Progressive News
OUR VOW TO CARRY ON
Despite the recent loss of our remaining council seats and a dwindling membership our remaining members agreed at our annual general meeting to continue the work of the Progressives, with an action plan for the future.
The AGM also saw changes to the management of our organisation. Since the death of our leader Jim Capstick in February this year Enid Hetherington has been interim leader and her appointment was confirmed as new leader for the association. Enid has given up her role as Chairman of the association and Paul Walker has been appointed as the new Chairman. Sabrae Brown also joins the management team as an executive member with Lilian Milne remaining as Secretary and Marjorie Robinson as Treasurer.
As for the future we firmly believe that there is a place for our brand of politics in South Tyneside dealing with issues independently based on local opinion and needs and not been dictated to by national politics. Especially more so now that national politics is at an all time low. Our priorities for the future include membership recruitment, promoting ourselves more and developing real alternative policies on key issues for South Tyneside. These policies will be the foundation and basis for our future election campaigns. We are really positive that we can have a sustainable future and continue the long-standing work of the Progressives. Any new members joining us now will be able to play a key role in developing our future strategy.
A date and venue has not yet been arranged but we have provisionally scheduled an open evening which will include a presentation on how we intend to take things forward. However, to find out more about our future plans and directions you can read about the development of our new policies Click Here
WE ARE DOWN BUT NOT OUT
The local government elections held in South Tyneside on Thursday 3rd May 2012 was a devastating blow to all opposition groups in the borough, including ourselves. Labour made huge gains and increased it's presence on the council from 38 to 48 members at the expense of the opposition now reduced to only 6 members.
As for the Progressives position in the election; Cllr Enid Hetherington our last remaining progressive councillor (following the death of our leader in February), lost her seat after 14 years of valuable and sterling commitment and work for the residents of the West Park ward. We just hope that local residents in this ward will discover what a miss her presence will be when they realise that there three local labour councillors will let the area down.
Marjorie Robinson was hoping to continue the Progressive presence and succeed the late Cllr Jim Capstick as the councillor for Harton ward. However, again we failed to secure victory in this ward. In Westoe first time Progressive candidate Paul Walker was beaten into fourth position in the poll.
So for only the second time in our 62 year history we do not have councillors on the local authority and cannot correct this situation until 2014 when the next elections are scheduled. Our local evening newspaper the Shields Gazette quoted in it's election coverage that South Tyneside Progressives were facing 'extinction'. This could not be further from the truth.
Yes, we are devastated at this situation and it is a huge blow to our organisation. We are 'down but not out'. Membership and support of the Progressives is at a low level at present but we are far from extinction. The next two years will give us time to focus on and develop our membership, support and presence in the borough and in 2014 will come back as strong as ever. Although we may no longer have representatives in the council chamber we will still be strongly lobbying the labour group on various issues effecting residents of the borough. One of the first stages in this process will be to hold an open presentation meeting in the not too distant future to explain our plans for the future. We fundamentally believe that there is a place for our brand of politics of dealing with issues locally rather than bringing national party politics and policies into the equation. That is why we will continue and will build upon our strengths to be stronger than ever.
If you want to read the full results of the wards that we contested and personal messages from our candidates Click Here
LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2012 OFFICIALLY STARTS
Today marks the official start of the on-foot campaign for the local elections on Thursday May 3rd.
Over the next few weeks our candidates and supporters will be heading out across the streets of West Park, Harton and Westoe delivering our election leaflets and talking to local residents about issues that concern them.
If you live in either of those wards look out for election literature coming through your door. Hoping that on or before May 3rd if you have a postal vote, that you will give us your support and vote Progressive.
