CCTV needed for Luton, Chatham

Much attention is now upon the Conservative administration and Cllr Mike OBrien over the provision of additional CCTV units for Luton Road.

Over the last three months I have been working with local PACTs and residents on efforts to improve community safety in an area of Chatham with a known problem of anti-social behaviour and documented issues around criminality; Luton Road

The same Luton Road even featured on a fly-on-the-wall crime documentary.

On taking office in 2011, I made it my priority to work with PACTs, Police and the local community to make it a safer place to live.

No area is perfect; and indeed every inner city ward with significant transience and embedded social disadvantage would lead to inherent problems, and yes Luton does have a number.

That being said the community in Luton is strong and proud and it wants to stand up to the criminality.

Since taking office the Councillor team working with residents have seen some notable successes; the expansion of the dispersal zone and the safeguarding of community ward officers despite the cuts seen elsewhere. It is clear that both these facts suggest the Police know the area has its challenges and issues.

Residents have also volunteered to step forward at full council to push for increased action on anti-social behaviour from the Council; with two questions at the last two full council meetings. It is clear from feedback from PACTs that major concerns remain.

It is for this reason I opened up conversations with the Tory Portfolio holder for Community Safety and Chair of the Medway Community Safety Partnership (a grand title), Cllr Mike OBrien, for a further three CCTV units to support the that three already exist at the Chatham highstreet end of Luton Road.

Sadly, after an initial warm reception to the idea it became increasingly clear that officers were unwilling to fund three additional units at the cost of aprx £20,000.

£20,000 is not a grand sum, and is actually, given the constant pressures in the community a small sum to make people feel safer in their locality. I thought it was a no brainer from an officer who has made it clear that Chatham should be priority.

Alas, after my requests were made the standard funding complaints were given with the 'line' that not enough people had made complaints to justify the scheme. This, if true, is just not born in reality with the facts on the ground given the same information is being used to retain Police numbers at high levels or indeed the dispersal zone.

There is alas a culture of unreporting which is standard in areas like Luton. It happens when people become normalised to certain activities and choose to ignore it. In any other area a rowdy neighbour or someone smashing a bottle may result in a call to the Police; my suspicion is that the same activity does not in parts of Medway.

The Police are of course aware of this; and choose to prioritise resource on the basis of intelligence not solely related to raw statistical calls from the public. A narrow indicator if used on its own. It is clearly a demand area despite the recent comment that only 22 people have complained. £20,000 is money that could have a real impact and quick and could transform and aid the Police in enquiries.

After getting no luck with Cllr OBrien; I have since written to the portfolio holder for finance to secure Member Priority Funding for the bid.

Member Priority Funding is utterly without transparency and which historically, I have noted, rarely been awarded to opposition Councillors. In my mind it looks and smells like a fund for Tories to give to themselves; it is one of those funds which has little attributable analysis on need; seemingly awarded at the behest of those who seek electoral gain.

However; I put my name in the frame.

As yet no response.

It is not a surprise the community feel let down; as the youngest Councillor it is clear that senior Tories are happy to blame constituents for not getting in touch whilst ignoring the fact that a public question at full council is a form of communication in its own right - and a brave one that takes time.

It is sad that four months later we have no sight of additional CCTV units whilst we can have major overspends on bus stations; the public dont make capital v revenue distinctions. They see other funding projects which do not impact community safety given larger sums of funding, whilst there is not even an acknowledgement on a process for the decision behind Members Priority Funding on this item.

I understand Tories dont want to prioritise the local community in Luton because they didnt vote for them; but its time they did something that really would improve the lives of local people who do feel let down.

I dont care who gets the credit, or poses for the camera, or cuts the red ribbon; just stop ignoring people.

Luton deserves better; and as the local Councillor I will do everything I can to win for it.

Ward Improvements

Labour Councillor's work very hard in the wards they represent and are proud to serve in Medway.

Whilst some call it publicity it is actually very important to communicate; to be outward facing to the electorate and to talk about the issues that impact them. Taking it out of the Council chamber and onto the street corner.

