Fight is on for local hospital services

The battle for the Withernsea Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) may have been lost but the war to retain the hospital is very much ongoing. The local Labour Party is determined to ensure that this area retains all of its vital services and not have them moved into larger, faceless locations in Hull or Beverley. Local activist Martin Devanney said, “Withernsea Hospital is vital for not just the people in the town but also the villages. It’s clear that this Conservative government is set on shutting everything we have and selling it off.”

Whilst most services at the hospital have now been moved, the East Riding Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have opened a new 8 to 8 centre in the building. Jackie Gent commented, “I think this replacement service could work but the powers that be have designed it to make sure that it doesn’t. People are being told to go to Grimsby before they go to Withernsea. It’s beyond a joke now. We need to act before it’s too late.”

Real action needed on fly tipping

Conservative budget cuts of ERYC Waste Services has led to reduced bin collections and charging for bulky waste removal. This inevitably leads to an increase in fly tipping, which has reached epidemic levels. In 2015 the resultant cost to communities nationally was £800m; 21 times higher than previous figures. The local Labour Party believes this proves cuts to services are a false economy and we have pledged to return local services to local authorities to make them more accountable and to ensure that they are run with residents in mind.

Fly tipping is one of the top 3 crimes affecting our community. If Labour is elected in the East Riding we will introduce a free bulky item collection that any household can use once a year for up to five items. We believe that this will reduce the need to fly-tip and will allow us to get on top of the situation

Farmers want more done about hare coursing

Hare coursing is an increasing problem in our area with recent incidents being reported across Holderness. More than 280 reports have been made to Humberside Police since Nov 2017. Local Labour activist Jackie Gent has lived in the Patrington area for more than 30 years and is very concerned about this development. “The rise in incidents on farmland across South East Holderness shows that people think they can get away with it. Landowners and members of the public are often threatened by these gangs, usually travelling in from outside the area. The damage to fences and property, and cruelty to animals is simply unacceptable.”

Rural crime like this needs to be taken seriously and yet your Conservative MP has consistently voted to cut police budgets in real terms. This always hits rural areas hardest as forces have to divert more of their finite resources into urban areas. Your Labour team including your Police and Crime Commissioner, Keith Hunter, have committed to stamping out this scourge by making it clear to these thugs that they can’t get away with it.

If you see anything suspicious make sure to report it to the Police immediately. The only way we can combat crime like this is if it’s reported and the full magnitude is realised by the powers that be.