The Council has decided that its Council houses should continue to be managed in house by the Council. Other options included an Arms Length Management Company (ALMO), Stock Transfer to a Housing Association and a Private Finance Initiatives (a mixture of the 4 options).
A review had been insisted upon by the Government and it was a very important decision for the Council to make.
Tenants quite rightly have an expectation that their houses should be of decent standards. The Government has set us a minimum standard which we must meet and the Council has decided that it wants to go further and meet the full expectations of tenants.
Unfortunately in order to achieve this huge investment is needed.
Government policy is putting up rents year on year but it is not providing adequate funding to match. Tenants understandably fear that moving away from Council management will increase their rents further still.
The two options that really stood out were stock retention and transfer to a Housing Association.
Tenants and leaseholders were consulted widely with over 5,000 responding. 97% wanted to stay with the Council.
It would be quite wrong to go against such a clear signal from Council tenants.
However the decision to retain the stock will mean serious financial challenges for the Council over the years to come. The capital shortfall by 2035 will be close to a quarter of a billion pounds if we are to continue to invest money in order to meet tenant expectations. The current administration has no answer as to where this money is going to come from.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Plans for the former Civil Service Ground
The following question was asked by Cllr Matt Stevens (Labour) of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Russell (Lib Dem) at the Full Council meeting on Wednesday:
Question:- The Civil Service Sports Ground in Freemantle has now been sold to a developer can he tell us who and how much affordable housing the Council will be pushing for on the site?
This was the written answer:
The Civil Service Sports Ground was recently purchased by Bovis Homes.
The site is allocated in the Local Plan Review as protected open space. Development would only be permitted in exceptional circumstances which are defined in the Local Plan Review policy for the Protection of Open Spaces (CLT3). The recent city wide open space audit, to be published shortly, will provide an objective assessment of the adequacy of open space in this location. Provision would need to be made to replace any open space lost with new space of equal benefit (or better) to the community. Loss of playing pitches will be strongly resisted and relocation of pitches to the fringes of the city will not be acceptable.
As a general principle for potential levels of affordable housing, the Local Plan policy states ‘On housing sites where 15 or more dwellings are proposed or which exceed 0.5 hectares in size (irrespective of the number of dwellings), the City Council will seek, through negotiation, up to 25% of affordable housing’.
I was slightly concerned by the question as I thought there was a definite political consensus not to allow housing on the site (affordable or otherwise). I was even more worried by the supplementary questions and answers.
I will be writing to the Labour Party and the Lib Dems seeking their assurances that they will continue to support the Council's local plan which designates the land as 100% open space.
Question:- The Civil Service Sports Ground in Freemantle has now been sold to a developer can he tell us who and how much affordable housing the Council will be pushing for on the site?
This was the written answer:
The Civil Service Sports Ground was recently purchased by Bovis Homes.
The site is allocated in the Local Plan Review as protected open space. Development would only be permitted in exceptional circumstances which are defined in the Local Plan Review policy for the Protection of Open Spaces (CLT3). The recent city wide open space audit, to be published shortly, will provide an objective assessment of the adequacy of open space in this location. Provision would need to be made to replace any open space lost with new space of equal benefit (or better) to the community. Loss of playing pitches will be strongly resisted and relocation of pitches to the fringes of the city will not be acceptable.
As a general principle for potential levels of affordable housing, the Local Plan policy states ‘On housing sites where 15 or more dwellings are proposed or which exceed 0.5 hectares in size (irrespective of the number of dwellings), the City Council will seek, through negotiation, up to 25% of affordable housing’.
I was slightly concerned by the question as I thought there was a definite political consensus not to allow housing on the site (affordable or otherwise). I was even more worried by the supplementary questions and answers.
I will be writing to the Labour Party and the Lib Dems seeking their assurances that they will continue to support the Council's local plan which designates the land as 100% open space.
Raymond Road
I have asked Council officers for an update on the planned traffic lights at the junction of Raymond Rd and Hill Lane. I have expressed concern about this in the past as I think it may increase traffic doing the rat run down Greville Road and other roads. I will post an update when I hear back.
Bristish Amercian Tobacco
Had brief meeting with BAT last week to discuss the closure of their manufacturing unit. We are obviously very concerned to learn about the loss of jobs at the site (and the subsquent knock on effect to the supply chain) however it was reassuring to hear about their plans to continue research in Southampton.
Apologies for lack of posts
I am sorry that I haven't had the chance to update the blog for a while. This isn't through lack of things going on in the ward!
