OVER TO YOU

Southampton Independents was formed by Southampton residents for Southampton residents.

Co-founder of Southampton Independents, Councillor Andrew Pope said:

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope on the BBC

"People told me so many times that they have had enough of Labour or Tory and the same old story.

And they still do.

Both of those Westminster parties have let our City, and our Country, down for decades.

I am proud of the fact that we took the initiative to form Southampton Independents and register it as a political party.

I am proud of the thousands of Southampton residents who have supported Southampton Independents when I stood in the General Election in 2017 and when our candidates stood in the Southampton City Council elections in 2018.

To do things as Independents is very hard, takes a lot of personal time and money, but it is worthwhile and rewarding, because it comes from the people for the people.

Southampton Independents achieved many great things, as shown on this website and in the Daily Echo and other local media.

And I am particularly proud of Denise Wyatt, who through hard work and dedication, almost took a safe Labour seat in Redbridge in 2018.

I would like to thank Denise, our volunteers and and all of our supporters, and all those people who helped Southampton Independents achieve what it has.

Southampton Independents have shown that there is an alternative to Labour and the Tories.

I urge the people of Southampton to grasp the opportunities that Southampton Independents has proved are there."

Co-founder of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt says:

Denise Wyatt

"By working with residents, listening to their concerns and acting on them, Southampton Independents has worked for the people of Southampton, and for a better Southampton for its people.

Thanks again to all those who voted for me, and to those who helped me to help you. And a special thanks to Andrew Pope.

By working together, people can make a better Southampton and break away from the failing Labour Party and failing Tory Party.

Even Councillors and MPs of both those parties are realising that both parties are a failure. The recent resignations of MPs show that we were right to form Southampton Independents. They have been recently saying what we said all along.

The alternative to Labour and the Tories has to come from the people of Southampton, if it is change the City for the better.

It is now over to you..."

3 YEARS ON Are People Safe at NHS Southern Health?

3 years ago, we heard of the Mazars Report into the unexplained deaths at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which is supposed to care for people in the South of England.

We were astonished at what we discovered. So we did some work to contact those affected and to find out more.

As a service to the public, to patients of the Trust and their families, we updated this website with our work to expose the failures in care, and what we found out.

The more that we worked to expose the Trust's failures, the more concerned we became at how people had been put at risk by the failings of the Trust -  and we held those responsible to account - the Trust Board, its executive and non-executives directors and the then Chief Executive, Katrina Percy.

We pushed for the BBC and ITV, and the local Daily Echo, to report on the failings.

The then Chair of the Trust Mike Petter, and the Trust Board tried to stop the media from attending meetings. He also refused the recording of meetings. We continued to push and now the meetings are recorded.

After we had forced them to allow the media in to their meetings, Mr Petter told us when we challenged him in public, despite the unexplained deaths and the Mazars Report that: "There would be no resignations".

The media then reported on the failings. And resignations followed.

Only one of the then governors, John Green, had the guts to ask the questions that mattered to the Trust Board. That is, to do what governors are supposed to do and hold the Trust Board to account. And he resigned.

The public were told by Katrina Percy via the media that "lessons would be learned".

But then we heard of more unexplained deaths.

We were sceptical as to whether lessons had really been learned. Also sceptical were the families of those who were let down by Southern Health.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope asked the Labour and Conservative councillors on the Southampton City Council Health Scrutiny Panel (there were no independent councillors on the Panel) to hold a vote-of-no-confidence in the Trust Board and Governors. The Panel is supposed to hold the local NHS to account.

Andrew says:

"All Labour and Tory councillors refused to hold a vote-of-no-confidence, with the Chair of the Panel Labour Councillor Sarah Bogle, leading the refusal.

I had urged them to do this. Denise Wyatt attended the Panel with me. But all councillors on the Panel refused the vote-of-no-confidence.

Why did they refuse when the Board and Governors had presided over such dreadful failures?"

Then we heard of the prosecutions of Southern Health. And fines for deaths and the suffering of families, that could have been avoided.


