PaulRogan

Sadly this blog will be no help to either the Team down under or the bats which used to live in the now demolished barn on former Council land adjascent to Rastrick Cemetary in Carr Green.

It is posted to help protect any future bats or any other wildlife and fauna which may be at risk from pre-development site clearances. As a result of my recent investigations I must now sadly dispel the myth that notice given to the Council as planning authority that there are bats on any site or area, affords NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. The only way proper Police enforcement can take place is to have a site inspected and noted by qualified volunteer bats or wildlife Officers, working through Natural England. This newly re-named body can be found on wwww.english-nature.org.uk.

It is too late for the bats at Carr Green. Please lets do all we can to protect our precious English wildlife any where and every where else. Contact either the website above or for Rastrick ward, myself. Thank you.

A few weeks ago when I saw that the local B&Q store was selling and promoting home wind turbines and solar panels, i thought to myself "self, this must really be a growing issue". No matter why, increasing energy bills, general desire to go green, don qioxitic tendancies, no doubt the B&Q marketing team will have all these answers, the reality is here and in the retail park!

I have seen a few applications for home turbines but none yet in Rastrick ward. Should we press for the planning process to fast-trak enviro-friendly home additions? Are Rastrick residents happy to see the inevitable proliforation of spinning blades in the ward? I would like to know, I wouldn't mind generating some power of my own. It's certainly windy enough!

Seriously, the whole subject of home generated heating from sun or wind is a growing one. Not I think because all are concerned about global warming from burning fossil fuels, but perhaps because we English see the sense in getting a benefit from Nature for Now't. Also of course, as a Country of passionate DIYers and fixers, building a windmill seems like another interesting home improvement project!

This is the email sent by Calderdale's Chief Executive this morning:

Colleagues

I am sorry to have to tell you that following last night's Council meeting Councillor Tom McElroy collapsed. He was immediately treated by first aiders and soon after by paramedics. Councillor McElroy died at the Town Hall.

The Council and people of Calderdale have lost a dedicated public servant. Our thoughts are with his wife Jane who you may know works for the Council.

It was a great shock and sadness when I learnt the news too. I knew Councillor McElroy to be a dedicated, experienced and popular ward councillor. He was in my opinion a very shrewed leader of his Labour group in the Council as well as being generaly very well informed and dedicated to his many duties in the Town Hall. I will pray for his peace and my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and his Party collegues. More details are on www.halifaxcourier.co.uk

Whilst there have been no comments on the wheelie bin bog, some people have read it as I have received some phonecalls prompted by it on the general subject of waste management. There has been a single concern running through all the calls, namely the inappropriate nature of the re-cycling site at Atlas Mills. It is not user friendly amoungst other concerns.

Door step re-cycling is seen as inadequate and insufficient in a modern world. There seems to me to be a general will to re-cycle more and thereby help reduce land-fill and improve the environment. Please keep your comments comming, either on the blog or over phone.