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 10, 2011
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
Local Residents Should Not Be Put In The Front Line Of A National Trade Union Campaign
As Southampton enters a fourth week of union strike action, every effort must be made to resolve the dispute and get services back to normal.
This coming Thursday will see a fifth negotiation meeting between the City Council and trade unions. Compromise is needed from both sides and the focus has to be on protecting front line services to residents and protecting jobs.
With the unions set to hold a major rally in city tomorrow it is important not to let national disagreements cloud the debate. We have to sort out our problems here in Southampton and putting local residents in the front line of a national dispute between trade unions and the government is not fair.
This coming Thursday will see a fifth negotiation meeting between the City Council and trade unions. Compromise is needed from both sides and the focus has to be on protecting front line services to residents and protecting jobs.
With the unions set to hold a major rally in city tomorrow it is important not to let national disagreements cloud the debate. We have to sort out our problems here in Southampton and putting local residents in the front line of a national dispute between trade unions and the government is not fair.
Debating with the trade unions on the Politics Show
Saturday, June 11, 2011
We Need Local Police Stations in Southampton
Hampshire Constabulary are looking to close Portswood and Shirley police stations within the next 2 years. The closures are part of a wider programme to reduce the number of police buildings across the county, which might also see the police offices in Hulse Road close. The changes also reflect the fact that Southampton’s new city centre police HQ has recently opened.I am campaigning to keep local police stations in our districts. It’s vitally important that local beat police are based in the area and that people can report crimes locally.
I was pleased to be able to secure a commitment from the Chief Constable that alternative local police stations would be put in place before any closures and that local beat police and PCSOs would be based there. These police stations need front desks too and I am fighting for a cast iron commitment from the police on this issue.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Friday, June 03, 2011
Save our Heart Unit
Like the majority of residents from Southampton I was extremely concerned to learn that the children’s heart surgery unit at Southampton General Hospital could close.
Losing the Ocean Ward would be a terrible loss to Southampton. It would mean that patients from Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands would have to travel to either London or Bristol for treatment; creating extra financial pressure on families, at a time that is already extremely emotional and stressful.
In a recent independent report by Sir Ian Kennedy, Southampton’s Heart ward was ranked second best in the country. It performs first class life saving procedures for hundreds of young children and babies in the South of England every year. Losing this ward could have huge consequences for those parents and children who depend on the dedication and expertise the Ocean Ward provides to their family.
Four options have been proposed by the NHS, three of which put Southampton’s Heart Unit in danger of being closed.
The Safe and Sustainable review itself says that option which includes Southampton (Option B):
- is the best option for retaining centres ranked highest for quality;
- includes the centres that are best for research and innovation;
- Would also protect vital intensive care services.
It’s quite simple; I, like you believe that patients deserve nothing less then very best in care. The ward is a leading centre for specialised treatment and is rated 2nd best in the country in its field. It makes absolutely no sense to close this much needed service. I would urge everyone to support the campaign to help keep the Ocean Ward open.
This campaign certainly has Southampton City Council’s support.
Register your view
The consultation survey is the only official way for the public to have their say and save our heart unit.
The survey can be completed online or you can request a paper copy by calling 020 7025 7520 or emailing nhsspecialisedservices@grayling.com
For help filling in the survey, see these guidance notes.
Losing the Ocean Ward would be a terrible loss to Southampton. It would mean that patients from Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands would have to travel to either London or Bristol for treatment; creating extra financial pressure on families, at a time that is already extremely emotional and stressful.
In a recent independent report by Sir Ian Kennedy, Southampton’s Heart ward was ranked second best in the country. It performs first class life saving procedures for hundreds of young children and babies in the South of England every year. Losing this ward could have huge consequences for those parents and children who depend on the dedication and expertise the Ocean Ward provides to their family.
Four options have been proposed by the NHS, three of which put Southampton’s Heart Unit in danger of being closed.
The Safe and Sustainable review itself says that option which includes Southampton (Option B):
- is the best option for retaining centres ranked highest for quality;
- includes the centres that are best for research and innovation;
- Would also protect vital intensive care services.
It’s quite simple; I, like you believe that patients deserve nothing less then very best in care. The ward is a leading centre for specialised treatment and is rated 2nd best in the country in its field. It makes absolutely no sense to close this much needed service. I would urge everyone to support the campaign to help keep the Ocean Ward open.
This campaign certainly has Southampton City Council’s support.
Register your view
The consultation survey is the only official way for the public to have their say and save our heart unit.
The survey can be completed online or you can request a paper copy by calling 020 7025 7520 or emailing nhsspecialisedservices@grayling.com
For help filling in the survey, see these guidance notes.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
On Twitter
Last week I set up a twitter account @Cllr_JMoulton where I will post updates from my experiences of Southampton politics and my work on the city council.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Helius To Extend Consultation on Power Station
Helius Energy have announced that they intend to amend their Biomass scheme. They are now intending undertake further public consultation in the Summer.
I reported to residents in a recent newsletter that the city Council's Planning Panel would be meeting to discuss their scheme on Tuesday 24th May.
In light of Helius's statement the council has decided to defer the item from the Council’s Planning Panel. When a new date is determined I will update residents. It is my intention when the matter does finally come before the panel, for comment, to speak against the scheme.
I reported to residents in a recent newsletter that the city Council's Planning Panel would be meeting to discuss their scheme on Tuesday 24th May.
In light of Helius's statement the council has decided to defer the item from the Council’s Planning Panel. When a new date is determined I will update residents. It is my intention when the matter does finally come before the panel, for comment, to speak against the scheme.
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