Just when you thought this Government couldn't be more insane they have recently revealed plans to build an extra 21,000 homes in Bath and North East Somerset by 2026.
Two years ago, following guidelines from the Government Office of the South West, B&NES Council commissioned research to found out how many extra dwellings could be built in the area at a maximum. The research camE back with the figure 15,000!
Despite B&NES not having sufficient infrastructure for many more houses the Council was willing to acknowledge the figure of 15,000 as 'acceptable'.
After submitting this to the Government, the fantastic Hazel Blears MP (Sec. of State for Local Government and Communties) tells us she wants to see 21,000 in total not 15,000.
I am pleased to say that at the 11th September B&NES Councilmmeeting Councillors from all parties (including Labour) voted to send a strongly worded response to the Government.
Liberal Democrats are not completely opposed to new housing we just believe that before the Green Belt is even considered for development all possibly Brown Field sites must be built on first. Houses should only be build where road networks and jobs already exist - not elsewhere.
We also believe that many of the empty properties in B&NES need to have people living in them - we have plenty so let's get people in them!
As a matter of interest I have been counting the number of empty properties in Peasedown St John. I havent't quite finished yet but I have 10 so far. Im sure if every Councillor in B&NES counted the number of properties in their ward we could reach 500 across the whole of B&NES.
Saturday 27 September 2008
Sunday 21 September 2008
Lib Dems and the media
It's always encouraging to see the Lib Dems doing well in the polls.... but that's what we always see after the Party Conference!
All year round the two bigger parties do well (perhaps with the exception of Labour in this instance) because the media always gives them attention and is intrigued about 'What has David Cameron had for breakfast?' or 'Where is Gordon Brown going on his holiday?'
I am convinced that if the media gave all three parties the same attention and coverage all year round the Lib Dems would always be showing at (the least) 25% in the polls.
Unfortunately I could not make the Party Conference in Bournmouth this year but I have heard it was one of the best. We have a fantastic Leader in Nick Clegg and our new plans to cut income tax from 20% to 16% really will help those on middle and low incomes (who Labour have negleted for so long).
Our message is simple - we want to tax pollution, not people! All we need now is the media is to give us and our ideas more air-time.
All year round the two bigger parties do well (perhaps with the exception of Labour in this instance) because the media always gives them attention and is intrigued about 'What has David Cameron had for breakfast?' or 'Where is Gordon Brown going on his holiday?'
I am convinced that if the media gave all three parties the same attention and coverage all year round the Lib Dems would always be showing at (the least) 25% in the polls.
Unfortunately I could not make the Party Conference in Bournmouth this year but I have heard it was one of the best. We have a fantastic Leader in Nick Clegg and our new plans to cut income tax from 20% to 16% really will help those on middle and low incomes (who Labour have negleted for so long).
Our message is simple - we want to tax pollution, not people! All we need now is the media is to give us and our ideas more air-time.
Tuesday 16 September 2008
Youth Community Council
Tonight is the first PSJ Youth Community Council meeting of the new term. We'll be meeting at 7pm at the youth centre giving young people an opportunity to voice their opinions.
I try to advertise and promote each meeting with a different theme. This one is 'Tell Nathan...'.
Quite self-explanatory I know, it's about encouraging young people (who often feel alienated from the political and decision making processess) to share with me their concerns about the area they live in.
What I enjoy about working with young people is they are never afraid to speak their mind and tell you honestly what they think.
I've bought lots of crisps and biscuits, so we should be in for a 'productive' meeting.
I try to advertise and promote each meeting with a different theme. This one is 'Tell Nathan...'.
Quite self-explanatory I know, it's about encouraging young people (who often feel alienated from the political and decision making processess) to share with me their concerns about the area they live in.
What I enjoy about working with young people is they are never afraid to speak their mind and tell you honestly what they think.
I've bought lots of crisps and biscuits, so we should be in for a 'productive' meeting.
Thursday 11 September 2008
Holburne Museum
Last night at the Bath and North East Somerset Full Council meeting I voted against the proposal to give a one of grant of £200,000 to the Holburne museum in Bath.
The Holburne approached the Council asking for a sum of money, contributing to their educational courses and the re-development of the centre.
It's not that I am opposed to the Holburne, museums or the Arts in general I just believe that with the current financial climate, departments having tight budgets and some services being cut we should not be giving Council money to something that is not a priority.
What about the youth service? They received a £400,000 cut last year - wouldn't they like some money? What about spending the £200,000 on more important things such as fulfilling some of the PACT priorities in our Wards, filling in pot holes, more litter bins etc.
Spending £200,000 on a Museum that clearly can generate its own cash is not in the best interest of Peasedown residents.
Unfortunately, the proposal was voted through!
The Holburne approached the Council asking for a sum of money, contributing to their educational courses and the re-development of the centre.
It's not that I am opposed to the Holburne, museums or the Arts in general I just believe that with the current financial climate, departments having tight budgets and some services being cut we should not be giving Council money to something that is not a priority.
What about the youth service? They received a £400,000 cut last year - wouldn't they like some money? What about spending the £200,000 on more important things such as fulfilling some of the PACT priorities in our Wards, filling in pot holes, more litter bins etc.
