Picking your team

Can you imagine how successful the England football team would be if before every match the England manager was able to pick some of the players who would playing on the opposing team? If England could keep the stronger players from the other side sitting on the bench then it would vastly increase England's chances of winning. Even better if England could get some of its second rate players, who hold dual nationality, into the opposing country's squad, then England could pick players for the opposition who are actively working against their own side. It would be like England have 12 or 13 men on the pitch even though only 11 would be wearing the three lions on their chest.

It could never happen of course.

Unfortunately that is exactly what does happen in the Hartlepool Council Chamber when it comes to deciding which councillors will sit on which committees.

Under the current constitution of Hartlepool Council there are numerous committees and forums and one of the assumptions made within the laws governing the operation of local government is that council committees and decision making will have “political balance”. This is supposed to prevent one party dominating the council even though they may not have an overall majority of the councillors.

Each of these committees and forums will have a number of councillors assigned to it plus a nominated Chairman and Vice Chairman. Take the Planning Committee. That has 16 members and political balance gives seven members to the Labour party, three Tories, two Liberal Democrats and four independents. The Chairman of the committee is almost always Labour and the Vice Chair is usually a Tory. This make up may seem very fair?

However, the numbers of councillors are set by political balance but who the individual councillors are in those seats is decided by the political party leaders. The Labour party therefore chose the Chairman of the committee and six councillors. The decision is made for political reasons and favours for favours, not because of any councillor's knowledge, experience or training. The Tory Party chose the vice chair and two other councillors, likewise the lib-dems chose their own representatives. Which leaves the independent seats. Each individual independent is free to put their name forward as an individual for the committees. If more than one wants the same seat then the decision is made by a vote of the full council. In other words the other political parties decide which independent will sit on the committee.

The make up may seem fair but in actual fact the political parties can block troublesome or outspoken independents from important committees if they wish to do so. Even better for the political parties is if they can get one of their own supporters onto the committee under the cover of being an independent. Labour for example only need one Labour supporting independent onto the committee and they have total control of planning in Hartlepool by using the chairman's casting vote in the event of an 8/8 tie. The committee may seem fair and balanced but its not. Rather like England having 13 men on the pitch even though only 11 are wearing the England Shirt.

So how can this be prevented. The ONLY way to stop the other political parties from cherry picking the councillors they want on the committees is for the independents to be a political party in their own right. This is why Putting Hartlepool First is a fully registered political party. When we get to nominate councillors to committees then we as a party can chose our own team and make sure the people in the seats are really putting Hartlepool First. Of course there will still be independent councillors who are not putting Hartlepool first and these individuals will continue to allow the political parties to decide which team they actually play for, regardless of the colour of the shirt they are wearing.

If you really want a team that puts Hartlepool first then there is only one way to vote on May 3rd. We are putting Hartlepool first! Will you?

Nominations Open

Nominations are now open for the May 2012 Council elections. Hartlepool is having an “all out” election this time due to reduction in councillor numbers from 47 down to 33, boundary changes reducing the wards from 17 down to 11 and ward re-naming. This means everyone will get three votes and will be electing three councillors to represent them. The candidate with the most votes will serve for a four year term, the second place candidate will get three years and the third placed candidate will serve for two years. There will be no councillor elections in 2013.

When Putting Hartlepool First launched at our public meeting in January we set ourselves a target of having a candidate in each of the 11 wards. This morning (Wednesday 28th March) the Party Leader, Geoff Lilley, and Party Nominating Officer, Stephen Allison, handed in 16 completed nomination packs to the elections office in Hartlepool Civic Centre. This was the first tranche of the nominations and there are more to follow.

The elections office confirmed just after lunchtime that 16 valid nominations had been accepted. Putting Hartlepool First have therefore succeeded in their first aim of having a candidate in every ward for the May Elections and in some wards have even managed to field a full slate of three candidates.

Nominations close at noon on 4th April and then the battle for votes starts in earnest. Anyone interested in helping with the fight to put Hartlepool First would be very welcome to get involved in the campaign. Join us and let's make a difference. Let's put Hartlepool First.

