A plague of rats
This newsletter starts as it means to go on, picking an issue that residents do care about, and writing a story full of shoddy claims unsupported by evidence.
We do have a rat problem at the moment. But just a little bit of internet searching reveals that this problem is very widespread – the whole of the UK and most of Europe is seeing a rise in rat populations. The main culprit? Global warming – shorter frosts, and warmer average temperatures mean that more rats are surviving and breeding through the winter months, meaning populations are growing.
Is that where “Focus Editor” Fiona Punchard points her finger? No, she claims that the “surging rat population… can only mean that they are finding more food to eat here than in other areas”. Which might make sense if she were sharing evidence that Ouseburn is suffering more than other areas of the north east – but actually, there isn’t any [cite reference]
She goes on to blame overflowing bins at student halls and the back lanes of Heaton (I think she means you, students!) for this rat-friendly feast. Well, let’s cast our minds back shall we, and recall why the Council was forced to cut waste collection budgets… oh yes, it was the Tory/Lib Dem austerity coalition of 2010 wasn’t it. Good to be reminded yet again that we’re still paying the price for what actually happens when the Lib Dems get into power!
It sounds as if the local Lib Dems are really getting stuck in to the problem though – according to the article, they have fixed a sewer in Henry Square! With their own fair hands!
Happy Christmas!
Here’s an interesting claim from Fiona: “We’ve been […] providing small grants to our fabulous local community groups to support those in most need.”
I do hope Fiona isn’t talking about grants from the Council ward fund here, because it would be very naughty to claim that this was Lib Dem money wouldn’t it? I shall ask for clarification and report back.
End of the line for YHN, as rents and charges soar
A 7% rent rise is going to be extremely hard on council tenants, but blaming the “Labour council” for the rise is silly. First of all, council housing rent income and spending is ring-fenced – the only money available for repairs, staffing, etc is what comes in as rent. So when inflation strikes, there is a simple choice between putting up rents or making huge cuts to repairs and services. The 7% rise is the amount recommended by the government, and YHN have told the Council that it’s needed to balance the books.
And the Lib Dems say they’re skeptical about YHN being brought back into Council control. What they don’t mention is that in the consultation that informed the decision of residents said that was what they wanted to have happen. Perhaps the Lib Dems only really care about resident opinion when it coincides with their own?
Heaton traffic measures
And yet again, the Lib Dems make up cause-and-effect with no evidence. Their claim? The reason there is rat-running through the Heaton Terraces and no through the roads between Heaton Road and Chillingham Road it that the latter have speed bumps.
Do they really not think it might instead be that to cut through from the Coast Road to Warwick Street you HAVE to go through the Heaton Terraces, regardless of how you get to Heaton Road.
The cars speeding through the back alleys is definitely a problem – but while speed bumps might slow the cars down, they won’t stop the rat-running, which is unpleasant and dangerous to children and other pedestrians even at low speeds. A more significant change to the Heaton LTN will be need to ensure we get to keep the benefits, without the scourge of rat-running drivers.
Battlefield/St Anns play area
I know I’m a stuck record about the Lib Dems’ addition to over-claiming, but here we go again. It’s great that the Blagdon estate play area is going to start soon – it’s a good use of ward money, agreed by all three local Councillors, including Alistair.
But come on Fiona, you’re not “announcing” the work, which makes it sound as if you’re responsible for it. You’re reporting it as something nice that your Lib Dem colleagues supported, along with their Labour colleague.
FocusPocus will keep highlighting these ridiculous claims until the Lib Dems stop making them.
If you spot a dodgy Lib Dem claim in a newsletter, tweet or leaflet – send it to pointing@focuspocus.org.uk, and we’ll point it out to local residents!