Roger Hayes

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Smithills Learn more

Bolton’s above inflation Council Tax rise contrasts sharply with what other local Councils have been able to do.     A survey of other local Councils shows the following results: Manchester (Labour)                         Council Tax Frozen Salford (Labour)                                 Council Tax Frozen Bury (Labour)                                      Council Tax Frozen Wigan (Labour)                                   Council Tax Frozen Blackburn with Darwen (Labour)    Council Tax Frozen Rochdale […]

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Employment

by rogerhayes on 2 March, 2014

The recovery would not be happening without the Liberal Democrats’ work to build a stronger economy and a fairer society. The number of people in work has increased by 193,000 in the last quarter and the number of women in work has reached a record high of 14 million. In the last three months unemployment […]

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COUNCIL TAX TO GO UP

by rogerhayes on 19 February, 2014

This year’s Council Tax rise proposed by Bolton’s Labour Council is an increase of 1.94% – marginally above the current rate of inflation. In doing that, the Council will turn down the £1 million on offer from the Government if it had been frozen. At a time when times are hard for everybody due to […]

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Potholes in Gargrave Avenue

by rogerhayes on 14 February, 2014

The state of many residential roads is appalling, and I must be reporting some potholes every single day. Gargrave Avenue is particularly bad with potholes near the kerb for nearly the whole length. What makes it worse is that due to parked cars it is almost impossible not to drive through the potholes.                                                          The (relatively) […]

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Takeaway application refused

by rogerhayes on 7 February, 2014

Bolton Council’s Planning Committee has refused an application to allow the disused dry cleaners/laundrette on the corner of Chorley Old Road and Stratford Avenue to become a Hot Food Takeaway. The applicant had wanted to be able to open seven days a week, from 9am to 11 pm.                                                         The application had led to 14 letters […]

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Building of new Church starts

by rogerhayes on 6 February, 2014

The structure of the new Methodist Church at the junction of Chorley Old Road and New Church Road has started to take shape. It is to allow the congregations of the former Chorley Old Road, Harvey Street and Astley Bridge churches to worship together.     The design will use many of the features of the former […]

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Start for Cafe in Moss Bank Park

by rogerhayes on 4 February, 2014

I am very pleased that a start has been made on building the new café for Moss Bank Park – the old one was destroyed by fire in 2009 (the picture shows the early stages of building the foundations). The café should be finished in ‘late spring’ and will be officially opened in the summer                                              It […]

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Sale of Smithills Estate

by rogerhayes on 29 January, 2014

    The terms have now been agreed for the sale of most of the Council owned Smithills Estate to The Woodland Trust. The part being sold is that to the west of Smithills Dean Road and north of Scout Road. I believe this is a good thing. Not only does it give a substantial amount […]

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Taxing the Rich

by rogerhayes on 27 January, 2014

It was interesting to hear that Ed Balls is promising that if they win the next election he will increase the top rate of income tax to 50%.    At first sight there are many attractions to this, and it certainly deserves serious discussion. However, it should be seen in the light of Labour’s own […]

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Doffcocker to bloom again

by rogerhayes on 22 January, 2014

During 2013 we got many positive comments about the wildflower planting on the Doffcocker roundabout at the junction of Chorley Old Road and Moss Bank Way (see picture).    The Council has stopped mowing the roundabouts to save money. The relatively cheap cost of sowing wild flowers is actually cheaper, and was funded by the Area Forum.    […]

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