RESIDENT ACTION: Labour Councillor Porkies and Bin Chaos - They Promised Weekly You Got Fortnightly (if at all)

 

Another MASSIVE Broken Labour Promise
Image: Southampton Independents

 

UPDATED (16/4/26):  Now with added ACTION. The Labour Leader of the Council, Shirley councillor Alex Winning (he's up for election on 7th May), does not seem to know who or when it was done.

RESIDENTS ACTION 

1. We supply email addresses to you for councillors and MPs who voted to cut your bins from weekly to fortnightly. 

2. Send them an email to ask them why they broke their promise "to keep weekly bin collections"! Just click the link to see their councillor page, and get their address to email them. 

 

A Pork Pie from Southampton
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

3. Then contact us to tell us what the councillor or MP says, or if they even bother to reply.

4. You might need to do this very soon, as some of them might not be councillors for much longer as they might be voted out or may have already checked out (Mike Denness and Lee Whitbread, for example, as reported by us)! 

 

--- 

Letter to the Daily Echo 

A reminder: Labour councillors voted through cuts to bins but spent millions of YOUR CASH on "arts" at the scandalous Satvir Kaur's Arts Complex instead of the bins, a basic Council service that has failed time and again, while they put Council Tax up and up. Vote them out on 7th May.

 

Dear Editor,

I read with anger your report of:

Southampton fury as littering leaves high street as 'absolute dump'

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/26012097.southampton-fury-littering-leaves-high-street-absolute-dump/

It isn't just Shirley High Street that is a mess, lots of Council land is also a mess. And it's Labour's failure and cuts that have caused it.

Both Labour councillors quoted - Cllr Savage and Cllr Winning - speak as if it was nothing to do with Labour bringing in fortnightly bins.

It was precisely to do with Labour - Labour councillors voted through fortnightly bins in February 2017. I was there in the Chamber and watched them do it. 

I spoke against it and voted against it as Independent Redbridge councillor. The other two independents from Coxford also voted against it.

Worse than that, Labour promised "to keep weekly bin collections". It was another broken promise.

The minutes show that Councillor Savage voted for it, as did current Labour councillors Blatchford, Bogle, Denness, Keogh, Letts, Noon, Payne, Rayment, Shields and Whitbread. That's a total of ELEVEN Labour councillors. 

Plus, who could forget, Satvir Kaur and Darren Paffey, now both Southampton Labour MPs.

So if Cllr Winning thinks it was 20 years ago. It wasn't. And if he thinks somehow his party didn't have anything to do with it. He's wrong.

All he needs to do is ask Cllr Letts, who was Leader of the Council at the time. Perhaps Winning and Letts are not on speaking terms?

Southampton people know what to do - vote Labour out. Enough is enough.

I enclose a link to the minutes online. Minutes of Feb 2017 Full Council: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=122&MId=3274&Ver=4

Regards,

Andrew Pope

Former Redbridge Councillor and Candidate for Redbridge

Independent Network

Southampton Independents

Andrew Pope at Millbrook Towers
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

Andrew Pope Poster
Image: Southampton Independents

 

EXCLUSIVE MP WATCH: Both Southampton Labour MPs Kaur and Paffey Voted to Whack Southampton Businesses with Higher Taxes

 

Satvir Kaur when Leader of the Council
Photo: Southampton Independents

You may not have realised it from the lack of coverage of the Labour MPs actions by local media, but both Darren Paffey (Southampton Itchen - East of the City) and Satvir Kaur (Southampton Test - West of the City) voted to increase taxes in the form of national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers. 

 

Councillor Darren Paffey when Deputy Leader of the Council
Photo: Southampton City Council

 

Southampton Independents is watching, and holding the MPs to account.  Satvir Kaur is now a Junior Minister in Keir Starmer's struggling Government. More on that below.

Critics of the NICs hikes have said:

"With employers shouldering more of the national insurance burden, the worry is they could simply pass these costs on to their employees.

“With a higher cost per head, we could also see some employers choosing to reduce other benefits such as wage increases or even pension contribution matching.”

This includes local businesses who have criticised the Labour Government's decision.

If you remember, Keir Starmer stood on a pledge to not increase taxes on "working people", without being clear on what that meant.

 

How Can Someone With This Finance Track Record Join the Government?

Kaur was Leader of the Council at the same time as Paffey was her Deputy Leader. She had previously not been able to answer questions from Independent Councillor Andrew Pope on the financing of the Arts Complex, during Full Council Questions to the Executive. The Chair of the meeting, the Mayor Labour Councillor Stephen Barnes-Andrews, prevented Cllr Pope from asking more questions of Kaur. The Mayor had abused his position for party-political purposes.

