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  1. Published on: 21/09/2017 07:59 AMReported by: roving-eye
    Park campaigners' are demanding Sefton Council looks into how they were treated at last night's Southport Area Committee after angry scenes at the meeting.

    The Ovington Drive/Kew Woods playground campaigners say they were rounded upon and shouted at by councillors at the meeting including its Chair, Richard Hands.



    Cllr Hands seated in the chair and Cllr Fred Weavers standing.

    They say the problems began when their own ward councillor, Fred Weavers, responded to their question by repeatedly pointing his finger at them during his reply and escalated when he and several of his fellow Lib-Dem councillors began berating the campaigners including Councillor Hands.

    Audience members at the meeting felt forced to interject and defend the park protestors demanding that the shouting stop and that the park campaigners be treated with respect. Councillor Hands later apologised to the women after initially claiming he simply had a sore throat.

    Diane Thomas, one of the Key Woods Playground campaigners, said she felt "under attack" for asking a simple question regarding the playground which was on the agenda:

    "Sefton has made a very generous offer to keep the playground open if the Kew Ward Councillors will contribute £20,000 of ward funds to the estimated £50,000 cost of replacing the park equipment. Kew's councillors have years of unused funds sitting there. I simply asked will they release the funds and if so when but then came under attack for doing so."

    Her fellow campaigner Nat Glennon agreed,
    "It was astonishing, one after another those councillors and their colleagues did not just disagree with Diane or attempt to explain, they went for her. The Chair of the meeting was shouting at her until others from the floor of the meeting told him to stop it, he then tried to claim he simply had a sore throat but later apologised claiming he hadn't meant to do so, it was appalling to watch."

    Local mum Diane continued,
    "It was very intimidating and I fluffed my supplementary question because I wasn't expecting such an aggressive response. They tried to deny they had misled people during our campaign but we know they have done exactly that. After seeing them wholeheartedly endorsing a cycle path scheme and then treating us in that fashion I'm disgusted by the Kew Ward Councillors."

    A petition with 145 signatures for a proposed cycle path was also presented to the meeting by Sea Cadets. It was endorsed by Councillor Weavers and fully supported by his colleagues despite there being no costings available and the land to be used not belonging to the council.

    The campaigners though point out that their playground already exists, has an estimate of cost and does belong to Sefton but they could receive no assurance that the ward funds required would be released.

    For Diane it was proof of what they had long suspected:
    "We were worried that the Lib-Dem councillors were preferring their own cycle project, which does not yet exist and just paying lip service to our campaign; after being subjected to what felt like bullying we are more convinced than ever."

    Councillor Weavers and his colleagues told the campaigners that they didn't have details from Sefton Council regarding the matter and he insisted that "we're doing a good job".

    Of the 11 Southport councillors who responded to the park issues raised, only Norwood Councillors Bill and Marianne Welsh spoke in defence of the park campaigners concerns, while Dukes Ward Councillor David Barton offered his assistance as an intermediary.

    Marianne Welsh told the meeting:
    "Kew Councillors continually have a massive amount in their pot and they are not spending it in their community.Those children need that playground, they want it and they should have that money."

    Kew estate resident. Jim Blackburne, felt the way the meeting was handled left a lot to be desired:

    "I couldn't believe that local residents would be treated like that, it was nothing short of a concerted attempt at browbeating two young mums who had the temerity to question why their campaign wasn't getting the support they hoped it would from their ward councillors."

    For Nat and Dianne, it was an experience never to be repeated:

    "I'm glad it was just Dianne asking the question and me there for support, I don't think we'd go back, what's the point if they treat you like that?" asked Nat Glennon.

    Diane Thomas agreed and confirmed a complaint will be made:

    "Ironically, they were later discussing proposals to close the Southport Area Committee, after being subjected to that I'd say anything else would be preferable. That wasn't local democracy, it felt like abuse of power and we will be complaining to Sefton Council about the way we were treated by our local councillors."

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    Your Comments:


  3. pentire says:21/09/2017 08:10 AM
    Fred Weavers and Richard Hands should be ashamed of themselves for the disgraceful was they behaved last night.

  4. cotton man says:21/09/2017 08:25 AM
    Well you know what to do t the next local elections, put your x elsewhere and get rid of them.

  5. Bossnut says:21/09/2017 09:15 AM
    When a young mum has to come to a council meeting to beg for money (that is already available) for a park, you know your system of community power has failed.

    These councillors should write a letter of apology to this wonderful group who are campaining for Kew park and enclose the cheque.

    There needs to be a change across the Town and remove the councillors who don't listen and replace with those that do.

    When I say "listen" I mean THEY SHOULD DO AS THE COMMUNITY ASK.

  6. oldduffer says:21/09/2017 09:42 AM
    Since I did not attend I can only surmise about the behaviour of our esteemed local representatives; but it sounds pretty appalling if what we read is an accurate transcription of the proceedings last night.

    Oh, just by the way; can anyone possibly enlighten me as to why a certain suspended member of the council was present at this, or any other proceedings for that matter?