Spending £200,000 on a Museum that clearly can generate its own cash is not in the best interest of Peasedown residents.
Unfortunately, the proposal was voted through!
Tuesday 9 September 2008
Council Officers do work hard you know!
Too often Council officers get a bad press - they seem to get blamed when there isn't money to spend on a certain project and when new infrustructure isn't put in on time.
Here in Peasedown St John my job is always a joy because Council officers reply to my emails, they phone me, and will be honest with me if there is something I cannot do!
The Council Officers that Sarah Bevan and I work with are un-sung heros! They have helped us install new traffic bollards, speed reductions, and litter bins. They have organised and worked with us on Environmental Clean-Up days and have helped us with longer term projects such as BMX tracks, graffiti removal and tree planting.
Peasedown residents are some of the luckiest because of the commitment of our Officers.
Here in Peasedown St John my job is always a joy because Council officers reply to my emails, they phone me, and will be honest with me if there is something I cannot do!
The Council Officers that Sarah Bevan and I work with are un-sung heros! They have helped us install new traffic bollards, speed reductions, and litter bins. They have organised and worked with us on Environmental Clean-Up days and have helped us with longer term projects such as BMX tracks, graffiti removal and tree planting.
Peasedown residents are some of the luckiest because of the commitment of our Officers.
Saturday 6 September 2008
Young Councillors Leadership Academy
I am half way through a training weekend in Warwick with the IDA (Improvement and Development Agency).
The Leadership Academy is an intense training course for Councillors under the age of 35 to put us on the 'fast track' to political leadership.
It's not so much about learning new skills but developing those we already have (but perhaps did not know it).
What's different from this course than others I have been on is it's not party political. I am working with young Conservative, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.
Putting aside party politics for the weekend is a great opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas of best practice.
It has been so encouraging to share the highs and the lows of local politics with people who also go through the same thing.
One common thread that has appeared is the big challenge we all face - which isn't the threat of opposition parties but ageism! There are 'older' politicians in all parties who still feel that young people are not capable, or at least shouldn't be, of making decisions.
We work in a 'business' where being 'old' is seen to be the norm and those that are 'old' still haven't got used to young people/Councillors having an active engagement in their communities.
In a 21st century Britian we need Councillors/MPs from all age groups - reflecting the diverse range of people we all represent.
The Leadership Academy is an intense training course for Councillors under the age of 35 to put us on the 'fast track' to political leadership.
It's not so much about learning new skills but developing those we already have (but perhaps did not know it).
What's different from this course than others I have been on is it's not party political. I am working with young Conservative, Labour, Green and Independent councillors.
Putting aside party politics for the weekend is a great opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas of best practice.
It has been so encouraging to share the highs and the lows of local politics with people who also go through the same thing.
One common thread that has appeared is the big challenge we all face - which isn't the threat of opposition parties but ageism! There are 'older' politicians in all parties who still feel that young people are not capable, or at least shouldn't be, of making decisions.
We work in a 'business' where being 'old' is seen to be the norm and those that are 'old' still haven't got used to young people/Councillors having an active engagement in their communities.
In a 21st century Britian we need Councillors/MPs from all age groups - reflecting the diverse range of people we all represent.
Tuesday 2 September 2008
Delivering with the Mayor and Mayoress
It's not often you get help delivering leaflets from such nobility.
Yesterday the Mayor and Mayoress of Bath, Cllrs Tim and Sharon Ball came to help out in the Norton Radstock Town Council by election.
Despite the rain and thunder we delivered, between us, to over 400 houses.
You can never go wrong though with the Balls. Tim is one of those seasoned campaigners whose 17 years 'in the business' makes him one of the very best. I have learnt a lot in a short period from Tim - how to be a good and effective Councillor and how to campaign meaningfully so that the end result is the achievement of your goal.
Anyway, that's enough praise for Tim. We are now only one day away from the by election. All I've seen from the opposition is one Conservative leaflet and a magazine from Dan Norris (I didn't know he was standing), both giving the impression that there hearts aren't really in it. Midsomer Norton residents are now receiving their fourth leaflet from the Lib Dems! Has it paid off? I guess we'll find out tomorrow!
Yesterday the Mayor and Mayoress of Bath, Cllrs Tim and Sharon Ball came to help out in the Norton Radstock Town Council by election.
Despite the rain and thunder we delivered, between us, to over 400 houses.
You can never go wrong though with the Balls. Tim is one of those seasoned campaigners whose 17 years 'in the business' makes him one of the very best. I have learnt a lot in a short period from Tim - how to be a good and effective Councillor and how to campaign meaningfully so that the end result is the achievement of your goal.
Anyway, that's enough praise for Tim. We are now only one day away from the by election. All I've seen from the opposition is one Conservative leaflet and a magazine from Dan Norris (I didn't know he was standing), both giving the impression that there hearts aren't really in it. Midsomer Norton residents are now receiving their fourth leaflet from the Lib Dems! Has it paid off? I guess we'll find out tomorrow!
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