Kaur led the Council to its financial knees and was urged to resign. She also denied at the time that the Council was bankrupt when she was Leader. And she claimed that she was being "open and honest" about the Budget for that year - implying that her predecessors, including Steve Leggett and before him Simon Letts, had not been honest in previous years.

She also said that the Council would not need government assistance. 

Kaur was also Leader in response to a dire financial report to the Council, according to the BBC:

"Last week the council warned the government it may run out of money this year.

The move came as a report revealed the council had relied on reserves to meet gaps in its budget in recent years.

Labour leader Satvir Kaur previously said the problem had been created by the government's handling of the economy."

and

"Ms Kaur blamed the Conservatives for "the economic disaster" she said every "household in Southampton and councils across the country are experiencing right now".

She previously said the authority had a "robust recovery plan" and would not need government funds."

It turned out that it needed a lot of government assistance, when Simon Letts took over the finances, with Lorna Fielker as Leader. Kaur had left a real mess.

Satvir Kaur is now a Junior Minister in Keir Starmer's Government (yes. really). She has mentioned a "robust recovery plan" again - this time in relation to the disastrous civil service pension scheme that has been given to Capita. One hopes civil servants won't be subjected to the same level of disaster of the Council's finances in Kaur's hands, although it beggars belief that Capita have taken over the pensions. Capita were removed from handling Southampton City Council work.

And now, she claims the council was pushed to the "brink". Paffey and Kaur have "welcomed" a "council funding boost", without commenting on the remaining crisis at the Council.

 

Satvir Kaur's Revisionism and Careerism

So it seems if she is to be believed, that the Council was on the brink, as long as Kaur was out of the picture and according to her, not responsible for it. Yet she was responsible, the buck stopped with her as Leader.

Paffey and Kaur also this week voted with their Labour MP colleagues, and against amendments from the House of Lords for the NIC hikes.

Who knows how the decision was made to add her to Starmer's Government?

How did Kaur get there? 

Let's not forget that Satvir Kaur had convicted violent criminal and expelled Labour Party Member Shere Sattar's £10,000 in her register of interests. Southampton Labour accepted his money, and only paid it back when they got found out.

How many other dodgy connections does Satvir Kaur have?

Have a look around our website for more. There's more about Kaur.

** Please note that the other Southampton MP for Romsey and Southampton North is a Deputy Speaker so is not able to vote on this NICs Bill.

 

 

INDEPENDENT REPORT CONFIRMS THAT SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN RUN WRONGLY FOR YEARS

Labour or Tory, Same Old Story

We said Labour or Tory, same old story. And residents agreed. They still agree.

 

Now, this independent report from a council watchdog confirms it. The report was commissioned by the Council itself.

It is damning of how the Council has been run by Labour and Tory councillors.

Co-founder of Southampton Independents and former Independent Councillor Andrew Pope says:

Former Councillor Andrew Pope
on BBC South Today

"While Labour and Tory councillors bicker with each other, and incredibly with officers it seems, residents continue to suffer.
Meanwhile, the CEO Mike Harris rose through the ranks, having been involved in scandal after scandal that did down our City and its people, including:
- Kentish Road respite centre
- Oaklands swimming pool
- and the doomed Arts Complex over which I received nothing but excuses from Mr Harris when I asked questions of him and the previous Chief Financial Officer Mel Creighton.
Do residents really want this sort of stuff to continue? Then you need to act with other residents. Get in touch and we will help you."

Our contact details are here.

Does Labour Want McDonald's at Itchen Bridge OR NOT?

Is is another Labour Highway Robbery?

MCDONALD'S ARE NOT HAPPY.

THE SOUTHAMPTON LABOUR COUNCIL SOLD MCDONALD'S THE LAND THEN THE LABOUR-MAJORITY PLANNING COMMITTEE REFUSED PLANNING PERMISSION TO THEM.

McDonald's is appealing the Labour-run Council's decision to refuse the planning permission.

They are appealing to the Planning Inspector, whose decision will be final.

Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt from Southampton Independents were at the Planning Committee when the refusal was done.

Our Councillor Andrew Pope says:

"Two of the Southampton Labour councillors who agreed to sell the land to McDonald's, spoke against the planning permission when it came to the Planning Committee.

The councillors are both Woolston Labour councillors. Their names are Councillor Warwick Payne and Councillor Chris Hammond. The latter is now the Leader of the Council.

