SEVERAL ‘Mailbag’ contributors of late have commented on Liberal Democrat misrepresentations on certain issues, especially with regard to the Local Development Framework and green belt land.
Here are another two examples of Liberal Democrat amnesia, at best – or, at worst, downright misleading claims.
In a leaflet delivered in Lindley they claim Lib Dem Permit Parking Victory. The Lib Dem proposal to resolve the issue of permit parking was to make the ludicrous suggestion that Huddersfield Royal Infirmary foot the bill.
This, of course, never came to pass. Any ‘victory’ was that fairness and common sense prevailed due to the pressure brought to bear on the council by many individuals. On this case, Kirklees made the rare, but right, decision.
The leaflet then goes on to state ‘Labour push through Lindley Moor plans.’
Those of us who have followed this saga closely know that on the second vote the planning committee had on this issue it was a Lib Dem councillor who flipped’ her vote and sided with the Labour and Independent councillors to approve the application for the data centre and 294 houses.
Little wonder they are laughing in the polls. Lindley rejected a Lib Dem councillor last year. There is another election in May.
DEMOCRAT
Lindley
Holmfirth a ghost town
If Tesco gets the go-ahead, Holmfirth could become a ghost town. Already we have a large number of charity shops and surely there’s a limit to how many of these any small town can sustain.
Some local businesses would be bound to fail , causing the death of much that is valuable in Holmfirth, since many owners of local businesses sponsor the festivals and other attractions that make the town so special.
Just as great a threat is posed by the huge increase in all kinds of traffic near Holmfirth High School. Added to the danger of serious accidents would be the destructive effect from traffic and light pollution on what is essentially a residential area.
Minor roads would certainly become rat-runs for customers and even for huge delivery vehicles.
Job creation is always the cry of big companies wishing to become even bigger, but the claim is often unjustified. Even checkouts are now becoming automated!
It’s highly likely that any new jobs would prove to be fewer in number than those destroyed by this unwise development.
Clare Druce
Holmfirth
Keep Tesco out
TESCO are doing in Holmfirth what they always do.
Having been rejected once by local people – hundreds of whom wrote to the council expressing their opposition – they return with another application and refuse to take no for an answer.
They have done this all over the British Isles. For them might is right and they are not in the least concerned about local concerns as they never need to be.Š
A look at the Tescopoly website, which monitors the activities of this juggernaut, shows clearly their track record of wearing down opposition in every attractive market town in the land. What’s more, having gained permission to build, they will often expand on the original site.
Tesco’s claim that the centre of Holmfirth will benefit from their presence is extraordinary. The proposed site up Station Road is at a distance that will prevent shoppers there popping into the centre. By the time they have shopped, walked down, visited shops and walked back up the hill again their parking time will have over run.
TescoŠ thereforeŠ poses a real danger to the town’s tradespeople.
By contrast,Š the present Co-op has not undermined other shops as its proximity to the centre means that its customers frequently visit them after a trip to the supermarket.Š
Station Road is a busy road, very often backed up with traffic when (as is often the case) there is congestion in Holmfirth centre.
It is also a road used by hundreds of school children.
A Tesco at the proposed site will merely add dramatically to the congestion and to the danger to children.Š
Harrogate eventually, after holding out for years, gave in to Tesco. Holmfirth should stand firm and refuse to be bought off.
Susan Clark
Holmfirth
Refuse to pay
IF people feel aggrieved that they have been unfairly fined for parking in a private car park (Mailbag, February 4) they should simply refuse to pay.
At the present time (the law may change later in the year) these fines are virtuallyŠunenforceable.
Action can only be taken against the driver at the time the ‘offence’ was committed and the registered keeper is under no legal obligation to provide this information.
Although the correspondence may attempt to simulate a Penalty Charge Notice, the claim for payment is under contract law and if the ‘offender’ has not seen the notice in the car park, they have clearly not agreed to the terms and conditions of theŠcontract.
Of course, if the driver has been issued with the fine for parking in a disabled space, they should pay immediately.
ŠLewis Rich
Fixby
£90 for cream tea
THIS was not at the Ritz or Savoy, but Dunhelm Mills Cafe.
I took my sister-in-law who is 82 to Dunhelm and Poundstretcher, but took longer than the two hours by 12 minutes.
Unfortunately we had to keep having a rest as she has had a knee replacement recently. We both bought items in both stores and paid cash. If we had still got the receipts we could appeal. If we had paid by cardŠwe would have had the proof as we keep those receipts.
So be warned the camera is watching you in and out.
BD
KIRKHEATON
Uncomfortable buses
I TRAVELLED from Harrogate to Leeds on a No 36 service.
The bus was warm, the seats were comfortable, there was little noise from the engine and it was not a bumpy ride. Then I transferred to a First bus to Huddersfield.
It was cold, the seats were uncomfortable, the seats rattled and there was a terrible noise from the engine and elsewhere.
While I am in a complaining mood, can’t we have wooden seats in the bus station?
I am 69 years old. For the last 20 years I have had to place a newspaper on the seats. Now we have banned smoking there is no fire risk to having wooden seats.
Plain unpainted seats with a coating of Thomson’s water-seal to repel moisture and to make for easier cleaning, a wipe over and even outside they dry within minutes after it rains.
JOHN BAXENDALE
Lockwood
Don’t pay for rebanding
I WAS surprised the Examiner gave publicity to Mr Henry from Re:Band.
He has been convicted of unfair commercial practices and his company deserves to fail.
Many people were led on to pay him £150 or more to get a lower Council Tax banding and few have succeeded.
If you know that neighbours in nearly identical homes are in a lower Council Tax band than yourself you can ask the Valuation Office to do a revaluation at no cost to you. The banding of all homes is open and can be inspected. You can find out the Council Tax bands of every home on your street using http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0If you have a good case for rebanding you should take it directly to the Valuation Office at 60 Crown Street, Halifax, or ring them on 03000 501 50. Don’t use Mr Henry.
Jeremy Cuss
Golcar
Rebanding and refunds
I READ ‘I’m not trying to hide, we’ve make errors and have been punished for them …’ Examiner Saturday 4 February 2012 with mounting unhappiness.
Mr Henry tells your readers in this article that ‘we have missed three customers out of the 265 who have asked for a refund’ but omits to tell us how many of those asking for a refund have actually received their money back.
On one private housing estate in my ward of Golcar I have been approached by a number of Mr Henry’s clients who have been told by the Valuation Office that their homes are in the correct Council Tax Band.
They have then requested the refund that Mr Henry’s company promised but without success! These people are mainly pensioners.
They need this money but have been told time and time again when they have rung the new Re:Band that they will receive their cheques shortly.
Just how long is Mr Henry intending to make these clients wait?
Before I became a councillor I worked for Kirklees in the Council Tax department so I could see that many of the people who approached me never had a hope of having their council tax reduced.
Mr Henry should have advised these home-owners the same way. Š
Come on Mr Henry, come clean and pay back those who are asking for refund now and stop putting your customers off with empty promises.
Clr Hilary Richards
Golcar
