MPs voted by 334 to 292 against the proposals, which means the planned shake-up will be postponed until 2018 at the earliest.

The plans, which if approved would have seen the wards of Wednesfield North and South represented by a ‘Walsall West’ MP and not a Wolverhampton North East MP (as they currently are) were massively unpopular with local people and lead to to the ‘Keep Wednesfield Together’ campaign being launched.

The campaign, backed by former and current MPs, as well as Councillors and residents saw over 700 people sign a petition against the plans during a pop up stall on Wednesfield High Street and many more people also signed an online petition.

WV11.co.uk today spoke to Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds who said:

“I am delighted that today we have a won a vote in Parliament against the proposed boundary changes. This means that we will not lose substantial parts of Wednesfield to a Walsall constituency and that the boundaries of Wolverhampton North East constituency will stay the same at the next general election in 2015. I want to thank all the local residents who signed our petition against these proposed changes.”

Wednesfield North Cllr Phil Bateman also commented on the campaign:

Wednesfield together campaign was successfully this time. well done residents who campaigned to stay in Wolverhampton. we won!

— Phil Bateman MBE (@PhilBatemanMBE) January 29, 2013

Photo courtesy of Ben Forrest.

The post Boundary review defeated in Commons appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds and Wednesfield North Councillor Phil Bateman recently held a street stall on Wednesfield market which saw over 700 people sign their petition to ‘Keep Wednesfield Together’.

An online petition has now been launched for those who wish to make their views known – click here to sign the petition.

WV11 recorded the following interviews with Emma Reynolds and Phil Bateman at the street stall:

Photo courtesy of Ben Forrest.

The post Online petition launched to oppose boundary changes appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

They were overwhelmed by the response that they got from local residents who oppose the proposals to move the Council wards of Wednesfield North and Wednesfield South into a new constituency of Walsall West.

Emma Reynolds MP said: “People are up in arms about the Boundary Commission proposals to move the Council wards of Wednesfield North and Wednesfield South into a new constituency of Walsall West.”

“The response that we got from the public today should leave the Boundary Commission in no doubt that local residents are opposed to these plans. We will continue to collect signatures for the petition and submit them to the Boundary Commission before 10 December deadline.”

An online petition has now been launched for those who wish to make their views known - click here to sign the petition.

To have your say on this matter - please fill in the Boundary Commission’s online survey here.

Wednesfield North Councillor and former Mayor of Wolverhampton, Phil Bateman MBE said: “Over 700 local residents surged to sign our petition today. It is clear that they feel strongly that they want to “Keep Wednesfield Together” and to remain part of Wolverhampton.”

WV11 recorded the following interviews with Emma Reynolds and Phil Bateman at the street stall:

To have your say on this matter – please fill in the Boundary Commission’s online survey here.

Photo courtesy of Ben Forrest.

The post Over 700 sign petition to keep Wednesfield in Wolverhampton appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

They are responding to concerns from local residents that the Council wards of Wednesfield North and Wednesfield South will be moved into a new constituency of Walsall West according to the Boundary Commission proposals. Furthermore, they are campaigning to keep “Wednesfield Together” by demanding that the history and identity of Wednesfield is respected. Wednesfield stretches across four Council wards: Wednesfield North, Wednesfield South, Heath Town and Fallings Park.

Friday morning is a busy market time in Wednesfield and local residents will have an opportunity to sign a petition calling on the Boundary Commission to think again.

Their message is “Keep Wednesfield Together” and for Wednesfield to remain part of Wolverhampton.

Emma Reynolds MP said: “We are calling on the Boundary Commission to revise their proposals. They clearly have not appreciated that Wednesfield stretches across the Council wards of Wednesfield North, Wednesfield South, Heath Town and Fallings Park. We want to keep “Wednesfield together” and as part of Wolverhampton. Wednesfield has a proud and historic civic record and local residents do not wish it to be split in this way.”

Wednesfield North Councillor and former Mayor of Wolverhampton, Phil Bateman MBE said: “Many Wednesfield residents have raised concerns with me about these proposals. They feel strongly that they want to “Keep Wednesfield Together” and remain part of Wolverhampton where the civic links and Parliamentary representation has been strong and not moved to Walsall.”

WV11.co.uk will be in the High Street from 10am on Friday supporting the campaign, so why not come along and show your support!

Photo courtesy of Ben Forrest.

The post “Wednesfield Together” campaign launched appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

The Boundary Commission for England is the independent public body that reviews all Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England.

The Commission has recently published it’s revised proposals on the boundaries of which MPs are responsible for and is consulting on these from 16 October 2012 to 10 December 2012.

What does this mean?

The proposed changes would mean that when when residents in WV11 vote for their MP this person would not be an MP for Wolverhampton North East, but for Walsall West – an area which is set to include Wednesfield North & South, Willenhall North & South, Short Heath, Birchills, Leamore, Bentley & Darlaston North and Pleck.

Wednesfield would still remain part of Wolverhampton City Council, but our local Member of Parliament would be representing 8 constituencies within Walsall and only 2 within Wolverhampton.

