Richard Harker

Liberal Democrat Councillor for the Moortown Ward of Leeds City Council

YOUNG PEOPLE LET DOWN BY LABOUR

June 23rd, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

 Today is the last day of the summer examinations.  August will bring the results when 1000s of young people across Leeds will know how they have got on.  But already many young people in Leeds are disappointed because Labour has let them down. 

Labour’s introduction of tuition and top up fees was a betrayal of our future – not to mention another broken election promise. 

Thousands of young people have been put off going to university. Many thousands more find themselves saddled with huge debts that will take years to pay off.That’s no way to start off in life. 

Amazingly, the Conservatives agree with Labour on this issue. They won’t deliver any change for young people and students. 

Only the Liberal Democrats want to abolish Labour’s tuition and top up fees. They believe that a good education should be available to every young person - regardless of how well off they are. 

Liberal Democrats also want to make sure that young people are treated fairly. It’s just wrong that young people do not get the same pay as older people for the same work. Join us in the fight for fair opportunities. 

MOORTOWN COUNCILLOR ENSURES LEEDS FLIES THE FLAG FOR VETERENS

June 23rd, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

On Monday 22 June at 10.30am, Leeds  joined hundreds of councils throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in raising a unique flag to support Britain’s first ever Armed Forces Day.

 

Flags will be flown the length and breadth of the country from the Shetland Islands to Land’s End and from Lowestoft (England’s most easterly point) to the Scilly Isles. The specially designed flags, based on the Union Jack, will be raised at 10.30am on Monday 22 June, in ceremonies across the country.  This marks the beginning of a week of events leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.In addition to more than 450 local authorities, over 3000 members of the public, businesses and schools will also fly official Armed Forces Day flags to join the celebrations to honour Britain’s Armed Forces - past, present and future.

Armed Forces Day flags will also be flown where British Servicemen and women are serving overseas, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.

Councillor  Brenda Lancaster, who has been working with Leeds Veterens and was in Normandy for the D Day celebrations, commented:

“It is important that veterans and serving members of the armed forces are aware of the  gratitude and admiration of Leeds people for all that they have done and continue to do for people across the world.

 

“Leeds as a city is proud to fly this flag in support of all our armed forces – past, present and future.”

 

An event to celebrate Armed Forces Day in Leeds will take place on Saturday, 27 June at Leeds Town Hall, 1 – 6pm. 

 

LEEDS INTERNATIONAL YOUR FESTIVAL : BREEZE

June 17th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

The Breeze International Youth Festival (BIYF), run by Leeds City Council’s Arts & Regeneration Unit, offers an exciting array of events, performances, masterclasses and activities to get young people interested in and involved in the arts this June.

 

To find out what’s happening at the festival, visit their website at:  http://www.breezeleeds.org/BIYF

 

Download a festival brochure from:  http://www.breezeleeds.org/pg/6/About_the_festival

 

The festival begins on Monday 22 June with the BIYF radio project ‘Roundhay Radio’ broadcasting over the airways 12-8pm every day until Saturday 28 June on 87.7fm or online at www.breezeleeds.org/BIYF

 

From 26 - 29 June, BIYF also opens up Leeds city centre for the spectacular BIYF Celebration Weekend.  As well as fun for young people aged 13 - 19, there will be a whole host of events and performances on offer for the whole family.  The Carriageworks, Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds City Museum, Hyde Park Picture House, the BBC, Northern Ballet Theatre, Yorkshire Dance, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Mediafish and First Floor at the West Yorkshire Playhouse are just some of the organisations involved this year.

 

You may know some young people aged 13 - 19 who would like to try out a free masterclass with an expert arts practitioner.  To see what’s on offer, download the Festival Masterclasses brochure from here:  http://www.breezeleeds.org/pg/6/About_the_festival  To book a place, call (0113) 247 8305.

 

Finally they will be welcoming international guests from around the world on Monday 29 June. The young people are paired with local high schools, giving them the chance to work with Leeds young people on a range of activities and also learn about eachother’s lives, education and culture.

 

If you would like any other information about the festival, please call the BIYF Team on (0113) 247 8305 or visit the website.

 

If you would like to attend one of their ticketed events, please contact Ann Wishart on 0113 2478049 by Wednesday 24 June to reserve your seats.

 

NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING : TONGUE LANE

June 16th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

As part of our pedestrian crossing scheme we intend to carry out works at the above location.  The works will consist of the construction of a new zebra crossing. 

The work is planned to commence on Monday 29 June 2009. The contractor’s working hours will be from 0930 to 1530 Monday to Friday and the works will be completed in approximately 2 weeks.  

Pedestrian access will be available at all times and every effort will be made to maintain access to your property throughout the working period, however there will be occasions when access by vehicle is restricted. Your co-operation in ensuring your vehicle is not parked on the carriageway during the works would be appreciated.  

We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience and assure you that every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.  If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact The Highways Helpline on [0113] 2224410.

HIGH QUALITY TRANSPORT SYSTEM PLAN - PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

June 2nd, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

New Generation Transport (NGT) Position Statement - Date:  May 2009

Metro and Leeds City Council are working in partnership to develop a bus-based rapid transit system for Leeds known as NGT (New Generation Transport).  The NGT scheme represents a major investment in the City of Leeds aimed at providing a high quality public transport system to support the Leeds’ economy, improve the local environment and relieve congestion.  It aims, along with other transport and public transport measures, to provide a step change in the way public transport operates within the City.