Another former Labour Councillor Paul Lewzey, who was also in the Cabinet, spoke against the McDonald's at Woolston.

Yet they had previously supported it.

Were they for or against McDonald's using the site for a McDonald's?

It's difficult to tell when they changed their minds.

Or perhaps they thought that McDonald's would not use the site for a McDonald's, but for some kind of space mission instead?

What do you think?

Southampton Independents is neutral on this application, but I have made a representation to the Planning Inspector about the way the Labour-run Council and Labour Councillors have handled this.

They can't be allowed to get away with it."

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt says:

"Is it another case of Labour's Highway Robbery?

Were they only after the money for selling the land, to pay for the extra millions for their Arts Complex in the City Centre?

Residents need to know.

Tell us by email at sotonindies [at] gmail.com or via our phone on 07580715687"

UDPATED (21st April 2018): Scandal of MORE MILLIONS for Southampton's Arts Complex / Studio 144

The Arts Complex robbed millions from basic Council services

WE BROKE THIS SCANDAL FOR SOUTHAMPTON RESIDENTS - YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW YOUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT

It has now been covered by the BBC in their article here. And the Daily Echo front page yesterday (20th April) and online here.

WHY DID LABOUR, LIB DEM AND TORY COUNCILLORS SPEND YOUR MONEY ON ARTS INSTEAD OF BASIC SERVICES LIKE ROADS, PAVEMENTS, TOWER BLOCK SAFETY, BINS AND CARE?

We've been calling it Labour's Highway Robbery. But it isn't just Labour's Highway Robbery. They were all at it. The other London parties supported more millions for the Arts Complex. And then more millions. While basic services were cut.

Southampton Independents
Councillor Andrew Pope

Southampton Independents didn't support the extra millions and then the extra millions. Instead, we questioned their profligate spending for years. We dug and dug. They tried to stop us.

Councillor Pope says:

"Who is guilty for this outrage? Look at the photo below. They are putting their hands up. ALL Labour councillors. ALL Tory councillors. They put their hands up at the wrong times to throw good money after bad. This project should have been halted earlier, when it was clear it was going to be a disaster. Many opportunities to do so were missed by Labour and Tory councillors. They lacked the leadership to make the right decisions with YOUR money."

Who's Guilty? Hands up! Labour or Tory same old story.

We told them then and we told you then that it was wrong. The Arts Complex is a scandal of epic proportions. But Southampton Labour councillors have tried to cover it up. They have tried to hype it. They have tried to hide it.

But now the Labour Council's own public document, an Internal Audit report, confirms what we have been telling you all along for years, but which Labour has tried to bury.

DOUBLE the original budget.

FIVE YEARS late!

Don't just take our word on it. From the Executive Summary of the Audit:

The text reads (emphasis added):

"The Studio 144 or Southampton's New Art Complex (SNAC) capital project has been on-going since 2000 following successful funding from the Art Council of £5m. In partnership with other bodies, such as John Hansard Gallery and City Eye, the project was developed to create a multi-use building funded by a variety of schemes such as grants, donations and capital funding. The initial projected cost was determined as between £10-15m, however as at September 2017, this has increased by £16.5m to an approximate cost of £30m. It has also experienced numerous delays, with an original completion date of 2012 and following various revised completion dates is due to be completed in October 2017."

The report is not explicit enough about the capital funding. This is public money. This is Council money. If it was funded by private money, or fully by donations, we probably would not have minded so much. But this is YOUR money. PUBLIC MONEY.

And Labour and Tory councillors did not just rob money from the roads... Oh no...

As we have shown on this website by quoting from the minutes of Council meetings, right from the start, MILLIONS OF POUNDS WERE ROBBED from other budgets that could have been spent on the basics that residents want sorted: our roads, on our pavements, on our bin collections, on our care centres.

Labour's bin cuts have caused chaos

Southampton's roads are a disgrace
But good for rubber ducks!

Instead of spending money on the right priorities, the basics, Labour and Tory councillors repeatedly agreed to spend the money on "arts" instead. The budget kept building and building. WHY?

For years, Southampton Independents has worked extremely hard to expose the scandal of the taxpayer millions spent on the "Arts Complex" or Studio 144 as the Labour Council has been trying to re-badge it. Perhaps they want to "re-brand" to distract away from the scandalous failure to control this project and failure to cancel it when they should have. Instead, they threw good money after bad.

We put the scandal on this website.

We put the scandal in the Daily Echo and now on the BBC.

We put the scandal on our Facebook page.

