Attended a General Election debate last night at the Central Baptist Church organised by the group, Make Poverty History. The debate was broadcast on Unity 24 Community Radio. The Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test, Stephen MacLoughlin talked with passion about what he would do to reduce poverty in this Country and in the third world if he were elected. Stephen talked about how the Conservatives would increase the overseas aid budgets and ensure that money was better spent and directed more through our government departments rather than international agencies.
It was a very thought provoking and well informed debate.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Saturday, April 02, 2005
More Flats in Hill Lane
A new application for dozens of new flats has been submitted to the Council. The proposed development near the junction of Howard Road. A previous application was recently turned down by the Council's Planning and Rights of Way Panel. I have asked that this new application also goes before the Panel for consideration. This way residents can come along and voice any concerns that they have. Any new developments should have adequate parking and should provide proper safe access onto Hill Lane. New developments should also be in keeping with the Edwardian architechure of the surrounding area. I will be opposing the application if it doesn't meet these conditions.
Theresa May MP adresses Hampshire Conservative Future
Spent an excellent evening in Winchester at a Conservative Future ball where the Guest Speaker wass Theresa May MP. There were dozens of young people there, disproving the conventional wisdom that young people aren't interested in politics.
Friday, April 01, 2005
David Willetts Breakfast Meeting
Southampton Conservatives had a very successful breakfast meeting with David Willetts MP this morning. David is the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and MP for Havant. He spoke to a mixture of business people about the forthcoming General Election and Conservative policy. He answered questions on a range of issues such as Private Pensions, the Health Service and Housing.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Free Green Waste Recycling
The Lib Dems have finally agreed to implement Conservative Green Waste Recycling proposals. Excellent news!
Monday, March 14, 2005
Pensioners Foum Debate
Interesting Debate. Cllr Harris was there from Labour and Cllr Vinson from the Liberals. We discussed the possible introduction of free green waste (which seemed popular), the level of Council Tax (which is of course far too high) and whether students should pay, nursing care, housing, council rents, litter and the appalling state of the roads and pavements. I seemed to be the only one sticking up for students (which made me a bit unpopular).
I made the point that the Conservatives want low Council Tax and in our Council budget proposals called for a 0% increase this year and last year. I also talked about Conservative tax cuts for pensioners. We would introduce a new 50% Council Tax discount for pensioners over 65. This seemed popular too. It avoids all the difficulties associated with the Liberal's idea of a local income tax and is actually a TAX CUT rather than simply shifting the tax burden around.
I made the point that the Conservatives want low Council Tax and in our Council budget proposals called for a 0% increase this year and last year. I also talked about Conservative tax cuts for pensioners. We would introduce a new 50% Council Tax discount for pensioners over 65. This seemed popular too. It avoids all the difficulties associated with the Liberal's idea of a local income tax and is actually a TAX CUT rather than simply shifting the tax burden around.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Pensioners Forum Debate
I will be speaking at a debate arranged by the Pensioners Foum at 2pm tomorrow at the Civic Centre. There will be a Liberal and a Labour Councillor there too.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Free Garden Waste
On Wednesday morning at 8:30am the Council’s Environment Scrutiny Panel will be looking at recycling issues and considering the Conservative proposal to introduce free bi-weekly garden waste collections across the city. For the past two years the Conservatives have been calling for the Council to scrap the £15 charge to residents for the collection of garden waste.
The proposal is very cost effective as currently the taxpayer is paying more and more for green waste to be land filled as the government’s land fill tax charge increases year on year.
It would mean more composting of green waste and thousands of tonnes less going to landfill. This also helps us achieve government recycling targets.
The policy is good for the environment as will help reduce the amount of greenhouses gases that we put into the air.
Hopefully the Lib Dems who run the Council will take up our policy after they hear the detail of the proposal.
The proposal is very cost effective as currently the taxpayer is paying more and more for green waste to be land filled as the government’s land fill tax charge increases year on year.
