No opposition on Horsham council

Following the news reports of a £1.6million gap in Horsham council's finances, the chair of Horsham Labour party wrote a letter to the local papers.

The letter states that the Liberal Democrats councillors on Horsham district council fail to provide an effective opposition to the ruling Tory group, with the result that matters affecting the town of Horsham are decided largely by councillors from outside the town and with no significant scrutiny from councillors who represent the town.

The return of the nasty party?

Horsham Labour party's chair, David Hide, wrote to the County Times this week about how the effects of the Tory/Lib Dem cuts and how the recent budget heralds the return of the 'nasty party' that we all remember only too well.

The letter was printed in yesterday's paper and the full text is reproduced below.

No thanks to Lib Dem Councillors

David Hide, Chair of Horsham Labour party, wrote to the West Sussex County Times last week about the vindication of the party's stance on affordable housing and his personal disappointment at the level of support from Liberal Democrat councillors on this, and on other issues.

Housing failure

Horsham Labour Party's Chair, David Hide, wrote to the West Sussex County Times in response to comments by various Tories about top-down housing targets.

He pointed out the failure of the council to meet its own targets: a failure also picked up by the Audit Commission.

The letter was printed today and the full text is below:

Bryce Lodge - a 'spot the blot' success story

Is this the first success of Horsham Labour Party's 'spot the blot' campaign, launched earlier this year?  It is certainly a welcome development.

Petition over affordable housing

When the chair and secretary of Horsham Labour Party handed in our affordable housing petition to the Horsham council offices, the local paper was there to cover it and the full story is in today's West Sussex County Times.

What is so 'broken'?

Horsham Labour Party member, Ray Battersby, responded to an article by the Tory leader of West Sussex County Council in this letter which was printed in today's West Sussex County Times.

Lib Dems have failed to pressure councils

David Hide, Chair of Horsham Labour, has written about the Liberal Democrats' ineffectiveness as an opposition party in this letter which was printed in today's West Sussex County Times.

Schemes to help society

The following letter was sent to the West Sussex County Times to raise awareness of two government schemes, Partnerships for Older People and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. It was printed in today's paper.

Further response to Philip Circus' opinions on climate change

by Andrew Skudder

Two weeks after it appeared, Philip Circus' column about climate change is still attracting responses in the letters page of the West Sussex County Times.

Housing in West Sussex

There are two contrasting views on housing in this week's West Sussex County Times. On the letters page there is a letter about how provision should be higher, while a few pages later there is a column by Philip Circus saying that we don't need any more at all.

Launch of 'Spot the Blot' campaign

Ray Chapman, Horsham Labour Party's secretary, launched the 'Spot the Blot' campaign with this letter to the West Sussex County Times, printed in today's paper.

Responses to Philip Circus' opinions on climate change

Last week's local paper contained an opinion piece by the ever-controversial Philip Circus, where he boasted of not believing in 'the global warming bandwagon', mentioned the 'bad science of global warming' and declared that anybody who thinks otherwise is an 'eco-fascist'.

There were several responses to this in the letters page this week.

Homes consultation is nothing but a sham

Horsham Labour Party's chair, David Hide, went to the public consultation exhibition organised by Berkely Homes and was not impressed.  He wrote this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed today.

Postal strikes in Horsham

The West Sussex County Times this week carried several stories about the strike by CWU members working for Royal Mail.

The first contained interviews with striking workers at the Storrington Delivery Office, voicing their concerns about the future of the service and for themselves.

Forum works described as 'a blot on the town'

Horsham CLP Secretary, Ray Chapman wrote to the West Sussex County Times, to raise concerns about the handling of maintenance works at the Forum.

As a result they wrote this story, published on 23rd October 2009.

Greatly cheered by Labour Party's plans

Horsham Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate, Andrew Skudder, wrote about his experiences at the party's annual conference in this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed today.

Putting big business before local people

Horsham Labour Party's chair, David Hide, has written about how businesses take priority over individuals in the council's decisions in this letter to the West Sussex County Times, printed today.

Immense economic benefits of an extra runway at Gatwick

Horsham Labour Party member, Ray Battersby, wrote this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed in today's paper.

Centres are funded by Whitehall

Horsham Labour Party member, Christine Conibear, wrote about the Children and Family Centres in this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed in today's paper.