rest of us."
"He has been bankrolling the Conservatives
for years, buying the election with his huge wealth. Most
of which is untaxed in the UK."
"The man is a fruad and should resign
from the House of Lords."
1st March 2010
A Statement From Lord Ashcroft
I am making this statement in advance of the
release by the Cabinet Office of limited information about the award of my
peerage and of the undertakings I gave at the time.
While I value my privacy, I do not want my
affairs to distract from the general election campaign. I
have therefore decided to release a copy of the letter which
I wrote to William Hague, and to expand on what actually
happened.
As the letter shows, the undertakings I gave
were confirmed in a memorandum to William Hague dated 23rd
March 2000. These were to "take up permanent residence
in the UK again" by the end of that year. The other
commitment in the memorandum was to resign as Belize's permanent
representative to the UN, which I did a week later.
In subsequent dialogue with the Government,
it was officially confirmed that the interpretation in the
first undertaking of the words "permanent residence" was
to be that of "a long term resident" of the UK.
I agreed to this and finally took up my seat in the House
of Lords in October 2000. Throughout the last ten years,
I have been declaring all my UK income to HM Revenue.
My precise tax status therefore is that of
a “non-dom". Two of Labour's biggest donors -
Lord Paul (recently made a privy councillor by the Prime
Minister) and Sir Ronald Cohen, both long-term residents
of the UK, are also "non-doms".
As for the future, while the non-dom status
will continue for many people in business or public life, David
Cameron has said that anyone sitting in the legislature - Lords
or Commons - must be treated as resident and domiciled in the
UK for tax purposes. I agree with this change and expect to
be sitting in the House of Lords for many years to come.
Monday 1 March 2010
Pendle CLP AGM
At the AGM held on Friday 26 February 2010 Pendle CLP agreed to urge Lancashire
County Council to buy up the section of the disused rail route between Colne
and Kelbrook in order to enhance the campaign to see the line from Skipton to
Colne re-opened.
The AGM also expressed disquiet at the announcement by the Payments Council UK
to phase out cheques by 2018 and called for suitable alternative provision for
those who will be adversely affected by the withdrawal of payment by cheque.
Thursday 25 February 2010
MP to force disclosure of Ashcroft's
promise
Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, is making a
further attempt to force the Conservative Vice Chairman, Lord
Ashcroft, to reveal the terms of the undertaking he gave 10
years ago as a condition of being elevated to the peerage on
the recommendation of the then Conservative leader, William
Hague.
On Tuesday (2 March) the Commons will return
to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill at Report
Stage. The MP has tabled a new clause, backed by 77 MPs,
which would lay a duty on the House of Lords Appointments
Commission to satisfy itself that people who got a peerage
after undertaking to do something – such as become
a UK taxpayer – actually delivered on their promise.
Lord Laidlaw, a former Conservative Vice Chairman,
and Lord Ashcroft both gave undertakings relating to their
peerages.
The MP also wants the House of Lords Appointments
Commission to scrutinise any conditions attached to the award
of peerages to current members of the Lords by its predecessor
body, the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee.
Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: "Ashcroft
has repeatedly refused to clarify his tax status. He has stonewalled
for a decade while bankrolling the Conservatives, giving two
fingers to the electorate. His millions are allowing the Conservatives
to buy seats at the next election."
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Water Charges
Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, today welcomed
news from United Utilities that village halls and community
centres are to be included in the site area charging moratorium
alongside places of worship, scout and guide associations and
community amateur sports clubs.
United Utilities Chief Executive, Philip Green,
told the MP that the moratorium is to continue for a further
year.
The MP commented: "Water charges can
be crippling for many small organisations. I welcome this move
and hope that people get in touch with United Utilities to
follow it through."
According to Philip Green:
"
United Utilities is writing to all
existing moratorium customers explaining what will happen to
their charges
from
April 2010.
We are also
writing to eligible village halls and community centres to
let them know how they can apply to benefit from the moratorium.
We would encourage village halls and community centres in
your constituency to visit
www.unitedutilities.com/sitearea where they can find out more information about the changes
we are proposing and apply to benefit from the moratorium".