With the Chief Executive gone, with the Chair gone too, and then more directors resigning, we questioned whether the Trust really had changed.

Denise Wyatt

So in July this year, the Leader of Southampton Independents, Denise Wyatt, stood and was elected as a governor of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, representing the Southampton area on the Trust's Council of Governors.

Denise has been asking questions internally at the Trust and is now even more alarmed at the answers, as well as the lack of answers to important questions.

Denise says:

"As a Governor representing Southampton residents, I will continue to ask the questions that Southampton people and NHS patients want answers to, and to try to hold the Trust Board and Chair to account. I am pleased that some other governors also appear to want to do this, but I am disappointed that others seem to want to ignore their responsibility."

Park and Ride or Clean Air Zone: SHOULDN'T YOU DECIDE?

Councillor Andrew Pope

The Daily Echo is reporting criticism of Southampton City Council's proposed "Clean Air Zone". 

Our Councillor Andrew Pope says:

"Southampton Independents is listening to your views.

Do you want a Clean Air Zone? The Labour Council and Tory Government think they can impose it on you and local businesses.

Do you want a Park and Ride? Residents tell us regularly that they do. And we are campaigning for it. The hospital have listened. But the Council hasn't listened or acted for you.

And the Council hasn't delivered a park and ride for you, despite lots of talk.

Businesses and the Tory MP for the East of the City (Royston Smith) think that the Labour Council's Clean Air Zone is a bad idea. Do you agree?

Yet according to the Labour-run Council, it is the Tory Government that is imposing the Clean Air Zone on Southampton. They've claimed they wouldn't be doing it otherwise.

Once again, it is a case of Labour or Tory, same old story, with adults and children continuing to suffer from air pollution and its affects on our health."

Leader of Southampton Independents

Our Leader Denise Wyatt Southampton Independents says:

"Once the Labour Council have pretended to listen to you and then approved this anyway, Labour councillors can easily change it to make you pay to use your car in our City, by simply asking the Government whether they can do it.

Southampton Independents has confirmed this with Council officers, and that they wouldn't need to ask you, the public. Do you think this is right? We don't.

We already pay enough for the reducing services and poor communication by the Council. People get bad services and can't contact the Council easily.

Where is our Park and Ride? Areas of the City such as Redbridge already have a higher-than-average level of asthma. This can't carry on. 

Tell us what you think."

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"

YOUR VIEWS: Lidl - Does the Labour Council Only Want the Money?

Southampton Labour has already robbed millions
that could have spent on roads
and spent it on the Arts Complex

Proposed Lidl Foodstore on Shirley Road and Villiers Road

Southampton Independents put residents, not MPs in London, first. We listen to residents. We act with residents. We are a local political party, formed by residents in 2017. Join us!

What do you think of the “new” plans by Lidl for the Shirley Road and Villiers Road site (new planning application 18/00746/FUL)?

Lidl already have a massive warehouse
that is adding pollution to our air

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope already objected to the previous planning application, so we were pleased that it was rejected by the Planning Committee.

Councillor Andrew Pope
in one of the roads nearby

Andrew says:

"Residents were disappointed that trees that I mentioned in his objection were not protected by the Labour-run Council. Why? And why did they demolish the site. Do they only want the money from selling the land? It seems so.

Have the plans changed enough? Have they dealt with your concerns? What do you think?

Southampton Independents will form our view based on what residents tell us. Contact us to tell us."

In the Daily Echo on 17th May, speaking on YET ANOTHER Lidl proposal in our City (on Brownhill Way in the North of our City), Andrew is quoted saying:

“I want to see what Lidl is going to do for local residents, because Lidl will be making lots of money, so they have to deliver benefits such as improved transport links, a new park and ride, and finally deliver on the promise of sustainability including solar panels...

The Labour Council has to make Lidl do this.

Residents and the local area must benefit from the new store, if it goes ahead.”

These comments apply to this site too. The Echo article is also available online here.

