Warwick Branch Labour Party met this evening, where we discussed the proposed changes to the Legal Aid system, following a very informative and interesting speech from Catherine Stephens, a local solicitor. She outlined how the proposed cuts will go to the heart of a fair and just society, and create a situation where only those with the ability to pay will have access to justice.
The right to legal representation is a fundamental principle of a civilised society and is a cornerstone of our way of life. Legal Aid was established in 1949 following with progressive legislation around access to health care and education, regardless of means.
If these proposals are implemented, individuals will no longer be able to access legal aid for help in cases relating to debt, employment, housing and clinical negligence, which has a far-reaching impact on the most vulnerable in society. Legal Aid will be removed from big chunks of family law, such as divorce and private children act applications. Additionally, eligibility for legal aid will be tightened, meaning that far fewer people will find themselves eligible.
Disproportionately, women and children will bear the the brunt of these cuts, which is becoming a hallmark of the coalition government. So why, then, are we not hearing more about these cuts? Perhaps it is because we don't know how important Legal Aid is until we need it: when we are at our most vulnerable and in need of help and advice.
The Government, as always, expects the Big Society to pick up the pieces, but I cannot see how this woolly concept can provide an effective infrastructure to meet the needs of people seeking resolution to their problems. Alternative sources of advice, such as the CAB, will be dramatically hit by the cuts and so we can see avenues of help and support disappearing, and individuals left floundering and silenced.
If you don't think this affects you, you are wrong. It affects us all. Are you employed? Many people fight unfair dismissal cases with the support of Legal Aid. With these cuts, there'll be nothing you can do to challenge unfair dismissal unless you can afford to pay a solicitor, and of course, if you've just lost your job this may well be unlikely. Are you married? Got children? There'll be no more legal aid for family matters like divorce, custody and access.
Everyone should have access to justice. Legal Aid is an integral part of a fair and just society, which is threatened by these cuts. What can you do? Make your voice heard. Write to your MP, your local paper, tweet and make others aware. Sound off For Justice have a petition, a blog and more information about this threat. Locally, we'll be campaigning against these cuts and if you'd like to join us, contact me for more information.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Save the trees
It really has been a while since I've blogged, in fact, my blogging hiatus has lasted just a little longer than the school holidays, and this is no coincidence. Normal service will now resume.
I should declare an interest here. I live in a relatively new housing development in Warwick West. We're lucky in that the development has a few wooded areas, a lake with swans and ducks and a bit of other wildlife. Just next to the park, there are around 80 trees that must be as old as the estate itself, so around 15-18 years old. They are mature, nice-looking trees and the local children love running around in them, and here I should add that my 4 year old and his friends run through on the way home from school. There are squirrels, hedgehogs and all the usual things you find in a wood.
Anyway. I was at a meeting on Monday night to discuss the funding arrangements for our new community centre, when the Conservative District Councillor Higgins announced that she had good news: the trees are to be felled. I immediately asked for clarification and she told me that it is what the residents want and it is tough, the trees are to go.
On my way home, I canvassed for opinions and everyone is in favour of keeping the trees, but in the absence of any real information about why, or the number of trees at risk, I felt a real sense of injustice.
The land is currently owned by the developer, who are yet to hand it over to the District Council for ongoing maintenance. I gather that the Poplar Trees are at risk of being destroyed as the Council will not take on the land while they are there. I fired off a load of emails to anyone I could think of, and finally established that there are 20 trees to be felled in October. The developer told me that the trees were grown for wind protection for the other trees, and having served their purpose, they must now go.
Now, I know nothing about trees, but one thing I do know about is managing change from my former career in HR. First off, if you want to do something deeply unpopular, you need to sell the benefits to stakeholders. WDC and the developer agreed something and failed to consult with the people most affected by this: the local residents, who learned about the decision from someone who did not understand the emotional attachment people have to their environment.
Secondly, and this is perhaps the most galling, it has been presented to us as a fait accompli. There has been no consultation, or discussion, just a decision. One of our neighbours had to get planning permission to convert his garage into a room, which requires consultation with neighbours, yet the felling of 20 trees, which has such a significant impact on our community, requires no such process.
Following my increasingly irritated emails to council and to the developer, a letter will now be sent to all local residents in the vicinity, and, to the residents association. I've also arranged to meet with the officer responsible for woodland management, in the hope of finding out the reasoning behind this decision.
What has been encouraging is that all of the local residents are ready to fight this decision, and I have had emails and facebook messages from people needing to know more. I think our next step is to listen to the advice from the WDC officer, and consider whether he can present a compelling argument to fell the trees. If he can't, then it seems like this is one community ready to fight to keep the trees.