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Pendle County Councillors slam “Rabbit out of a hat” budget
 |
Pendle County Councillors
George Adam and Mohammed Iqbal are warning that last
week’s announcement by the Conservative controlled
Lancashire County Council of a council tax freeze is
a conjuring trick that is hiding cuts to come. |
 |
Cllr Adam commented: “ The much hyped
zero increase is a sham, paid for by using up reserves built
up by the Labour administration, by an increase in annual
grant from central government – and by cuts.”
“They are talking about savings of £24
million this year, rising to £36 million in twelve
months’ time, but say that this will not result in
front-line services being cut back. Who are they kidding?
Already the Council has announced the loss of 200 jobs at
County Hall as part of a job evaluation process.”
“Adult and Community Services, which
is responsible for care homes and community work, will be
forced to cut £7.6 million in 2010/11 and £5.6
million the following year.”
“ The Children and Young People directorate have to make savings of around £7
million increasing to £11.5 million next year.”
County Councillor Mohammed Iqbal said “George
and I supported the 1.75% increase proposed by the County
Labour Group, which would have amounted to only 24p per week.
That would have restored some of the cuts and put an extra £3
million into Adult Social Care and £2.5 million into
the Children and Young People’s budget. These departments
look after the most vulnerable sections of our communities
who need to be supported by the rest of us.”
“The Conservative administration’s
approach to this year’s budget shows them to be insensitive
to the lives of ordinary people in these difficult economic
times. I just hope the voters of Lancashire remember this when
the General Election comes round.”
Friday 19 February 2010
Islamic Help to meet MP
The new owners of Brierfield Mills, the Birmingham based disaster relief charity,
Islamic Help, are to meet local MP, Gordon Prentice.
The MP said: "I have received an approach
from the charity’s advisers telling me that the trustees
are disappointed with some of the news stories going around
and that they would welcome a face-to-face meeting to explain
their work and to tell me of their plans for Brierfield Mills."
"They believe such a meeting would, in
their words, help clear away some of the confusion."
"I have told them I am more than happy
to meet the trustees but, before such a meeting, I would
need to be assured that all the money donated to the Pendle
Boarding School for Girls project had been returned to the
donors."
" I also feel a statement about the
appeal for funds for the boarding school project should be
posted on the charity's website. This appeal for money was
for a purpose
outside the charitable objects of Islamic Help."
Friday 12 February 2010
Labour storms to victory in Walverden
 |
The photograph is of newly
elected Cllr. Abdul Aziz (centre) with Labour County
Councillor and Chairman
of Nelson Town Council, George Adam and Labour Campaign
Co-ordinator, Julie Henderson |
The Labour Party candidate, Abdul
Aziz stormed to an impressive victory last night in the Nelson
Town Council by-election held in Walverden ward.
Cllr Aziz gained the seat for Labour from the
Liberal Democrats who were pushed into last place; something
which is another example of the voters rejecting the Lib.
Dems.
Cllr Aziz said “I am really honoured
that the voters have put their trust in me to serve their
interests on the Town Council. I shall try my best to help
local residents”.
Leader of the Labour Party in Pendle, Cllr
Mohammed Iqbal added “Despite a huge operation of forces
led by their Parliamentary candidate, the voters in Walverden
have given the Lib Dems a kick in the teeth at this election.
They are a party on their way down in Pendle. I want to congratulate
Abdul Aziz and his campaign team led by Julie Henderson who
fought hard and won very well”.
Votes cast for each candidate: Labour
419, Conservatives 268, Lib Dem 252. Turnout 35%.
Friday 12 February 2010
MP impressed with Colne engineering
investment
 |
Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice
visited Regal Precision Engineering in Colne today
(Friday 12th), to understand how local businesses are
coping with the economic downturn.
The picture shows Gordon Prentice MP and Howard Nicholson,
Managing Director of Regal Precision Engineering in the
engineering plant. |
Regal Precision Engineering has recently been awarded a £17,000
contribution
towards a £42,000 software system upgrade from the Local Enterprise Grant
Initiative (LEGI) funded by the department of Communities and Local Government.
This is part of a major initiative to increase employment opportunities and help
safeguard existing jobs. Pennine Lancashire has had £750,000 in funding
during 2009/10, using the local authorities as the link to local employers.
