D-day for c-charge referendum

July 25, 2008

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A DECISION was being made today on whether a Greater Manchester wide referendum should be held on congestion charging.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA - a coalition of the 10 councils - was meeting to decide on the issue.

Sir Richard Leese leader of Manchester Council has proposed that a vote should take place - provided all 10 local authorities agree to be bound by the overall result.

The Government is offering Greater Manchester £3bn for public transport improvements in return for the peak hour only charge of up to £10 per day.

If it is accepted in principle a referendum would be staged in December through a postal vote and polling stations.

A 14-week period of consultation on congestion charging is due to end in October.

Currently Trafford, Bury and Stockport Council oppose the deal being offered by the government.

Manchester, Salford, Tameside, Wigan, Rochdale and Oldham support the plan and Bolton has pledged to hold a local referendum.

AGMA had previously looked set to vote on the issue under the two-thirds rule.

That would have meant seven councils would have had to have said `yes' for the deal to go ahead.

But Susan Williams, Tory leader in Trafford has said she wants 10 mini referendums held in each of the local authorities with results broken down by borough. If voters in Trafford said no she would continue to oppose the deal - regardless of results elsewhere.

Sir Richard says a Greater Manchester-wide referendum would be conducted independently and any question on the congestion charge would have to be verified independently.

Willson: C-charge is flawed

Should there be a referendum? Have your say.

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Laura Norder, Didsbury (25/07/2008 at 09:30)

So that will be another £1million Manchester residents will never see again. But, if it keeps the 'Me-Me'(s) happy, let's go for a referendum.

The selfish won't be happy though, because the C-charge will be introduced - despite their whingeing - as the will of the majority demands it.

Then the conspiracy theorists will call for a re-count... probably stating that non-motorists shouldn't have a say.

Chris, Irlam (25/07/2008 at 09:33)

If it is to be a fair referendum then the views of those who commute into the area from outside should be sought also.

MsD, Manchester (25/07/2008 at 09:50)

How would that be possible Chris ? Where would you draw the boundary line for people to be given a vote ? It's just not workable. I agree with a referendum being held but we can't give a vote to the whole country on the basis that a few of them might work in Manchester.

we deserve better (25/07/2008 at 09:50)

The selfish won't be happy though, because the C-charge will be introduced - despite their whingeing - as the will of the majority demands it.

I can only assume you haven't woken up yet and are still dreaming?

I think the Trafford Council leader has it right - let each council have it's own referendum. I'm no Tory (or in deed Lib Dem) but at last someone prepared to listen to constituents and abide by their choice.

Brad (25/07/2008 at 09:54)

Why aren't the people who have to travel into the city from outside the Gtr/Man area being consulted after all it is these people who want better public transport and rail services...too.

we deserve better (25/07/2008 at 09:54)

Better £1 million now than (at best) £1.2 billion over of 15 years.

PW - Dole for Labourites!, Manchester (25/07/2008 at 09:55)

Laura. How on earth does such drivel even get into your head?

Brad (25/07/2008 at 09:55)

Why haven't we heard any voices from the Cheshire County Council on this issue.

(NO TO £2080 a year CON TAX) Paul Teeque (25/07/2008 at 09:58)

laura laura laura all me me me!

listen to yourself woman. Manc DOESN'T want the Ccharge. 80%-90% agree with this. The only polls which don't have been blatantly rigged or loaded.

The sooner you get your head around the truth the better.

The con charge has been well and truly SCUPPERED.

rammylad, ramsbottom (25/07/2008 at 10:01)

Holding a referendum is a serious issue, as such I propose a referendum to decide if we need a referendum.

Laura Norder, Didsbury (25/07/2008 at 10:02)

"If it is to be a fair referendum then the views of those who commute into the area from outside should be sought also." - Chris, Irlam

Yeh, people like Quentin Willson.

I have clients that come to my business from Holland and Belgium... should we ask them, too?

rammylad, ramsbottom (25/07/2008 at 10:03)

Good to see the biggest me me is the first to comment.

Laura (bloke who gave himself a girls name??), the charge will never be introduced, get used to being on the losing side.

Chris, Irlam (25/07/2008 at 10:16)

I live in Irlam (outside the M60 but within GM) and work in the GM area and will get a say.

