No secret I have become increasingly disillusioned

It is no secret that I have become increasingly disillusioned with the present Government’s attitude to planning, which appears to be a policy of laissez-faire, allowing developers to stick up bland, indeed verging on ugly, ‘playschool’ houses wherever they want, with particular emphasis on green fields and flood risk areas. Even more worrying is the mix of tacit and explicit approval of these policies by the Conservative leadership in Bradford. I was therefore delighted to read that Steve Ellams has decided to stand as an Independent in the Wharfedale ward. I have known Steve for some 20 years, and his work to try to save Menston’s green fields has been tireless. It is vital that Wharfedale has a voice to oppose all the future inappropriate developments that threaten both Burley and Menston; the last thing we need in the valley is an apologist for Pickles or a backer for Boles.

Finally, I should like to thank the people of Menston and Burley for their support over the last 16 years, and wish them all a happy, healthy and not over-developed future.

Councillor Chris Greaves, Wharfedale Ward

Special case for discretion on free school transport

On Tuesday morning I spoke at the meeting of Bradford Council’s Labour Executive to ask them to consider the special case for allowing discretion in applications for free school transport for Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Under the new plan every child is entitled to receive free school transport in Burley-in-Wharfedale because all secondary schools are over three miles away, but in practice they will only get help if they attend the nearest school.

Depending on where you live in the village that might be Ilkley Grammar, Prince Henry’s or Guiseley School. Previous ‘discretion’ had allowed everyone to receive help. Gerry Barker, a former policeman, also spoke on villagers’ behalf as he has organised a petition. Quite rightly, people are confused as to why, when all schools are three miles away, the Council would stop free transport to Ilkley Grammar when most children go there. The answer is that a technicality allows them to do so and the Labour Executive chose to allow this to continue. I think their decision is mean- spirited and their pronouncement that the Council has to save money where it can is ridiculous in these circumstances.

Councillor Jackie Whiteley, Cons, Wharfedale Ward

Thank you to all who have supported Marie Curie

The Marie Curie CC Ilkley Fundraising Group would like to say a big thank you to all members of the Ilkley, Addingham and Burley-in-Wharfedale communities for their generous and valued support which has helped the group reach its fundraising total for the year of £10,794.09.

This was the group’s fourth year and we ask for your continued support as we begin our fifth year of fundraising. All the money raised by the group and its supporters goes directly to the Bradford Hospice (the local hospice for Ilkley residents).

A special thank you to everyone who donated to the Daffodil Appeal during March when a massive £2,234.52 was raised through the street and store collections.

The money from the in-store boxes has yet to be counted.

As we start this year’s events we have some dates for your diary: On Saturday April 26, local band Time Warp are to play at the Ilkley Bandstand between 11am and 1pm. The band are great supporters of Marie Curie and during the concert there will be the opportunity to donate to the charity. On the same day there is to be a coffee morning at Addingham Memorial Hall between 10am and 1pm, so do join us for tea/coffee and scones and a browse around our stalls. Please support both of these events and help to raise money for this worthwhile cause. The group’s annual Pamper Night is to be held on Thursday, May 15, at Ilkley Rugby Club so please watch out for more details and join us for this popular event.

All money raised by the group and its supporters goes directly to the Bradford Hospice to provide specialist care to its patients either in the hospice or in their own home, depending on their needs and wishes.

Barbara Mann, Treasurer, Ilkley

In effect, George Osborne has robbed pensioners

In the tax years 2013/14 to 2015/16 George Osborne has increased personal tax allowance for the under 65s from £9,440 to £10,500, a rise of £1,060. At 20 per cent tax rate this equals an increase in income of £212.

But the personal tax rate for pensioners during this period has been frozen, meaning that in effect Osborne has robbed pensioners of £212. Whilst mortgage rates are at an all-time low giving huge financial benefits to mortgage holders, interest rates are at an all- time low thereby giving pensioners with savings a further reduction in income.