ADDITIONAL CANDIDATE ENTERS THE FRAME FOR SOUTH TYNESIDE PROGRESSIVES
Lunchtime today saw the close of nominations for candidates for the local elections in South Tyneside. At the close of nominations we have added another candidate who is standing on behalf of the progressives. 39 year old Paul Walker will now be contesting the Westoe ward on behalf of the Progressives. You can find out more about him and his election campaign by Clicking Here. So this means, this year we will now be contesting three seats for the council; Enid Hetherington in West Park, Marjorie Robinson in Harton and now Paul Walker in Westoe. Go the Elections Index to find out all about our 2012 campaigns.
SOUTH TYNESIDE PROGRESSIVES GOES LIVE ON FACEBOOK
Today marks the launch of the South Tyneside Progressives new page on Facebook. The specific aims of this page will be to keep people up to date with forthcoming events, meetings and election campaigns. Another key aspect why we are using this social network tool is to provide up to date news of what is happening within our organisation, as well as wards and areas of the borough. To view the page visit; http://www.facebook.com/SouthTynesideProgressives
TRIBUTES AS OUR ASSOCIATION LEADER PASSES AWAY
Since reporting in January that Cllr Jim Capstick the leader of the association was due to retire in May this year, Unfortunately earlier this morning he died.
For more information on this story and a profile of Jim's service>> Click Here
THE PROGRESSIVE CHOICE FOR HARTON IN 2012
Marjorie is delighted to have been selected as progressive candidate for the ward, and if elected her priority is to deal with issues from residents of Harton foremost. No politician can make promises that they can always have the answer, Marjorie being no exception to this. However, she does give the commitment that she will always listen, advise and support to the best of her abilities any resident issue that comes her way. If elected Marjorie also hopes to carry out her duties with the same enthusiasm as Jim.
Marjorie already has some ideas of issues that are of concern in the ward, knows the ward and is in the ward on a daily basis. Such issues as overgrown hedges on estates, anti-social behaviour in certain areas, parking problems, traffic safety issues and concerns over housing. Nearer to election time her campaign will focus on the greatest areas of concern and suggest possible solutions that she hopes to take forward.
THE PROGRESSIVE CHOICE FOR WEST PARK IN 2012
There are many current issues, developments and future projects that Cllr Hetherington has been involved with such as;
- After many years of lobbying and work by progressive councillors the bungalows on West way have finally been demolished. The land to be landscaped until a future long-term solution is found.
- Following concerns from local residents and after consultation with them traffic calming measures have been introduced in the past year to Ravensworth Terrace; in line with the wishes of the residents for such a scheme.
- On of the continual aims of Cllr Hetherington is to ensure a fencing scheme is introduced around the West Park as well as some new public seating to the tennis courts area of the park. At present the tennis courts are actually been resurfaced via funding from the community area forum.
- The old West Park Lodge within the park is a continual issue. Cllr Hetherington is working towards securing a speedy and final solution for this site with the owners of the premises at present.
- There have been many issues of concern regarding the general environment of Wolsey Court. Following approach to Cllr Hetherington work has now begun on a general estate management tidy-up scheme for the area.
Enid is always ready to help, advise and support West Park residents and hopes that on May 3rd she is re-elected so that she can continue to represent the local community.
JIM TO BOW OUT AFTER OVER 40 YEARS OF LOCAL SERVICE
First elected originally to the old South Shields County Borough Council in 1967 Jim has served as a councillor for three areas of the borough in his time and at present is one of the members for the Harton ward.
In recognition of his continued commitment and service as a councillor Jim was honoured and delighted to be recently awarded the highest honour that the council can bestow with a freedom of the borough award. This freemanship awarded with the cross-party support from all political groups within the town hall to be the first sitting councillor awarded this high honour.
Jim's early career was as a member for the Cleadon Park ward before serving as member for West Park. Becoming leader of the association in the early 1980's. With a one year break from the council in the 90's he regained his seat and continued in West Park until council ward re-organisation saw him switch to represent the Harton Ward in 2004. The ward in which he lives. However, in May this year Jim will not be standing for re-election and will be retiring from the council.
The association will also miss "gentleman Jim" for his presence, steady influence and sense of humour. We wish him well in his retirement.