I should declare an interest here. I live in a relatively new housing development in Warwick West. We're lucky in that the development has a few wooded areas, a lake with swans and ducks and a bit of other wildlife. Just next to the park, there are around 80 trees that must be as old as the estate itself, so around 15-18 years old. They are mature, nice-looking trees and the local children love running around in them, and here I should add that my 4 year old and his friends run through on the way home from school. There are squirrels, hedgehogs and all the usual things you find in a wood.
Anyway. I was at a meeting on Monday night to discuss the funding arrangements for our new community centre, when the Conservative District Councillor Higgins announced that she had good news: the trees are to be felled. I immediately asked for clarification and she told me that it is what the residents want and it is tough, the trees are to go.
On my way home, I canvassed for opinions and everyone is in favour of keeping the trees, but in the absence of any real information about why, or the number of trees at risk, I felt a real sense of injustice.
The land is currently owned by the developer, who are yet to hand it over to the District Council for ongoing maintenance. I gather that the Poplar Trees are at risk of being destroyed as the Council will not take on the land while they are there. I fired off a load of emails to anyone I could think of, and finally established that there are 20 trees to be felled in October. The developer told me that the trees were grown for wind protection for the other trees, and having served their purpose, they must now go.
Now, I know nothing about trees, but one thing I do know about is managing change from my former career in HR. First off, if you want to do something deeply unpopular, you need to sell the benefits to stakeholders. WDC and the developer agreed something and failed to consult with the people most affected by this: the local residents, who learned about the decision from someone who did not understand the emotional attachment people have to their environment.
Secondly, and this is perhaps the most galling, it has been presented to us as a fait accompli. There has been no consultation, or discussion, just a decision. One of our neighbours had to get planning permission to convert his garage into a room, which requires consultation with neighbours, yet the felling of 20 trees, which has such a significant impact on our community, requires no such process.
Following my increasingly irritated emails to council and to the developer, a letter will now be sent to all local residents in the vicinity, and, to the residents association. I've also arranged to meet with the officer responsible for woodland management, in the hope of finding out the reasoning behind this decision.
What has been encouraging is that all of the local residents are ready to fight this decision, and I have had emails and facebook messages from people needing to know more. I think our next step is to listen to the advice from the WDC officer, and consider whether he can present a compelling argument to fell the trees. If he can't, then it seems like this is one community ready to fight to keep the trees.
Friday, 15 July 2011
News update
It has been a while since I've blogged on what we've been up to as a Labour group, working for the residents of Warwick West.
In the last few weeks, we've had a flurry of complaints from residents about road safety, both within the town centre and in Chase Meadow. As town councillors, we don't sit on a council that has any control over the roads but what we can do is help residents lobby for road safety measures.
In Chase Meadow, the road in question is the main road through the estate and current parking arrangements mean that residents are having difficulty in crossing the road safely, as parked vehicles are impossible to see through. In the morning school children compete with the traffic and quite a few people have remarked that double yellow lines and a pedestrian crossing would make this road a lot safer for everyone. We've contacted the Highways team and have started to lobby hard for this. I am very glad that the Chase Meadow Residents Association are in agreement with this, and hopefully we will be able to report an update on this soon.
I've also had contact with the District Council about the grass cutting, weeds and other maintenance issues around the Chase Meadow estate. The officer agreed to talk a walk around with me and we identified quite a few problems that need addressing, including overhanging branches, faulty streetlights and unadopted roads. He wrote it all down and promised to work with the County Council to resolve these issues.
It doesn't really matter that some of these things are County or District functions. Personally, I am happy to take up any issue that is concerning residents and find a way through to a resolution, and I know that this view is shared by my Labour Party colleagues in Warwick.
In the last few weeks, we've had a flurry of complaints from residents about road safety, both within the town centre and in Chase Meadow. As town councillors, we don't sit on a council that has any control over the roads but what we can do is help residents lobby for road safety measures.
In Chase Meadow, the road in question is the main road through the estate and current parking arrangements mean that residents are having difficulty in crossing the road safely, as parked vehicles are impossible to see through. In the morning school children compete with the traffic and quite a few people have remarked that double yellow lines and a pedestrian crossing would make this road a lot safer for everyone. We've contacted the Highways team and have started to lobby hard for this. I am very glad that the Chase Meadow Residents Association are in agreement with this, and hopefully we will be able to report an update on this soon.
I've also had contact with the District Council about the grass cutting, weeds and other maintenance issues around the Chase Meadow estate. The officer agreed to talk a walk around with me and we identified quite a few problems that need addressing, including overhanging branches, faulty streetlights and unadopted roads. He wrote it all down and promised to work with the County Council to resolve these issues.
It doesn't really matter that some of these things are County or District functions. Personally, I am happy to take up any issue that is concerning residents and find a way through to a resolution, and I know that this view is shared by my Labour Party colleagues in Warwick.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
virtual Rhyme Time
Oh, and I thought this deserved a post all of it's own. The report states that people want to access services in their own homes, and that people want to "participate in Rhyme Time in their homes and nurseries."