Wednesfield North Councillor Phil Bateman has raised fears that following the Parliamentary Boundary review, the District & City boundary reviews are due to take place and this could potentially see Wednesfield North & South migrated into Walsall and out  of Wolverhampton.

Have your say

The Boundary Commission is consulting the public on their views until 10th December 2012.

In order to have your say you will need to fill in an online questionnaire here and state why you are for / against these proposals.

Petitions and the like will not carry the same weight as individual comments, so if you want your MP to continue to represent Wolverhampton and not Walsall, please take the time to fill in the questionnaire.

You can also contact our current MP Emma Reynolds:

Office of Emma Reynolds MP, 492A Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 6AN

Tel: 01902 397698 or Email: emma.reynolds.mp@parliament.uk.

Proposed new Parliamentary Boundaries (Walsall West)

Polling Station photo by Flickr user anemoneprojectors used under Creative Commons.

The post Wednesfield to become part of Walsall West for Parliamentary Elections? appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

The meeting takes place at the main hall of the Jennie Lee Centre on Lichfield Road and will be an opportunity for residents to meet the local team and talk about what is being done to improve the area, as well as a chance talk to agencies and service providers from the council.

Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Approval of Minutes from last meeting
3. Presentation on Wolverhampton Improving Futures Project from Donna Magher
4. Presentation on Welfare reforms from Paul Lusk
5. Presentation on Neighbourhood Priorities update from Simon Hamilton
6. Presentation on Bentley Bridge Community Arts Project from Sophie Heath

Networking with Stall Holders
• Governor Services
• Neighbourhood Wardens
• Black Country Housing
• Fire Service
• LNP stand
• Wednesfield Library
• Wolverhampton College

The meeting runs between 6pm and 8:30pm and is open to all – light refreshments will also be available.

For more information, call the LNP’s North East Constituency office on 01902 556622 or email simon.hamilton@wolverhampton.gov.uk

The post LNP Partnership Meeting appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

The local election results are as follows:

Wednesfield North – Labour Gain – 28.30% turnout

• Phillip Thomas Alexander BATEMAN (Labour) - 1678 votes – ELECTED (891 majority)
• Hazel KEIRLE (Conservative) - 787 votes

Wednesfield South - Labour Gain – 27.46% turnout

The post Wednesfield Local Election Results 2012 appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

There are 3 candidates standing in Wednesfield South and 2 in Wednesfield North and we will publish any responses in the order we receive them.

Whilst WV11 does not back any political party, we are keen to see local politicians engaging with the community online as well as offline.

The fifth and final candidate to respond was Wednesfield South Liberal Democrat candidate Oliver Williams, here are his responses to our questionnaire…

Name: Oliver Williams

Party: Liberal Democrats

Ward: Wednesfield South

Occupation: Student and Volunteer at Wolverhampton City Radio(101.8 WCRFM)

What made you decide to stand for election?

The need for change at local level in Politics is at boiling point. The same people have been running this City for 30 years or more and have created nothing but a mess.

Although Liberal Democrat, I aim to be Independent and stand up for the people of Wednesfield South and the City and not just tow the party line!

What do you believe are the key issues to be dealt with in your ward?

Resurfacing of footpaths, Improvement of bus shelters, Re-connecting with local people at issues that can be changed at local level and Parking charges at New Cross Hospital being reduced.

If you are elected how do you plan to keep your constituents informed of what you are doing to represent them?

I plan to be as 21st century as one can be. The use of Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Youtube will be critical in elections ahead.

Although there will not be the death of leaflets and knocking on doors the future lies in attracting younger people to vote by using the methods they are familiar with. I currently have a Twitter account and Youtube account for this election.

How do you feel you will be able to make a difference to your constituents?

By Listening to them. By offering and promising sensible solutions to local matters and recognising when a matter is for National Government and not Local Government.

Anything else you would like to add?

This election and its candidates should be judged on effort and accountability, but should also be judged on the need for change!

This Council is currently ‘Old Men, Old Thoughts’.

I believe in the City I call home and believe that change is on its way.

I can successfully bring a younger perspective to decisions.

With a City firmly in decline I cannot stand back and do nothing and say ‘well, I’m Wednesfield South why should I care about Wolverhampton’

That’s been the attitude amongst Councillors from all parties for years and it just hasn’t worked!

The post Meet the candidates: Oliver Williams appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

But if you’re not convinced by any of them, perhaps this guest post from local blogger and stand up comedian Dave Pitt might be for you…

“The way of the apathetic voter”

It’s that time of the year again. You come home to find a pile of badly photocopied leaflets strew on your doormat, each one filled with a grinning suited person standing next to a defaced wall or damaged pothole. The typeface along the top declares that this person will fix whatever problem is in the image. You stuff them behind the pizza menus in the letter holder your Mother got you from Portugal last year. You conveniently forget about them until Eastenders is interrupted by a tannoy announcement outside your home. You look outside to see a five year old Corsa edging down your road while one of those grinning suited people sit inside talking into a microphone, their voice stripped of its humanity by the sound system and spat into your ears with all the sophistication of shattered glass dragged down a blackboard. Once Eastenders finishes, and soon enough for the drum roll to still be echoing in your head, another faceless suit wearing automaton appears on your screen promising you pay rises, tax cuts and free cake. You wish they’d just shut up so Holby City could start.

