Hastings Borough Council Manifesto

Key Points from the 2010 HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL MANIFESTO

OUR VISION

OUR TOP PRIORITY is to represent ward residents and the town as a whole, putting people first in a spirit of commitment and openness in all we do.

For our town to be a safe and thriving place to live, offering a high quality of life and a strong economy.

Lib Dems will continue to work for a sustainable future, founded on our unique heritage and supported by social, economic, cultural and environmental regeneration

OUR PLEDGES

• To be community representatives- working all year round, not just at Election time

• To tell it as it is; no political whip

• To restore confidence in local politics by exposing incompetence and mismanagement of Council resources, and by allocating responsibility according to votes cast

• To work closely with local communities for a greener cleaner safer town

• To strive to improve and enhance the standard of new build and conversions in our

• Borough, by ensuring planning policies are far more specific on the Density,

• Type, quality and sustainability of future development

• To tackle poverty and deprivation by prioritising those identified as being in greatest need

• To invest in Arts and Culture bringing benefits to residents, visitors and the local economy

• To bring decision making closer to all who will be affected by the outcomes

• To support our fishing community in their battle for survival.

RESTORING TOWN HALL DEMOCRACY

Lib Dems will:

1. Ensure that Area Boards and Forums truly represent the best interests of all residents within their boundaries

2. Ensure that the full implications of regeneration proposals are communicated and fully understood by residents

3. Ensure that consultant/adviser costs are publicly scrutinised

4. Ensure that all Councillors are kept fully informed and involved in Council business, so that they are well briefed to respond to residents' queries

5. Ensure a continuous review of the effect on the economy of high parking charges, with the aim of reducing any harmful impact on shoppers/businesses.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Lib Dems acknowledge that climate change is a major threat to our planet.

We will:

1. Insist that regeneration plans must be environmentally sustainable

2. Require Environmental Impact Studies on all major developments

3. Listen to, respect and respond to the environmental input of action/pressure groups

4. Vigorously challenge the present presumption in favour of the developer.

EDUCATION

Although Education is not a Borough Council responsibility, it involves much that affects the future well being of our town, and we strongly believe that the town's voice should be heard at County.

Lib Dems support the Federation of 3 Secondary schools and applaud the recent improved results. However, we have strong reservation on the benefit of Academies,

believing them to be unaccountable to parents and local communities.

We would have supported a town wide Referendum prior to implementation of the far reaching plans, had we been in a strong position in 2009. We firmly believe that there is widespread opposition to Academies throughout the town which is being ignored by both Conservative and Labour Councillors.

HOUSING

Lib Dems believe that everyone deserves a decent and affordable home which is economically sustainable.

Stronger action is needed to get empty properties occupied, and standards in the private housing sector improved.

Action is needed on social housing providers who fail to deliver a quality service to tenants.

We would strive to increase the percentage of social housing required as part of new developments (as in the case of other towns).

OUR SENIOR CITIZENS

Lib Dems believe that our senior citizens deserve better than successive governments have made available to them.

Lib Dems understand that the older generation appreciates being respected for their contribution to the well-being of our town, to which so many give time and effort.

We will not overlook our seniors' opinions, or their right to be heard.

We fully support the Seniors' Forum in all its endeavours.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

Lib Dems believe that young people get a bad press.

Particularly, we believe that they should have the support they need to fulfil their potential.

We back the investment that has been made in respect of further education and training, however we are concerned about the lack of employment available at the end of training and apprenticeships.

We also believe that there is much to be done in respect of improving leisure facilities for young people.

We did not believe that St Mary in the Castle was the right location for the My Space bid. We are committed to finding an appropriate venue that can be used for the benefit and development of our young people.

We will look in to the possibility of providing free bus passes to young people from 14-17 years of age.

THE PIER

Lib Dems are well aware of the perilous condition of our Pier which could be lost at any time.

We support compulsory purchase by the local authority only in a 'back to back' agreement with the local Pier Trust, so that National Pier Trust funding may be accessed.

We are committed to ensuring a sustainable, economically viable future for this vitally important local landmark, and have repeatedly called in vain for action by the local authority who have persistently offered lame excuses for their failure to act.

TIME TO CHOOSE....

Check out the Lib Dem record - how many times have our councillors been proved to have made the right choices?

How many times have we been proved to have given the right advice, but been over-ruled by the Conservative/Labour majority?

Some key examples…

• Opposed Central St Leonards Parking Scheme from the onset (alongside residents and businesses)

• Supported the original call for a return to a 9am start for seniors' buses.

• Opposed proposals to move the coach park to Bulverhythe

• Insisted on a flexible approach to Twin Bins and backed residents who opposed inappropriate sites for communal bins

• First to support our fishermen in their fight against unfair Government-imposed quotas.

• Consistently called for a sustainable transport link along the length of our seafront (now at last being considered by Council)

TIME TO CHOOSE....

Voting for more Lib Dems on the Council will successfully challenge a weak/incompetent Conservative administration, and prevent a return to Labour's extravagance.

There is a better way forward - a chance to do things differently: out in the open; trusting one another; listening.

LOOK AGAIN AT OUR RECORD - VOTE FOR YOUR LIB DEM CANDIDATE THIS TIME

Copies of this manifesto available at the Lib Dem Centre.

9, London Road, St Leonards on Sea TN37 6AE.

The Leader of Hastings Council Liberal Democrat Group is Cllr Richard Stevens and our Prospective Parliamentary Candidate is Nick Perry.