We put the issues on tens of thousands of leaflets that our volunteers pay for and deliver.

We kept on digging. We put pressure on councillors, on the Southampton Cultural Development Trust, on officers of the Council. We were not getting the right answers.

So we tried harder to expose this scandal, with Councillor Pope asking the Chief Financial Officer to urgently review it. Cllr Pope is asking for more answers right now.

And now we learn that even more millions of pounds of taxpayer money are at risk, as shown in the Internal Audit report. And in the Daily Echo and on the BBC.

Labour councillors like current Cabinet Member for "arts" Satvir Kaur tried to block us from finding out by evading us and our questions.

Some senior officers were unhelpful in helping us to uncover the truth. The Council has tried to stop us from finding out the truth. They are still hiding behind "confidentiality". This disastrous project has been totally mishandled by the current Labour Administration - but they were backed by the supposed "opposition" Tory councillors! Labour or Tory, same old story.

Denise Wyatt, Leader of Southampton Independents who has worked in many councils over three decades and is an expert in Governance of Local Government, says:

Denise Wyatt, Leader of Southampton Independents

"We could have joined them. But we are Southampton Independents. We are different. We are here for Southampton residents. And we don't give up easily. We continued our campaign to expose the Arts Complex outrage. And we kept on digging to expose this Labour and Tory disaster. Thank you to the Daily Echo and the BBC for helping us."


Why did we do it? Because it's important.

And because residents agreed with us. Residents that pay their taxes have a right to know how their taxes are spent. Residents demand answers, so we are trying to get them.

But Labour and Tory councillors continued to spend millions of pounds on the wrong priorities.

99% of residents tell us that this failing Council has got the wrong priorities.

Residents say that the Council should get the basics right first. Then arts can be considered.

BUT NOT BEFORE THE BASICS ARE RIGHT.

Are the basics right? No, residents say.

No, the roads are dangerous.

No, the pavements are dangerous.

No, Woodside Lodge, Brownhill House and Kentish Road care centres should NOT have been closed.

No, Labour's broken bins promises were wrong. Residents wanted to keep weekly bin collections. Labour promised to on their leaflets in 2014. But they broke their promise and all Labour councillors voted for fortnightly bin collections.

LABOUR AND TORY COUNCILLORS MUST PAY THE PRICE FOR THIS SCANDAL.

They must explain. Ask them. Here is the mailing list. Email them and ask them why they voted for this outrage?

The Labour Leader of the Council Councillor Simon Letts told the Daily Echo a long time ago, as shown on this website when Denise Wyatt challenged him, that the Arts Complex was "paid for".

Then more millions were needed. Then more. And now more. He must explain. We asked for a formal investigation by the Head of Legal at the Council. It was not properly investigated. Now more millions are at stake, this investigation into Councillor Letts must be re-opened (* see UPDATE 21st April 2018 below).

From the Audit (emphasis added):

"Stage 5 - Project Close
The project is yet to be formally completed and there are residual issues relating to the Independent Quantity Surveyors (QS) report and outstanding claims with the Contract Administrator. At the time of the last QS Report (July 2017) there was a potential for an additional £4.4m to be added to the 'fit out' contractual sum. This figure will likely fluctuate once the Contract Administrator makes a decision on the claims made against the Authority by the contractor."

IN addition, ALL Labour councillors that voted for the extra millions must explain. ALL Tory councillors must also explain.

Our Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope did not vote for these extra millions. Instead, he wants answers on this incorrect spending of millions of pounds of public money. And Cllr Pope wants those responsible for this scandal to be held to account.

We ask the local media to ask the questions: the Daily Echo, BBC, Wave 105, and ITV. We have sent the Internal Audit report to them, having confirmed with the Council that it is a public document.

We hope the media will hold Labour and Tory councillors to account for public funds that they spent incorrectly.

Southampton Independents will continue to lead residents and to inform Southampton residents about this scandal. That is what independents do - act on the issues that matter to residents.

ON 3RD MAY, VOTE LABOUR AND TORY COUNCILLORS OUT ON 3RD MAY AND VOTE SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS COUNCILLORS IN.

Your Council Candidates are Denise Wyatt in Redbridge ward and Ed Edworthy in Millbrook ward.

Denise Wyatt
and
Ed Edworthy

* UPDATE (21st April 2018): In a meeting on 20th April between Southampton Independents Councillor Pope, Denise Wyatt and the Head of Legal at Southampton City Council, he refused to re-open the investigation into Councillor Letts.

