It is nice to see our MP back on the bandwagon and engaging in the New Year.
Seeking your support regarding prospective library closures from local writers is a good move, but can we get one thing straight. Any cuts to library services or any other cuts to services throughout Sefton are out of the control of your local Conservative, Lib Dem councillors and MP's.
Unfortunately the results of the last local elections resulted in a Labour controlled council.
Which in essence means; should the Conservative and Lib Dem councillors disagree with any policy they do not have the power to stop Labour councillors from implementing them.
Labour has the overall majority on Sefton Council and take any measures they like. Even when presented to full council for approval it is impossible to sway or scrutinise any decision they present as they have the majority vote on the council and will until May 2014.
The council have a set amount of money to spend (the budget) and they make the choice on how and where that money is spent; it is the job all elected members to do what is best for the area despite party difference.
It would be a breath of fresh air if Labour MP's and Labour councillors stopped the blame culture. They are elected members, they should now get on with the task of spending the limited resources wisely and hopefully achieve a reasonable outcome for all residents in our local communities.
Lobbying the government to ringfence library services is a bold idea, but why just libraries? Why nor playing fields for healthier lifestyles? Or allotments for recreation and wellbeing and bowling green's for leisure? The list goes on.
At these times of austerity we have to make do with what is available and allocate it wisely. Unfortunately ring fencing is not really an option.
It was a far healthier council when it was a hung council, that way, everyone had an input and vote that counts, balanced decisions were achieved.
Councillor Sean Dorgan
Blundellsands Ward Councillor, Sefton MBC