Political party steadily growing - Local - Hartlepool Mail

Political party steadily growing - Local - Hartlepool Mail

Tories and labour councillors laugh at the thought of putting Hartlepool First

According to a report in Wednesday’s Hartlepool Mail the formation of a new political party, dedicated to putting Hartlepool first, was the subject of mirth in the Hartlepool Council Chamber from some Labour and Conservative Councilors. I find it sad that anyone in a position where they are supposed to be representing the town can mock the idea of putting Hartlepool first and consider the aim of putting Hartlepool first to be something to laugh at.


The Tory leader even reportedly joked that he couldn’t remember the name of the new party! So there is one Hartlepool Councilor who by his own admission can’t even remember a simple phrase such as “Putting Hartlepool First” I do hope Councilor Wells tries to remember it when he is making decisions that affect the people of Hartlepool and the town. Unfortunately of course Labour, Conservative (and Lib-Dem councilors) all have to put their party policies ahead of everything else. Their parties won’t allow them to do anything else!

The poor health, shorter life expectancy and high unemployment rates in the town are not something to laugh at! I do hope the electorate of the town remembers in May that the Labour and Tory parties consider the very idea of putting Hartlepool first to be something to laugh at. I think it’s long past the time when Hartlepool Council should have been putting Hartlepool first. In May we have the opportunity to elect new representatives who are really committed to putting Hartlepool first.

Irony?

Should this be in the dictionary under "irony" or perhaps "prophecy"

All in this together?

MPs want £26,000 benefits cap so why not the same cap on an MP's salary?
All in it together?

Sign the e-petition NOW

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/28476

No reply from the Inland Revenue

As it is now February 1st and HM Revenue and Customs has not acknowledged my R27 form I assume my dad has been fined £100 for not submitting his tax return by the January 31st deadline. Ironic really, dead man fails to meet dead line!

Only "little people" pay taxes

It makes my blood boil when I read things like this! My father died in November and the inland revenue have already written to him, yes the letter was addressed Mr Derek Allison (DECEASED), to remind him there will be £100 penalty to pay if he fails to file his tax return online before 31st January. Unfortunately as he's DEAD he can't! I pointed this out but its not their problem apparently, the fine is automatic! Then I read that althletes and sportsmen/women who live in tax exhile are being give tax exemptions......I'd do it the other way round......if you DON'T pay UK tax then you can't pull on a Team GB Jersey.


UK waives tax for 2014 Games to attract big names  uk.news.yahoo.com

LONDON (Reuters) - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and other overseas athletes will not have to pay British income tax if they compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the government said on Thursday, encouraging big names to build the event into their schedule.

Derek Allison (Deceased)

My battle today was with the Inland Revenue who have sent a letter to Derek Allison (Deceased) informing him of an automatic £100 fine if he fails to file his tax return on line (and pay any tax due) before 31st January. I contacted them to explain the clue was in the letter they had sent him when they put (Deceased) in the address line. Apparently these are just computer generated letters and the fine will be automatically applied if the return is not filed. I pointed out a dead man couldn't operate a computer. The answer to that was if he appealed the fine then being dead might be considered an extenuating circumstance and the fine may be cancelled!

Off to a flying start

The open meeting of Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First, held this Saturday, resulted in enough new members joining the party to provide for the party to challenge for at least one seat per ward at the May 2012 Local Elections.

A constant stream of potential members attended the meeting in the Grand Hotel, Hartlepool, to discuss the aims, objectives and policies of Hartlepool Independents - Putting Hartlepool First. The majority of those attending decided to sign up as members of the party and over a dozen of them were keen to represent the party as candidates for the Hartlepool council elections.

“It was a great event” said Geoff Lilley, Leader of the Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First. “We had a couple of members of other parties who came for a look at us but by far the majority of people who came through the door had come to sign up as members. The appetite for change is definitely out there and Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First are definitely being seen as a vehicle to provide that change”

The new party was formed last year and the meeting in the Grand Hotel was its first recruitment event. In addition to new members the party also received donations towards the costs of the forthcoming elections.