Tell us what YOU think of Lidl’s plans. Tell us what YOU think of our ideas. Contact us at the details on this website (on the left). We also have a Facebook page and a Twitter feed.

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt says:

Leader of Southampton Independents
Denise Wyatt

"Standing as the Southampton Independents candidate, I almost took a Labour safe seat in Redbridge Ward, because I worked hard and listened to residents - not just at election time. The seat is now a marginal seat. So’ton Indies intend to win it next time.

Southampton Independents was formed to put YOU first, not MPs in London. 

Because Southampton Independents are local residents, just like you. Join us!"

VOTE
SOUTHAMPTON
INDEPENDENTS

THANK YOU! SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS ARE ON THE MAP

Denise Wyatt doubled her vote between 2016 and 2018

Our local Southampton Independents party is just over one year old. We were only registered as a political party in 2017.

Leader of Southampton Independents, Denise Wyatt, says:

Leader of Southampton Independents
Denise Wyatt

 
"My result in Redbridge Ward was fantastic. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, delivered leaflets or who put posters up or who put boards up.

It was still slightly disappointing, in that I did not win for local residents.

But I am very pleased that I got more than double the number of votes in the last Council election in 2016. There was no Council election in 2017.

Southampton Independents has shown that it can reduce a huge majority in a "safe" Labour seat, and make it into a marginal seat that we can win next time.

We will continue to help and support residents, as we always have promised, and as we always have done.

Join us and then we can win seats across Southampton! We are definitely on the map now."

Sylvia and Richard supporting Denise

Southampton Independents Councillor for Redbridge, Andrew Pope, says:

Southampton Independents Councillor
Andrew Pope

"Denise should be very proud of the levels of support that I heard during the election campaign.

People all over the Redbridge Ward, from Old Redbridge to Maybush to Millbrook and to the Channel Islands estate, were so enthusiastic about voting for Denise.

It was fantastic to hear and see their enthusiasm.

Southampton Independents is only a small and young party.

Join us and make Southampton have a positive future, not more Labour or Tory, same old story.

There are many people, too many people, to thank.

You know who you are!

And you know what Southampton Independents is all about - by residents and for residents."

Jenny supporting Denise

Shelley supporting Denise

One of our many boards displayed
by one of our supporters

YOUR VIEWS: Proposed Lidl on Brownhill Way

The Lidl Sign for the Huge Warehouse Nearby

Southampton Independents put residents, not MPs in London, first. We listen to residents. We act with residents. We act for residents. We are a local political party, formed by residents.

What do you think of the plans by Lidl for this site?

We have had supportive comments from residents. We have had objecting comments from residents. We have had concerns expressed by residents. And we have had neutral comments.

Southampton Independents will form our view based on what residents tell us.

And as quoted in the Daily Echo on 17th May, our Councillor Andrew Pope, who lives locally, says that we want residents to benefit from this development, if it goes ahead.

Southampton Independents
Councillor Andrew Pope

 Andrew is quoted:

“I want to see what Lidl is going to do for local residents, because Lidl will be making lots of money, so they have to deliver benefits such as improved transport links, a new park and ride, and finally deliver on the promise of sustainability including solar panels on top of the huge local warehouse.
The Labour Council has to make Lidl do this.
Residents and the local area must benefit from the new store, if it goes ahead.”

The Echo article is also available online here.

Tell us what YOU think of Lidl’s plans. Tell us what YOU think of our ideas. Contact us via sotonindies (at) gmail.com or via our Facebook page "Southampton Independents".

We put YOU first. Because Southampton Independents are local residents, just like you.

Denise Wyatt, Leader, Southampton Independents

Councillor Andrew Pope
Councillor for Redbridge Ward
Southampton City Council

At the next City Council elections in 2019
Vote Southampton Independents

UDPATED (19th May): WOW! WHAT A RESULT! WE MAKE REDBRIDGE A MARGINAL SEAT

Denise Wyatt, who was the Southampton Independents Council Candidate for Redbridge Ward, says:

"Wow! What a result!