It would mean more composting of green waste and thousands of tonnes less going to landfill. This also helps us achieve government recycling targets.
The policy is good for the environment as will help reduce the amount of greenhouses gases that we put into the air.
Hopefully the Lib Dems who run the Council will take up our policy after they hear the detail of the proposal.
End Means Testing for Home Care for the Disabled
Writing a letter to a resident who is interested in Conservative policy towards the disabled.
The Southampton City Council should be aiming to hold, or reduce, or even abolish the charges for home care for the disabled. As has been pointed out, the able-bodied do not need help, or to pay for help, to get up in the morning, to go to the toilet, to take a bath, to prepare a meal, to get to bed. They take it for granted. A free service would be legal and fair, everybody would benefit, and the service would be efficient, based only on clinical need, no cost of assessment and collection of money.
The council raises some £1m a year in charges. It intends to raise another £175,000 a year, 17½ per cent more. Yet in the recent budget the administration resolved to spend an extra £750,000 on converting grass verges to hard standings for vehicles, and abandoned a proposal to save £500,000 on staffing. Has the Council got the priorities right? Should not the disabled be given a higher priority, and more generous benefits?
The Southampton City Council should be aiming to hold, or reduce, or even abolish the charges for home care for the disabled. As has been pointed out, the able-bodied do not need help, or to pay for help, to get up in the morning, to go to the toilet, to take a bath, to prepare a meal, to get to bed. They take it for granted. A free service would be legal and fair, everybody would benefit, and the service would be efficient, based only on clinical need, no cost of assessment and collection of money.
The council raises some £1m a year in charges. It intends to raise another £175,000 a year, 17½ per cent more. Yet in the recent budget the administration resolved to spend an extra £750,000 on converting grass verges to hard standings for vehicles, and abandoned a proposal to save £500,000 on staffing. Has the Council got the priorities right? Should not the disabled be given a higher priority, and more generous benefits?
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Annual General Meeting of Retired Civil Servants
Went to the AGM of Retired Civil Servants today. The meeting was held at the New Forest Hotel in Ashurst. Spoke about our campaign to protect the Civil Service Sports Ground in Freemantle from housing development.
The Civil Service Sports Ground is up for sale by its owners the Civil Service Sports Association (CSSA). The fear is that the land will be sold for housing or maybe sold and land banked in the hope that flats can be built there at a future date.
Freemantle is desparately short of green space there is huge local support for saving the land and using it as an asset for the community.
The audience seemed sympathetic to our cause. Hopefully by raising this issue with ex service members we can put more pressure on the CSSA to talk with the local community group set up to try to save the land, the Freemantle and Shirley Community Trust. The trust is looking to buy the land so that it can be used for sports and social activities by local people and community groups.
The Civil Service Sports Ground is up for sale by its owners the Civil Service Sports Association (CSSA). The fear is that the land will be sold for housing or maybe sold and land banked in the hope that flats can be built there at a future date.
Freemantle is desparately short of green space there is huge local support for saving the land and using it as an asset for the community.
The audience seemed sympathetic to our cause. Hopefully by raising this issue with ex service members we can put more pressure on the CSSA to talk with the local community group set up to try to save the land, the Freemantle and Shirley Community Trust. The trust is looking to buy the land so that it can be used for sports and social activities by local people and community groups.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Shirley Road - Safety improvements
The Council are investigating safety improvement proposals along Shirley Road between Languard Road/Andover Road and Roberts Road/Waterloo Road, following a number of serious injury accidents which have occurred over the past 3 years. The aim is to reduce traffic speeds and allow safer crossing facilities for pedestrians. The proposal is to construct a pedestrian refuge island by the Co-Op and 97 and 102 Shirley Road. If you have a view or want to see the plans please let me know. I will put a copy on the notice board in the Park Hotel for reference.
Welcome to my Web Log
Hello and welcome to my web log. I am a Councillor for Freemantle Ward in Southampton. I have set up this log to help communicate local issues to people living in Freemantle. I would welcome any comments you have.
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