He also refused to re-open the investigations into Labour Councillor Mike Denness, who is a planning consultant and Chair of the City's Planning Committee. Councillor Mike Denness was repeatedly voted in as Chair by Labour councillors. Ask Labour councillors why they think this is right, because any resident we have spoken to says it is wrong.

The Head of Legal also refused to answer questions from Councillor Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt. These questions included why he chose the investigator Meic Sullivan-Gould, who had been questioned in an investigation by PWC into "crony culture" at Tower Hamlets. Mr Sullivan-Gould left following the investigation, as reported by the Guardian. Why was Mr Sullivan-Gould appointed by the Head of Legal? We still don't have answers.

The Head of Legal also failed to explain why the investigations were not carried out properly. For example, Councillor Pope lodged a substantial Complaint against Councillor Denness, with clear allegations and substantial evidence. Yet Mr Sullivan-Gould attempted to rewrite the allegations in the Complaint, and showed no sign of looking at the evidence. We have gone to the Local Government Ombudsman and the former Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale. Ms Baxendale took no action.

Councillor Pope says:

"The Head of Legal stormed out of the meeting with us, like a petulant teenager, having failed to account for his actions and lack of actions. With highly-paid officers behaving like this, it may explain the poor performance of Southampton City Council."

You need to know that this is Southampton City Council under a Labour Administration. They don't want to account for their failures to you and our City.

Make them pay on 3rd May. Vote Southampton Independents Putting You First to get councillors who stand up for you.

Test Lane - Labour City Council's Utter Hypocrisy

One warehouse is so big it blocks out the sun... like the Death Star

The builders have received justified criticism from developers

This is the developer's idea of "blending in" with a residential area

Labour councillors have repeatedly supported doing this to Redbridge residents

You couldn't make it up... could you?

Yet at Labour-run Southampton City Council, it seems that there is one rule for the little guy hoping to improve his home, and another rule for the big developers who give the Council £4.5 million...

After the "<expletive deleted> monstrosity" of the Test Lane massive warehouses built on residents' doorsteps, with the Council's repeated approval and failure to manage the development's impacts on residents, Southampton City Council are now refusing to accept a small change to a local residents' house.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope was contacted by the resident because the Council is refusing his tiny modification to his house - at the same time as - the resident's quote - the "<expletive deleted> monstrosity" at the end of my road.

The resident said: "Why have Southampton City Council allowed those massive warehouses to be built that affect MY amenity, and when I want to make my house a home, the Council makes it difficult for me? Why is it one rule for me and another rule for the Labour-run Council when they are getting millions of pounds to ruin our neighbourhood?"

Denise Wyatt, hoping to join Cllr Pope as a Redbridge councillor in May

Denise Wyatt, Southampton Independents Council Candidate for the election on 3rd May in Redbridge ward, said:

"I fought this development with residents. Their homes have been ruined by this development.

They now suffer 24 hour noise, light and air pollution.

Labour did this with Tory councillors help, and where has the money from the sale gone?

Not on the roads or social care.

Hmm...the Arts Complex/Guildhall Square/Studio 144 or whatever it's called this week.

We asked the Council to investigate the spending of tens of millions of YOUR money."

What do you think?

Tell us your views on how good or bad Southampton City Council is. Does it justify so much criticism?

Southampton Labour Council and Tories Hiding the Truth

Denise Wyatt, Leader of Southampton Independents

Denise Wyatt, Leader of Southampton Independents says that Southampton Labour has got its spending priorities all wrong... Do you agree?

What is the Southampton Labour-run City Council hiding about the Arts Complex a.k.a. Studio 144?  

For many months, Southampton Independents have been asking about the cost and the over-runs of the Arts Complex, otherwise known as Guildhall Square or Studio 144. Businesses and charities have even been put in trouble because of it, as reported by the Daily Echo and from reports we have heard from business tenants of the Arts Complex. Are they paying to high rents because the project is a disaster? We suggest that they are.

Southampton Independents has listened to the 95% plus of people who think the Arts Complex is less important than our roads, care for the elderly and vulnerable, and keeping weekly bins. There doesn’t seem to be any accountability for the millions – not from the “Southampton Cultural Development Trust” nor Labour Councillor Satvir Kaur – neither seem able or willing to explain.

The Acting Chief Financial Officer was asked by our Councillor Andrew Pope to reign-in the tens of millions already spent on the project, to stop further waste. She told him the Council would wait. Councilllor Pope said that was unwise, because it was over-time and over-budget. More time has passed and more money has been spent. How? Why? Residents deserve answers.

