Stockport Council News

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/18/st-georges-day-bid-to-ban-roses-at-stockport-market-before-elect/

“Marple Independent

13th April 2016

For: Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Mill Brow and Compstall

Hello, Marple North Electorate.

My name is Kevin Dowling.

I am the proprietor of The Springfield Hotel, one of the oldest (established 1971) businesses in Marple. I live, work and spend most of my time in Marple, a community I recognize, am committed to and care about. From May 2011, until May 2015, I was a Liberal Democrat Councillor for Marple South. I have resigned from the Liberal Democrat Party and at the forthcoming local elections, scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 5th 2016, I will be standing as an Independent Candidate for Marple North, which is the Electoral Ward where we all live, the one wherein we have the vote.

As an Independent Candidate, I have no affiliation to any political party.

As a former Councillor I have seen how party politics consistently stifles local government, how it devours the time and energy of our locally elected representatives, how they can become enslaved by National Party dogma, occupied with issues that they can have no influence over whatsoever, issues that they were not elected to give their time to. Often this serves to distract them and sometimes even detach them completely from local matters, matters that they were elected to give their time to. I have concluded that as a councillor, there is no way out of this situation as long as you are a member of a political party. This observation though, is a criticism of the party system in local government and not of any person.

Local Councillors should be concerned with and dedicated to local issues.

Although wider issues can impact locally, and Local Councillors should be in touch with these, Marple Councillors should primarily be dedicated to Marple matters. We only have to take a quick glance at some of the ‘motions’ that are proposed for council. These motions take up hours of preparation, sometimes days. This preparation is then followed by hours of debating time, at Full Council Meetings. These motions are often irrelevant to the whole of Stockport let alone our local community in Marple. My policy is a simple, all-encompassing one. I will dedicate my time and office to being a Marple North Councillor and focus on issues that matter to the local community.

Issues such as; Vehicular traffic congestion, parking, school places, public realm, transport, affordable housing and more.

It is not my intention to bombard you every few days between now and the election with repetitive leaflets, giving the same old message, telling you who can win this election, who can’t and why. Therefore, this letter will be the only written communication you will receive from me during this campaign.

It would, I believe, be a fantastic result for democracy, Marple in general and Marple North in particular, if an Independent candidate actually won this time, instead of representatives of the same old parties.

Myself and the current, small band of supporters I have, believe that there is support for Politically Independent Representation in Marple. Support for councillors whose prime objective is to use their time and office in the preservation and development of Marple North. Preservation and development which is in the best interests and wishes of the Local Community.

Marple has not in a long time (if ever) had the opportunity to consider an Independent candidate, so I present this opportunity before you. I would not presume, as others have done and are still doing, to tell you who you should vote for. I will be completely advised on the future of my independent candidacy by your actions at the 2016 ballot box.

Every single vote for Marple Independent Kevin Dowling on Thursday, May 5th 2016, counts towards the future of Marple – it’s now up to us.

THANK YOU

Kevin Dowling tel: 07876 568 902

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b076q26b/sunday-politics-north-west-17042016

Email sent – 15 April 2016

Subject:
Misconnections in Cheadle Hulme

Dear HRT,

I comment around the disgraceful condition of Micker Brook and tributaries as
follows;

I’m aware and have already spoken at length with Caroline Riley around tests
done 14/11/14 and have spoken with public health at SMBC. I’m monitoring
visible sewerage toilet products which appear on each heavy rainfall and in my
view are coming from the sewer overflow at Ladybridge Rd.

Three years ago I walked the two combined sewers there on (both now pumped to
increase flow it seems) opening manholes. Flow rates on a hot dry day were
alarmingly at 70% rather than the 19/20% I understood from engineer were
expected. Certainly the estate sewer in my garden bears evidence of high flow
rates preventing exit to trunk sewer and suspended solids dropping to base
blocking the chambers here and upline.

Certainly the sheer amount of filth present on strand line of river suggests
regular overflow is occurring. Similarly holding tanks are possibly engaged
therein as tankers have been reported on 7 arches vicinity. In 26 years local
residency I’ve never seen it so bad as currently presents and heavy rainfall in
my view is leading to activation of overflows as sewers are inadequate.

Persimmon Homes are expecting to build many homes at Midland Rd tip land
already subject to 2 Sec of State enquiries due to pollution and UU have
refused to accept surface water to sewer it being so polluted. Chemicals filth
and substances are therefore freely draining to the culvert exiting at Warwick
bridge with an expectation of greater increased flow as sustainable drainage
from tips area isn’t allowed, rather they must limit all water carrying
leachate.

I attach a link to the SOS outcomes and refer you specifically to sections 59
to 65 and 89 to 94 where any suggestion this isn’t real is eliminated.
Furthermore in the absence of sewers on the tipped land a septic tank is
operating under licence from UU at brickworks land. Over ten years ago tip
leachate was found at 135 times accepted for drinking water standards in the
aquifer therein supplying local boreholes metered by UU and 25% of UK supplies.
What efforts have been made to protect public health since that report of
August 2006?

I submit therefore the filth obvious and leachate not so, are not new problems
and due to Riparian responsibilities arising from Water Act 2010 HRT has been
drafted in due to detections within River Mersey purely as a defence mechanism
should any successful prosecutions arise so the founders are seen to be
tackling the problem. That alone hasn’t solved the ongoing problems however.

What progress has been made since your multiple testing 14th November 2014 please?
Have you examined, reported upon and worked either alone or in collaboration
around filth in Micker Brook and tributaries,Chorlton Brook and tributaries,
River Mersey from storm overflows and tipped areas? Can I please make an
appointment to view the methodology and findings therein?

To perhaps assist further I attach recent shots of debris and a link to Sec of
State matters around tip. Thank you for trying to make a difference in our
environment and I look forward to hearing further from you.

Best wishes

XXXXXX