Gone are the days when public servants could sit in the gilted office; the public expect their elected representatives to be on the ground and working for them.

A few snippets of work undertaken over the last couple of months will be posted over the course of the week.

This includes; alley-gating, new play areas, road re-surfacing, pavement slab replacements, graffiti removal and salt-bin replacements.

Railing Improvements for Luton Road

Reported in November by several parents at Luton School.

BEFORE

AFTER

Constitution Hill Re-surfacing

The road was in a very poor state. Reported to Council in July; re-surfaced in December.

BEFORE

AFTER

Over the course of this week will be posting a series of improvements which have been led by the Labour team in 2011

Save Nelson Court

The Luton & Wayfield team is working with local and cross-party campaigners to Save Nelson Court from Conservative cuts.

You can sign the petition to protect the service here.

Whilst the Tories can overspend by £5.1m on capital and revenue budgets it is simply unacceptable they have announced the closure of this centre for the vulnerable and elderly.

It is utterly unethical

Below from the website:

UPDATE FROM THE 29th NOVEMBER CABINET MEETING

At the cabinet meeting today Medway Conservative councillors were very keen to stress the benefits of privatisation, and seemed to think that the private sector could provide an identical service, with the same staff and staffing levels. As well as pay rent for the premises and make a profit.

They were also keen to stress that the 60-day consultation period would convince residents and relatives that there would be no adverse effects of privatising care. Under the new system the care homes would be allowed to take 'self funding' residents who would presumably be asked to pay a lot more than the council pays for supported care - we would like to know if the care homes would then be keen to take the challenging clients with high maintenance needs for the amount of council funding, when they could be making a nice profit instead.

Somehow this doesn't seem to be the real world!

Much was made of how residents could have more choice and more independence - given that these homes are for dementia patients, it is a bit pie in the sky to expect them to start taking responsibility for sorting out their own care and funding.

It should be remembered that many have outlived their families and friends and apart from the care home staff, who are their surrogate 'family' there is nobody to care what happens to them.

SAVE ELDERLY SERVICES

Elderly care, particularly dementia care, which is provided by Medway Council's own service centres is consistently graded as 'Excellent' by the care commission. We already have a shortage of beds in Medway for older people needing to go into care, and private providers naturally take those who are the 'easiest'. Not only do the council's own facilities provide a safety net for clients with high level needs (e.g. dementia patients using wheelchairs, or with cultural requirements such as a daily shower or special diet), but they also act as a benchmark of excellence against which prospective clients and their relatives can compare other homes.

Many elderly residents in our homes have no relatives living locally, but homes such as Nelson Court in Luton not only provide them with basic care but encourage activities and socialising, as well as a hairdresser and outings.

The council's own centres allow residents freedom of movement around the units and small 'quiet' rooms in which they can sit, or receive relatives and friends without having to use their bedrooms.

Relatives and friends are welcomed at any time and because working conditions are good there is a very low turnover of staff, so managers and carers get to know individual clients and their relatives so any problems can be dealt with quickly and amicably.

Added to this we should not forget the respite service which council homes offer, giving carers a much needed break and clients a chance to socialise. This respite also means that any medical conditions which have been overlooked are picked up and dealt with which eases the burden on home carers.

I would urge Medway Council to think very carefully before getting rid of the jewels in the crown in terms of elderly care!

To find out more, email maureen@savenelsoncourt.org.

Luton & Wayfield Ward Leaflet

LWAutumnA4

Our latest ward leaflet in Luton & Wayfield for Autumn/Winter includes:

• Work on Wayfield Phone masts
• Working with St Mary''s Amateur Boxing Club
• Working with residents on Thorold Road to clear alleywat
• Working on pot holes and anti-social behaviour
• Parking ticket champions

For more information on other campaigns please visit the Luton & Wayfield ward blog.

Labour: Working for our communities.