Councillor Pope has now asked for the Council’s secret audit report that has been presented to Labour Councillors behind closed doors. It’s a scandal that Council officers appear to be stalling until they have “doctored” the report. But it’s no surprise that Labour wants to cover it up, while the supposed “opposition” Southampton Tories stay silent. Instead of asking the right questions, Tory councillors applaud the massive expenditure of public money.

Councillor Pope did not vote for the extra millions for the Arts Complex. But 47 other councillors did – Labour, Tory or “Coxford Three”? Those 47 councillors need to explain to residents and those who have lost services why they have agreed for the Council to spend public money on the wrong priorities.

Only Southampton Independents stood up for the right priorities. That is why we are asking Southampton residents for vote for our candidates in the City Council elections in May.

Why else have the costs been hidden?

Why else have decision and reports been kept secret?

Southampton Independents demand to know how much these “Arts” and wrong priorities have cost in Southampton while our services and the vulnerable suffer!

Denise Wyatt

Leader, Southampton Independents

Andrew Pope Southampton Independents Works For You

Andrew Pope

Our Official Party Emblem

Our Southampton Independents Parlimentary Candidate for Southampton Test, Andrew Pope  has:

1. exposed Labour and Tory cuts & failures
2. fought NHS & care closures
3. exposed Labour and Tory councillors wasting MILLIONS on the "Arts Complex" when YOUR basic Council services are cut
4. spoke up for you on crime & safety
5. stood up for you against developers, reducing bad impacts on your area
6. won compensation from power cuts
7. worked with you to stop plans to build on Southampton parks and to protect sport
8. fought Labour and Tory plans for joining Southampton with Portsmouth in a disastrous "Solent Devolution Deal"

plus a lot more. Like our Facebook page "Southampton Independents" and explore this website using the tags and the search facility for more information about Andrew Pope and Southampton Independents.

Pensioner Sylvia Priestley from Redbridge says:

"I wish you all the very best Andrew for Thursday, thank you for your concern and hard work you do for the constituency which is very much appreciated."

Sue Painter from Millbrook says:

"I don't care who doesn't like it I'm voting for Andrew Pope Southampton Independents party. 

If you want things done then vote for him."

Southampton residents Mr and Mrs Taylor say:

"Andrew listens to YOU. Andrew works for YOU. Andrew stands up for YOU. Vote for Andrew Pope Southampton Independents for Southampton Test in the 2017 General Election."

Disabled resident Julie Jones from Redbridge says:

"Nothing false about Andrew Pope. He does what he says he's going to do! He's definitely got my vote."

Vote for Andrew Pope Southampton Independents to see what he can do for you, your family and your area!

City College "Requires Improvement" Says OFSTED

Andrew Pope

Southampton Independents Emblem

Responding to the OFSTED "Further education and skills inspection report" Andrew Pope, Southampton Independents Councillor for Redbridge and Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test said:

"The problems at City College are another case of Labour or Tory, same old story.

Instead of bickering at Westminster or in the Council about who is at fault, they should be getting to the root of the problems. That's what Southampton Independents do. We listen and act.

As a former college student myself in IT, I understand the importance of vocational education to the development of young people and Southampton's economy.

Funding has been cut by the Tory Government, but the Labour Council has not been making the right decisions on education, removing funding previously promised from schools, which impacts on the ability to achieve at college level. 

Labour and Tory councillors have voted for millions to be spent on the "Arts Complex" but education is more important. They have the wrong priorities.

And last year's Council Scrutiny Panel of Labour and Tory councillors that looked at City College, seems to have made no difference whatsoever. Labour and Tory councillors put their party, not the people first, so how can they scrutinise themselves?

The Labour Council has failed its statutory duty to Southampton's young people and families, as has the Labour MP for 20 years Alan Whitehead. Mr Whitehead has failed Southampton's young people too. But the Tory Government has failed also.

The OFSTED report is clear that the Labour Council and Tory Government are failing, with unemployment 'higher then regional and national averages'. Totton College, like City College, has experienced similar problems. I intervened there back in 2015. Further education in Southampton is in trouble.

Both Labour and the Tories are more concerned with covering up, instead of moving pupils up, when it comes to education.

Like Southampton Independents said about Labour and Tory failings on school education, pupils and families deserve the best."

Southampton Residents Say Corbyn Should "Jog On!"

Southampton Independents Emblem

Southampton Independents is a local political party registered with the Electoral Commission. 

Independents across England put local people, not their party, first. We are proudly Independent of Labour and the Tories.