Inheritance tax is not changed, and held at an allowance of £325,000 until end 2018/19, above which a punitive rate of 40 per cent applies, and instead of only being paid by the ‘rich’, it is forecast that by that time, one in ten estates will be caught by this tax.

Is this a government that supports pensioners? The foregoing speaks for itself.

I suggest that every pensioner sends George Osborne a bill now for immediate payment of £212!

Harry Jevons, Addingham

Are we Otley residents less important than the Tour?

While I agree with the Otley Pub Club and local politicians who are calling for urgent action to clean up the Summercross site, I wonder why we have had to wait until now. Are Otley residents less important than ‘The Tour’? We have put up with this eyesore every day since 2009. It is time for the planning process to be updated or changed to prevent this happening again.

Alan Carr Moor Drive, Otley Independents in favour of MDC disbanding possibility Paul Latham highlighted in his letter of April 3 the possibility of disbanding Bradford MDC. When my election leaflet goes out on or after the April 14 the voters of Burley-in Wharfedale and Menston will see a statement from me to debate this very prospect.

The Independent councillors in the area are all in support of a similar strategy.

I would like to think this proposal transcends party politics, as only Independent councillors free from any party whip can truly represent their constituents. Local planning decisions over the past few years have been taken on party lines. What use is Localism?

Steve Ellams, prospective Independent councillor, Wharfedale Ward

Have the Town Hall thought about their deaf customers?

I was surprised to read in last week’s Gazette, that the Town Hall is closing its doors and providing a free phone in the doorway if people want to contact a specific service inside. Have the Town Hall thought about their deaf customers?

What are we supposed to do with a phone in the doorway? Maybe use it to bang on the window to get someone’s attention?

I am surprised in this day and age that Ilkley Town Hall are not thinking about equal access for all disabilities and thinking how to meet the needs of the whole Ilkley community. Maybe deaf awareness classes are needed? It is 2014 after all!

Joanne Swinbourne, Ilkley

We as a society must take back the control of energy

Nobody loves the big energy companies these days. But breaking them up would not on its own be enough to tackle soaring fuel bills.

As long as big banks and privatised energy firms throw money at coal, oil and gas, bills are likely to continue to rise as these fuels become more expensive, especially compared to renewables which are getting cheaper as technology advances.

And as more of these harmful fossil fuels are mined, drilled and burnt, more people’s land will be polluted, and the global climate will suffer.

Instead, we as a society must take back control of energy, invest in switching to renewables, and focus on providing affordable, sustainable energy for everyone.

Roger Weetch, Thornton, Bradford

Charles Darwin could do with a clean-up before Tour

In preparation for the world’s largest annual sporting event, the Tour de France Grand Depart, passing through Yorkshire, Councils are mending roads and roadsides. But, in Ilkley – don’t forget Charles Darwin.

The Darwin Gardens Millennium Green off Wells Road may not be on the actual route but no doubt hundreds of visitors will be drawn there. For several months the beautiful plaque of Darwin has been defaced by a white streak of bird lime (see photograph below). I know it is the same streak because I walk from there every week, up the thankfully un-muddy track to the Lower Tarn – my modern equivalent of restorative treatment, which always works!

Linda Lee, Halsteads Way, Steeton

Poorest are hardest hit by the soaring energy prices

The soaring price of energy is affecting everyone, and the hardest hit are the poorest, who cannot afford to turn on the heating.

If we continue to rely on fossil fuels, bills are likely to rise in the long term as coal, oil and gas become more expensive and renewable technology gets cheaper.

Fossil fuels are also driving climate change and polluting people’s land, especially in developing countries.

Yet the big UK banks continue to pour billions of pounds into new coal, oil and gas projects around the world, and the government is doing nothing to stop them. Perhaps this is not surprising: research by the World Development Movement shows that a third of ministers in the coalition government have personal links to either the big fossil fuel companies or the finance companies that bankroll them. We need a government that takes both fuel poverty and climate change seriously, not one that puts the profits of big companies before all else.

Sam Teale, Menston