Immanuel: Colette McCormack campaigning for 2015

Former Mayor of Hyndburn, Colette McCormack (centre), has been out canvassing in Immanuel ahead of the 2015 local election for the ward.

Colette is no stranger to HBC, having previously been a Councillor and narrowly beaten in the 2014 elections. She hopes to regain her seat next year and has the support of the Labour party.

Immanuel: Colette McCormack confirmed at 2014 election candidate

Immanuel Councillor Colette McCormack has been confirmed as the Labour choice for election candidate in that ward in 2014. Colette has been involved in Oswaldtwistle community work for many years now and completed a year-long engagement as Hyndburn Mayor in 2011-12.

At the official selection meeting, the Oswaldtwistle Labour branch also reaffirmed their support for Graham Jones MP when he stands for election again in 2015.

Oswaldtwistle: Cllr Colette McCormack raising awareness for older people

Immanuel ward Councillor, Colette McCormack, has been at various events over the past few weeks to promote the issues faced by older people.

Cllr McCormack said, "I have attended the National Pensioners Conference in Blackpool on the 19th and 20th June where a young man named Josh from the NUS gave a speech and vowed to get them all on board with the pensioners campaign. I attended the Older Peoples Executive Committee on 27th June as I am a member and I am in Cheshire and Chester Council for the Older Peoples Champion meeting in July.
I will be bringing all the information and best practice back to Hyndburn to share and raise awareness.
One of the things I would like to push in Hyndburn is the Dignity Charter and this will go hand in hand with the Dignity Code for Older People that we have adopted in Hyndburn. This was brought up at NPC and most councils will be trying to push this."

Oswaldtwistle: Highways issues resolved

Oswaldtwistle Labour Councillors Colette McCormack and Bill Pinder have recently been working on highway issues at the junction of Frederick Street and Union Road, Cherry Crescent, Yew Tree Drive and Hawthorn Ave, amongst many more.

Highways issues are a County Council matter but Colette and Bill have been taking a more proactive approach and addressing these issues directly as they arise.

Hyndburn Labour Group take 5 of the 6 County Council seats

Counting of votes in the local elections is now complete and Labour have taken five of the six Hyndburn seats in the County Council election, unseating the Conservatives from control in County Hall. The elections results are as follows:

OSWALDTWISTLE

Colette McCormack (Labour) - 1126

Paul Thompson (UKIP) - 1076

Regrettably, Colette lost out to the Conservative candidate, who explicitly forbade that his party's participation in the election count was recorded by the Labour group.

ACCRINGTON WEST

Munsif Dad (Labour) - 2492

Bobby Anwar (UKIP) - 528

ACCRINGTON SOUTH

Bernard Dawson (Labour) - 1231

Alex Ross (Independent) - 63

Kasia Jewell (Green) - 57

Christopher Matthew (UKIP) - 579

ACCRINGTON NORTH

Clare Pritchard (Labour) - 1168

Malcolm Pritchard (Independent) - 925

RISHTON, ALTHAM & CLAYTON-LE-MOORS

Miles Parkinson (Labour) - 1866

Craig Ramplee (UKIP) - 650 

GREAT HARWOOD

Gareth Molineux (Labour) - 1279

Ian Robinson (Independent) - 889

Cllr Colette McCormack - Oswaldtwistle

As the Hyndburn Labour group prepare for a final day of canvassing before polling booths open on Thursday, Cllr Colette McCormack will be out and about in Oswaldtwistle knocking on doors with her team to see any residents who she has missed.

Support for the Labour Party has increased dramatically in Oswaldtwistle over the course of the election campaign and a sizeable number of residents have indicated that they will be voting for Colette tomorrow. Very few people have indicated that they are supporting the Conservatives and main opposition would appear to come from UKIP.

If you would like to speak to Colette before polling day then please get in touch using the contact details of the Your Councillors tab on the homepage of this blog.

Workers Memorial Day 2013

April 29th is Workers Memorial Day across the world, a day to remember all those people who have lost their lives in the line of work. It is also a day to remember all those who have no protection from corporate greed and are exploited because of a lack of regulation from their governments.