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Parking in Cawte Road
Council officers have now responded to concerns that I raised about parking in Cawte Road.
Below is an extract of letters sent to residents who have written to me or the Council in recent weeks.
A few years ago a survey was carried out with a view to introducing a Residents’ Parking Scheme in the side roads off Shirley Road. At that time, as a result of residents' responses to the survey and the discussions with Ward Councillors, the proposals for the Cawte Road area were withdrawn. However, there now appears to be quite a lot of support in Cawte Road for a Residents’ Parking Scheme, and it may be possible to add Cawte Road to the existing Freemantle residents parking scheme. However, we would need to carry out further investigation, and there are still issues to be resolved, including funding.
If a residents parking scheme is introduced in Cawte Road, this would entail marking out parking bays. Yellow lines would be marked where we deem it unsafe or obstructive to park, even though vehicles may have parked there in the past. I would also point out that a residents permit does not guarantee a parking space, and a permit holder may park in any permit bay in their zone. Currently permits are limited to one per person, with a maximum of two per household, the first permit is free of charge, and a second costs £50 per year. The Freemantle residents parking scheme currently operates 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday.
Below is an extract of letters sent to residents who have written to me or the Council in recent weeks.
A few years ago a survey was carried out with a view to introducing a Residents’ Parking Scheme in the side roads off Shirley Road. At that time, as a result of residents' responses to the survey and the discussions with Ward Councillors, the proposals for the Cawte Road area were withdrawn. However, there now appears to be quite a lot of support in Cawte Road for a Residents’ Parking Scheme, and it may be possible to add Cawte Road to the existing Freemantle residents parking scheme. However, we would need to carry out further investigation, and there are still issues to be resolved, including funding.
If a residents parking scheme is introduced in Cawte Road, this would entail marking out parking bays. Yellow lines would be marked where we deem it unsafe or obstructive to park, even though vehicles may have parked there in the past. I would also point out that a residents permit does not guarantee a parking space, and a permit holder may park in any permit bay in their zone. Currently permits are limited to one per person, with a maximum of two per household, the first permit is free of charge, and a second costs £50 per year. The Freemantle residents parking scheme currently operates 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday.
More Car Parking Spaces Needed
Some sensible suggestions have come out of the recent Council enquiry into parking in the City. The enquiry panel has recommended that transport officers in the Council write to John Prescott concerning the restrictive planning laws which prevent the Council from requiring adequate numbers of car parking spaces for new developments.
At the moment the rules state that a maximum of half a car parking space can be provided for each bedroom in a new property. Given that many couples will have two cars this is causing real problems. Inadequate parking means more and more cars on the street.
Getting the Council to even provide this maximum of half a space per bedroom is a real challenge. Hopefully some common sense will come out of this recommendation.
At the moment the rules state that a maximum of half a car parking space can be provided for each bedroom in a new property. Given that many couples will have two cars this is causing real problems. Inadequate parking means more and more cars on the street.
Getting the Council to even provide this maximum of half a space per bedroom is a real challenge. Hopefully some common sense will come out of this recommendation.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Free Green Waste Bags Arrive
My free green waste bag arrived yesterday. If you havent got yours yet it should arrive very soon. If you want a second free bag you can get one by calling Actionline on 0800 5 19 19 19.
Previously, the council charged for the green garden waste collection scheme. Customers who have already signed up for this year will have their money refunded. Call Actionline for more details.
Previously, the council charged for the green garden waste collection scheme. Customers who have already signed up for this year will have their money refunded. Call Actionline for more details.
Civil Service Ground Sold to Bovis Homes
My understanding is that Bovis Homes will want to try and produce a Housing Scheme, with public space.
They will be trying to fix up a meeting with Council officers in the near future, with a view to starting a Public Consultation exercise.
I am planning to meet with Bovis homes very soon to find out their exact intentions.
As always I will keep you abreast of anything I hear.
They will be trying to fix up a meeting with Council officers in the near future, with a view to starting a Public Consultation exercise.
I am planning to meet with Bovis homes very soon to find out their exact intentions.
As always I will keep you abreast of anything I hear.
Road improvement works in Howard Road / Archers Road
A note from the Council which is being posted to people in the area and put on signs.