We were created because we listen to Southampton people, we work for local people and we stand up for local people.

Southampton Independents put you, your area and your family first.

With the news that Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott doesn't seem able to add up, Jeremy Corbyn visited Southampton and the Redbridge ward in the Southampton Test constituency.

Our 2017 Southampton Independents candidate for Southampton Test Councillor Andrew Pope represents the same ward on Southampton City Council.

Andrew Pope is also standing in the General Election against Alan Whitehead, Labour's candidate who has been the MP since 1997.

Andrew Pope said:

Andrew Pope

"Unlike Jeremy Corbyn and Alan Whitehead, Southampton Independents are here all year round, not for a flying visit every few years at election time.

Southampton communities are left to pick up the pieces from Labour and Tory MPs making the wrong decisions in Westminster, because MPs are so out-of-touch.

This week's publicity stunt by Corbyn and Whitehead is Labour blaming the Tories and the Tories blaming Labour. People are fed up with it and want local people to be heard.

Like Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Council are out-of-touch.

Corbyn claims that Labour protects communities.

But the Labour Council are harming communities by making the wrong decisions on spending, closing care centres, removing funding from schools they had already promised, not fixing our roads, leaving children vulnerable and robbing £16 million from the City to spend on an Arts Complex. 

And THEN blaming the Tory Government instead of taking responsibility!

Mr Whitehead seems strangely silent on the Labour Council's failures. That's because he places the Labour Party before local people. In the 2015 General Election, he even claimed on his election leaflet that Labour was investing in our roads. They haven't done anywhere near enough. People complain to Southampton Independents all the time about the state of our roads.

Alan Whitehead has been the MP for 20 years and during that time, our roads have got worse and worse.

And why did Corbyn and Whitehead come to Millbrook to use it as a political platform? Because they haven't helped local people and they are only interested in getting their votes, not in listening to them properly.

Labour quotes figures for all of Hampshire which bear no relation to what is happening here in Southampton.

Residents of Redbridge agree that we have dealt together with local problems, and Southampton Independents have worked with the Police and the local community to combat bus violence, deal with anti-social behaviour with motorbikes and to help investigating other crime such as the recent fire at Redbridge Towers. Residents know that crime and anti-social behaviour have fallen because we have worked together.

Yet Corbyn and Whitehead invite the media to Millbrook to insult us all.

There are still problems in our City, but the people of Southampton work on them together, despite and in spite of meddling from MPs in London.

Like residents said to us after the visit, Corbyn and Whitehead should 'jog on' back to Westminster."

Labour, Corbyn and Whitehead Are A Threat to Our Safety

With today's news that Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott doesn't seem able to add up, Jeremy Corbyn visited Southampton and the Redbridge ward in the Southampton Test constituency.

Our Southampton Independents candidate Councillor Andrew Pope represents the same ward.

Andrew Pope is standing in the General Election against Alan Whitehead, Labour's candidate.

Andrew said:

"What use is a Labour policy if it is never going to be implemented, because Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Alan Whitehead and the Labour-run Council lack any credibility because they are not leaders and they cannot add up?

Unlike Jeremy Corbyn and Alan Whitehead, Southampton Independents are here all year round, not for a flying visit every few years at election time.

They were on Kendal Avenue.

Did they show Corbyn and Whitehead the library on Kendal Avenue that the Labour Council closed, despite it costing little money and it being popular with local adults and children?

Did they take Corbyn and Whitehead to the Brownhill House care centre on Lower Brownhill Road, that the Labour Council closed last year, despite the NHS and social care crisis that Labour is always going on about?

Did they take Corbyn and Whitehead to speak to headteachers and parents of children at Southampton schools that the Labour Council last year said would get extra funds for extra pupils, funds which were then taken away later last year?

Did they take Corbyn and Whitehead to speak with Redbridge Towers residents who were left literally in the cold, with no information, after the recent fire?

Residents told me this morning that they resent Corbyn and Whitehead using our area for a publicity stunt.

And it appears that their visit is as poorly thought-through as Labour's policies and their sums on their policies.

Residents have suggested that Corbyn "jog on" back to Westminster and out of our area.

And that Alan Whitehead needs to be voted out at the General Election on 8th June 2017."

Labour Lib or Tory: Same Old Story - Arts NOT Roads?

More and more Sotonians are realising that Southampton City Council, whether under Labour, Liberal Democrat or Tory control, has wasted tens of millions of pounds of public money.

Southampton Independents have been exposing this waste.