Initially Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First had targeted to have at least one candidate in each of the eleven new wards. However, the party already has more than the eleven candidates required to achieve this aim and so are looking at fighting all three seats in a number of target wards.

“There are several existing independent councillors, one or two former councillors and some active campaigners on various issues whom we would have liked to see join us” said Stephen Allison, Party Secretary of Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First. “Unfortunately some of these individuals have so far decided to remain on the side lines and in at least two cases the existing councillors have possibly now missed the boat for selection in their current wards as Candidates for Hartlepool Independents – Putting Hartlepool First.”

The party will be holding another meeting shortly and will announce its selected candidates for target wards before the end of January. “Its time to stand up and be counted” said Party Treasurer, Steve Gibbon “if anyone really wants to put Hartlepool First then they should join us and put their money where their mouth is. Together we can really make a difference".

one stomp at a time: It starts...

one stomp at a time: It starts...: Hi. I'm Rosie, I'm 20, I'm a law student at Kings College London, and my Granddad died of pancreatic cancer in November. A shocking start,...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. Today was not a good day. My dad was present at the table in our thoughts but obviously not there in the flesh. RIP Dad x x x

Improve Early Detection and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer - e-petition

Almost 97% of people diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer die within 5 years. 22 people a day die from Pancreatic cancer. Earlier, clearer diagnosis would reduce this [1].

This is a campaign for better awareness of Pancreatic Cancer, not just today, not just in November 2011 which was Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, but until the detection and survival rate for this disease is improved.

Pancreatic cancer could be termed 'The Hidden Killer'. Many of its symptoms mirror other less critical illnesses and therefore GPs often do not realise their significance [2]. Other possible causes for symptoms include Jaundice, Diabetes, Gall Stones or back problems. Time can be lost before the correct diagnosis is reached, by which time it can be too late.

THIS SITUATION CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.

Before you dismiss this please read the symptoms [2]. If you have any of these, it probably isn't Pancreatic cancer…but then again it might just be. Pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment is a lottery. It could affect you or someone you love.

There needs to be a significant improvement in funding for the training of GPs and for rapid diagnosis. This should not be taken from other parts of the NHS but be new and ring-fenced money.

We need better Pancreatic cancer diagnosis NOW. Please sign the e-petition at
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22411



[1] Pancreatic cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in the UK. Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all cancers. 5-year survival is only 3%. This figure has not changed in over 40 years while deaths from many other cancers declined.

[2] Symptoms include jaundice, significant unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, pain in the upper abdomen and back, new-onset diabetes without with weight gain, vague dyspepsia or abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, pain when eating, depression. GPs may first look at other possible causes for these symptoms resuting in time being  lost before the correct diagnosis is reached. By this time it can be too late to save the patient.

Stephen Allison - Master of Arts

 Well its been a while coming but my MA Certificate arrived today! Hurray So that's BSc, MSc and MA (amongst other things.....lol.....)

I had a letter in the Hartlepool Mail tonight,

Dear Editor,

Hartlepool has had a Labour MP since1945, except for1959 when Commander Kerans took Hartlepool for the Conservatives for a single term. The same applies to the council, apart from a short period when a Conservative/Liberal Alliance held a majority, Hartlepool Council has been dominated by Labour.

So has this loyalty to Labour brought Hartlepool economical success, employment and well paid jobs? Unfortunately not.

In 2010, while the Tall Ships were in town, the office of national statistics reported 25% of working age people in Hartlepool were in receipt of benefits. Compare that to 20% in the North East and 15% in England overall.

Has this loyalty to the Labour Party brought improved health and life expectancy? Unfortunately Not!

The Public Health Observatory reported in 2005 that life expectancy of Hartlepool's women was the LOWEST in the country. Fifty years ago Hartlepool has five hospitals, including a specialist maternity hospital. Today it has one hospital and that is unlikely to survive much longer.

So what has loyalty to Labour brought Hartlepool? It has brought Hartlepool almost to its knees.

Many people are proud they vote labour. Ask them why? Often they don't have an answer other than “Always have, always will” Maybe it's time to start looking for a better reason than that?

