On Monday the city council approved revised parking requirements for new developments. In the past, the Labour government planning rules meant new developments were prevented from having proper parking and this led to blocks of flats being built with little or in some cases no parking. This has caused massive problems for local residents. The new government rules now allow councils to set their own local parking standards for developers.
On Monday we brought in changes that will mean at least one space can be provided per one bed flat and more parking for larger flats and houses.
The full details can be found HERE.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Helping Out in Ranelagh Gardens
I was very pleased to help out residents in Ranelagh Gardens in Banister Park on Sunday morning. A big team was out to clear the community open space by the side of the close and help tidy up the local area. As well us picking up litter in Ranelagh Gardens we did a good job on Archers Road too.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Foundry Lane Litter Pick
Thank you to everyone who helped out with the Foundry Lane litter pick on Saturday. We collected 25 bin bags full of rubbish and fly tipped material.
We cleaned up Lakelands Park, Foundry Lane, Testwood Road and made a good start on the alleyway behind it. Not bad for an hour's work!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Discussing the Strikes on the Politics Show
On the Politics show last Sunday discussing industrial action in Southampton:
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Freemantle Academy's New Website
Freemantle Academy has launched its new website: http://www.freemantleacademy.com/
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Meeting on Police Station Closures
There is a Public meeting on Police Station Closures this coming Tuesday.
Tuesday 13th September 2011
St Georges School between 19.00 - 21.00.
The Assistant Chief Constable will be present to answer questions, along with representatives from the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Your Freemantle Councillors are very concerned about the planned closure of Shirley and Portswood Police Stations. We are fighting for alternative police buildings in the community where the beat police are based. These should be accessible to residents so people can continue to report crimes locally.
Click HERE for more information.
Police Commissioners Delay
I was disappointed to hear this week that plans to elect new police commissioners will be delay until at least November 2012. The elections had been scheduled to coincide with the local elections in May in order to cut costs and boost voter turn out. Click HERE for the story on the Echo website.
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Educational Support for Deaf Children
Following the recent coverage on educational support for deaf children and young people in Southampton, I want to take this opportunity to restate Southampton City Council’s commitment to this service.
Most importantly there has been no cut in the service this year. Nor is there any question of the service being axed – and therefore in need of being ‘saved’.
In fact, we have plans to increase provision in the new school year.
The 165 children and their families who accessed the service last year will receive the same service this year if they need it. If there was any question at all of any child not getting the support they needed and were entitled to we would act immediately.
It should be made clear that the ratio quoted by the National Society for Deaf Children (NSDC) of specialist teachers to children in no way takes into account the quality of the service available to children and young people with hearing impairments in Southampton – as well as the excellent support available to their families.
Reports have neglected to mention the support the council provides which is above and beyond anything offered by many other councils. As well as the Specialist Teacher Adviser Team, the council continues to fund additional provision at a number of schools, in addition to funding a specialist technician to support this provision across the city.
Of course this is a highly emotive subject and sometimes facts can get lost in all the noise – and the most important fact is that we are not cutting this service. Every deaf child who needs help will get that help.
I have said all along that I would welcome the NSDC to Southampton, to show them the service we provide – including the extra support that we offer – and hear any views they have on the specifics of our service.
The council’s goal is that Southampton is seen as a city with learning at its heart, achieving excellence in education for all our children and young people, whatever their needs.
Most importantly there has been no cut in the service this year. Nor is there any question of the service being axed – and therefore in need of being ‘saved’.
In fact, we have plans to increase provision in the new school year.
The 165 children and their families who accessed the service last year will receive the same service this year if they need it. If there was any question at all of any child not getting the support they needed and were entitled to we would act immediately.
It should be made clear that the ratio quoted by the National Society for Deaf Children (NSDC) of specialist teachers to children in no way takes into account the quality of the service available to children and young people with hearing impairments in Southampton – as well as the excellent support available to their families.
