• Aberdeen City Council - Don’t make us fight to keep our only power supply
    Aberdeen City Council is trying to make us go through a costly and time consuming planning application to keep a small building that provides our only electricity supply, with no guarantee the application would be accepted. For eight years we fought several utility companies over their refusal to send accurate bills and attempts to trick us into paying money we didn’t owe. Eventually we were left with only one option to avoid being cheated - go off-grid. We decided on solar PV as this is the most reliable and cost effective means of generating off-grid electricity. But we didn’t have a South facing roof, so we built a small wooden building to house the solar panels. We spent several weeks building it with our own hands. Now the council want us to go through a lengthy and costly planning application just to keep this building. I live with my disabled mother. Living without power would deny her vital medical treatment (which she already has to pay for herself) as this has to be stored in a refrigerator. Her treatment has already been affected by having to build the building and off-grid system over the summer, and having to go through a lengthy bureaucratic process would undoubtedly affect it further. I earn a low income with a self employed electrical business that provides our only income. I could not do this without a power supply to charge my tools and run a laptop for my paperwork. I’ve also released a computer program that I hope to develop into a business. This would of course also be impossible without a power supply. I’m busy trying to earn a living for us and will struggle if I have to spend time dealing with a planning application. Living without power would be a nightmare in today’s world - hand washing clothes, no lights, no fridge, etc. We are socially isolated and depend on the internet as our only connection to the rest of humanity. Without a power supply this too would be lost. We don’t know who, if anyone made a complaint about our building, but we don’t believe it’s causing anyone a nuisance. It doesn’t block the light to, or view from, anyone’s windows. It replaced an old garden shed, on the same site, that was rotting away. In very adverse circumstances we are doing something positive for the planet - solar PV is zero emissions and totally sustainable. Don’t let Aberdeen City Council take that away. Please sign the petition. If you live outside the UK you can sign by emailing your name, any message you wish to be included with your signature, and stating that you are signing the petition "Aberdeen City Council - Don’t make us fight to keep our only power supply", to [email protected] . Thanks.
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    Created by Samuel Green
  • Stop MHRA Removing CBD Products From Sale! Patients Will Suffer!
    Whilst we welcome the move to schedule CBD as a medicine following clinical trials, it must be understood that completely removing it from the market with only 28 days notice is not sufficient time for patients to find alternative ways of maintaining their health. CBD is well documented through clinical research to be non-toxic and non-psychoactive and has no recorded negative side effects in humans, as well as being a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-epilepsy drug. This move will lead to more vulnerable patients buying untested CBD products on the illicit market, potentially bringing them to more harm or falling prey to unscrupulous cannabis oil scammers as it is an expensive product. Thousands of patients with hundreds of medical conditions ranging from acute to life threatening rely on CBD as a safe and non-toxic form of medical and therapeutic treatment. Patients who are buying CBD products have conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, Crohn's Disease, Epilepsy, Fybromyalgia, Arthritis, Anxiety, Depression, Cancer, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Elhers Danlos Syndrome, and Chronic Pain. We petition the MHRA to please consider other means of approving CBD products so that patients do not suffer the consequences of this decision whilst stricter regulations are decided upon. Yours Sincerely United Kingdom Cannabis Social Clubs
    12,148 of 15,000 Signatures
    Created by Greg de Hoedt
  • Restore democracy to Lancashire [Fracking]
    We citizens of Lancashire, put politicians in place to represent our needs. We are sovereign, and have the highest form of political authority--you are temporary. Our local council, made up of councillors democratically elected by us, and charged with serving our interests, is exactly the right body to make decisions on local matters. The government have displaced our democracy in Lancashire and we intend to make our vote count next time round. WE THE UNDERSIGNED: PLEDGE TO VOTE FOR NO CONSERVATIVE MP IN THE UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
    1,045 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Gary McMahon Picture
  • Change presentation of newspaper apologies.
    Dishonest or poorly researched jounalism creates a distorted perception of events and people which is unhealthy for the society we live in. A proportionate retraction would go some way to addressing this by making readers more aware of this unfortunate practice.