Gordon Prentice commented, “The LEGI grant will enable Regal
Precision Engineering to upgrade their core software system that controls
the operation
of the machine tools. The upgrade will provide a better interface with the production
data, supporting financial and production efficiency. This will enable the business
to continue competing for orders well into the future.”
“ It is vital to safeguard local jobs and provide essential capital for
local companies during these difficult times. This initiative by the
department of Communities and Local Government is just part of the
raft of measures to safeguard jobs and help businesses survive the
world economic downturn, following the 2008 banking collapse.”
The picture shows Gordon Prentice MP and Howard Nicholson, Managing Director
of Regal Precision Engineering in the engineering plant.
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Pendle is not For Sale says MP
 |
Gordon Prentice MP
Former Tory Leader William
Hague, all smiles with Lord
Ashcroft.
|
 |
Local MP, Gordon Prentice, told the House
of Commons this afternoon that "Pendle is not for sale".
Prentice asked the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown,
if he had visited the MP's website today which showed how
the forthcoming election in Pendle was "being bought
by a tax exile". The MP went on to warn that "Pendle
is not for sale".
Brown condemned Conservatives for refusing
to answer questions about Lord Ashcroft - who has been bankrolling
the Conservative Party for years - and whether he is resident
in the UK for tax purposes.
In branding the Conservatives as "evasive
and obfuscatory" Brown was quoting the words of the
Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, who has ordered
the release of information to the Pendle MP about Ashcroft's
peerage.
Speaking afterwards, the Pendle MP said: "At
some stage, the Conservatives will have to come clean about
Ashcroft's tax status. He was turned down for a peerage in
1999 and then elevated the following year on the recommendation
of the then Leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague.
His peerage was granted on condition that he would take up
UK residence and pay UK taxes."
"It is an insult to the voters to imagine
they can be bought in this way. They expect the Conservatives
to tell the truth about Michael Ashcroft. After all, he is
their Party vice chairman."
Monday 08 February 2010
MP calls for new “Blue
Light” ambulance protocol
 |
Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice
has called for urgent action over ambulance performance
figures released by the North West Ambulance Service
(NWAS). In a recent meeting with the Chief Executive
of NHS East Lancashire, Steve Spoerry, the MP raised
serious concerns over the continued poor performance
of NWAS, particularly in
the Pendle area. |
|
Speaking from his Nelson office, the MP commented: “NHS
guidelines set out that 75% of category A callouts – those
for serious and life threatening should have a response time of 8
minutes. But in October last year the figure for Burnley, Hyndburn,
Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Pendle was just 70%. NWAS also missed
the performance target in East Lancs for less serious category B
cases, which have a 19-minute response time.”
Statistics from the NWAS showing the response times
for the postcodes BB8, BB9, BB10 and BB18 show major variations.
The MP went on: “The figures highlighted a significantly
weak service in the Barnoldswick area, with only 60% of ambulances
meeting the eight-minute target to reach their destination.”
“In the period April 09 to November 09, the percentage
of ambulances hitting the 8 minute target plunged to 53% in May,
51% in June and 39% in October.”
“Figures for BB8 which covers Colne and an area
stretching out to Trawden fared better but only one month exceeded
the 8 minute target – June at 79%. The lowest was 62% in October.”
The MP added: “I know the Medical Directors
of the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and the North West Ambulance
Service are looking at how best to improve things. This may mean ambulances
going to Burnley which currently go to Blackburn.”
Sunday 7 February 2010
MP blocks Islamic Help school
plan
|
The dreams of a Birmingham based disaster relief charity,
Islamic Help, of establishing a 5,000 place boarding
school for Muslim girls at Brierfield Mills in Pendle
have been shattered by the Charity Commission. |
 |
The charity watchdog has ruled that Islamic Help was operating
outside its charitable objects in raising money for a school.
In a hard hitting decision the Charity Commission has ordered
donations to be returned to those who had responded to the
appeal for funds. People thinking about donating were told £500
would go towards student accommodation; £5,000 towards
a classroom and £20,000 towards a computer lab.
Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, called in the Charity Commission,
insisting Islamic Help was breaking charity law in asking for
money for a purpose clearly outside its charitable objects.
Islamic Help bought Brierfield Mills, the Grade II listed former
medical fabrics factory, in December 2009 for £1,020,000
plus VAT.
Sultan Niaz Ul Hassan, a trustee of Islamic Help and one of
the new registered owners, told the Charity Commission than
none of the money raised in the website appeal for funds for
the Pendle Boarding School for Girls had been used for the
purchase. Instead, the charity had secured a bank loan of £650,000
from Lloyds TSB and the balance apparently came from various
pledges and backdated gift aid.
The Charity Commission is insisting that the £10,000
which Islamic Help says was raised in the fundraising appeal,
must be returned to those who gave the money. Where this is
not possible – because money was donated anonymously – it
must go into a special pot and the approval of the Charity
Commission must be given before it can be used for any another
purpose.
The Charity Commission has also ordered Islamic Help to remove
the appeal for funds for the Pendle School for Girls from its
website.
Speaking from Barnoldswick earlier today, the MP said: “There
was never any doubt in my mind that Islamic Help was operating
on the wrong side of charity law. Fundraising for a huge school
was way outside their charitable objects.”
“
Ghausia Girls’ School will not now be moving to Brierfield
Mills and expanding to take 200 students “in the early
stages” as some people were predicting.”
“
I am told Brierfield Mills will now be used as a warehouse
for clothing collections and some parts could be leased at
a commercial rent. There may be community facilities as well
but, as always, I put aside the hype and I wait for the detailed
plans.”
“
We have already had too much smoke and mirrors.”
The MP added: “I shall be raising this issue in Parliament.
I want to see a full audit of the finances of Islamic Help.
And I want the Charity Commission to maintain an oversight
and supervisory role.”
“
I am also left wondering what kind of assurances were given
by the charity to Lloyds TSB (57% privately owned) to secure
the £650,000 loan.”
Saturday 6 February 2010
Gordon Prentice toasts the organisers
of the 6th Pendle Beer Festival
|
The MP said, “It
is a superb festival showcasing real ales from all
around the country – and 9 from East Lancashire.
Martyn Pashley, the festival organiser, and all the
CAMRA (campaign for real ale) volunteers deserve a
huge round of applause for all the work they’ve
done. Cheers! |
 |
This year's "Down on the Farm" theme should
appeal to all country folk, with beers from Black Sheep, Roosters and
Goose Eye to name but a few of the amazing variety of brewers. Beers
with names like Riggwelter, Pig's Ear, Flat Cap and Cheeky Pheasant
will mingle with local greats Pendle Witch, Wainwright's and Golden
Pippin. In total over 65 real ales and ciders will be available to
sample, and judging by last years record crowd of over 2,300 visitors,
people appreciate the care and attention CAMRA volunteers give to serving
beer in tip top form.
Locals and visitors alike will be pleased to know Pendle
Leisure Trust have made the Colne
Muni Theatre available once again and they intend to ensure everyone who
comes enjoys the event and supports the Pendleside
Hospice fund Pendleside Hospice fund raising events we have planned. Last
year saw Pendle Festival raise £3,880.
If you'd like more information, Martyn Pashley, Festival Organiser, on info@pendlebeerfestival.co.uk.
Download
the Festival Poster (JPEG 1MB)
Friday 05 February 2010
Pendle household waste recycling centre
- temporary works
Development work is to be carried
out at Pendle Waste Transfer Station on Regent Street, Colne.
The improvements include slightly extending
the facility, roofing an external bay area and resurfacing
work.
To ensure the safety of all site users, both
the waste transfer station and the household waste recycling
centre (HWRC) will be temporarily closed from Monday, 15th
February 2010, for approximately three weeks.
The nearest alternative sites during the period
of temporary closure are the Burnley HWRC at Grosvenor Street
in Burnley and the Barnoldswick HWRC at West Close Road in
Barnoldswick. Both sites are open seven days a week between
the hours of 8am to 7pm.
To find out more about any of Lancashire
County Council’s HWRCs, ring the Lancashire County Council
Waste Helpline on 0845 0500 957 or find out more on-line at
lancashire.gov.uk/waste.