Reports have neglected to mention the support the council provides which is above and beyond anything offered by many other councils. As well as the Specialist Teacher Adviser Team, the council continues to fund additional provision at a number of schools, in addition to funding a specialist technician to support this provision across the city.
Of course this is a highly emotive subject and sometimes facts can get lost in all the noise – and the most important fact is that we are not cutting this service. Every deaf child who needs help will get that help.
I have said all along that I would welcome the NSDC to Southampton, to show them the service we provide – including the extra support that we offer – and hear any views they have on the specifics of our service.
The council’s goal is that Southampton is seen as a city with learning at its heart, achieving excellence in education for all our children and young people, whatever their needs.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Well Done Hampshire Constabulary
Well done to Hampshire Constabulary for their involvement in dealing with the mob violence that took place in London and other cities in August.
Not only did Hampshire provide invaluable support to the Met police, they did a fantastic job in reassuring residents across the County and in Southampton and in ensuring that those minded to cause similar acts of criminality locally were swiftly dealt with.
The extra police on the streets were very noticeable and very much welcomed by the community.
Not only did Hampshire provide invaluable support to the Met police, they did a fantastic job in reassuring residents across the County and in Southampton and in ensuring that those minded to cause similar acts of criminality locally were swiftly dealt with.
The extra police on the streets were very noticeable and very much welcomed by the community.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Stop Liverpool using taxpayers' money to grow its cruise business
I am urging people to sign the petition organised by local suppliers to Southampton's cruise industry to stop Liverpool using taxpayers' money to grow its cruise business. Click HERE for the petition.
On 15th September the Shipping Minister decides whether or not cruise ships will be allowed to start and end their cruises from Liverpool Cruise Terminal, taking advantage of a £20m taxpayer subsidy and allowing them to compete unfairly with Southampton.
If Liverpool is to compete with Southampton it should be on a level playing field and the subsidy should be repaid.
This decision is vitally important as thousands of local jobs depend on our local cruise industry. Sign today! Click HERE for more information.
Well Done Southampton Schools
Southampton schools are continuing to make fantastic progress! GCSE results this month show a 4.5% increase in pupils getting 5 A-C GCSEs including English and Maths. The figures mean that the city has met its target for 2011, with 52% of pupils hitting this standard.
There has been a step change in educational attainment in the city in recent years, with Southampton persistently out stripping the national average improvement in performance. Since 2007, on average, schools have improved by 13%; the most improved school being Upper Shirley High, which has improved by 26% over that period.
Standards need to keep going up. The government is quite rightly raising the bar for minimum standards in schools and with the improvements in performance we are seeing in our local schools I am very confident we will continue to push up results.
Click HERE for further details.
There has been a step change in educational attainment in the city in recent years, with Southampton persistently out stripping the national average improvement in performance. Since 2007, on average, schools have improved by 13%; the most improved school being Upper Shirley High, which has improved by 26% over that period.
Standards need to keep going up. The government is quite rightly raising the bar for minimum standards in schools and with the improvements in performance we are seeing in our local schools I am very confident we will continue to push up results.
Click HERE for further details.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Update on Helius Consultation
Last month I wrote to Helius Energy seeking more information on their planned consultation in the Autumn. Whilst I wasn't able to get much more detail, their reply did provide some new information.
The consultation will last a minimum of 10 weeks. Helius plan to give at least 4 weeks notice of exhibition venues, dates and timings. It is planned that these exhibitions will be staggered over a 4 week period to maximum the opportunities for people to attend. I will post an update if further information comes to light.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Social Worker Strike Is A Step To Far
Today's announcement by union leaders that children and adult social workers in Southampton will strike next week is totally unacceptable. It is not right to put vulnerable people at risk.
Vulnerable children and adults must be kept safe and looked after. I will be asking the trade unions to ensure that key services are exempted from the strike action.
