Rosie supports the Secretary of State's decision on Everton Stadium
(26/11/09)
In response to the decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Everton / Kirkby planning application West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper said:
"I am absolutely delighted that the Secretary of State has taken a brave and ultimately the right decision; one that is consistent with Government planning policy."
"It is a clear message that big business with big money doesn't always get their own way and they have to adhere to planning regulations."
"It is great news for the people of Skelmersdale that gives them a renewed sense of hope for the future redevelopment of the town."
"Throughout this whole campaign I have fought hard to defend the interests of my constituents and believed that refusal of this application was always the right decision. I am just pleased the Secretary of State has supported those arguments by his decision."
"We now need to ensure that there should be regeneration of both towns. I have always said publicly that we need to regenerate both towns, not one at the expense of the other. Liverpool City Council now needs to renew their efforts to find Everton a ground within their home City."
"The Secretary of State's decision means that we can now get on with the plan to develop Skelmersdale town centre, especially as we have also recently secured Government investment to build a new college in town centre."
"I will be seeking urgent talks with St Modwen to discuss how quickly we can get this project moving. Whilst these plans may have been delayed for a couple of years by the Tesco application, residents have been waiting 40 years for the regeneration of Skelmersdale."
"A constituent once told me that Skelmersdale has had more visions than Saint Bernadette. Lots of plans which never materialised, well I am determined that this one will."
“This decision means we may now deliver a vision for Skelmersdale that the people of the town have long deserved."
Rosie continued:
“Everton supporters were never 100% behind this move to Kirkby. It was made clear to me that they believed Liverpool City Council needed to do more to keep Everton in the city. This debate now needs to happen and urge the city council to look again at keeping Everton in the city."
“We want to see Liverpool represented if England are to be host the World Cup, which has yet to be decided. There is plenty of time for the city council to sit down with both football clubs and find a solution and hope they will do so.”
You can read the full report on the decision below:
Prime Minister drops in to meet with West Lancs residents
(16/10/09)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown dropped in to the home of West Lancashire resident Mary Whitby, Thursday, with Rosie Cooper MP to meet with local residents to listen to their issues and priorities.
The Prime Minister spent 45 minutes with the local residents talking about a range of national and local issues including hearing the views of young people, pensioners and local business owners and the local clergy.
West Lancashire MP, Rosie Cooper said:
“It is really great to see the Prime Minister in West Lancashire listening to the issues important to local people and taking their messages back to the heart of government."
“Residents got to ask a range of questions from national issues such as health and social care, the NHS, the negative media image of young people as well as local issues like the Ormskirk Bypass, free rail travel for pensioners, Burscough Curves.”
“Talking to people after the meeting they told me how much they liked the Gordon as person that he was very warm and friendly who was actually willing to listen to them. People were also struck how he clearly believes that his values should be focused on making a difference in people’s lives.”
Mary Whitby, who hosted the residents meeting:
“It was a real honour to welcome the Prime Minister into my home and for him to meet other local residents. It was an excellent discussion and everyone had the chance to have their say.”
“I am currently considering secondary schools for my son and I have been hugely impressed with the Government’s massive investment to improve the quality of facilities in our schools.”
17 year old A-level student Michelle Tilley from Skelmersdale said:
“I spoke to the Prime Minister about issues that concern young people, university fees and grants. Having met him I think he’s a very honest and caring man and he listens.”
Burscough resident, Roger Bell said:
“I was very impressed with Prime Minister. It was inspiring to listen to what he had to say and you can see he believes what he says and works his hardest to deliver it."
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper slams Tories school closure plan
(13/10/09)
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has slammed proposals of the newly elected Tory administration at Lancashire County Council for a plan to close almost 100 schools across the county, including fourteen in her own constituency.
Her claims are based on a leaked document she has received that states ‘there are sound economic and educational reasons for considering how primary education should continue to be provided in the future’.
Rosie said:
“This document clearly demonstrates a Tory agenda for cuts, with primary schools the first victims in what I am sure will be a very long firing line. It mirrors what Osbourne and Cameron are saying nationally – cuts will be made whatever the implications for the people those cuts effect."
