Backing for Burgh Boat

28 Aug 2008
Eric is concerned about the withdrawal of the Burgh by Sands rescue boat.
The Coastguards have decided that the boat is not necessary and that the stretch of Solway near Carlisle can be covered by a boat based at Silloth.

"It's a tragedy waiting to happen"

22 Aug 2008
Eric said a decision by Carlisle City Council could lead to tragedy.
He is calling for Councillor Olwyn Luckley, the Lib/Dem Portfolio holder for Health and Communities on Carlisle City Council to look again at their decision to locate the new women and children's hostel in Shaddongate, next to the John Street Hostel for homeless men.

Save Clark's Field

16 Aug 2008
Eric has come out against building a new medical centre on Clark's Field.
The open space, much used by local residents, is being touted as the possible site for a new medical centre in Stanwix. Eric says the Belah School site would be a much better location.

Window of Opportunity for Birds

5 Aug 2008
Eric has welcomed action by Virgin Trains to release birds trapped in Carlisle Station.
But he says the best solution is to remove the netting. Virgin have opened the windows in a disused office and are trying to lure the birds with food, monitored by the RSPCA.

Hospital's University Status

1 Aug 2008
Eric has welcomed news that North Cumbrian Hospital has achieved University Hospital Status.
He says it is a dream come true and that the additional training resources will show benefits in the care for patients.

Dalston denies Dobbies

28 Jul2008
Dalston Parish Council has drawn fire from Eric for objecting to a plan to bring jobs to the village.
Dobbies want to site a new garden centre at Orton Grange, but the parish council raised concerns over traffic and the effect on business.

Dobbies for Park and Ride

27 Aug 2008
Eric is suggesting that the long awaited park and ride scheme for Carlisle could use the planned Dobbies site at Orton Grange.
Both Dobbies and Stagecoach have said the idea is feasible and merits further discussion. One idea is that planning for Dobbies to build at Orton Grange would be conditional on providing park and ride facilities.

Windfall Tax on greedy energy companies

21 Aug 2008
Eric has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, asking him to impose a one-off windfall tax on energy companies.
He urged the Chancellor to give urgent consideration and saying that rising energy and fuel prices are affecting everyone, but it's the poorest and those on fixed incomes who are paying the heaviest price. He said the energy companies have blatantly exploited their customers and it's now time for the Government to step in to curtail their greed.

No to Newlands Windfarm

21 Aug 2008
Eric is opposing plans to build a windfarm near Cumwhinton at Newlands Farm.
Plans have been laid to build three turbines, each over 100m tall, but Eric says this would stifle development in block expansion of Carlisle to the east, saying the area is ideal for new industry.

Blame Banks, not Homeowners

18 Aug 2008
Eric laid the blame for the rise in repossessions of people's homes squarely on the banks.
Following a 72% rise in repossessions in Carlisle, he said that incautious lending by some banks led to the credit crunch and they should accept responsibility and keep repossessions to a minimum.

Inflation plus 11%!

16 Aug 2008
Eric has attacked plans by United Utilities to hit Carlisle householders with a massive rise in water charges.
The company, which Eric already called for to be taken into public ownership, wants to hammer householders with a rise of 11% above inflation between 2010 and 2015.

'No excuse not to pay up'

1 Aug 2008
Eric welcomes the announcement on fair tips and the minimum wage and calls for rogue employers who con staff to be exposed.
This July marks 10 years since the government introduced the National Minimum Wage in 1998. Critics said the minimum wage would cost the country 2 million jobs and opposed it. The reality is totally different. An extra 2.3 million jobs have actually been created since then. Nearly one million low paid employees, two thirds of them women, have benefited from the National Minimum Wage.

People before Profit

1 Aug 2008
Eric has launched a blistering attack on the giant water company, United Utilities, and has called for the water industry to be brought back into public ownership.
Speaking out after attending an event to commemorate the 100 years anniversary of Carlisle Sewage Works, now antiseptically referred to as the Waste Water Treatment Plant, Eric was highly critical of United Utilities.

Battle for Lookaround goes on

30 Jul 2008
Eric has hit out at ITV proposals for a "watered down compromise" for Border and Lookaround.
ITV now plans the merger with Tyne Tees, but there would be a fifteen minute local news programme, which would be called Lookaround. But Eric thinks the fight should go on.

Urgent Action if Asbestos Risk

25 Jul 2008
Eric has called for urgent action if it is found that asbestos poses a risk in many city homes.
It is alleged that up to ten thousand homes now owned by Carlisle Housing Association may contain asbestos, and tenants may be at risk. The danger comes when the asbestos, if present, is disturbed by, for example, those tenants doing DIY jobs.

Dead Birds create a Stink

25 Jul 2008
Eric has has called for action after his office has been deluged with calls and emails from people complaining about dead birds at Carlisle station.
Netting designed to stop the pigeons nesting has trapped the birds there so they starve, and dead ones are lying on the netting, rotting and maggot infested.

Keeping the Store open

22 Jul 2008
Eric is looking for an assurance that the future of the Somerfield store on Wigton Road is secure.
Somerfields have been bought by the Co-operative Group and Eric wants to know if the store will stay open under its new ownership.

£4.7M for Care Housing

22 Jul 2008
Eric has welcomed the government's funding of an 'extra care housing' development at Raffles.
The scheme will provide sixty homes for the elderly, especially those with long term illness such as dementia and is designed to offer then privacy and dignity as well as support.

Hopes for no compulsory job losses at Pirelli

21 Jul 2008
Eric has expressed his hopes that the sixty jobs Pirelli want to shed at the Carlisle factory can be lost through voluntary redundancy.
The thousand strong workforce is being reduced, says the company, because of foreign competition, but it also says it is continuing to invest in the Carlisle plant and that negotiations with the unions are ongoing.

Zero Alcohol for Young Drivers rebuffed

19 Jul 2008
Eric has asked a Transport Minister about zero alcohol level for young drivers.
This follows a statement by the Government's Chief Medical Officer advocating such a reduction. But when pressed by Eric the Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, said that while such road safety publicity was welcome, it did not imply that the government had any plans to implement it. Eric has campaigned about the high death rate among young drivers for some time.

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