Councillor Andrew Pope has been the ONLY councillor of all forty-eight to criticise the Arts Complex spending.

Andrew is standing in the General Election for Southampton Independents in the Southmapton Test (West) Constituency.

And people have been writing to the Daily Echo with letter after letter asking WHY it is that Labour, Lib or Tory, it's the same old story.

They have the wrong priorities.

They prefer to spend money on their "Arts" cronies, rather than on fixing Southampton's roads, or looking after the vulnerable children and adults in our City.

What good is an "Arts Complex" to an elderly person who can't walk because of a fall and is stuck in Southampton General Hospital when Brownhill House care centre for rehabilitation has been closed by the Labour-run Council?

What good is an "Arts Complex" when a car driver ruins their car by crashing it over a massive pothole?

What good is an "Arts Complex" when there is a crisis of safeguarding of children in our City, and OFSTED are called in again to show how the Council has failed?

Below is a statement showing how the "Arts Complex" raided funds that could have been spent on other things.

Things that councils are supposed to do.

The basics, like sprinklers for tower blocks.

The basics, like cutting the grass.

The basics, like weekly bin collections.

The Tories failed you. The Liberals failed you. Labour has failed you.

Vote Southampton Independents to expose all of them, and to bring them to account for their failurs and deciding on the WRONG priorties, and to show them that you won't accept the wrong priorities and MORE waste.

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Minutes of Southampton City Council Full Council

21st March 2007

...

102 NORTHERN ABOVE BAR - TO FACILITATE THE REDEVELOPMENT
OF THE FORMER C&A STORE, THE REMODELING OF GUILDHALL
SQUARE AND TO APPROVE THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR
SOUTHAMPTON’S NEW ART CENTRE
The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted, seeking approval
to proceed with the agreement with the Arts Council of England for new
arts facilities, to appoint a developer to redevelop the former C&A
Department Store and for the use of compulsory purchase and powers
regarding the rights of light of adjacent properties and to refurbish
Guildhall Square (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to
signed minutes).
RESOLVED
(i) That, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the value
of the Northern Above Bar Southampton’s New Arts Complex
(SNAC) project, contained within the Leisure & Culture
Capital Programme, be increased from £11.095m to £13.01m.
The total value of the scheme will be funded from an Arts
Council England (ACE) Lottery grant of £5.724m, ACE
Technical Assistance grant of £120,000, Art Asia ACE
Technical Assistance grant to fund direct purchase of £30,000
worth of loose equipment by Art Asia, SEEDA (South East
England Development Agency) Area Investment Framework
Funding of £200,000, capital receipt from Mayflower Plaza of
£350,000, capital receipt from T&G of £2.8m, direct purchase
of £250,000 worth of loose equipment by University of
Southampton, £1.436m of transferred City Council funding
(subject to approval by SEEDA to award grant funding to
Northern Above Bar regeneration, as explained below),
fundraising proceeds of £1.6m (to be underwritten by the City
Council) and £500,000 prudential borrowing against the rental
income from commercial space within the development. At
the end of 2006/7 it is anticipated that £600,000 will have
been spent, the remaining funding to be phased £1.26m in
2007/8, £475,000 in 2008/9, £3.5m in 2009/10, £6.9m in
2010/11 and £275,000 in 2011/12;
(ii) That, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the sum of
£6.35m be allocated in the Capital Programme for Northern Above
Bar C&A Site Acquisition and Guildhall Square, to be phased
£0.36m in 2006/07, £1.89m 2007/8, £0.5m in 2008/9 and £3.6m
in 2009/10 to cover the cost of :-
a) £1.75m for the strategic purchase of 131&129 Above Bar St
and 1 – 3 Gibbs Road and
b) £4.6m for the cost of remodelling and refurbishing Guildhall
Square
The above is subject to the outcome of negotiations with SEEDA for
a funding allocation of up to £6.35m to the City Council towards the
regeneration of Northern and Above Bar, as referred to in the
separate report to Cabinet dated 19th March. The £6.35m represents
a grant allocation of £4.6m, and potential repayable loan funding of
£1.75m;
(iii) that £200,000 be added to the Leader’s Portfolio capital
programme to be funded from corporate resources, to be phased
£50,000 in 2007/8, £125,000 in 2008/9 and £25,000 in 2009/10 and
be allocated in the Capital Programme for Northern Above Bar
(C&A Site Professional Fees) to cover the cost of legal, valuation
and marketing expenses in connection with the disposal and
redevelopment of the C&A site;
(iv) that approval be given to the City Council underwriting the £1.6m