“They are showing that old Conservative trait of knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing, and I will be writing to the Tory Leader demanding a full consultation and debate about these disgraceful proposals.”
Rosie confirmed that schools under threat of closure in West Lancashire are:
Burscough Bridge Methodist
Lathom Park CE
Downholland Haskayne CE
Our Lady and All Saints RC
Westhead Lathom St James CE
Bickerstaffe VC CE
Richard Durning Endowed
Wrightington Mossy Lea CP
Dalton St Michaels CE
Scarisbrick St Marks CE
Pinfold CP
Little Digmoor CP
Upholland Roby Mill CE
Crawford Village CP
If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Rosie's constituency office on 01695 570094.
MP Rosie Cooper claims victory in Skelmersdale College Funding Battle
(27/08/09)
Rosie Cooper MP claims victory in the battle over funding for a new state-of-the-art Skelmersdale College.
West Lancashire MP, Rosie Cooper, is delighted with the announcement that funding has been committed by the Learning and Skills Council that will allow the college to go-ahead after the initial disappointing decision in July not to fund the college for 2010.
Rosie said:
“I am delighted for Skelmersdale and the young people of West Lancs. This is the best news we could have hoped for as the young people return to college for the new academic year.”
MP Rosie tenaciously fought against this decision, holding a series of productive high level meetings with Government Ministers, senior executives from the Learning and Skills Council and Skelmersdale College.
Rosie also took to the streets of Skelmersdale asking local residents to sign a petition calling on the Learning and Skills Council to fund the new college as soon as possible.
Rosie is delighted that Skelmersdale that has now been included along with original 13 colleges which will receive funding for new buildings.
Rosie continued:
“This is government investment in the future of Skelmersdale and a brighter future for young people. A great beginning for the regeneration of the town."
“Even after the initial announcement I remained absolutely determined that Skelmersdale College and West Lancashire would get this much needed funding for a new college. It is fantastic that the new college has been delivered."
Rosie added:
“Let’s hope this is the beginning of the good news and that the Government turns down the Kirkby proposals and we can turn our attention to the regeneration of the whole of Skelmersdale town centre.”
Rosie Cooper & Terry Aldridge delighted to announce extension to 313 bus service in Tanhouse
(25/08/09)
West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is delighted to announce the 313 Arriva service in Tanhouse is to be extended following a meeting with Arriva Buses and Lancashire County Council representatives.
MP Rosie and Skelmersdale Central County Councillor Terry Aldridge had called the meeting following complaints from local residents that the service did not stop on both sides of the Tanhouse Road dual carriageway.
The service extension is expected to come into force on the 13th September 2009, subject to confirmation. This will result in a 30 minute service 0845 – 1715 (Monday – Friday) and 1015 – 1715 (Saturday) terminating and departing from Tanhouse Road/Ennerdale serving the stop by Enstone and the existing route through Clay Brow and Digmoor to the Concourse.
Rosie Cooper MP said:
“I am delighted that local residents will have an extended 313 service. I thank Terry for the work he has done with me to make life so much easier for many bus users and may encourage more people to use the service."
“Residents in the area will not have to negotiate the steps and underpasses to catch the bus, especially as the nights get darker. I will continue to work hard with Councillor Aldridge, local residents, and the relevant agencies to help improve local public transport to better meet the needs of local people.”
County Councillor Terry Aldridge said:
“Many Tanhouse residents raised their concerns and I am pleased that Rosie and I along with the Lancashire County Council and Arriva found a positive solution. I thank Arriva for listening to the concerns of local residents and reacting so quickly to the strong case and the petition. I would encourage local residents to make the most of the extended service.”
Vernon Roby, Arriva General Manager for Skelmersdale said:
“We are extremely pleased to have been able to provide better access to public transport in the Tanhouse area by extending the Arriva 313 service. We are always keen to listen to the views of our customers and are happy that in this case it has helped us to provide an improved local service for Skelmersdale.”