A friend who works in Warrington (outside the M60 & outside GM) and works in the GM area will not get a say.

If we are both expected to pay for the honour why should I get a say yet he does not?

Anyone affected by the charge should have a say - it's only fair after all.

As MsD says - where do you draw a line?

As for the referendum each borough should hold it's own vote & abide by the result. Leese is just trying it on (yet again) as at present with 3 councils dissenting & Bolton likely to go the same way this farce cannot go any further and he knows it.

enlightened (25/07/2008 at 10:18)

Laura,
Don't be afraid, this is just democracy at work. If you are so sure of the outcome you have nothing to fear. What's another million when we are talking of a £3 billion investment (although they will have to raise many billions to to bay back the 'loan' part of the deal) Nearly all the people whose opinion i have heard are against it but sounds like we must be an isolated group. If you are so sure just sit back and relax. I can fully understand your desire to have somebody else pay for your improved public transport. You can't have been happy to hear the official figures that congestion is not getting any worse, perhaps we should refer to older figures when it was. If the will of the people is to bring in the charge then bring it on.

jomov, Manchester (25/07/2008 at 10:19)

Pro con charge peeps - you insinuate that anyone against the con charge has a 'me me me' attitude.

But how can this be if the majority are against it?

Surely it should be the other way round!

Pentest (25/07/2008 at 10:22)

They better have a referendum, the voting public are already having their own referendum on these labour commies, by voting them out of office.
A Tory government can't come soon enough.

(NO TO £2080 a year CON TAX) Paul Teeque (25/07/2008 at 10:25)

I have clients that come to my business from Holland and Belgium... should we ask them, too?

ah that will be the personal massaging business then ;- >

CON CHARGE OFF WITH ITS HEAD

Munkey Boy (25/07/2008 at 10:36)

Because, jomov, when combined with public transport improvements, the majority are in favour of the scheme.

A Bus Driver (25/07/2008 at 10:43)

Judging my some of the comments on here, I don;t think a referendum is a good idea. Some people are not fit to vote as they don't bother to check all the facts first. When you hear comments like "why should I pay £5 to shop at the Trafford Centre" (it never would be £5... a maximim of £2 even if you went shopping when it's closed, or I"I will never come to Manchester for the night out" (there never would be a charge for this . I live behind the M602 and the A57 and do I get a vote as to what the quality of the air I breathe is like?

(NO TO £2080 a year CON TAX) Paul Teeque (25/07/2008 at 10:43)

" as at present with 3 councils dissenting & Bolton likely to go the same way this farce cannot go any further and he knows it."

HERE HERE! Thats the current situation and exactly why its dead in the water.

having a BINDING referendum is dicky's last puncture repair kit to keep his inflatable dinghy afloat in the River Irwell.

He's well and truly up s*** creek without a paddle.

Marissa P (25/07/2008 at 10:49)

If they agree to a referendum (and I have my doubts) the model for counting the results - whole county or by borough - will be based on whichever method is likely to give an overall "yes" outcome.

Jay B, oldham (25/07/2008 at 10:54)

its a farce! we shouldnt be putting up with this council and the con charge in the first place.

Mike, Manchester (25/07/2008 at 10:59)

Laura, i think you are going to have to spell out the pun on your name cos some people STILL think you're either a woman, or a man with a girl's name.

There should also be a Laura Genstit on here i think.

Chris, Irlam (25/07/2008 at 11:38)

"Judging my some of the comments on here, I don;t think a referendum is a good idea. Some people are not fit to vote as they don't bother to check all the facts first. When you hear comments like "why should I pay £5 to shop at the Trafford Centre" (it never would be £5... a maximim of £2 even if you went shopping when it's closed, or I"I will never come to Manchester for the night out" (there never would be a charge for this . I live behind the M602 and the A57 and do I get a vote as to what the quality of the air I breathe is like?"

So costs are NEVER going to rise are they Mr Bus Driver?

Willing to put your money where you mouth is matey?

Chris, Irlam (25/07/2008 at 11:40)

"If they agree to a referendum (and I have my doubts) the model for counting the results - whole county or by borough - will be based on whichever method is likely to give an overall "yes" outcome."

Exactly right.

Each borough should publish & abide by it's own electorate's wishes, not MCC's leader's own opinion!

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