Thud.
Rhyme Time is great. I've been to loads of them with my children over the years. It is a chance for parents, caters and children to learn new songs, sing them, have a chat with others and get out of the house. It is the kind of service that becomes a lifeline for parents and caters of young children, not to mention the added bonus of getting young children into the library habit at a young age.
WCC don't specify how they will deliver this in homes but if they are thinking that this is the sort of thing that could be done effectively through the Internet they are wrong. Children don't need more screen time, they need less. My optician is always going on about the rising numbers of children with eye problems, which he blames on TV and computers. No. We should be doing all we can to encourage parents and carers of young children get out of the house and into libraries and childrens centres.
Once again, families and young children are the victims of the Tory cuts.
Thud.
Rhyme Time is great. I've been to loads of them with my children over the years. It is a chance for parents, caters and children to learn new songs, sing them, have a chat with others and get out of the house. It is the kind of service that becomes a lifeline for parents and caters of young children, not to mention the added bonus of getting young children into the library habit at a young age.
WCC don't specify how they will deliver this in homes but if they are thinking that this is the sort of thing that could be done effectively through the Internet they are wrong. Children don't need more screen time, they need less. My optician is always going on about the rising numbers of children with eye problems, which he blames on TV and computers. No. We should be doing all we can to encourage parents and carers of young children get out of the house and into libraries and childrens centres.
Once again, families and young children are the victims of the Tory cuts.
Libraries in Warwickshire
I'm sure that by now, you've all devoured all 326 pages of the Warwickshire County Council report outlining the future for libraries in Warwickshire? I know a few people will have done so already, in preparation for Overview and Scrutiny on Monday, but I suspect most people have their attention on the current hacking scandal.
Firstly, many sympathies to the WCC employees who are now at risk of redundancy. I worked for Warwickshire Libraries for quite a few years as a HR Manager, so I know at first hand how hard-working, committed and skilled library staff are. They've also been through significant change over the last few years: the introduction of RFID and one-stop-shops have impacted negatively on morale and have reduced the number of qualified librarians in our libraries. I hope that suitable alternative employment is found for the displaced libaries staff, but I suspect that this will prove impossible. I wonder what the combined costs of the redundancy and pension fund will be, against the anticipated savings? It is a question that should be asked.
I feel very sorry for the communities who will lose their libraries. The report states that some groups have come forward to take over the library for the benefits of their communities. I have grave concerns about the ability of volunteers to run an efficient and effective library service. Who decides when it will open? Will volunteers seek to exclude users, either accidentally, or by design? What if a volunteer can't be bothered to get out of bed one day? Who checks on the quality of the service, and who is accountable for the things that happen there?
WCC states that these groups will be able to rent the current library building at a peppercorn rent for up to 5 years. How will these libraries continue past this magic 5 year point? I fail to see how a volunter group will be able to sustain the service beyond 5 years, given th need to maintain IT, pay for utiliies, insurance, and all the other things that local authorities are able to pay for more effectively through economies of scale.
Firstly, many sympathies to the WCC employees who are now at risk of redundancy. I worked for Warwickshire Libraries for quite a few years as a HR Manager, so I know at first hand how hard-working, committed and skilled library staff are. They've also been through significant change over the last few years: the introduction of RFID and one-stop-shops have impacted negatively on morale and have reduced the number of qualified librarians in our libraries. I hope that suitable alternative employment is found for the displaced libaries staff, but I suspect that this will prove impossible. I wonder what the combined costs of the redundancy and pension fund will be, against the anticipated savings? It is a question that should be asked.
I feel very sorry for the communities who will lose their libraries. The report states that some groups have come forward to take over the library for the benefits of their communities. I have grave concerns about the ability of volunteers to run an efficient and effective library service. Who decides when it will open? Will volunteers seek to exclude users, either accidentally, or by design? What if a volunteer can't be bothered to get out of bed one day? Who checks on the quality of the service, and who is accountable for the things that happen there?
WCC states that these groups will be able to rent the current library building at a peppercorn rent for up to 5 years. How will these libraries continue past this magic 5 year point? I fail to see how a volunter group will be able to sustain the service beyond 5 years, given th need to maintain IT, pay for utiliies, insurance, and all the other things that local authorities are able to pay for more effectively through economies of scale.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Sea Scouts HQ Myton Fields
Last Thursday night I was asked to attend a meeting of the Town Council, at which the 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts presented their vision for their new HQ at Myton Fields. It was clearly a meeting in which tensions were likely to run high; residents of Myton Road were invited and they have already been to the press with their concerns.
