I am pleased that last week the City Council approved a new scheme to help the Police recruit more Special Constables in the city. From April residents who live in Southampton and who volunteer as Specials to help police the local streets will be exempt from playing council tax.
I am delighted that after a three year long campaign the scheme will be up and running in a few months time.
When I knock on doors and meet people, time and time again I am told that we need more police on the streets. The numbers of Special Constables has halved since 1997 and it is hoped that this new initiative will double number in Southampton.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Low Council Tax and Better Roads and Pavements
That’s what local people tell me they want the City Council to Focus on.
- Local Conservatives have achieved a below inflation council tax increase at 2.5% - the lowest in the city’s history.
- Local Conservatives have achieved a below inflation council tax increase at 2.5% - the lowest in the city’s history.
- The roads budget inherited from the Lib Dems has been doubled and a further £700,000 has been allocated to tackle the damage from the winter weather.
- £6m of efficiency savings have been indentified, including saving hundreds of thousands of pounds in council communications.
The impact of the recession and chronic under funding of the city by government makes it very difficult for the council to make ends meet. However many people are struggling at the moment and we need to ensure that we keep taxes down while still protecting services.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Southampton Needs More Powers to Manage Houses in Multiple Occupation
For a long time I have been campaigning for local councils like Southampton to have more powers to manage houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Over the past 10 years we have had numerous government ministers, visits and promises but very little action.
As university numbers have increased, local residents, particularly those in the Portswood & the Polygon areas of Southampton, have sought to limit the further development of HMOs in the city, particularly to protect family homes which we know are essential for strong communities.
I am pleased that, after years of lobbying by local people, the city council and local councillors, the government has now signalled that it will act, with changes coming into force in April to require new HMOs to have planning permission.
The only information that Southampton City Council has received so far about this is a government press release. We are awaiting further details. I hope that the government is not rushing this initiative through and is clear about the detail. This is a very important problem for the city and, so long as the detail is right I will be welcoming this change as I feel that councils should have powers to tackle the issue in areas where it is an acute problem, such as in Southampton.
We need to ensure that we get the balance right between controlling problem HMOs and ensuring that housing needs are properly met for all groups in the city.
Over the past 10 years we have had numerous government ministers, visits and promises but very little action.
As university numbers have increased, local residents, particularly those in the Portswood & the Polygon areas of Southampton, have sought to limit the further development of HMOs in the city, particularly to protect family homes which we know are essential for strong communities.
I am pleased that, after years of lobbying by local people, the city council and local councillors, the government has now signalled that it will act, with changes coming into force in April to require new HMOs to have planning permission.
The only information that Southampton City Council has received so far about this is a government press release. We are awaiting further details. I hope that the government is not rushing this initiative through and is clear about the detail. This is a very important problem for the city and, so long as the detail is right I will be welcoming this change as I feel that councils should have powers to tackle the issue in areas where it is an acute problem, such as in Southampton.
We need to ensure that we get the balance right between controlling problem HMOs and ensuring that housing needs are properly met for all groups in the city.
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