Liberal Democrats in Manchester have written to housing minister Grant Shapps calling for power to set rules on planning decisions relating to houses in multiple occupation to be vested with local councils.

Despite 13 years in Government, Labour failed to secure rules stating that developers must apply for planning permission to rent properties out as houses in multiple occupation, where more than two unrelated people share a house.

Lib Dem housing spokesperson, Cllr Iain Donaldson, stated “We have been calling for regulation of houses in multiple occupancy in this City for many years, and yet the last Labour Government failed to get legislation through Westminster in time. With the commitments in the Coalition document to localisation of decision-making we want to see Manchester City Council empowered to set these rules locally.”

High concentrations of multiple-occupations can have a negative effect on the surrounding neighbourhood, by causing an increase in noise and disturbance or by causing the types of shops and services in those areas to change, as has been seen in places such as Withington, Chorlton, Whalley Range and Fallowfield.

Cllr Donaldson added “Labour can whinge about these powers all they want, but they failed to deliver. I am calling on the Minister to show that this government is about action, and not just comforting words.”

Tomorrows buget will shift some of the tax buden from the poorest in our society to some of the less needy by taking 880,000 of the lowest paid, including many pensioners, out of paying tax altogether.

Those who think Lib Dems are just poodles in this coalition should read the view of Telegraph columnist Benedict Brogan.

Today he writes:  ‘Mr Osborne and David Cameron want to keep the coalition going, not least to allow the Chancellor to deliver on his “Budget for a Parliament”. It almost seems as if he is securing Lib Dem support for cuts and “an accelerated reduction in the structural deficit” ‘

When the Telegraph has noticed that the principles of the Lib Dems make them real partners, with influence in Government, the impact of the Lib Dems must be far greater than anticipated.

The now annual Love Burnage event at St Margarets Church on Burnage Lane was a fantastic success again this year.  Congratulations again to the Vicar, Ian Thompson and the enthusiastic team that have driven this event from strength to strenght.

Particularly pleasing this year was the presence of the Green End Primary steel band.  As Vice-Chair of Governors it was an absolute delight to see the children enjoying being at the centre of attention, they played really well.

 After the event John Leech, Bill Fisher and I went to meet with leading members of the local Mosque on Mauldeth Road, who were extremely hospitable to us.

The third event of the day was the North West Region gala diner, held at Chorlton golf club.  It was so good to meet with so many colleagues from across the region and just chill.

When Labour promised new social houses, they failed to mention that the money they were pledging had already been spent in transferring Council Houses to new housing associations.

The fact that so many social houses in this region will not nowbe built is due to false promises by Labour, the Government can not cut what is not there to cut.

Interestingly there will be more new Council Houses built in the first year of this new Government than were built in any of the 13 years of office of the failed Labour Government.

I really dont understand why it has taken so long for Manchester’s Labour Bosses to realise the damage that charging people running in a charity event for parking on streets that traffic could not move along would do to this city’s image and reputation.

Charlie Cornish, who holds the title of managing director, business development and international at the Warrington-based water giant United Utilities, will succeed Geoff Muirhead at Manchester Airport Group.

A North West Euro-MP has been banned by Israel from gaining access to the Gaza Strip from its territory.

Israeli embassy staff have written to Chris Davies to say that they will no longer “facilitate the entry of political delegations to Gaza.”

But the Liberal Democrat MEP, who has made four visits to Gaza, has accused Israeli of trying to prevent the world from understanding the consequences of its policies

He said: “I’m not surprised that Israel wants to keep politicians away from Gaza. Every time one visits they return horrified at the results of Israeli policies that leave more than a million people undergoing collective punishment for having voted the ‘wrong’ way.”

The Israeli army has maintained a blockade of Gaza since January 2006, when Palestinian elections resulted in a small majority for supporters of Hamas, an organisation that refuses to recognise the State of Israel.

The embargo was tightened the following year after violent clashes between Palestinian groups left Hamas in sole command of Gaza.

Limited humanitarian supplies are allowed through Israeli checkpoints but the United Nations say these meet only one quarter of the needs. They include nothing that might support the economy or assist the reconstruction of thousands of buildings destroyed last year by the Israeli assault.

Last month an attempt to draw attention to the blockade led to the death of nine volunteers when Israeli troops boarded ships heading for Gaza in international waters.

In a letter to Chris Davies, Israel describes Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organisation which openly calls for Israel’s destruction and appears on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations.”

The accumulation of political visits, it is argued, “not only undermines Israel’s security but also undermines the efforts of the Palestinian Authority to lead the Palestinian people to peace.”

Davies, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Palestine Delegation, described Israel’s policies as cruel and self-defeating. He is calling for the British government to open direct talks with Hamas.

He said: “Half the people of Gaza are under 18. They haven’t voted for anyone, yet Israel denies them educational opportunities and the prospect of jobs. How does this give hope for a peaceful future?”

“I don’t agree with the policies of Hamas but the organisation cannot be ignored. The new British government should follow the lead of the Russian president and meet with their representatives face to face.

For more details visit Chris Davies on facebook or his website.

Tonight I managed to get a stack more delivery done after work.  Didn’t finish till 8.30pm when I ran out of rounds to deliver.

Hmmph, no Lib Dem on question time tonight, guess I’ll just head to bed for an early night.