Protecting our Greenspaces

Myself with Friends of Horsted Valley Campaigners

Planning Proposal Graphic (Click to enlarge)

The Luton & Wayfield Labour team is very worried about the proposed development of the Daisy Banks and the manner in which land is being transferred from the Banks to Luton Primary School, to facilitate an NHS facility which is poorly situated within a dense urban area with poor vehicular access.

The application is that part of Daisy Banks, just as you enter the Valley from Pheasant Road will see 2,500 square meters of the Local Wildlife Site to off set the lose of Luton School playing fields for vehicular access to another development on adjacent undeveloped land (proposed NHS facility) on the other side of the playing fields. The area will be cleared and a 2 meter fence erected.

This will block off existing pathway. The planning statement accompanying the application, agues that it will not in fact ential the lost of open space or impact upon the character of the local landscape. However, in view that the change use is in fact to allow further development, which includes construction of an access road and development of undeveloped land, it in fact mean that a significant area of open space will be lost. It also ignores the significant lost of wildlife habitat which is not compatible with it use as a playing field. Lastly, the planning statement completely ignores that is the primary gateway to the valley and has been used by the public for well over 20 years.

We are working with the Friends of Horsted Valley and local residents to oppose this planning application

Have you or somebody you know been walking Daisy Banks, entering via Pheasant Road for more than 20 years?

Would your be prepared to make a statement to that effect? Please contact the Vice Chairman at andrew401968@yahoo.co.uk

If you wish to make a submission concerning application MC/11/2345, you can do so via Medway Council planning porta, link above or by writing to: Development Control, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR, quoting the reference number MC/11/2345.

Working in our community

Ward Councillor's Tristan Osborne, Sam Craven and Christine Godwin attended the Save St Mary's ABC fundraiser on Saturday night at Greenacre School.

We have been working closely with the Club management to safeguard this local and popular boxing club which had been threatened after the landlord changed.

The event was a massive success with thousands of local residents attending to watch a series of 'friendly' boxing matches between current and former club members.

Councillor Godwin and Councillor Craven even got into the ring. Alas not with gloves; but to award the fight trophies to the respective blue and red teams.

It is important that local Councillors work with residents and local sports clubs and we are very priviledged to be involved in such an event.

Burma Way Phone Mast Update

Phone mast application passed the Conservative-dominated Planning Committee

You win some you loose some, but am extremely angry that the phone mast application for Burma Way passed through Planning Committee last week.

No one wants a phone mast in their back garden and we all have to accept that if we are to modernise our telecommunications infrastructure that we need new and better masts. There is also no evidence to suggest that these masts cause cancer.

When this mast application was submitted the community spoke with one voice to oppose the mast. We even suggested alternate sites would be better keeping for such a structure.

This mast remains utterly out of keeping with the surrounding land and residents had made it clear that other more industrial / commercial locations would be better suited. Not only that local schools, MPs and Councillors had communicated in no uncertain terms that the mast was utterly unwanted.

We were all snubbed.

We have at present agents running roughshod over local public opinion. Our Conservative-Council had made it clear that phone masts would be considered very closely and in this case they made the wrong judgement.

Please find below our letter to residents on the news:



Burma Way Phone Mast

Thorold Road Alley Clearance

Luton & Wayfield Labour team in action in Chatham clearing an alleyway on Thorold Road, Chatham.

Delivering for our community

Supporting Community Mothers

Mum's, Dad's and a few assorted politicians of all stripes

Whoever said August was a month of rest and relaxation clearly has not been a Medway Councillor. For the Councillors in Luton & Wayfield ward it has been extremely busy indeed with constituency work and meeting members of the community.

One such group that has been supported by us all is the Luton Community Mothers. The Community Mothers group are a collection of parents, primarily in Luton & Wayfield, who have come together now for the second year to run a fortnight programme of entertainment for local kids in our community.

The focus of the group is particularly on getting mum's and dad's to play with their children and develop lasting relationships, and to encourage children to engage and work with each other and develop friendships.

The venue for the Community Mothers event on the Luton Memorial Meadow also has a close bond with the ward as the nearby war memorial is run by Don Phillips who has kept the surrounding site in excellent condition. Many on the memorial died for their Country and came from the old Luton ward in Chatham.