I hope that the trade union leaders do the right thing and allow those who work in key safeguarding roles to come into work so that our vulnerable residents are kept safe.
If the trade unions refuse these exemptions I will do everything I can to ensure that emergency measures are put in place to ensure that the welfare of vulnerable people is not jeopardised by the actions of the unions.
Vulnerable children and adults must be kept safe and looked after. I will be asking the trade unions to ensure that key services are exempted from the strike action.
I hope that the trade union leaders do the right thing and allow those who work in key safeguarding roles to come into work so that our vulnerable residents are kept safe.
If the trade unions refuse these exemptions I will do everything I can to ensure that emergency measures are put in place to ensure that the welfare of vulnerable people is not jeopardised by the actions of the unions.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Opening of Townhill Park Community Centre
On Saturday I was delighted to attend the official opening of the new £1m Townhill Park Community Centre by the Mayor of Southampton. It's a fantastic new facility and I know it will be well used by local people. This is good news for the area and part of the council's wider commitment to regenerating Townhill Park.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Helius Energy Delay Consultation to 'Autumn'
Helius have delayed their new consultation on their plans for a biomass power station until the 'Autumn'. The consultation was due to start in July. Further information can be found HERE.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Can We Help? Advice Surgery
Your councillors are holding an advice surgery for local people at the Freemantle Community Centre, in Randoplh Street, on -
Please come along if you need our help or want to discuss anything. There is no need to make an appointment. If you can’t make it please get in touch and we can arrange a home visit.
Cllr Jeremy Moulton
07940 766286 (mobile)
023 8083 3237 (office)
Email councillor.j.moulton@southampton.gov.uk
Cllr Michael Ball
023 8083 1788
Email councillor.m.ball@southampton.gov.uk
Cllr Brian Parnell
023 8079 0094
Email councillor.b.parnell@southampton.gov.uk
SATURDAY 16th JULY between 10am – 12pm.
Please come along if you need our help or want to discuss anything. There is no need to make an appointment. If you can’t make it please get in touch and we can arrange a home visit.
Cllr Jeremy Moulton
07940 766286 (mobile)
023 8083 3237 (office)
Email councillor.j.moulton@southampton.gov.uk
Cllr Michael Ball
023 8083 1788
Email councillor.m.ball@southampton.gov.uk
Cllr Brian Parnell
023 8079 0094
Email councillor.b.parnell@southampton.gov.uk
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Audio Interview on Southampton Strikes
Interview with Portswood.info on industrial action (recorded Saturday 2nd July). Click HERE to see the full article on Portswood.info.
Podcast Powered By Podbean
Monday, June 27, 2011
School Strikes on 30th June
Details of which Southampton schools will be open on Thursday and which will be closed as result of the national schools strike can be found HERE.
Well done to all those schools that are able to stay open. I know many schools are thinking creatively about how best to manage the school day and how to make curriculum changes to deal with some staff striking.
It is important that the impact on children and their families is minimised by the action.
Well done to all those schools that are able to stay open. I know many schools are thinking creatively about how best to manage the school day and how to make curriculum changes to deal with some staff striking.
It is important that the impact on children and their families is minimised by the action.
Striking Staff Offered A Payrise
In a bid to end industrial action in Southampton the City Council last week offered to exempt all staff earning £22,000 or less from pay cuts and ensure a £250 payrise for those earning £21,000 or less.
The offer forms part of a 10 point plan put to the unions. Sadly the unions bosses have refused to put the proposals to their members, despite claiming that 7 out of the 10 proposals were their ideas!
Union bosses seem more interested in striking for political reasons rather than seeking the best deal for staff and their members in difficult financial times.
The offer forms part of a 10 point plan put to the unions. Sadly the unions bosses have refused to put the proposals to their members, despite claiming that 7 out of the 10 proposals were their ideas!
Union bosses seem more interested in striking for political reasons rather than seeking the best deal for staff and their members in difficult financial times.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
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