HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Labour Councillors Sue Murphy, Sue Cooley and Glyn Evans , along with the rest of the Brooklands Labour Team ,would like to wish all residents a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year !!

OFF ROAD!! - FOREVER!!

Last Friday, Brooklands Labour Councillors Sue Murphy (pictured left) and Sue Cooley took part in a bike crushing event to warn parents not to buy off road bikes for Christmas.

They have been working with Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police alongside other partner agencies and residents to rid the streets of dangerous and illegal off-road bikes and they're stepping up that work as Part of the Keep Christmas Happy Campaign.

Sue Murphy said: "Residents regularly raise the issue of the noise and nuisance of illegal off-road bikes,and we wanted to warn parents that if they buy these bikes for Christmas presents and they're ridden illegally they could be confiscated and crushed. We hope the bike crushing will drive home the message that there are no public places in Manchester where off road bikes can be ridden legally"

Sue Cooley added “These bikes are noisy, disruptive and dangerous. Together with the police, we are working to get them off the streets and open spaces of Manchester and we would urge parents not to buy them as Christmas presents. Most people have got the message that there is nowhere in the city to ride off road bikes – it is illegal to ride them in parks, open spaces, on the streets or on pavements in every part of the city - but there are some who are still flouting the law. Any motor bike that is being ridden on the road without being taxed and insured is illegal. "

Your Labour Team are working hard to make sure that we remove them from the streets.

YOUTH CLUB - UNDERWAY AT LAST

Earlier this year, local Labour Councillors along with Paul Goggins MP were delighted to be asked to be part of a ceremony to mark the beginning of building a new Youth Club in Northern Moor. It’s a replacement for Norbrook Boys and Girls Club, which is being demolished to make way for the Metrolink line.

Councillor Sue Murphy said:

‘Volunteers and people involved with Norbrook have worked hard to try to provide activities for young people in a poor quality building, and the new building will mean more and better things for young people. Local people have told us one of their top priorities is more for young people to do – especially at night and weekends – and we’re still going to be campaigning for even more facilities right across Brooklands, Baguley and Northern Moor.^

SUPPORTING ACTION ON CARBON EMMISSIONS

Following on from our earlier blog post, Friends of the Earth visited the Brooklands Labour Councillors at their advice surgery.

They brought postcards that local residents have signed, asking us to put pressure on the City Council to reduce CO2 emmissions. After speaking to Ali from FoE, we're going to make sure that we do our bit to press for a 40% reduction target.

Sue Murphy said: 'The council have already signed up to the 10:10 campaignto reduce carbon emmissions by 10% next year - and we think they should go even further. We're pleased to support Friends of the Earth and their campaign. It's good that so many local people took time to let us know how strongly they feel about this.'

THIS TIME THE SUN SHONE

If there is one thing you can rely on in this country it is the unreliability of the weather. Last Saturday we were out and about talking to residents on Brooklands estate in the rain, this week it was mild and with lovely sunshine. Councillor Sue Murphy said;

"We met a lot of residents this week and were able to listen to their points of view and ideas to improve the area. My fellow councillors Sue and Glyn and I will be taking up the issues people raised with us and hopefully we will see some progress on things people are concerned about. "

Sue added , " The only way we can really properly represent the people round here is to listen to what they say, and that is what we do."

If we missed you on Saturday and you want to get in touch with us then contact Sue Murphy at cllr.s.murphy@manchester.gov.uk

NORTHERN MOOR ON T'INTERNET

A new website has been launched for Northern Moor.

The site is primarily for the many "not for profit" organisations that serve the local community. It serves as a Community Noticeboard, where you can find details of regular activities or special events, read a blog, or start your own.

Local Labour councillor Sue Murphy said,

"This is a much needed and exciting development which I urge residents to use.This is another example of the fantastic community spirit that exists in Northern Moor and myself and my fellow Labour councillors are committed to keep working to make the area even better"

The address of the website is www.northernmoor.org

CANVASSING IN THE RAIN

A rainy Saturday morning was probably not the best time to do a residents survey on Brooklands estate but thats what we did. Councillor Sue Murphy and Paul Goggins MP along with the Brooklands Labour Team were out knocking on doors and talking to residents. I think some of them thought we were a bit odd doing it in the rain but you could say that if you don't do things in the rain in this country then you wouldn't do very much!!

Lots of interesting conversations with people. A range of subjects discussed and by the time we were done it had stopped raining.

If we missed you and you want to contact Sue then email her at cllr.s.murphy@manchester.gov.uk or email this blog and we will reply as soon as possible. You can email the blog on brooklandslabour@hotmail.co.uk

PETROL STATION ON ALTRINCHAM ROAD - ACTION DEMANDED

Sue Murphy the Labour councillor for Brooklands Ward said "

We've had a lot of complaints about the derelict petrol station on Altirincham Road. The site had been sold for retail units, but it looks as if it's going to be a while before they are built. So, we've asked for immediate action - and got agreement that the petrol station will be demolished before the building work starts. That way if there's a delay at least the site will look better.

Sue Murphy added 'It's a real eyesore, and because it's on the main road looks even worse. We've pushed for the site to be demolished and cleared and for that to happen as soon as possible, even if building work isn't going to start for a while.'

The picture shows Brooklands Labour councillors Sue Murphy, Glynn Evans and Sue Cooley at the site of the derleict petrol station.

NORTHERN MOOR SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

It's been a very busy week in Northern Moor. The pre-programme publicity for 'The Duchess on the Estate', which painted Northern Moor as dirty, crime-ridden and full of hoodies and thugs made local people very angry.

The three Labour Councillors took part in a public meeting, and helped residents organise a protest on the day the first part of the programme went out.

More than 200 people came to show what Northern Moor is really like - and to prove that community spirit is alive and well.

The next day, Allan Beswick of Radio Manchester broadcast his three hour breakfast show from Sale Circle, and the two Sues (Councillors Sue Cooley and Sue Murphy) were interviewed. Sue Cooley said 'Just before we went on air I had a brain wave. I thought that if the BBC could give us cameras, we could make our own film that showed people what Northern Moor is really like. So I was cheeky and asked Allan live on air. And he agreed!'

Then followed five hectic days of filming - with the help of Radio Manchester. The film we made was showcased at The Manchester College on Tuesday morning.Speaking after the film was shown, Sue Murphy said 'The film showed the Northern Moor I know - a strong community, with local people prepared to work hard to make their area a better place. I'm glad the BBC agreed - and gave us the chance to stand up for local people and our area.'

You can see the films by clicking here

BROOKLANDS SUMMER FAIR

Brooklands had a Summer Fair on the 8th August and all three of the Brooklands Labour councillors were there to join in the fun. The event was a roaring success and very well attended. It was blessed with good weather and opened by the lovely "Molly" off Cornonation Street who stayed for ages, signing autographs, having her pic taken and chatting to people.

Events varied from bands to hook-a-duck.

Bouncy castles were popular with the little ones and there was even ferret racing!

On a more serious note, local Labour councillor Sue Murphy took time out from the fun to recieve a petition from Friends of The Earth demanding action on climate change (pictured).

Sue said" The event was a big success and thanks should go to all the organisers and volunteers who have done a fantastic job."