The neighbouring Scout facility was ideal for the group and from initial enquiries is very well used by the community.

Despite this blog's overt positioning on policy it is clear that despite the hurly-burly of elections that politicians of all stripes can set aside and work for the community and have a bit of fun whilst doing it.

Fight to save St Mary's ABC

St Mary's ABC, Chatham

Labour Councillors in Luton & Wayfield will be supporting the campaign by our local St Mary's ABC which is currently threatened with closure after the ownership of the land changed.

I along with Councillor colleagues met the campaigners yesterday evening and it is clear they will fight to the end for a club which spawned former world champion Johnny Armour and top heavyweight Tom Dallas.

St Mary's Amateur Boxing Club in Chatham is one of the oldest and proudest clubs in the county and has support from across the region. It is the epitomy of a small sports club fighting against corporate greed.

You can join their Facebook site and a petition is currently being organised to safeguard this piece of local heritage.

The Council has a responsibility to local sportsclubs to ensure they are safeguarded; one such as this with such a proud history must be looked at.

St Mary's has been at the site for more than 50 years. It has previously rented the property for a peppercorn rent of just £26 a year, but following the death of its landlady, the future of the club is in doubt.

Club secretary and head coach Dave Bowler said to Medway Messenger:

"We are very worried. We don't know who is going to buy it and if they will let us stay. If the new owners put the rent up, we wouldn't be able to afford it, and we can't afford to go anywhere else."

St Mary's most famous son is Armour who reigned the WBU bantamweight division for three years. He trained at the club from the age of 10 until he signed a professional contract aged 21.

He said:

"It would be a great shame if the club had to close. A lot of people would feel the same as me. It has been there such a long time and a lot of people will have fond memories of it.

"It is a blinding club, I don't think you will ever get a club as good as St Mary's in Medway. I couldn't have done anything I have done in my career without the start I was given at that club."

As Councillors - Sam Craven, Tristan Osborne and Christine Godwin will be fighting for the boxing club and are currently engaged with the Council to ensure that the tradition of this much-loved sport continues in our community.

Ready, Steady, Councillor

Residents in Luton and Wayfield enjoyed a day packed full of family fun over the weekend with live music, a barbecue, a talent show, fete and a quite comical Ready, Steady, Cook competition between local councillors Tristan Osborne and Sam Craven.

Residents also enjoyed a host of other events across the area including a Talent Performance Show at the Bishope of Rochester Acedemy. the event was a useful way of finding and engaging with people about their area and what they would like to see in the future.

With the tagline Local People, Local Solutions, the project is a joint initiative from Medway Council alongside NHS Medway, Kent Police in Medway, schools and community groups based in the area.

By working with the community and encouraging them to talk about any issues and concerns they have, the aim is to gain residents' feedback on the services they receive and how they can be improved, as well as looking at better ways to tackle issues such as anti social behaviour within a community.

Commenting Councillor Craven stated:

"Hundreds of residents turned out across all threee of the venues despite the poor weather and immersed themselves in the activities on offer. Residents enjoyed watching the talent contest with urban dance from Rochester Group ATZ to belly and folk dancing. The fete at Wayfield Primary School was really well attended with the 'Guess the Teacher' stand attracting a lot of attention from former pupils

"It is very clear from the performances we saw that Medway has lots of very talented young people and this needs to be encouraged and harnessed."

Commenting Councillor Osborne

"Politicians are regularly told that if they dont like the heat they should get out the kitchen, so it was also a useful opportunity to rest a score from the local election with a 'Ready, Steady, Cook' competition. The competition pitted my cooking prowess with that of Cllr Craven, a mum and teacher"

"After a very brief tutorial from the chef's my skills were put to the test and though my chicken pasta dish was a success, though minus the spinach. It was not enough. Cllr Craven won that day with an excellent curry, where my efforts were rewarded the wooden spoon"

Luton & Wayfield Fun Day

Residents in Luton and Wayfield are getting set for a day packed full of family fun this weekend.

