A Liberal Democrat Councillor has called on Redcar & Cleveland Council to help local businesses through the “Credit Crunch” by paying invoices earlier than the current 30 days.

In a question at full Council last Thursday, Councillor Chris Abbott, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, asked for invoices to be paid within 10 days instead of the usual 30 days.

Some Lib Dem-led councils such as Sutton, Islington and Kingston are doing this to help the cash-flow of contractors working for the council.

Redcar Liberal Democrats, have produced the Liberal Democrat Calendar 2009.

This A5 black and white calendar features famous Liberals and Liberal Democrats from the past and present. It also features Liberal Democrat Conference dates, Liberal Democrat organisations, with contact details, and County days for those counties which have them.

It is priced at £1 plus only 52p postage no matter how many copies you order.

It is ideal to give to friends as a stocking filler.

Copies can be ordered as follows from:

Gold Printing Society
39 Essex Close
Redcar
Yorkshire
TS10 4BY

Please make cheques payable to Gold Printing Society.

A former fireman who is now a councillor is drawing attention to the effects of funding cuts on Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Liberal Democrat Councillor John Hannon, who was elected to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council in October, will put a motion to a Council meeting next week demanding more funds from the Government for the fire service.

The Cleveland Fire Brigade received a very poor financial settlement from the Government earlier this year. The fire crews continue to provide an excellent service, but the financial pressure will continue to be a problem in the future.

Councillor Hannon commented:

“Just by chance I was in the vicinity when a serious fire broke out in Wykeham Close in Redcar on 25 November. At the time I arrived there were two fire appliances from Redcar. Smoke was billowing out of the roof, all windows and doors and into next door’s roof void. The other bystanders were saying there were people inside. I realised that two teams of firefighters had entered, one from the front and one from the rear with breathing apparatus and two hose reels.”

“This only seemed to leave four firefighters outside, the officer in charge, breathing apparatus entry control officer, pump operator and the second pump operator driver. This situation since the reduced staffing levels concerns me and the general public very much, and has been discussed at local community meetings.”

“The officer in charge obviously requested more help and a third appliance was sent from the neighbouring Grangetown station, with a journey time of about six to seven minutes. On their arrival two more firefighters entered the building as there was obviously still a lot of work to be done inside. If the manning levels were nine firefighters instead of eight this would take the pressure off the others. This additional person (hydrant man) would be dealing with the hydrants, first aid and communications, as well as forming part of a third breathing apparatus crew if required, before the third appliance arrived.”

“The firefighters did a great job, as did staff from Coast & Country Housing and some of the neighbours.”