Mike Beckett says 'A big thank you!'

Mike Beckett by Anne Pilgrim

Thank you for your support with the North Yorkshire County Council, Thornton Dale and the Wolds By-election campaign. Voting was held on Thursday the 27th October 2011 with the count starting at 10am on the following day.

The candidates' visions were set out in the Gazette and Herald. The paper also wrote about the Conservative's minor quibble about a quote which is a matter of public record. This I believe was done to draw attention from the Conservative candidate's voting record. Firstly, voting in favour of access for a housing development on part of the Manthorpe Park Playing Fields in Thornton-le-Dale. Secondly, more recently, following the Ryedale District Council Policy and Resources Committee on the 23 June 2011 on Item 7: Review of Civic Budget. It was resolved (link to minutes) following a proposal by Cllr Burr that the Civic Budget should be £6k on councillor expenses. These are specifically for the Chairman, Vice Chairman and councillor travel expenses etc. This matter was also considered by the full session of Ryedale District Council on the 18th July 2011 in Item 33: Review of Civic Budget (Item 33), minute 7. The minuted resolutions made, will make allowances payable directly to Councillors next year for specific jobs. I fear this will not subject payments made to Councillors to the scrutiny and accountability of a vote. More importantly at the moment, the conservative candidate in the byelection voted in this named vote, in favour of raising this budget for Councillor expenses from £6k against the proposal by the specialist committee to £10k. That's an extra £4k of our tax payer's money, in this time of austerity, when Councillors should lead by example! 

Mike Beckett with our dog campaigning in the

    countryside near Thixendale with beautiful horses

The day before the election, the Malton and Pickering Mercury press covered the campaign. I also wrote my last pre election update social media post. With the Conservative MP's staff out delivering to support their candidate they were heard to remark that even the work experience person was out helping to deliver - they clearly had to fight for this seat. I hope they fight just as hard for all the residents, who I think pay first class taxes but so often are getting second class services. We are threatened with third class services if cuts disproportionately further disadvantage our rural communities. With a Conservative led District and County Councils and MP, I am left wondering what the Tories have done for us locally and I conclude not enough.

Diana Wallis MEP, Cllr Mike Beckett, Former MP
Cllr Elizabeth Shields & Edward McMillan-Scott MEP 

Press coverage of the election results are here, this was my second time fighting the seat. I gained over a third of the vote which was a better result than the last two times for this a safe Conservative seat. Six years ago when I last stood, the then Conservative constituency agent, Cllr Pamela Anderson, had said "We could get a pig in a blue ribbon elected here". When I last stood the Tory majority for this County seat was 749. More recently in 2009, the Tory majority increased to 861, with a different candidate for the Liberal Democrats and an incumbent Tory councillor. Now, on October 28th count over a third of the eligible votes going to the Liberal Democrats candidate, the Tory majority was reduced to 548 - a reduction of 313 in the majority from the last result.

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Again thank you everyone for your help and support giving local people a choice.

Byelection campaign in Thornton Dale and the Wolds

Mike Beckett local community activist

At last news from North Yorkshire County Council that the Thornton Dale and the Wolds By-election is scheduled for Thursday 27th October 2011.

Mike Beckett supports local transport

Michael Beckett said "I am delighted to be selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the putting the people of Thornton Le Dale, Rillington, Sherburn, the Wolds Valley and the villages around them first. We need a local champion who can push the Tory controlled County Council for a fairer deal for Rural areas. We need more support to help support workers and employers, too long treated like second class citizens by remote Tory's sitting in Northallerton, as an enthusiastic and driven individuals I will visit even the smallest village at least three times a year in person to see what is happening and to make sure, people get helped sooner rather than later!"

http://gplus.to/mikebeckett 

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote and would like to do so to be able to vote or if you would like a postal vote (to vote early by post) or if you'd prefer a proxy vote (where someone else votes for you where you might be away but unsure when) then contact Ryedale District council Elections team on  elections(antispam protection please remove brackets put a with a circle round it here instead, an AT symbol)ryedale.gov.uk or 01653 600666.

Mike Beckett outside Rillington Post Office

Alderman Betty Denton, Mike Beckett's agent says "I am glad for the offers of support for our Liberal Democrats campaign to give the people of Thornton Dale and the Wolds County Council Seat a better deal. If you too would like to help please do let me know by email: denton.betty1(antispam protection please remove brackets put a with a circle round it here instead, an AT symbol)gmail.com North Yorkshire County Council needs more youth and vigour, people who work hard and really can make a difference, all of these Mike Beckett has with his professional experience but most of all he cares and he does his work with compassion."

crossroads... prioritising the way ahead

With the dust now settled and the way ahead clear all sorts of exciting possibilities for me exists. I quest forward to manifest my own adventure with my family and friends beside me into tomorrows dawn together. It is exciting and full of potential...but what happens next? as they say in the movies * To be continues * (or in other words not sure yet). Open to invitations: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/michaelbeckettesq

It has been lovely receiving so many good wishes from those I have worked with in so many different ways. As I reflect on my achievements of the last three years, as the Executive Director having increased turnover from 120k to 300k+ in 3years, increasing membership from 20 to 160+, volunteers from less than 50 to over 150 and increasing impact of the charity by maximising outputs of volunteer hours delivering a quality service for vulnerable local people. Leading the charity into a merger with Our Celebration to produce a new combined charity with a projected turnover well in excess of 1/2 million for 2011-12.

In June 2010 York and District Mind was rated by the Social Return On Investment network for the RBS SE100 index ranking the social enterprise as 69th in the UK overall and 35th in terms of impact. In Yorkshire and Humber we are 6th overall and 3rd in terms of impact.

Having had a portfolio career to date building a wide skill base and with a desire to achieve more for people in whatever role or position I translate through or end up in during 2011.

I am learning a lot as I study for Chartered Director status with the Institute of Directors and have received a lot of support and guidance from those around me which is much appreciated.

On with the adventure!