It’s easy to get turned off from UK politics and never more so than when it is forced down your throat for the elections. In an ideal democracy we would take time to consider all the candidates listen to their messages and debate their arguments but it’s hard to ignore that underlying itch of futility about the whole debacle. The sensation that your choice is between one self-serving automaton and another self-serving automaton. As a result you will stay in the house and become a statistic, one of those people who suffer from “voter apathy”. But deep down you know this isn’t voter apathy, it is voter jadedness.

If you fall into this category there is another way which stops you becoming a statistic. A way to make a protest vote without moving towards the extreme ends of politics or the single issue parties. A way that is frighteningly simple. You spoil your ballot paper.

This act of minor vandalism seems pointless but it has meaning when done by many people. In the 2001 General Election less than 60% of eligible adults exercised their right to vote. Now imagine if that 40% had all spoiled their ballot papers? Suddenly the political parties couldn’t blame “voter apathy”. They would have to admit that their empty promises, dodgy deals and soundbites no longer work. Maybe this idea of spoiling ballot papers could take route in some of the 60% who did vote. Suddenly that lesser of three evils vote becomes a “spoiled paper”.

You can even have fun with it. You could do it a simple way by ticking all the boxes, ticking none of the boxes or writing the name of your favourite footballer as an alternative candidate. Or you could get more complex and creative. Draw a caricature of the candidates next to their names, write in your favourite one liner joke or simply get vulgar. Think of the pleasure you could give to those sleepless counters toiling all through the night putting pieces of paper into piles when they open up your paper and find a joke to read or a “Vote for Pedro” poorly added to the end of the list.

Most importantly, don’t let anyone tell you it’s a waste. If you feel disengaged from politics then sitting at home is a waste. Getting up, going to the polling station and casting a vote for Big Bird is very important. You are sending a message to the leaders that they are there to serve us and they are failing. We can leave the polling station and say, “We’re not apathetic, we’re jaded and I’ve just drawn a picture of the three main candidates as farmyard animals to prove it.”

There is no clearer message.

For more for the same, check out Dave Pitt’s blog and follow him on Twitter.

The post The Alternative Election Speech by Dave Pitt appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.

There are 3 candidates standing in Wednesfield South and 2 in Wednesfield North and we will publish any responses in the order we receive them.

Whilst WV11 does not back any political party, we are keen to see local politicians engaging with the community online as well as offline.

The fourth candidate to respond was Wednesfield North Conservative candidate Hazel Keirle, here are her responses to our questionnaire…

Name: Hazel Keirle

Party: Conservative

Ward: Wednesfield North

Occupation: Administrator

What made you decide to stand for election?

I have been a Councillor for 4 years and don’t feel I’ve achieved enough yet. It’s a very different role to the one I thought it was before I was elected but having 4 years experience under my belt could really help me achieve more in another term.

What do you believe are the key issues to be dealt with in your ward?

I have over the past two weeks carried out a cross section survey on the Ward to make sure I am reporting here the most recent key issues.

Across the Ward we have ongoing issues with parking, speeding, overgrown trees, dilapidated fencing, not enough community policing, insufficient social housing, lack of investment in green spaces and too few employment opportunities.

Although the Council has less money to spend – one of a Councillor’s many roles is to monitor that what it has, it spends wisely and fairly and to fight for Wednesfield North residents needs and wants.

If you are elected how do you plan to keep your constituents informed of what you are doing to represent them?

Communicating with and feedback to residents is critical for inclusion. A one to one basis is far easier to manage than across a whole Ward of 8,500 voters. However, as social media increases, new opportunities arise for e-communication. So we can use texts, email, face book, twitter, live streaming, media sites and everything the web has to offer – and still use telephone calls, letters and in-touch leaflets and we can knock doors. I have always held weekly drop-in surgeries and am more than happy to do home visits. So really, I have a whole host of communication resources to keep me in touch with residents and I will use them.

How do you feel you will be able to make a difference to your constituents?

There are two aspects to this really. There are things that can be achieved that make a difference to everyone, and then there are the personal support and advocacy tasks that you take on for individuals, which can make a real difference to that person. Each is as important as the other.

I believe some of my best attributes, are being a keen listener, a persistent advocate, a confidant, and always willing to learn. I don’t mind taking on those seemingly impossible tasks – almost everything is achievable with hard work and dedication.

Anything else you would like to add?

These are local elections and voting is important. Local candidates are very much in touch with the issues that really affect local people. We are elected to represent our fellow residents, and that I have always done and will continue to do if re-elected.

The post Meet the candidates: Hazel Keirle appeared first on WV11.co.uk - News and events in Wednesfield.