Thank you for the amazing support, all the well-wishers on the doorsteps and in the streets and thanks for all your votes!

I am delighted to have the trust and confidence of so many people.

Sadly, I almost won but not quite. I am delighted with the result and I hope residents are too.

JUST 199 VOTES WERE IN IT.

Southampton Independents, with your help, has taken the Redbridge Ward from being a "safe" Labour seat two years ago to it now being a "marginal".

In 2016, Labour won by 822 votes.
At the next Council election, it was just 199 votes.

It is within touching distance.

The now former Council Leader Simon Letts only won by a similar margin in 2014. Four years later he has lost his seat. The former Leader of the Council Tories Jeremy Moulton also lost his seat.

Labour still has just two majority. Labour or Tory, same old story.

I will continue to support and work with local residents.

Join us! Enough is Enough!

Thanks again for all your help and thanks for all your support."

VOTE TODAY FOR DENISE Polling Stations Open 7am - 10pm!

Look out for this dropping on your mat!

Lots of residents are backing Denise!

Denise Wyatt is the Southampton Independents Council Candidate for Redbridge Ward. Denise lives and works locally.

Denise Wyatt

Denise says: 

"Please vote for me today!

I am at the bottom of the ballot paper, because the names are in alphabetical order. With your help, when the votes are counted, I will be at the top!

I have been receiving amazing support from people on their doorsteps and on the streets. Lots and lots of people told me that they have already voted for me by post, and asked their friends and family too.

So many people have put posters up in their windows and put Southampton Independents boards in the gardens. Have you seen them? Thank you. Will you do the same? It's brilliant if you do it today. Show your support.

And it's not over yet! I'm not elected yet! Only one seat needs to change for a positive future! Labour has just a two majority and one seat changing means no more majority and we will stop their stupid decisions.

Please get out there and get all your friends and family to vote for me too.

We can't carry on with this useless Council!

You know that I stand up for you."

Sylvia and Richard support Denise

Sylvia Priestley (left), who lives in Redbridge says:

"I have joined Southampton Independents because they listen to you and they act upon your problems."

Richard Smith (right), who lives in Maybush says:

"Southampton Independents are the only party that actually DO what they say they will. They listen and act on what residents say."

Jenny supports Denise

Jenny Murray (left) lives in Millbrook, next to Mansel Park. Jenny says:

"Vote for the best. Vote for Denise Wyatt Southampton Independents."

Shelley supports Denise

Shelley Jones (left) lives in Redbridge. Shelley says:

"Vote for Southampton Independents for the things you want done.

They listen and act for you."

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope, who Denise hopes to join on the Council, lives in Maybush and says:

Southampton Independents
Councillor Andrew Pope
supports Denise

"Please put your cross next to Denise Wyatt Southampton Independents Putting You First and the Southampton Independents logo.

Denise has worked hard for 3 years for this. I know because I have worked with her and with lots of other local residents who want a better area.

Residents know this. Residents trust Denise. Residents know Denise stands up for them. 

Denise is a respected and trusted woman in our area. 

This is why residents are backing Denise. You can get Denise elected today, or you can carry on with more of the same stuff.

Denise did very well the first time she stood, two years ago, but did not win overall. 

Denise has achieved so much for our area.  As an elected councillor, she can achieve so much more by carrying on her hard work. I am proud to stand up for residents with her and I will be proud of serving you with Denise.

You can make it happen today, polling stations are open 7am to 10pm.

Thank you for supporting Southampton Independents.

We listen to YOU. We put YOU first."

UPDATED: Southampton City Council and Parliament to Debate Safe Standing

Southampton Independents
Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt
at St. Mary's Stadium

UPDATED (15th May): Parliament sets date to debate Safe Standing Following Fan Campaign. The Daily Echo has reported here. Our Councillor Andrew Pope is quoted in the Echo article.

Councillor Pope is to propose the below motion at the Full Council meeting of Southampton City Council tomorrow.

