Latest news with #AngusForbes
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor campaign threatens action against government
The Mayor for Plymouth (MfP) campaign says it will take the government to high court over an announcement there will no be a directly-elected mayor for the city. The government announced on Tuesday that the creation of new elected mayor roles would be discontinued to "simplify local government and support democratic accountability for local people". The Plymouth Knows Better (PKB) - No to a City Mayor coalition, welcomed the news, but MfP said it betrayed "democracy". A referendum on how the city is run was confirmed before the announcement, and is still set to take place on 17 July after a petition reached more than 10,000 signatures on the issue of the £75,000-per-year role. MfP campaign leader Angus Forbes said the government had betrayed "democracy, current legislation and the people of Plymouth". He said: "HM Government is willing to put the suffering of tens of thousands of its citizens to the side, in pursuit of the retention of political power. "Plymothians want change, they want better democracy, they want their voice to be heard. "The 13,800 Plymothians who signed the petition for change did so under current legislation." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Mr Forbes said the MfP still intended "to win" the referendum to grant its first mayor for May 2026. He said: "If HM Government tries to stop us on the grounds of some prospective legislation, we will see them in the high court, where we will win. "The final check and balance of a government's power is always the people, and it is this union of the people of Plymouth that will prevail against authoritarianism, fear and intimidation." The MfP added that the referendum would take place under current law, "not prospective law that had not yet been passed". Peter Gold, campaign manager for Plymouth Deserves Better, said it felt the government was "overruling local democracy". "Local people, if we make a choice to vote for a mayor, the government overruling that is just basically cancelling democracy," he said. Jemima Laing, deputy leader of Labour-led Plymouth City Council, said the leader of the MfP had been told the "direction the government was going". She said: "It was very clear from the devolution white paper which was published at the end of last year. "Angus Forbes can't say he wasn't told, can't say he didn't know and can't say he wasn't asked to stop. "The reason we are spending over £400,000 on a referendum in Plymouth is because Angus Forbes wouldn't take no for an answer." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Community resolution over council leader threat Directly-elected Plymouth city mayor role scrapped Date set for referendum on mayor for Plymouth UK Government Mayor for Plymouth
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Plymouth mayor campaign threatens legal action against government
The Mayor for Plymouth (MfP) campaign says it will take the government to high court over an announcement there will no be a directly-elected mayor for the government announced on Tuesday that the creation of new elected mayor roles would be discontinued to "simplify local government and support democratic accountability for local people".The Plymouth Knows Better (PKB) - No to a City Mayor coalition, welcomed the news, but MfP said it betrayed "democracy".A referendum on how the city is run was confirmed before the announcement, and is still set to take place on 17 July after a petition reached more than 10,000 signatures on the issue of the £75,000-per-year role. MfP campaign leader Angus Forbes said the government had betrayed "democracy, current legislation and the people of Plymouth". He said: "HM Government is willing to put the suffering of tens of thousands of its citizens to the side, in pursuit of the retention of political power. "Plymothians want change, they want better democracy, they want their voice to be heard. "The 13,800 Plymothians who signed the petition for change did so under current legislation." Mr Forbes said the MfP still intended "to win" the referendum to grant its first mayor for May said: "If HM Government tries to stop us on the grounds of some prospective legislation, we will see them in the high court, where we will win."The final check and balance of a government's power is always the people, and it is this union of the people of Plymouth that will prevail against authoritarianism, fear and intimidation."The MfP added that the referendum would take place under current law, "not prospective law that had not yet been passed".
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Mixed response PKC's 'environmentally-friendly alternative' to grass-cutting
The initiative has been met with safety fears and criticism as PKC highlighted the "more environmentally-friendly alternative" to keeping its green spaces under control Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has reverted to a medieval method of maintaining some of its green spaces. The local authority - which has been criticised for its "no mow" approach - this week announced staff had received training to cut grass with scythes. PKC also offered to train volunteers to safely use the sharp tools to maintain its public spaces. A PKC spokesperson said: "Our Community Greenspace staff have recently received training in the safe use of scythes from an experienced trainer through SABI (Scythe Association of Britain and Northern Ireland) as an effective and more environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuel-powered equipment. "As a result, we can now offer training to community groups, on request, if they are looking to use these tools safely when carrying out maintenance in their local green spaces. Only people who are suitably trained and have the council's permission can carry out this work in public green spaces. Anyone interested in volunteering with Community Greenspace can find out more on our website at Since 2021 PKC has changed the way it manages its grasslands. From 2021 to 2024 grassland management trials were carried out across 198 council sites. A "cut and lift" approach was carried out on some sites - where there was an annual cut and clippings were removed and a "cut and leave" approach was adopted on other sites where clippings from the annual cut were left to allow wildflowers such as daisies and buttercups to grow. In 2024 the Grow Wild programme was extended across Perth and Kinross for two years in a bid to improve biodiversity and reduce maintenance costs at up to 1,700 of the 1,900 sites PKC maintains. The initiative has been met with criticism, with children traipsing through hidden dog poo in long grass to get to play parks. Council cemeteries are scheduled to have their grass cut on a fortnightly basis and strimming around headstones on a monthly basis. However, staffing pressures last year led to a bereaved mum resorting to bringing a battery-powered strimmer to clear her son's grave. Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes - who has received a number of complaints about PKC's Grow Wild policy - is "perplexed" by this latest "full vintage" move. The Conservative councillor said: "I was a little perplexed that the council have gone full vintage on their grass-cutting policy and I certainly hope that none of these scythes are being sharpened up to make an even bigger cut to the grass-cutting budget than has already taken place. "I really don't understand the aim here; if it's honestly about reducing emissions then battery-operated strimmers would surely be suitable? Or else we could perhaps just order a few sheep to keep the grass down - after all, they get paid in grass, fertilise as they go and never complain." The news received a mixed response on PKC's Facebook page. Stuart King asked: "Is it April 1? Most dangerous tool out!" Craig Murray added: "Wow. Talk about using anything to save money; are we going back to the Stone Age?" Chris Jackson said: "So in other words, we're too tight to pay our employees to get out and cut all the grassy areas we've neglected for the last six months, so we'll get Joe Public to do all our work for us but claim we're doing our bit for the environment. Sounds about right." Some supported the green initiative. Gus Norman said: "Well done." Madeline Warriner added: "MacRosty Park looks fantastic. In my opinion, they have got the balance right between natural grassland and mown grassland. Congratulations to the team for doing this." Kim Winters Alumis said: "I like how parks and green spaces have patches of longer grass. It looks much better then just boring short grass."