  7. Mr. Brightside says:21/09/2017 11:19 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by oldduffer View Post

    Oh, just by the way; can anyone possibly enlighten me as to why a certain suspended member of the council was present at this, or any other proceedings for that matter?
    If you mean David Barton.
    Because he is still an elected councillor
    Because he is innocent until proven guilty (and the charges are not related to council business).
    He is only suspended from the Conservative Party not suspended as a councillor

  8. dav says:21/09/2017 12:06 PM
    Another article that looks like a Labour election leaflet. We're being played, people.

  9. silver fox says:21/09/2017 12:18 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dav View Post
    Another article that looks like a Labour election leaflet. We're being played, people.
    Yes we are being played, by councillors wishing to use public funds for their own pet projects instead of their ward residents, who also clearly don't like or even think that their actions should be questioned, put it to the residents, would they prefer the playground or a theoretical cycle track, Weaver and his cohorts should take note.

  10. Gwhizz says:21/09/2017 02:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dav View Post
    Another article that looks like a Labour election leaflet. We're being played, people.
    Perhaps you could try reading the campaigners' previous statement (just below) to see what they have been facing or how about just this post after the area committee meeting last night
    "Wow! That was an experience.........
    Unfortunately due to all the yelling (and aggressive finger pointing) from the chair person and councillor Weavers, I'm afraid to say we didn't really digest too much information....
    Will try and update tomorrow at some point when we've calmed down....."

    https://www.facebook.com/kewplaygrou...08660412571542

  11. Bossnut says:21/09/2017 03:00 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dav View Post
    Another article that looks like a Labour election leaflet. We're being played, people.
    I heard about what happened at the meeting last night from a Liberal Democrat friend who was there and is absolutely furious. From what they told me, the report above sounds pretty correct. People need to think about the reason they are in the elected positions and who they report to.

  12. Mr. Brightside says:21/09/2017 04:01 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dav View Post
    Another article that looks like a Labour election leaflet. We're being played, people.
    Makes a change from all the articles that are Lib Dem press releases.

  13. Seashells&sand says:21/09/2017 05:27 PM
    Several years ago I attended such a meeting to address the speed humps to be installed through Crossens. It was the most undemocratic event I have ever witnessed, I was shocked. This report doesn't surprise me at all. The rudeness and unwillingness to listen on that occasion came from came from both labour and lib dems.

  14. Username2016 says:21/09/2017 05:55 PM
    I think our councillors should remind themselves of their role:

    https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support...uncillors-role

    They represent us, not themselves or their little clubs and would’ve thought their “leader” would control them

    As for “bullying”, is there an endemic issue especially on their patch as in the wider Sefton success is nil:

    http://www.champnews.com/html/newsst...0#.WcPwPR3TWEc

    http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/ne...-troll-6599215

    This one doesn’t look like a constructive chat:


    Notwithstanding is prasnee a councillor jumping on anyone who disagrees with the lib smokescreen or the anonymous press releases to discredit other parties.

    We’re paying for this nonsense and don’t see how anyone can think this band of councillors work for our best interest.

  15. Seashells&sand says:21/09/2017 06:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Username2016 View Post
    I think our councillors should remind themselves of their role:

    https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support...uncillors-role

    They represent us, not themselves or their little clubs and would’ve thought their “leader” would control them

    As for “bullying”, is there an endemic issue especially on their patch as in the wider Sefton success is nil:

    http://www.champnews.com/html/newsst...0#.WcPwPR3TWEc

    http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/ne...-troll-6599215

    This one doesn’t look like a constructive chat:


    Notwithstanding is prasnee a councillor jumping on anyone who disagrees with the lib smokescreen or the anonymous press releases to discredit other parties.

    We’re paying for this nonsense and don’t see how anyone can think this band of councillors work for our best interest.
    All this is becoming quite worrying. No wonder Southport is in such a downward spiral...we need a BIG change.

  16. Username2016 says:21/09/2017 06:48 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Seashells&sand View Post
    All this is becoming quite worrying. No wonder Southport is in such a downward spiral...we need a BIG change.
    Feels like it’s gone on a while as that photo isn’t recent but what’s worrying/frustrating is that our more publicity hungry councillors thinks it’s ok and within acceptable standards to:

    1) berate residents in meetings if they disagree with them
    2) post articles that really should say “party political broadcast” to spin against other parties when in reality it’s just a smokescreen for how ineffective they’ve been...I don’t want people saying it’s always someone else’s fault, I want people to work together for positive change
    3) constantly be at war with the wider council/other parties and expect for the town to benefit
    4) post on political stories anonymously without making it clear they are a political representative, some councils bar that as unacceptable
    5) rather than focusing on what people are trying to do for the town their best argument is “but they’re not local”

    Need a massive change as our current incumbent think the above is ok and in our best interests. The libs have had decades to prove their worth but it’s very hard to list exactly what they’ve done.

    At least the seagulls in Southport when they fly around making noise and pooing on everything fly away eventually!



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