Labour’s stunning victory in council elections

..coalition government.. (Photo credit: oudodou)

As many of you can appreciate, we are all smiles (if a little tired) 🙂 after the council elections last night. We won no less than six additional seats which is a stunning tribute to the tireless energies of all those involved.

The council’s composition is now Labour 23, Conservatives 9.

I just wanted to take a moment in my blog to offer a word of thanks to everyone who contributed in whatever way this stunning result. Thank you everyone who knocked on doors, took numbers at the polling stations or stuffed leaflets through doors. It may seem trite but without you I am confident we would not have won!

My condolences to the Conservatives who lost five seats including their group leader Matthew Lock and deputy leader Matthew Beaver, but surely this is an indicator of the country’s reaction to the current coalition government?

As for the Liberal Democrats they lost their only seat and now have no councillors in the council.

A warm welcome to our new councillors and I look forward to working with them in the coming months.

Report

Image via Wikipedia

I thought readers might be interested to know exactly what myself and the other Hastings and St Leonards Labour councillors have done so here’s a brief list of what we have done in the last few months.

One area of particular concern to me and other members of the group has been support for our BME residents and asylum seekers coming to this country to escape persecution and even death in their own country.

This list is not exhaustive, so contact me if you want more information

COMMUNITY SAFETY

1. forced the council to abandon plans to cut front line staff such as street wardens and environmental community officers;
2. brought back the “grotbusters” post
3. introduced a ban on drinking in the streets for Central St Leonards;
4. more street lighting;
5. a gate on Clarence Road to put a stop to illegal activities;
6. ensured that there was extra street cleaning, removal of fly-tipping and cut backs of vegetation where it was getting in the way of pedestrians;
7. more dog bins;
8. drain cleaning for the ward;
9. lots of small road repairs potholes and loose surfacing;
10. worked with the police and residents to improve community safety.

PARKING

1. made the council realise that a “one size fits all” approach to parking in Central St Leonards simply would not work;
2. better parking for Warriors Square;
3. ensured that there would be no parking charges in King’s Road.

HERITAGE

1. renovation work for Christchrch (Renaissance House and Magnet Centre) Warrior Square, Marine Court and Marina Colonnade;
2. made sure that the extension to the Museum and Art Gallery was built;
3. made improvements to parks and gardens in our area;
4. served enforcement notice on owners of Marine Court to make their repaint and renew the exterior;
5. legal protection for Summerfield Woods to make sure it was not built on.

I have been telling council staff they need to consider the views of residents who want to see Summerfield Walled Garden back in use. I also supported the renovation of Summerfield’s Ice House.

OTHER WORK

1. regular surgeries with residents to hear their concerns and offer advice;
2. member of the Gensing and Central St Leonards Community Forum;
3. made sure residents were in the loop when it comes to regeneration plans;
4. helped residents object to planning applications;
5. helped in obtaining funding for playgroups, playgrounds and the Whiterock skateboard/BMX park;
6. supported the public arts project in Southwater Road at the front of Warrior Square station, currently still in progress;
7. supported renovation of many of the flats in Central St Leonards and Southwater Road;
8. supported new GP surgery and sheltered housing at Marlborough House.

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No power to the people

Lead by Lewes, I don’t think so!  Image via Wikipedia

One of my concerns at the moment is the possible move of local democracy from Hastings borough council to the county council at Lewes. This is something the Tories have talked about in the name of saving money with absolutely no thought about what impact it might have on local people who will effectively no longer have a say at local level. Local demoracy works best when it really is local!

Representing your views!

Hasting and St Leonards is a vibrant place to live and work, full of colour and character and I would not want to live anywhere else it was this fondness for the area that prompted my decision to become a councillor, a position that if I am re-elected I will continue to do to the best of my ability.

I’ve started this blog so that people, interested in what myself and the other Labour councillors are doing, can stay up to date but also because I want to hear what you have to say about Hastings and St Leonards. If you have a suggestion to improve it or something you feel needs sorting comment here or contact me. We really do want to hear from you!

Local Labour councillors continue to work hard to represent your views. Here’s just a few of the things we have done. Click here for the campaign map

• helped to ensure that a new library comes to Hastings 2011/2012;
• worked with the police and our street wardens to make the area safer and cleaner; tackled dog fouling and rubbish;
• supported the Sure Start initiative.

Myself and my colleagues will continue to the views of local people – all year round and not just at election time. We know there is always more than we can do and we would like you to tell us what you think needs doing. Contact us.

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