Following the cancellation of the Leeds ‘Supertram’ in November 2005 by the Secretary of State for Transport, Leeds and Metro were encouraged by the Department for Transport to consider more economical and flexible bus based systems rather than a tram network.  The NGT scheme is being developed in response to this advice.  The system would transport people into Leeds City Centre and along key radial routes.  Dedicated lanes and priority at junctions would make journeys from park and ride sites at the City’s edge and key destinations faster and more reliable.

Read the rest of this entry.

MEANWOODPARK PLAYGROUND REFURBISHMENT - “TELL US WHAT YOU WANT”

June 1st, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

The children’s playground in Meanwood Park has been in need of refurbishment for a long time.

So following vigorous lobbying your local councillors are pleased to announce that money to restore the playground has been found. Your councillors have also been able to obtain extra cash to improve and expand the scheme.

Now we need you to have your say. There will be an on site consultation for children and young people to have their say on 11th June between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm at the play area.

“It has taken a long time to assemble all the money needed to progress the refurbishment so we need the future users of the playground to tell us what they want” commented Cllr Richard Harker.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - EUROPEAN MANIFESTO KEY POINTS

May 13th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

In our European manifesto Liberal Democrats pledge to:

Put money in people’s pockets with big, permanent tax cuts for ordinary people and families, funded by closing loopholes and unfair exemptions that benefit big business and the wealthy. There is a growing problem of companies and banks using offshore financial centres and other means to avoid paying their fair share in tax. This can only be stopped if EU countries co-ordinate better and are stricter at cracking down on offshore centres.

Create more jobs and chart a green road out of recession. The Liberal Democrats will work with our European neighbours to create thousands of new jobs by breaking down trade barriers across Europe and boosting support for green jobs. Liberal Democrats want to create new jobs in green industries, put money in people’s pockets from saving energy, and build a transport network we can all be proud of. We will encourage other European countries to put in place similar investments to ensure we emerge from recession stronger and greener than before.

Make banks work for us. British banks are inextricably bound up with banking systems across Europe. We must work together to keep an eye on how banks are operating across Europe and get a grip on the behaviour of credit institutions. We want more co-operation in Europe between national financial services authorities and the European Central Bank.

Catch criminals, sex offenders and terrorists. Our MEPs support greater co-operation between police forces such as the European Arrest Warrant that helps Britain swiftly bring back suspects to face justice in this country rather than wait for the old lengthy extradition procedures.

Protect privacy and human rights. We need guaranteed privacy safeguards on access to databases by police and intelligence agencies, including when access is given to non-EU countries such as the US.

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DIANA WALLIS MEP “THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO THE HONOURABLE THING…”

May 6th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

 

Local Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis, author of the European Parliament’s investigative report into the failure of Equitable Life, has today welcomed the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s follow-up report  criticising the government for sidestepping compensation for some investors in Equitable Life.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report into the near-collapse of the private pension provider identified maladministration by various government departments. Despite a government apology, she has produced a report into the response entitled Injustice Unremedied.

 

Yorkshire & the Humber Liberal Democrat Diana Wallis MEP, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, said:

“The Parliamentary Ombudsman makes just the point we have been making: that this is a screaming injustice still waiting to be remedied. It beggars belief that the Government has still issued no more than a letter to reply to our Parliament’s detailed report of hundreds of pages setting out compelling evidence of regulatory failure.

“When will this government own up? I t should do the honourable thing and compensate the losers on the basis of justice, not need, which is a measure no court of law would use as a yard-stick. the Chadwick enquiry set up the government is just a further delaying tactic and it is good that the Ombudsman had stood up and denounced it so roundly.’

 

GOVERNMENT CLIMB DOWN

April 30th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

The Government has scrapped plans to build a national database of all internet browsing, emails, phone calls and social networking activity.

 

Instead, the Government proposes to store such information with individual communications companies - which would cost the tax payer a staggering £2 billion over ten years.

 

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne said: 

“I am pleased that the Government has climbed down from the Big Brother plan for a centralised database of all our emails and phone calls. However, any legislation that requires individual communications providers to keep data on who called whom and when will need strong safeguards on access.

 

           “There has to be a careful balance between investigative powers and the right to privacy.”

 

You can read the full story on the Freedom Bill website: http://tr.im/k2kM

 

Thanks for signing up to back the Liberal Democrats’ Freedom Bill. Please do encourage other people you know to sign up to back our campaign at http://freedom.libdems.org.uk/petition/

DIANA WALLIS REGION’S BEST PERFORMING MEP

April 30th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Comment?

News Release Diana Wallis MEP, Liberal Democrat, Yorkshire & the Humber Local Liberal Democrat is region’s best performing Euro MP

According to reports in the Brussels-based English language newspaper European Voice, Diana Wallis, the Liberal Democrat Euro MP, is the region’s best performing MEP, putting her ahead of her five Labour, Conservative and UKIP colleagues in Yorkshire & the Humber. In fact, Diana Wallis, an MEP since 1999, is placed 10th out of the entire complement of 784 MEPs across 27 EU states.

The article picked up an analysis of MEPs by the website www.parlorama.eu  and is ‘based on ratings derived from a combination of attendance both at full sessions of the Parliament and Committee meetings and the number of reports, resolutions and written and oral questions’.

Diana Wallis said she was delighted that her work was recognised by an independent body:

“Currently politicians are having something of a bad press, so I am delighted to see that others think I,  at least, am doing my job properly. But really I am only doing what all Euro MPs should be doing on behalf of the people they represent.”

 

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