Sadly Denise Wyatt narrowly missed out on being elected to the Council. See the other article on this website for more on how Southampton Independents has made a Labour "safe" seat into a marginal seat.

---

Commenting on the latest news on Safe Standing, Councillor Andrew Pope says:

Councillor Andrew Pope has led the local campaign
for Safe Standing

"This is brilliant news. 

Thanks to all fans who have signed both petitions - our local one and the one for Parliament. We have shown the Tory Government that Safe Standing is not backed by a "vocal minority" as claimed by Tracey Crouch MP.

Now both Southampton City Council and Parliament will debate Safe Standing in the next couple of months. I expect all Southampton City councillors to back safe standing with action.

The debates locally and nationally are major milestones in the Southampton Independents campaign for Safe Standing at St. Mary's.

I am delighted."

---

Southampton Independents has been campaigning for trials of Safe Standing at St. Mary's Stadium since 2017. We are upping the pressure on the Government to change the law to allow safe standing in the Premier League and Championship.

The issue has been on the front page of the Southern Daily Echo twice since. Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope appeared on the Sasha Twining programme on BBC Radio Solent, listened to supporters and answered questions on what Safe Standing is.

Southampton Independents started a local petition, which is here. Please sign it and share it to increase the pressure on the owners of Saints to come out publicly to support Safe Standing. Thanks to everyone who has signed it so far.

St. Mary's Stadium is all seater.
England and Saints fans should be able to stand

Councillor Andrew Pope started the Safe Standing campaign
in 2017

Councillor Andrew Pope says:

"The Tory Government is living in the dark ages. They need to change the law because Saints fans demand it. I am proposing a motion on Safe Standing to the May Full Council meeting later this month. I very much hope ALL Southampton City Councillors support the Southampton Independents campaign. Some of them have said they support it, but so far have done nothing to support our campaign."

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt says:

Denise at St. Mary's Stadium with the seats
We would prefer to stand and shout louder!

"I want Saints fans to be able to stand safely at the match, using rail seats that have a rail in front and behind every row. 

Then we can all stand and shout louder! 

I like shouting, but not only at Labour and Tory councillors who are letting our City down!

I like shouting at St. Mary's Stadium.

Listen to Andrew and other Saints fans talk about this on the Total Saints Podcast here. 

We all like going to the match and letting off steam, don't we?"

If elected this Thursday 3rd May, Denise Wyatt will be seconding Councillor Pope's motion at the Full Council meeting later this month.

The motion, which may be amended, reads:

"This Council supports standing up for Southampton FC fans and standing up with Saints fans. But since the Taylor Report, and changes to safety regulations, fans are not allowed to stand up at the match. 

Yet Saints' fans passion means that they do stand at every match in the Itchen and Northam stands. They want to stand. They want to sing. They want to shout. Safe standing allows them to support the team with more passion and to do so safely.

This Council supports the national campaign for Safe Standing in the Premier League, and supports Safe Standing at St. Mary's Stadium. 

This Council agrees to write to the Board of Saints and to the Secretary of State to urge the Government and/or Parliament to change legislation to allow trials in the Premier League and then full installation of rail seats or other safe alternatives."

Please Vote Denise Wyatt Southampton Independents on 3rd May to make it happen!

WITHDRAWN: UPDATE on Bush Hill FC's 7 Foot Solid Metal Fence on Mansel Park

Southampton Independents
Councillor Andrew Pope

UPDATE (30th April 2018):
THE PLANNING APPLICATION HAS NOW BEEN WITHDRAWN BY BUSH HILL FC AND THEIR AGENT

---

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope says:

"I have received the following notice from Southampton City Council's planning department, which is making the decision over the Bush Hill FC fence etc on Mansel Park (planning reference 18/00394) submitted from the address of the Saints Pub.

---

'Dear Councillor,

I have informed the agent for the application that if it is not withdrawn then it will be refused. I have been waiting for instruction from the agent on how they intend to proceed before updating you.

As soon as I receive a response from the agent the application will be handled immediately, either with a withdrawal or with a decision issued.

