Allan Smith

I am very pleased that CCTV cameras will go up shortly in my ward, Winterton.  I think they are an excellent idea and a great deterrent and give people more confidence if they are on show. It is something that myself and the town council have discussed over the past few months and I will be pleased when they finally go online.

While the majority of local kids are absolutely fine, and it's just the minority that ruin things for everyone, I feel strongly about the small numbers who still drink openly on the streets and I would welcome a blanket booze ban in Winterton. I think parents of those under 16 should be more responsible and should be fined if their kids are caught drinking on the streets. It is about their future and their health after all.

I was disgusted to read over the weekend that British Airways had refunded Kate Moss to the tune of £10,000 after the airline lost her bags at the new terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/04/13/ba-lost-kate-moss-s-bags-containing-new-top-shop-designs-98487-20381039/

I think it's disgusting that their seems to be a two-class system where you are looked after better if you are rich.  BA lost a lot of people's luggage with the chaos that took place at the new terminal but not everyone has been refunded for their inconvenience and certainly not £10,000.  What makes Kate Moss a special case?  She may have complained about it but what about the thousands of others?

There seems to be one rule for the rich and one for the poor and it's about time it was changed. Look at the numerous celebrities in the past who commit crimes and yet seem to get away with it?  I would love to come back as a barrister in the next life!!

There has been some recent criticism of the increase in the national minimum wage - let's not forget that there would be no increase under a Tory government because there would be no minimum wage scheme!

The Labour government has done much, much more to help the lower paid than the Tories ever did. Tax credits, improved employment rights and, of course, the minimum wage have helped boost the pay packets of the poorest people in the UK. In 1997 under a Tory government thousands of people were paid as little as £1 an hour and millions across the UK were even denied paid breaks. And that's only relevant to those who are employed - under the Tory government we had record levels of people out of work, under a Labour government we have record levels of people in work.

While I personally would welcome a larger rise than 21p, this above-inflation rise is better than no rise.  And no rise is the same value as the Tory party. Worthless.

I wanted to congratulate all of those involved in the Primary Music Celebration which was held in Scunthorpe on March 27. Directed by Susan Hollingworth and involving children from schools across North Lincolnshire the event was marvellous. Myself, Trevor Barker and Margaret Sidell attended representing North Lincolnshire Council and I think we can all agree the event was absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere was terrific.

Sometimes we are too quick to attack the region's young people but 95 per cent of them are a credit to their parents and families and those who performed last week should be proud of their efforts which reflected tremendously well on young people as a whole. A big well done to all those involved!