Over the last four years we have been proud to
represent Luton and Wayfield. We have made a great effort to speak up for our
residents – whatever your political opinion – and represent your concerns to
the Council.
We have managed a sizeable amount of community
casework and have passionately stood up for the issues that residents are
concerned about. A lot has been
achieved; but there is a lot more still to do.
Four years ago we undertook a survey of the
major concerns in our community and a number of issues were raised on the
doorstep and by post. Below is just some of things we have done to make our
community a little bit better.
Gritting / Yellow bins
In 2011 we received regular correspondence on
the lack of yellow bins and level of gritting across the ward. We received
regular engagement with the Council that to introduce new yellow bins and/or
move bins would only happen after a lengthy consultation with residents. We
thought out-of-the-box; it was your councillors that successfully pushed for the introduction of the Snow Volunteer scheme that means our residents can have
grit, high viz vest and spade delivered to your own home. This funding coming
from the gritting companies themselves.
Anti-social behaviour / Crime
Luton and Wayfield has a relatively high level
of anti-social behaviour and is one of a number of inner urban wards that
presents challenges with regards to tackling crime. On election in 2011 we
successfully lobbied for further CCTV cameras along Luton Road from Member Priority Budgets. We have successfully lobbied for a Dispersal Zone for the Luton Arches
area and regularly monitor levels of crime in the ward through regular
attendance at our PACTs. As ward councillors we have also lobbied hard for the extension of the Chatham Alcohol Control Zone and have taken our case directly
to the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner who has met and visited us in Luton.
We have suggested a Council Tax cut to support recruitment of Special Constables.
Roads / Potholes
It is true to say that in 2011 the state of
many roads across the ward were in a terrible state; this being a cumulative
issue that had worsened over a decade a more. The state of the roads across
Medway remain a significant concern but we have lobbied hard for the
introduction of several double-line schemes on Settington Avenue / Street End
Road and Roosevelt Road; though the time taken for it to happen was glacial. In
addition road improvements have taken place on Constitution Road, Castle Road,
Constitution Hill, Churchill Avenue, Tobruk Way, Montgomery Avenue and
Barnfield. Roads remain an issue which is why we have led on the campaign to
#FixOurStreets diverting money away from the £4.4m Rochester Airfield scheme into community capital initiatives like roads. We have held the Council to
account on overspends on the Chatham bus station.
Parks & Play areas
We have successfully seen improvements on Luton 'Rec' and Barnfield since 2011 and have got detailed plans for the
improvement of Luton Millennium Green that has finally been taken into Council ownership after a decade of confusion over a disbanded trust. We have regularly met officers to discuss this park; funding is still needed.
Dog bins / Dog fouling
We have increased markedly the number of fixed dog
fouling signs in priority hotspots across the ward, working with our Primary
Schools to design signs
Schools / Education
We have met with the head teachers and
governors of all our local Primary and Secondary schools and whilst we have
seen mixed results over the last four years we have sought to offer support and
engagement with each school. We have funded a garden project at Wayfield School
and have partnered closely on funding youth play-schemes, football groups,
summer holiday schemes, karate clubs and even youth boxing. We have raised our
concerns on the provision of takeaways near schools and have encouraged and
support healthy eating initiatives.
Council
All three councillors have made significant
contributions to scrutinising council decision. For a list of Freedom of Information requests on numerous local and contentious issues . These include improvement to Primary Schools; Medway Tunnel; Rochester
Airfield; Chatham bus station; Small business rates; Medway Matters and issues
around overspends on capital projects. We have taken our responsibility to
scrutinise decisions seriously.
Housing
We continue to have significant concern around Housing
in the ward and have worked on a number of cases of nuisance noise and on accommodation
that is unfit. We have therefore supported schemes around the introduction of a Selecting Licencing so that owners can be held to account for the state
of properties in the ward. We continue to support housing developments on brown
field sites with suitable levels of affordability and parking. We continue to
oppose development on Capstone Valley but recognise the need for homes for
young families. We therefore back development on Lodge Hill on a cross-party
basis and are concerned by inconsistent approaches taken by others.
Community issues
- Successfully supported St Mary's Amateur Boxing club in seeking a new site and securing financial support
- Supported residents to oppose several phone mast schemes
- Partnered with residents on multiple Planning issues including a complex case on Roosevelt Avenue / Ironside Close that had been an issue for years. We secured community support for a new Planning proposal
- Introduced several new dog bins for green areas in Wayfield
- Supported the first new Community Right to Bid process for the Medway Queen Community pub backing local residents in their attempt to safeguard an important site
- Stood up for small business in Luton high street to oppose the Luton Library car parking charge and to stand up against inappropriate applications
- Opposed the privatisation of Nelson Court and suggested an alternative social-enterprise via NORSE (subsequently the idea of NORSE was taken-up by Tory Council but too late for Care Home provision)
- Supported Age UK and provision of improved care for elderly residents in the ward
- Supported the Friends of Horsted Valley in safeguarding Coney Banks from development and encroachment