Work is scheduled to start during the week commencing 11 July 2005 and be completed by 23 December 2005. It will involve:
1. Renew street lighting in Howard Road and Archers Road.
2. Renew kerbs and resurface footway north side of Howard Road from Stafford Road to Hill Lane.
3. Renew kerbs and resurface footway south side of Howard Road as above.
4. Plane off and resurface carriageway in Howard Road as above.
5. Install ducts etc for new traffic lights, inclusive of pedestrian phase, at Hill Lane junction.
6. Renew kerbs and resurface footway north side of Archers Rd from Hill Lane to Westrow Rd.
7. Renew kerbs and resurface footway south side of Archers Road as above.
8. Install Toucan crossing just to west of Northlands Road.
9. Plane off and resurface carriageway at Hill Lane Junction.
10. Plane off and resurface carriageway in Archers Rd from Hill Lane to Westrow Rd.
11. Install traffic lights at Howard Road Hill Lane junction.
Items 1 to 4 and 5 to 10 will each take approx 11 wks and Item 11 approx 4 wks.
The street light replacement will start on 11 July 2005 at the western end of the site and work east in advance of the footway works.
The civil engineering work will commence on 18 July 2005 at the western end of Howard Road and again progress east.
During the construction we will operate a one-way system, the westbound traffic will use Howard Road and Archers Road, the eastbound traffic will follow a signed diversion.
The road will be closed for the carriageway resurfacing with access for residents only.
For the duration of the works the bus routes and stops will probably change. All alterations to the routes or stops will be advertised by the bus companies at their original stops.
In order to comply with the requirements for signing and guarding roadworks and Health and Safety Legislation we would ask that you park your car away from the works to allow the contractor to continue without hindrance.
Cars parked off the carriageway can stay in position, but there may be times when it will not be possible to get out of or return to the parking space.
No waiting cones will be placed along the road, this will be done in conjunction with the police. Any cars parking within the cones will be removed.
Access for pedestrians will not generally be affected but at certain times various lengths of footway may be closed. Please for your own safety obey all the signs.
Whilst every effort will be made to keep disruption and inconvenience to a minimum you are requested to exercise extra caution during the construction works. We hope that the long-term improvement will justify the short-term inconvenience.
Should any further information be required, please contact Mr Steve White (Resident Engineer) on 07734 070760
Work is scheduled to start during the week commencing 11 July 2005 and be completed by 23 December 2005. It will involve:
1. Renew street lighting in Howard Road and Archers Road.
2. Renew kerbs and resurface footway north side of Howard Road from Stafford Road to Hill Lane.
3. Renew kerbs and resurface footway south side of Howard Road as above.
4. Plane off and resurface carriageway in Howard Road as above.
5. Install ducts etc for new traffic lights, inclusive of pedestrian phase, at Hill Lane junction.
6. Renew kerbs and resurface footway north side of Archers Rd from Hill Lane to Westrow Rd.
7. Renew kerbs and resurface footway south side of Archers Road as above.
8. Install Toucan crossing just to west of Northlands Road.
9. Plane off and resurface carriageway at Hill Lane Junction.
10. Plane off and resurface carriageway in Archers Rd from Hill Lane to Westrow Rd.
11. Install traffic lights at Howard Road Hill Lane junction.
Items 1 to 4 and 5 to 10 will each take approx 11 wks and Item 11 approx 4 wks.
The street light replacement will start on 11 July 2005 at the western end of the site and work east in advance of the footway works.
The civil engineering work will commence on 18 July 2005 at the western end of Howard Road and again progress east.
During the construction we will operate a one-way system, the westbound traffic will use Howard Road and Archers Road, the eastbound traffic will follow a signed diversion.
The road will be closed for the carriageway resurfacing with access for residents only.
For the duration of the works the bus routes and stops will probably change. All alterations to the routes or stops will be advertised by the bus companies at their original stops.
In order to comply with the requirements for signing and guarding roadworks and Health and Safety Legislation we would ask that you park your car away from the works to allow the contractor to continue without hindrance.
Cars parked off the carriageway can stay in position, but there may be times when it will not be possible to get out of or return to the parking space.
No waiting cones will be placed along the road, this will be done in conjunction with the police. Any cars parking within the cones will be removed.
Access for pedestrians will not generally be affected but at certain times various lengths of footway may be closed. Please for your own safety obey all the signs.
Whilst every effort will be made to keep disruption and inconvenience to a minimum you are requested to exercise extra caution during the construction works. We hope that the long-term improvement will justify the short-term inconvenience.
Should any further information be required, please contact Mr Steve White (Resident Engineer) on 07734 070760
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