    12 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Michael McLester
  • Save the Broomhill Avenue Greenspace
    Update Unfortunately, despite having a temporary reprieve in January this year, the Greenspace is once again under threat. Glasgow City Council have been again been approached with a proposal to have the land declared surplus and sold for development of flats. Our councillors have been asked to comment on this proposal. The likely outcome of this part of the process is unclear. The more signatures we have on the petition, the stronger the case against that proposal will be, and the more pressure we can place on the City Council to listen to the community, and save the Greenspace for the third, and hopefully final, time. Our much-loved green space on Broomhill Avenue is under threat again - this is a vital green space for families, walkers and dog-walkers to enjoy in the area. If this space goes to be replaced by more housing, this could lead to many families leaving the area in search of accessible green space. (https://www.facebook.com/broomhillavenuepark/) Right now, Glasgow City Council are in negotiations with a developer which could lead to flats being built on our sole green space in the area. Shouldn't Glasgow City Council be preserving this space to help promote physical activity in local communities and be on ongoing legacy from the Commonwealth Games? This is especially sad as in 2008, Glasgow City Council (GCC) promised us that the Broomhill Avenue Greenspace would "be excluded from any future development packages", and assured us that there was no need to officially protect the site as it would be protected under the councils own rules and guidance on open spaces. GCC themselves list the site as part of the "green corridor" which is intended to provide areas for protection of wildlife, which begs the question of why the negotiations over a sale are taking place at all? Although this area is not an official park, it is tended and maintained by local residents and the trees, wildlife and open space are an important part of the community. The space is cared for - residents and children in the community have been working on the site and planted hundreds of flower bulbs, cleaned up rubbish and prepared bird and bat boxes to provide homes for wildlife, with more planting planned coming. All of this hard work is at risk, if the proposed sale goes ahead. We need as many people as possible to hold Glasgow City Council to their promise. Please sign and share our petition to help us protect the site and save a small, but important local resource for the benefit of the residents, wildlife, children and dog walkers who value and appreciate this area. Thank you for your support.
    996 of 1,000 Signatures
    Created by Chris Osborne Picture
  • DVLA POLICIES ARE DISCRIMINATING
    I was born with head neck and facial disfigurement and only my left eye The right area where my right eye should have been was a beneign tumour. I passed my driving test in 1984 I have driven since within any problems. I am a community staff nurse In 2013 my licence was revoked as I failed the pheripheral vision test due to a congenital problem also due to my disfigurement the machine is not suitable for me. I feel Im being discriminated due to my disability. I am now being redeployed due to not being able to drive anymore. DVLA changed their rulings and policies in 2013 therefore I am not eligible to drive anymore
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    Created by MICHELLE WILLIS Picture
  • Stop the DfE from gathering pupil nationality data
    I wonder what it must be like to be a non-British family worrying about the possible outcome of Brexit and then to receive a text message from your children's school saying "Info required-If your child is not of British Nationality or was not born in the UK, pls inform the school by tomorrow"? Then, a few days later, you receive a letter from the school ([1]). Maybe you've also been asked to declare your nationality by your employer too ([2])? We should not discriminate between British and non-British children in our schools: * It is not clear what purpose this data serves given that the DfE already records pupils' ethnicity and first language. * The data is unlikely to be accurate since responding is optional and non-respondents will be assumed to have British children. * The data could be abused in the future ([3]). * The Greater Manchester Law Centre has called parents to ignore the census to avoid discrimination and inequality ([4]). Thanks for reading this far. Please have a think about this issue and decide whether to sign this petition. The DfE's plans are probably entirely innocent, but is this the direction we want our country to go in? [1] https://twitter.com/twrc/status/783744325234679808 [2] https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/fw-proposal-petition?utm_campaign=speakout_campaign_1437&utm_medium=thank_you&utm_source=twitter [3] http://schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-nationality-data-is-safe-with-us-says-government/ [4] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/05/ignore-school-census-queries-on-nationality
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    Created by Glyn Normington
  • Complete the BearsWay project
    The BearsWay project is an important initiative for increasing sustainable transport. It has sadly been shouted down by a small but vocal minority who do not like the changes. They have been reiterating several pieces of misinformation (below), and it seems that the local councillors have been swayed by their rhetoric. Many of the councillors who voted for the amendment which scrapped Phase 2 of the BearsWay did so in opposition to their own parties' sustainable transport policies (Lib Dem and SNP councillors, specifically). Some of the misinformation presented by the opponents to the BearsWay: 1) They claim that the road has been narrowed to an unsafe width, and is difficult to drive on, and that emergency response vehicles are unable to pass cars. Having had discussions with Blue Flag drivers, ROSPA advanced drivers, Driving Instructors, the Police, and Ambulance drivers, there is no evidence to support this assertion. If one drives to the speed limit (30mph), there is no difficulty navigating the traffic calming measures. We suspect that a number of people who used to drive the road at speeds in excess of the limit are angry that they can no longer do so. I have not spoken to an Ambulance Driver who had an issue with the width of the road. 2) They state that a majority of residents are against the proposals. There is no