A short ceremony was conducted at the Moorfield Colliery Memorial in Altham by Rev John Tranter to commemorate the day, as well as to remember all 68 men and children who died in the worst mining disaster the northwest has ever known on 7th November 1883. The workers in the mine ranged from 46 down to just 10 years old.

The service was attended by residents from across the borough as well as Cllr Rennie Pinder, Chair of Altham Parish Council. Hyndburn Borough Council was represented by Cllr Miles Parkinson, Cllr Colette McCormack, Cllr Bill Pinder, Cllr Ken Moss and Mayor John Broadley as well as MP Graham Jones.

A buffet lunch was laid on at The Walton Arms in Altham shortly after the ceremony ended by landlord Gary Taylor.

A full set of photos can be viewed on The Hyndburn Labour Group Facebook page.

Older People's Champion Network Northwest

Councillors from across the North West who are championing the needs of older people, met on 15th April 2013 at North Lancs Training Group in Accrington to highlight and spread good practice.

The Older Peoples Champions Network North West of England is a long-standing organisation that helps Local Authorities improve their focus on the needs of older people. There are almost 30 Local Authorities from across the North West region involved in this major network.

Cllr Colette McCormack, Older Peoples Champion for Hyndburn Council, is an active member of the Champions Network.  Cllr McCormack, working with North Lancs Training Group has opened up the opportunity for the network to look at some of the barriers and opportunities in helping over 50s retrain for employment.

The Department of Health has recognised in a recent report the importance of employment in the health and well-being of our ageing population and the contribution they make to the national and local economy.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Leader Hyndburn Borough Council, said; “Within my lifetime it is anticipated that over half of our population will be over 50 and there will be an expectation that as we live longer we will have to work longer. It’s vital that we consider the needs of older people now in the way we develop services for the future. The Older Peoples Champions Network North West of England will play a big part to make sure we develop services suitable for an ageing population. I am very pleased to be able to welcome the network to Hyndburn and I thank North Lancs Training Group for hosting this important event.”

Hyndburn Labour County Council Candidates 2013

Hyndburn Labour Party will be standing a candidate in each of the 6 County Council Divisions in Hyndburn.

Labour County Councillor for Rishton and Clayton Le Moors, Miles Parkinson commented, "Over the past 4 years the people of Hyndburn have been let down by the Conservatives at County Hall. We have seen recycling centres closed, care charges introduced for young people with disabilities and massive increases in charges for day care centres. From Baxenden to Oswaldtwistle, highways to bus routes, cuts have resulted in a reduced service for Hyndburn's residents".

Miles added: "Nationally, it is now becoming clear that austerity is hurting but it isn't working. Borrowing continues to increase and yet the people of Hyndburn are continuing to see a squeeze on their household budgets and a reduction of the services they rely on. Labour at County Hall will freeze council tax, invest in the services that people want and need, and we will be people's voice in tough times".

Labour Candidates are:

Accrington South - Bernard Dawson

Oswaldtwistle - Colette McCormack

Great Harwood - Gareth Molineux

Accrington North - Clare Pritchard

Accrington West - Munsif Dad

Rishton and Clayton-Le-Moors - Miles Parkinson

Canvassing in all wards has been taking place for several months now and all households will receive a knock at the door and candidate literature before polling day on Thursday 2nd May. If you wish to speak to any of the Labour candidates ahead of the election then please use the contact details under the Your Councillors tab on the homepage of this blog.

Oswaldtwistle Area Council - 6th March 2013

The next meeting of Oswaldtwistle Area Council will take place on Wednesday 6th March at the Civic Arts Centre at 7.00pm. This is a public meeting and County Council candidate Cllr Colette McCormack will be in attendance with Cllr Bill Pinder to answer any questions on local issues.

Oswaldtwistle Area Council - 7th November 2012

The next public meeting of Oswaldtwistle Area Council will take place at 7.00pm at the Civic Arts Centre on 7th November 2012. Labour Councillors Bill Pinder (pictured) and Colette McCormack will be in attendance to take any questions from residents.