More about Claire Gordon - County Councillor for Taunton North

Outrage at Threatened Cuts to PCSOs

Dear Sir

If the Tories running the County Council are so strapped for cash and making cuts in front line services why is the Chairman of the Council wasting money sending every councillor an invitation to a Carol Concert in Wells by first class post? Why couldn't the invitations just have been emailed out - much cheaper and much greener. Although it may not sound much, I am sure all the public would rather have seen the money put towards keeping PCSO's on our streets dealing with anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking. Surely the Tories should be saving all the money they can on unnecessary things like these before making swingeing cuts in front line services?

Cllr Claire Gordon

Pride in Priorswood - Blooming Marvellous!

North Taunton Partnership (an organisation to coordinate activity in North Taunton) held a community day to promote pride in Priorswood. A group of young people from Priorswood Army Cadets came to pick up litter. There was a plant stall organized by Taunton in Bloom which provided hanging baskets and planters at cost to encourage people to make north Taunton more attractive.

Cllr. Claire Gordon said: "It was great to see all the community working together. All sections of the community got involved to make it a really successful day".

Nightbus for Priorswood

A local panel chaired by Cllr Claire Gordon identified the need for more provision of public transport in the evenings to help people get safely too and from town. A night bus service was introduced to run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday on a pilot basis with a grant to see if people would use it. Its been a great success and it is now going to run commercially on Friday and Saturday nights. The fares are reasonable, its green and safe.

Claire commented: "This is a great initiative for our area and one that I am delighted to be able to support. If you have a local project that you would like supporting please do get in touch."

More PCSOs for Taunton Deane

Lib Dem Councils Make Up for Lack of Government Funding

Priorswood now has a team of fantastic community support officers, who work with the local community, the local action team and localcouncillors to make Priorswood safer.

They have been working to reduce anti-social behaviour and work with younger people to find positive activities for them to do. If you have an issue which you would like them to address you can drop your comments into the Community Resource Centre.

Sadly the Government promised a big increase in the number of P.C.S.O.s in Somerset, then went back on their pledge. Two local Councils have stepped into the breach and made up some of the lost funding - Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane. Thanks to these Liberal Democrat Councils, Somerset will have more P.C.S.O.s than other counties, and Taunton Deane will have more than anywhere else in Somerset.

Community Money - Supporting Priorswood Projects

How Claire is investing in Priorswood

Lib Dem Somerset County Council gives each county councillor £5,000 to spend on small local projects. Last year Cllr. Claire Gordon spent her budget on paying for some dropped kerbs to assist local disabled people, she gave some money to Hillside Childrens Care for them to provide crèches while parents took adult education classes.

Claire has also given small grants to several local organisations

including a local football club, an expedition club, and "mind" who provide local mental health services. If your organisation needs a small grant them get in touch with Claire on 332592.

Speak to your Local Councillors

Your local councillors will be holding surgeries on the 1st Saturday of the month between 10 and 11am. Just turn up and talk to them about any issues you have got. They are held at the Priorswood Resource Centre.

STOP PRESS:

Lib Dem Somerset County Council has registered the open space at Enmore Road as a "Town Green" following an application from local residents. Councillor Claire Gordon said:

"I am delighted the County Council has made the land at Enmore Toad a "Town Green" as this will protect this important open space for future generations to enjoy. It's good to see that the views of local people were listened to and what they said did made a difference."