evidence whatsoever for this. There was a petition against the BearsWay which gathered 2,500 signatures, a number of whom are not local. There are 30,000 people local to the area, and 18,000 daily journeys on the road. 3) They complain that cyclists do not use the cycleway provided. This has been measured, and 92% of cyclists use the segregated cycle lane. There are several possible reasons for the minority not using it, including: It is very difficult to enter the cycle lane Northbound, as it requires crossing a busy lane of oncoming traffic, which is particularly difficult during peak times. Some cyclists were unaware of the cycleway, as it is not well signposted. The link from Burnbrae Roundabout to the crossing at MacDonalds is awkward to negotiate, and interrupts the route - it is far more straightforward Southbound to stick to the road for 200 yards until the crossing point moves the cycle lane to the left hand side of the road (and this also holds up traffic less than using the crossing lights) The BearsWay is not finished - the remaining phases would have addressed the issues in getting on to the cycleway safely. 4) The reduced lanes cause congestion. a) There was only ever one lane in each direction - this is the same. b) There is no evidence of increased congestion - the average journey time along Milngavie Road has increased by approximately 1.3 seconds according to a commuter who logged 150 of his journeys.. 5) There was nothing wrong with the road as it was, and therefore no need to change it. Note that 3,000 cyclists are KSI'd (Killed or Seriously Injured) on UK roads each year. This number is rising year on year. These deaths are caused by collisions with motor vehicles, most commonly when a motor vehicle driver violates the cyclist's right of way. Firstly, the old cycle lanes were poorly marked, and often poorly maintained as well; Cars regularly parked in them (they still do on the section from the Burnbrae Roundabout to Milngavie Precinct); Motor vehicles regularly cut into them in order to cut corners; Motor vehicles tended to drive faster than the speed limit. To conclude, a quote from an excellent article (Blog) on the need for change (Source here: http://www.magnatom.net/2016/09/east-dunbartonshire-time-for-change.html) It's not easy of course, because Change never is. It involves making some sacrifices. It means that a road might have to be a wee bit narrower. It means that occasionally you might have to wait behind a bus for 20 seconds. It means that occasionally at junctions, priorities might need to be adjusted. The odd parking space has to be lost! It feels like our liberties are being taken away from us. Are we truly free though? Is having a congestion free dual carriage way Bearsden Road which you can zoom down at 40 mph without impediment in your car really freedom? Only to be stuck in 2 miles of nose to tail traffic on the Switchback Road, which is already dual carriage way, so perhaps we need three lanes each way? What about those that can't drive, perhaps as they are too young, can't afford it, or are not able to through disability. Sure, the bus is one option, but it will never truly provide the freedom that we yearn, by taking us from where we live to where-ever we want to go. It will help to some extent, and is part of the integrated solution, but it is not the whole answer. Freedom only comes when all those who wish to travel, by whatever means they wish, can do it in a way that is safe, comfortable and convenient. As London, and countless other examples demonstrate, if you build it, they will truly come. And they will come with the many, many benefits that having a significant percentage of your populations travelling actively will bring. So I call on the politicians and especially the councillors of East Dunbartonshire to think carefully about the future. Not just their own future, or at the ballot box next year, but for the future of an area I am sure they really do care for. I ask for them to consider that Change, even politically difficult Change is not only desirable, but needed for the area to flourish. Yes there is a strong local voice against it, but then many of them don't want children to have freedom of safe movement. Is that what you and your party stand for? Really? If they choose not to invest in active travel, the area will drown under the weight of the motor vehicle, something that even many of the opponents of the BearsWay agree is an issue. Be on the side of change. Be on the side of a brighter, healthier, less polluted, less congested East Dunbartonshire.
    3,294 of 4,000 Signatures
    Created by Phil G
  • Wilbury Avenue Rat Run.
    Wilbury Avenue is a quiet residential street, with many elderly people, children and pets. Not only is excessive speed a danger, it also destroys the quality of life of the area.
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    Created by Paul Humpoletz
  • Fracking Referendum
    House prices are already falling behind other areas of the country and the already crumbling roads cant cope with the extra traffic. The environment will be destroyed and the money will not remain in the Fylde and maybe not in the UK. A study shows that the increase in employment is dwarfed by the loss of agriculture jobs not to mention the reduction in the tourism industry.
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    Created by Derek Ball
  • Charlie McAulay Robertson as Scotland's Makar
    Too many talented people are going unrecognised, because they simply do not fit into the elitist niche. We need to collectively support our country's talents, and Charlie McAulay Robertson is one of them. Now a self published author of his own book "Waxing Saltirical" , he is still yet to be recognised.
    68 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Fan Thom
  • We request reinstatement of Formby Hall in accordance with the WMBC Core Structure policy C.P 3
    Atherton people were gifted this building in 1917 it has served as our community hub for almost one hundred years Contrary to the councils claim, the Formby Hall was running at a profit when the council decided to sell this Hall and therefore wasn't in receipt of any council subsidy whatsoever! The council nether owned nor operated this Hall Consequently we contend that our Hall was wrongfully sold by Wigan Council to 8th Wonder properties Ltd. So It is vital that this well supported gifted amenity is returned to our community, in the same condition that this building was in on April 2011 prior to 8th wonder properties taking charge of this building!
    192 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Paddy Mccrory