I have never professed to be a professional bird spotter or anything of the sort but I fear the correspondents who are writing in to Sean Wood are mistaken if they believe the buzzards they see are migrants from Cheshire. These buzzards are resident and not migrants, in fact I know where all three live as I feed and film them often.
These birds know me well, the one in the clip below is a youngster and his/her love of easy meals makes it a bit bolder than its parents. If you ever fancy seeing these buzzards to see what all the hype is about get yourself onto the horse fields in between Stockport Road and the M60. If the weather is fine you will almost certainly see one and they are a sight to behold.
5 comments:
Urban greenspace/wildlife is vitally important because of its accessibility and proximity to large population masses, also for the sense of space and the opportuntiy to experience a natural environment it provides.
The immigrant led population explosion will put increasing pressure on these oases, they must be protected.
Well done TC for your ongoing efforts to focus attention on this issue.
Being a wildlife supporter and financial contributor myself TC is indicating what a small pocket of nature exists in an area of the UK ravaged by financial degradation,so
an update of what little wildlife exists in Tameside south of Longendale is vital.
Because of the imminent Election I have no doubt the Green Vote will increase if people simply
stop and think. Just to release latest information I received today from Sandra Stewart TMBC Borough Solicitor concerning the alleged antics of a Labour Candidate the following may be of interest in the wider population of Tameside if the words are carefully perused.
..................................
However, I would point out to you that it is an illegal practice under section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 to make or publish a false statement of fact about the personal character or conduct of a candidate in order to affect the return of a candidate at an election. It is a defence to show reasonable grounds for believing that the statement was true. This provision applies both before and during an election period. The potential consequences of breaching this provision are serious. If a candidate is elected and then an election court finds them or their election agent guilty under this provision, their election shall be void. Anyone found guilty of breaching this provision may, upon summary conviction, be fined up to £5,000. Other false statements that are not about another candidate's character or conduct may not be illegal under electoral law; however, other offences such as libel and slander may cover such instances.
Therefore, if anyone believes and has evidence to support that the candidate for Longdendale, Mr Adam White has committed a criminal offence, they should report their suspicions that an offence has been committed to the Police and be prepared to substantiate this allegation through a written statement.
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J.Hall
Part2
Because of the blog length on this subject the following is also part of the Borough Solicitors response.
Returning Officers are responsible for administering the poll in their specific area. Electoral Registration Officers are responsible for maintaining accurate and complete electoral registers. The Chief Executive for Tameside is both the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer for Tameside and, the Head of Democratic Services and I are his deputies. The performance of electoral administrators is publically available on the Commissions website at: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/performance-standards/results_and_analysis/assessment. The Electoral Commission is satisfied that Tameside Council is performing above the standard in all criteria.
Of importance, Electoral administrators do not have any powers or jurisdiction to investigate either electoral offences or alleged criminal offences to substance misuse.
The law determines the standard of suitability to be an elected Councillor nationally not Tameside Council, and this provides that the criteria that disqualifies a candidate from standing or being an elected Councillor is being sentenced for a criminal offence to a term of three months imprisonment or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine five years prior to standing as a candidate - http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/141784/Part-1-Can-you-stand-for-election-LGEW.pdf refers.
J.Hall
(seems like all chess moves are well covered which allows TMBC off the hook once more in my opinion.
The Borough Solicitor states that her salary as stated is wrong.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So this national organisation is wrong Ms S Stewart TMBC Solicitor
Anonymous said...
According to the TMBC Borough Solicitor`s response to me today the following information is the present
value of allowances still being paid.
To determine who gets what requires you to check out who is on the various panels for instance,including those placed on the GMP Pension Fund.
Allowances
Current Rate (Effective April 2009)
Basic Allowance (includes consolidated allowance of £1729 to cover telephone subsistence and travel within Tameside)
£11,640
Special Responsibility Allowances
Executive Leader
£36,036
Deputy Executive Leader
£23,495
Executive Members
£20,099
Chair of Council Business
£11,269
Chair of Joint Overview Panel
£9,581
Deputy Chair of Joint Overview Panel
£3,194
Chairs of Scrutiny Panels
£9,581
Deputy Chairs of Scrutiny Panels
£3,194
Chair of Speakers Panel (Planning)
£9,581
Deputy Chair of Speakers Panel (Planning)
£3,194
Chair of Speakers Panel (Licensing)
£6,198
Deputy Chair of Speakers Panel (Licensing)
£2,307
Chair of Speakers Panel (Liquor Licensing)
£6,198
Deputy Chairs of Speakers Panel (Liquor Licensing)
£2,307
Leader of Opposition
£11,269
Assistant Executive Members
£8,352
Chairs of District Assemblies
£9,581
Deputy Chairs of District Assemblies
£3,194
Leaders of Minority Parties
£2,307
Member of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
£2,100
Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
£12,000
Vice Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
£5,400
Deputy Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
£2,600
Member of Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC)
£3,825
Chair of Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC)
£28,250
Vice Chair of TfGMC/Chair of the Sub-Committees
£14,125
Deputy Chairs of Sub-Committees (TfGMC)
£5,050
Chair of Standards Committee
£6,198
Deputy Chair of Standards Committee
£2,307
Independent members and Councillor Member of Standards Committee (if no other SRA payable to Councillors)
£1,515
Attendance at more than 5 Standards Panel hearings in a year (on top of committee meetings, training days and conferences).
£100 (for every hearing above the fifth)
Mayor
£16,397
Deputy Mayor
£3,840
Greater Manchester Pension Fund
Chair
£15,952
Deputy Chair
£7,976
Working Group Chair
£2,367
Member of Pension Fund
£1,352
Carers Allowance
Carers allowance maximum hourly rate
£5.73 (Subject to maximum of £43.02 per week)
The Council has published on its website at http://www.tameside.gov.uk/memberallowances/1011 the allowances that each individual elected member received or any claims that were made for expenses for the financial year 2010/2011.
The Scheme states at paragraph 10 that:
“The scheme of allowances is updated annually in accordance with, and on the same date as, the annual Local Government pay award.”
The Local Government Pay award last increased in 1 April 2009 and there has not been an increase since that time for the third year in succession.
Consequently for the third year in succession member’s allowances have not increased and the allowances shown above will remain the same this year as they have done so since 2009.
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I simply ask "what other part time jobs pays these rewards" ???.
J.Hall
Excellent videos TC. I was speaking to a friend who said he enjoys your wildlife videos.
John, please condense your posts. They are very difficult to read. On the subject of councillors allowances, this doesn't include any outside bodies or directorships they may have through being a councillor. For example, people who are on the board for New Charter, GMPA, GMFRS, GMPTA, GMWDA, AGMA, MIDAS... The list goes on... This is where the big bucks come into play and you, the taxpayer are forking out for this lifestyle.
Councillors like to pontificate over what bodies they can get themselves on to. Whether it be for the money, or that nice trip to Switzerland for the European Fire Safety Awards. This business is all very shady and needs to be exposed and be made more transparent.
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