Live music, a barbecue, a talent show and cookery sessions will be the eclectic mix of activities on offer at the Luton and Wayfield Big Event, taking place this Saturday, 16 July.

A whole host of activities for all the family to enjoy will be held at three main venues across the areas of Luton and Wayfield on a day dedicated to the residents of the area.

The event will launch the pilot project focused on the Luton and Wayfield area aimed at finding better ways to engage local communities and effectively tackle issues faced in their area.

With the tagline Local People, Local Solutions, the project is a joint initiative from Medway Council alongside NHS Medway, Kent Police in Medway, schools and community groups based in the area.

By working with the community and encouraging them to talk about any issues and concerns they have, the aim is to gain residents' feedback on the services they receive and how they can be improved, as well as looking at better ways to tackle issues such as anti social behaviour within a community.

The event will be an opportunity for residents to find out more about the project, as well as having some fun with their community, kick started with a talent show, held at Bishop of Rochester Academy.

The You’ve got Talent competition takes place at the academy's Magpie Hall Road site from 10am to 4pm, where performers will take to the stage and strutt their stuff in front of a select panel of judges and an audience. To take part in the show, call Medway Council on 01634 333333.

Over at Luton Junior School on Luton Road, families will be invited to don their aprons and take to the kitchen as the school opens especially for a day of fun packed cookery challenges.

Putting the fun back into food will be school meals provider Chartwells, who’ll be offering families the chance to take place in a series of cookery challenges, including Get Set Cook and Fun Fitness and Food – with fitness games, quizzes and cook -offs taking place from 10am to 4pm.

The third and final venue for the day is Wayfield Children’s Centre, where staff will be firing up the barbecue for an afternoon of summer fun.

The centre, on Wayfield Road, will be open from 12 to 4pm, and will also be holding a summer fete, with family fun in the shape of traditional games, face painting, cakes and more.

All events are free to attend and residents who attend two or more of the venues will receive a free goodie bag.

There will also be a prize draw on the day, with the chance to win a bike, smoothie maker or basket of fruit.

For more information and to register for the talent show, contact Medway Council on 01634 333333.

Half mast Agents need to get a grip

It is becoming increasingly apparent to residents that we are currently witnessing a glut of phone mast applications across the Medway Towns.

Whilst we all accept that we do need to prepare for 4G and the increasing use of Wi-Fi enabled technology, it baffles belief that we continue to have applications for masts seemingly made by agents with little / no understanding of the area in which they are applying.

I have written to the agents who represent the phone companies, in support of the MP, who has also flagged concerns that the applications need to be better considered - not only in terms of the land they are placed on - but also to stop wasting the time of residents who remain concerned about the potential health risks.

Agents need to act with care on the placement of phone masts. Picking more suitable locations would not only speed up the erection of new masts but also lead to happier communities as well. Just food for thought.

I have suggested to the phone companies that instead of 'randomly' picking residential areas that they focus applications in industrial units.

Medway has a number of varied land types even in the most residential of areas, and such applications are likely to receive significantly less objections.

Love Music Hate Racism

Attended the very successful Love Music Hate Racism event today with many colleagues.

Pictured with Cllr Sam Craven who has cause to celebrate after being proposed to the previous day...

A truly great event, good weather and some talented individuals singing to keep Medway a diverse and open place.

People sometimes forget how much the country has changed for the better over the last twenty years. However much discrimination still remains and we must never be complacent.

These type of events remind us of how we are stronger together as a community then those that will seek to divide us. People of all creeds and backgrounds living side by side.

Many families and young children enjoyed some strong performances from traditional folk bands, musical singers and some local school bands who were profiling themselves.

Particularly keen to join colleagues in the Bobby Wade room. A man who delivered so much for the local community in Medway and who was much loved by all who met him.

Many congratulations to the organisers the Medway Love Music Hate Racism team.

Luton & Wayfield blog

Due to popular demand, well a few requests during the campaign, the ward Councillors for Luton & Wayfield have launched a new blog which will allow residents to see the work that is being undertaken and also a point of contact outside of the Council.

