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Local community groups have identified sites which they would like to use as allotments, such as that at School Knott in Windemere. The Labour government has introduced “meanwhile leases” which should allow them to do so. But the failure of Lib Dem controlled SDLC to use these “meanwhile leases” has prevented this from happening. Along with Labour SLDC council candidate Kieran Roberts, I explain this in the video below.
Inspite of the score line, I recently had a great day at Wembley watching Carlisle United. As a Cumbrian born and bred, and football fanatic, it was with great pride that I saw Carlisle take to the field, cheered on by so many Carlisle United fans.
I played a lot of football when I was growing up and saw many matches at Brunton Park. Sports participation helps build character and keeps people and communities fit. Clubs like Carlisle United are also vital to the health of their communities.
As MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, I’d do all that I could to support and encourage sports participation and Cumbrian teams like Carlisle United.
Cumbria’s green energy industry is in line for major investment following the Budget. This has been welcomed by Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Jonathan Todd, who is keen that the “green bank” proposed in the Budget assist local firms, like fluid engineering specialists Gilkes at Canal Head in Kendal, in the low carbon sector.
The “green bank” is the centre-piece of a package of job-creation measures contained in the Budget and will be set up with £1bn from the Treasury, funded by the sale of government assets, and £1bn of private funding.
Mr Todd said:
“It is thought that 400,000 ‘green jobs’ can be created over the next five years. The green bank is a partnership between the public and private sectors that will unlock this potential. I welcome the launch of a new hydropower turbine, designed by Kendal-based Inter Hydro Technology, at Heron Corn Mill in Beetham over Easter weekend and I hope that the green bank will encourage other local entrepreneurs to make full use of the new opportunities on offer to develop similar initiatives and expand their businesses.”
Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling said:
“This equity will unlock another billion pounds in finance from the private sector. The fund will focus first on investing in green transport and sustainable energy where Britain is already the world leader. It will help the UK secure new inward investment deals, and support thousands of extra jobs in these sectors.”
Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has welcomed news that the Labour government will provide more than £2 million to help repair potholes in Cumbria’s roads.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said Cumbria will be given £2.3 million from a £100 million fund to repair roads damaged by the snow, ice and plummeting temperatures in recent months.
Mr Todd said:
“Potholes are an issue which many local people raise with me. This welcome news illustrates the responsiveness of the Labour government to the needs of Cumbria. I hope this money is fairly used throughout the county and that Westmorland and Lonsdale gets the share that we need.”
The funding will allow local authorities to pay for the most urgent immediate repairs.
Local resident Lois Sparling said:
“As someone who frequently cycles and also drives on local roads, I am very much aware of the damage which the past winter has inflicted upon them. This extra help to deal with potholes is very timely.”
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said:
“The Chancellor announced an extra £100 million for local authorities to repair pothole damage as a result of this winter’s severe weather. I intend to allocate this to councils as soon as possible, so that they can immediately get their maintenance staff filling potholes and making our roads as safe as possible for drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists. We have trebled funding to local authorities over the last 10 years for road maintenance. This pothole fund further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our roads are in the best possible condition.”
It was great that Europe Minister, Chris Bryant, was recently able to hold the first civil partnership ceremony in the Houses of Parliament. Thanks to Labour legislation, I’m delighted to see that it is now possible to hold civil partnership ceremonies in Kendal County Council office, which I once visited to give notice of my wedding. Civil Partnerships are a great victory for tolerance and I never fail to be struck by how much they have changed Britain for the better.