The current position of the Sea Scouts is one of uncertainty. They have a deteriorating clubhouse, situated at the far end of St Nick's Park. Their membership is full, and they have a 175-strong waiting list. Their current clubhouse is at the end of its life, and probably contravenes all sorts of modern-day building regulations. A purpose-built, modern clubhouse would allow them to reduce their waiting list and provide the sorts of facilities that a modern day scouting movement requires.
They outlined their plans for the clubhouse: a building on Myton Fields that is bigger than their current clubhouse and would allow them storage for their kit. From the drawings they presented, the building is no taller than the tallest house on that side of the road (and of course, Warwick School towers over them all) but it is clear that the residents are not happy with the proposed site, so to an extent, the size of the building is irrelevant.
So what is the problem with building on Myton Fields? Well, clearly for the residents in that area, flooding is a real, and very serious issue. The current building is in Flood Zone 1 and the proposed building is in Flood Zone 2. Now, I don't claim to understand the Flood Zones at all, but before the building commences, there will have to be a proper assessment of the risks involved. Needless to say, any building in this area will have an impact on the flood risks for the future, and that is worrying for everyone.
Secondly, parking was highlighted as a real concern for everyone. During the summer, Myton Fields is turned into an overflow car park for people using St Nick's and it is always full. During the winter, it is usually too muddy to use and is locked. The residents raised some very valid points about access to the new building, and at this stage there appear to be no real answers. Clearly, Warwick School looks like the most sensible solution, as they have adequate parking onsite and a drop-off area. If a negotiated solution with Warwick School could be agreed, then this might mitigate some of the impact. How possible this might be, I don't know.
One very interesting proposal emerged during the meeting: the possibility that the Sea Scouts might be able to demolish their existing building and re-build there. We'd understood that the landowner (Warwick District Council) had previously wanted this but Cllr Doody agreed to discuss this possibility with the Sea Scouts. Clearly, this was welcomed by the residents and it was finally agreed that all sides would sit down and discuss again.
Quite where this will leave the Sea Scouts is another matter. I very much hope that a solution is found. I don't think anyone would disagree that they need this new HQ. That a youth organisation is flourishing at this time, and has such great aspirations for its membership, should applauded and supported. I very much hope that a way can be found to make the HQ and its neighbours co-exist happily.
This meeting illustrates for me very clearly the very difficult decisions that planning committees have to make. I'm not a member of the WTC planning committee, and it is the Warwick District Council that will pass or reject the planning application, and I certainly don't envy those that will have to make the final decision. The Sea Scouts were not compelled to hold the meeting, and I think it is was sensible of them to reach out to their neighbours and seek their views.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
The Great Fire of Warwick
Most people think of London when they hear the words "Great Fire" but Warwick was also decimated by fire in 1694. With this history, it is somewhat surprising that the decision was taken to close the Warwick Fire Station.
This week, at the Warwick Area Forum, we discussed the District Council's Local Plan. More information on this can be found at . Within the plan, there are three suggested scenarios which outline low, medium and high growth for Warwick District, which means at least 250 new homes and 4 hectares of land for new business. In the high growth scenario, around 800 new homes would be built and 5 hectares of land would be found for business.
So what does all this mean for Warwick? Well, for a start, what people have told me is that there is a severe lack of affordable housing, and we need more low-cost housing, not expensive new housing. With 3,000 people on the waiting list in the District for council housing, there is a demonstrable need for affordable housing.
One resident remarked at the meeting that it would irresponsible of the council to build more houses in Warwick without a fire station to protect us. She wasn't arguing the case for no development, far from it, but expressing frustration with the consultation process which asks for residents and stakeholders to state preferences for levels of growth without clarity regarding the infrastructure requirements.
After the Great Fire, Warwick was re-built and the designs were declared a "triumph for urban design," and the town planners were praised for their vision. We should aim for the same praise with this Local Plan.
This week, at the Warwick Area Forum, we discussed the District Council's Local Plan. More information on this can be found at . Within the plan, there are three suggested scenarios which outline low, medium and high growth for Warwick District, which means at least 250 new homes and 4 hectares of land for new business. In the high growth scenario, around 800 new homes would be built and 5 hectares of land would be found for business.
So what does all this mean for Warwick? Well, for a start, what people have told me is that there is a severe lack of affordable housing, and we need more low-cost housing, not expensive new housing. With 3,000 people on the waiting list in the District for council housing, there is a demonstrable need for affordable housing.
One resident remarked at the meeting that it would irresponsible of the council to build more houses in Warwick without a fire station to protect us. She wasn't arguing the case for no development, far from it, but expressing frustration with the consultation process which asks for residents and stakeholders to state preferences for levels of growth without clarity regarding the infrastructure requirements.
After the Great Fire, Warwick was re-built and the designs were declared a "triumph for urban design," and the town planners were praised for their vision. We should aim for the same praise with this Local Plan.
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