Over the course of time the blog will be developed and will hopefully link videos and a map. Once this hardpressed blogger gets the time...

This blog will continue with commentary on local and national politics whilst the campaign blog will concentrate on ward based work. The personal website will hopefully link the sites together - at least that is the idea!

Plenty of positive news with the odd snippet of satire!

Take a read at the http://luton-wayfield.blogspot.com/

No Phone Mast in Wayfield

Labour candidates Tristan Osborne, Sam Craven and Christine Godwin are backing the independent campaign in Wayfield to oppose the phone mast proposed for the Links which has once again returned to haunt residents.

Despite the issue being raised in early 2011 it is clear the Conservative Council is still pressing ahead with the development.

Labour is backing the campaign by concerned residents in Barnfield who have been canvassing the local community over the last four days.

The campaign organisers have requested that the campaign remains independent from any of the candidates in the election, but if elected we have indicated we will give them our full support and indeed organise meetings with the phone mast company and Council if required.

Major questions remain.

How come the Conservative Council is pressing ahead with the idea despite months of local objections?

Are they really listening to residents?

Other areas in Gillingham have recently had success in removing a phone mast so community action can work

We urge readers of this top 100 Politics home blog to sign the independent petition.

Close of Nominations

Welcome news for democracy that a total of 315 people have been nominated for elections in Medway on May 5.

For those who want more detail please visit the Medway Council democracy webpages which will give you up to date information.

The good news is that all our seats will be contested and people will have a choice to vote out the Conservatives and to vote for a better alternative. A positive, dynamic and engaging Labour team, bursting with energy and enthusiasm for the future.

Labour have a full slate of candidates as usual for a local election.

Normal residents of the towns have been posting on where they will be lending their vote on May 5th and it makes pretty damning read for the Tories. There is widespread discontent on the doorstep with very poor decision making.

For the first time in many years both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have candidates for the parishes. A welcome development which will finally give a choice to kick out the Tories from their traditional redoubts.

The Tories have a large majority on the Council currently which has led to poor decision making and complacency. Labour are confident that with the ground work done we can see some positive results in May.

We have a new generation of activists and campaigners from a younger demographic which truly does represent the future for our towns. Years of effort recruiting new talent has paid off.

Cllr Jarrett and Chambers will soon feel the true scorn of Medway residents.

Please lend Labour your vote on May 5th.

Improving Health - Cut Smoking

Half of Medway's smokers will die from cancer, todays Medway Messenger has reported.

Despite the negativism and opportunism of libertarian and right wing bloggers, the local media has come out in support of this blog and government-backed and NHS campaigns to 'ciggy-bust' our way out of a cul-de-sac of health inequality.

According to the 277-page report, entitled Investing in Health, it shows that the chief killers in Medway will be lung, breast, bowel and prostate cancer. Alcoholism will also cause more deaths from the disease.

Individuals who live in Luton & Wayfield (the ward this blogger hopes to represent), Strood South and Twydall have a higher chance of being diagnosed with cancer, but incidents in the more affluent Rochester West ward are the lowest for Medway, says the report.

The report has highighted the success of previous programmes of government to reduce the levels of cancer by pro-active intervention. The rate in Medway remains significantly higher than elsewhere in south east England.

The report makes starkly clear that

"Fifty per cent of all current smokers are likely to be killed by their smoking habits"

The main causes of many illnesses are lifestyle excess; including smoking, obesity, alcohol and physical inactivity.

The report also has some interesting statistics on other health indicators including

- By 2030 more than half the population will be over 40, increasing the risk of diabetes which currently affects 12,583 residents. Though the number un-diagnosed may be signficantly higher.
- Tuberculosis affects an average of 19 people a year in Medway
- There are 8,033 people with coronary heart disease and 148 people with HIV

This report starkly highlights why health prevention and proactive government education programmes are very much necessary.

To simply put your head in the sand is deeply irresponsible. This report highlights starkly why campaigns like 'ciggy-busters' should be encouraged, where they are legal and awareness raising.