We have 60 years of neglect to combat. Sixty years of labour taking the town for granted and 60 years of party political point scoring being more important than really getting things done.

In May 2012 let's start the fight back. Let's ditch the national political parties. Let's all put Hartlepool first.

Stephen Allison
13 Beaconsfield Square
Hartlepool

Of course one of the usual suspects couldn't wait to point out the use of the Beaconsfield Square address and the fact that there is an election coming. So I suppose it's about time for them to start up the "Where does Stephen Allison live?" debate again. If I am sat in my office in the top floor of Beaconsfield Square when I'm doing something then that's the address I use. Typically when I am at Beaconsfield Square its to do with work or council business. If I'm sat in my study at Hurworth Burn when I'm doing something, then that's the address I use. Typically that will be more personal stuff. If I send something from a train then the address on the bottom will be "Sent from my Blackberry" It all depends upon where I am at the time and which hat I'm wearing. When Hartlepool Council write to me, which they do quite frequently, then they send the correspondence to Beaconsfield Square. If Sedgefield Council want to write to me, which they about once a blue moon, then they use Hurworth Burn. If anyone really cares I'm writing this from Hurworth Burn.


PS My first ever letter to the Hartlepool Mail back in 1986 was on almost the same subject! That the only constituencies that get any attention are marginals so Hartlepool would be better off with anyone other than Labour for MP, even if it was only for one term. Just shows how nothing really changes!

Christmas lights

Rough day so far. Ten years ago we spent a family Christmas in Florida. It was the year my father turned 70 and in his usual macabre way he wanted a special holioday since, as he put it,“this might be my last Christmas” of course he was wrong that time! As this will definitely be our first Christmas without him I'm not really expecting a very merry time, but I am determined to keep up as many Allison family traditions as possible. One of these being my tacky display of exterior Christmas lights. These date from that trip to Florida when we were treated to the displays of Christmas lights that many in the US seem to love. From Santa and his sleigh landing on the roof, fairly light illuminated and aninmatronic reindeer grazing on the lawn, right down to simple coloured lights in bushes and around the eves of the houses. I of course loved all this. My father in his pseudo grumpy old man way tried to work out how much the electricity cost! So next year I acquired a few rope lights and a Christmas train that had smoke puffing from its chimney and looked like its wheels were going round. Every year since then the collection has grown slightly to the point where I can’t actually get them all up at the same time. So this year will be a challenge! Christmas lights here I come!

Off to meet with PALS

Off to meet with PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Service) to make a complaint about the handling of my father's case. Referred by GP August 3rd, Diagnosed by ultrasound September 26th, We were not actually informed until October 17th and he died November 20th. He never actually got any treatment for the cancer itself. He developed jaundice the week before chemotherapy was due to start and that meant the treatment had to be delayed until the jaundice was controlled, unfortunately it never was. If treatment had started a few weeks earlier then he was clear of jaundice!


Complaints and Concerns

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/

Only 3 working days left in 2011

First day of the rest of my life! Tried to tell the tax man about my dad but they won't speak to me without a copy of the death certificate. I've now posted one off to them but they say "All post is dealt with in order of receipt" I asked what that meant and they told me that for receipt of post they are so far behind that "today" is actually December 20th. So taking the strike and Christmas into account my letter to them is unlikely to be even opened until 4th or 5th January 2012! What a way to run a country!

Dad's Funeral

Thank you very, very much to everyone who attended my dad's funeral today. It was a great comfort to see St.Hildas Church so full and know that so many people wanted to come and say goodbye to my dad. As a former councillor he was entitled to a civic funeral, with the great and the good of the council in attendance. However, he made it quite clear to me that he didn't want that. He only wanted people at the service who genuinely wanted to be there rather than those attending out of duty or from some need to be seen. A sincere thanks again to everyone who came. Rosemary gave the eulogy and it was a great tribute to her grandad. Afterwards we had a house full of young people who came to pay their respects to my dad. How many 80 year olds would have teenagers at their funeral who were not relatives or family but who came out of respect for the departed. I think we gave my dad a send off he could have been proud of. RIP Dad