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Liberal Democrat Election Manifesto 2008

Christine Bampton-Smith has been selected by the Local Liberal Democrat Branch, for a third time, to represent the Luddendenfoot Ward at the election on May 1st 2008. Christine said ‘It is an honour to be chosen again to stand in Luddendenfoot.

In 2004 I was elected to serve this ward for a second time with a clear majority for the Liberal Democrats. As a ward councillor I have helped many local residents with issues and problems ranging from housing to litter and planning to flooding. I will continue to work hard both in the Town Hall and in the ward.

I have lived in the ward for over thirty years and hope to be elected in May to continue to work for the community and campaign for change in Calderdale to make it a better place for everyone to live, work and enjoy.

I am proud to be part of the Liberal Democrat Team which works hard to help people with a wide range of concerns. The team has campaigned successfully on many issues that affect the local area. Commitment to the Ward is my promise.’

Christine is married and has two grown up children, she works part-time at Leeds College of Art and Design.

Calder Valley Liberal Democrats are once again celebrating being the largest party on Hebden Royd Town Council after by-election wins in the wards of White Lee and Caldene.

Polling, which took place on Thursday 6th March, brought success over Labour for local businessman Karl Boggis who took 78% of the votes in Caldene ward. Jade Smith, who stood in the White Lee ward and took 73% of the votes to Labour’s 27%. Conservatives did not field a candidate in either ward.

Karl said, “I am really pleased to be elected, I can get on and raise the profile of Mytholmroyd and direct resources toward projects such as the Memorial Garden where an upgrade is long overdue.”

Backing Karl’s list of priorities Jade said, “It is time the community spaces in Mytholmroyd were upgraded for the benefit of local residents. Mytholmroyd might not be a tourist honey pot but that does not mean the locals have to miss out.”

Calderdale and Town Councillor, Cllr. Christine Bampton Smith, herself up for re-election in May welcomed Jade and Karl, saying “They are a first-rate addition to our dedicated team of councillors and their election makes us once again the largest party on the council.”

Campaigning to save back gardens.
The Liberal Democrats are campaigning to change the law governing planning applications for private gardens.
Current legislation means that private gardens are classified as “brown-field” land - designating them as ripe for development.
It is now possible for housing developers to purchase residential housing and the back garden land attached for further building work. The result is an upsurge in the density of housing in many areas and the erosion of our green spaces.
John Beacroft-Mitchell says:
“Local residents have expressed concerns about how the character of their area could be altered unless a more common-sense approach is taken.”
“A private garden is not the same as an ex-industrial site, but we are being forced to treat them in the same way.”
“These local green spaces are important social and ecological green corridors that should be protected from being sold off to developers.”