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross politicians urge Transport Minister to take Swallow Roundabout issues seriously
Road users have not only faced delays but found the new layout both confusing and dangerous A Perth and Kinross councillor says almost 1500 residents have told him they have faced delays due to the Swallow Roundabout's new traffic lights. As well as delays, drivers have complained the Invergowrie roundabout's lanes and signage are both confusing and dangerous. Cllr Angus Forbes and local MSP Murdo Fraser have urged Scotland's Transport Minister to "start taking this issue seriously". The Swallow Roundabout is on the A90 next to the boundary between Perth and Kinross and Dundee. As part of the planning conditions for its Western Gateway development, housebuilder Springfield was asked by Dundee City Council to make improvements to the Swallow Roundabout. The developer appointed Luddon Construction Ltd to carry out the roundabout improvements. But the results have left road users seeing red. Approaching the roundabout from Perth, drivers are told there are two lanes which point straight on. It is only when the third lane appears, there is another sign saying there are three lanes and drivers can turn right towards Dundee/Invergowrie. But the traffic signals have a no right-turn sign on them. One Carse of Gowrie resident described the new layout as both "potentially life-threatening" and "mind-blowingly stupid (and yet eminently fixable)". Conservative councillor Angus Forbes and Murdo Fraser MSP wrote to Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop raising drivers' concerns. In her reply, the Ms Hyslop said: "It is likely to take some time for drivers to fully adapt to the new road layout at what is already an extremely busy part of the trunk road network and we would encourage road users to plan their journeys accordingly as some delays may be anticipated, particularly at peak times. "The noted observations in the Road Safety Audit carried out in March and any post-construction review observations including those made by road users regarding road markings and signs, are currently being reviewed and considered by the developer, their designer Amey and the local authority. All organisations are working together to resolve this matter." Cllr Forbes was "bitterly disappointed" with the Transport Secretary's response. He said: "It is absolutely clear that the signage is confusing and whilst I can't understand why a safety audit was needed to establish this, I am nevertheless grateful that it has flagged this up. "However, what this safety audit does not address are the long queues that my constituents face day after day trying to get to work and medical appointments. Almost 1,500 people reported to me that they faced increased journey times as a result of the new traffic light system, this is unsustainable in the long-term. I am already seeing increased traffic in local villages." Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser accused Fiona Hyslop of "washing her hands of the problem". Mr Fraser added: "Her response to my letter about the issues experienced by many motorists at the roundabout is very vague and doesn't address all the issues there. "It is very clear that the new traffic system is causing many problems for motorists - the road markings cause confusion and it is no surprise there has been so much concern. We really need the SNP Transport Secretary to step up to the mark and start taking this issue seriously." Fellow Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport Scotland to see the road safety audit, arguing - given it was about public safety - its findings should be made public. The road safety audit conducted by Stewart Paton Associates for Transport Scotland, on behalf of Springfield, made several safety recommendations which are currently being reviewed by Springfield.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Date set for referendum on mayor for Plymouth
A date has been set for a referendum to decide if Plymouth should have a directly-elected mayor paid in the region of £75,000 a year. Plymouth City Council has to hold a referendum after a campaign, led by Angus Forbes, former banker and husband of celebrity dancer Darcey Bussell, gathered more than 10,000 signatures in favour of the process. Opponents said the campaign was based on false promises and hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on it would be a waste of money. Campaigners for the referendum, due to be held on Thursday 17 July, claimed it was a chance to change how the city was run. If Plymouth residents vote in favour of a directly-elected mayor, the first elections will be held in May 2026. At a heated meeting at Plymouth City Council, members expressed their frustration with the process that the council said would cost about £410,000. Several councillors spoke about other areas such as Bristol, Liverpool and Torbay which have had directly elected mayors but then abolished the posts. The leader of the Labour-led council, Tudor Evans, said there was a great difference between a possible mayor for Plymouth and the directly-elected mayors in London and Greater Manchester who have greater powers. Evans also pointed to the current reorganisation of local government taking place, in which the government has indicated it wants to scrap directly-elected mayors for single authorities such as Plymouth in favour of mayors for combined authorities. The city council's chief executive, Tracey Lee, acknowledged the reorganisation as a potential risk and said talks were ongoing with the government. Forbes claimed the cost of the referendum was "the best money a Plymouth taxpayer could ever spend to change to a successful system of direct democracy". He said the current system had "failed to grow the economy". Forbes said: "Our greatest opportunity is to have a place-based leader to galvanise us, to unify us with a vision for Plymouth, and to be an ambassador, to attract private capital and private citizens to come to Plymouth." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Plans for three new councils and mayor for Devon Plymouth City Council