I have visited the site, and we have not received any comments from the other Ward Councillors.

Regards,

<redacted>
Planning Assistant
Southampton City Council'
---

I have been "invited" by the Chair of the Redbridge Residents Association*, Eugene McManus, to a public meeting on Monday night to discuss this planning application.

Denise Wyatt, the Southampton Independents Redbridge Council Candidate, has not received a direct invitation. Mr McManus chose to go through me instead, for some reason. He has also referred to Denise as my "girlfriend". Denise is my partner in life. Denise must be respected, which she is in our area, because she is actually a public figure who works hard for our area, including providing advice and support over many years to Mr McManus as Chair of the Residents Association. Mr McManus' actions and his attitude towards her as a female Council Candidate are deplorable and unacceptable.

At this stage, as the planning application will either be refused or withdrawn, there is nothing to discuss.

I would like to thank Southampton City Council and the residents who objected, including those who asked for their name and address to be removed, because they felt intimidated.

Intimidation included:

• someone associated with the Saints Pub Mr Lee Elliott confronting me and a female colleague in the street on Facebook Live, giving a false name and asking questions based on false information and making unsubstantiated allegations designed to intimidate me into not objecting to the planning application
• Facebook abuse and messages, again with the source appearing to be Mr McManus
• intimidation of residents who objected, by posting their names and addresses across Twitter and Facebook. This led to residents asking for their names and addresses to be hidden by the Council.
• intimidation of Council candidates, by posting their names and addresses across Twitter and Facebook without properly obscuring the addresses

This is the ONLY planning application I have ever, in SEVEN YEARS of being a councillor, that these things have happened with. Anyone would think this was Tower Hamlets, not Southampton.

IT IS TOTALLY AND UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A DEMOCRACY AND CIVILISED SOCIETY!

So why is Mr McManus continuing with the meeting?

His Agent should know about the decision by the Council?

Is he carrying on with the meeting to intimidate voters and candidates? I hope not.

But it is reasonable to conclude so, considering the atmosphere that has been created, and because of the fact that he has now displayed a banner against Denise Wyatt on the Saints Pub.

I have contacted the Returning Officer again, who has already been in touch with Mr McManus and Mr Extance regarding their conduct.

Perhaps another plan will come forward. Hopefully that plan will be discussed before being submitted to the Council.

I repeat my advice given to Mr McManus before, but which he chose to ignore.

If Mr McManus wishes to change the setup at Bush Hill FC on Council land, he should discuss it with me as a ward City Councillor and representative of the people, with local residents and the Council planning department first.

We are in this situation because Mr McManus chose not to do this, against my advice. Perhaps he knew that I and residents would object, because I told him this before.

Mr McManus via Facebook has also defamed and abused, and allowed others to defame and abuse, myself and Denise Wyatt, as well as ignored the legitimate concerns of local residents.

Other local sports clubs like Millbrook Rugby Club have listened to my advice and I enjoy constructive dialogue with them, and now have planning permission. Compromise and dialogue are essential components of building and maintaining trust.

But Mr McManus' actions have destroyed any constructive dialogue that I sought, over years, to build with him. He did not seek any compromise, preferring to try to railroad this ill-thought-through application through Council planning.

Perhaps dialogue can be rebuilt between myself and Bush Hill FC, but that will take considerable work. I am always approachable and ready to discuss.

Despite the appalling behaviour of Mr McManus, I wish the coaches and players of Bush Hill FC well for the rest of the season with the current ground, that I actively supported going in, and I hope that the current problems raised by residents with me, and with the Council and Police, can be resolved. This includes parking, damage to Council land, road safety problems and anti-social behaviour on match days.

I look forward to supporting Bush Hill FC and all other local sports clubs to continue to develop, and reaching compromise over competing interests with residents.

As a final note, looking at the final paragraph of the email from Planning, it is a matter of public record that the two other ward councillors, both Labour (Cathie McEwing and Lee Whitbread), have done absolutely nothing to support or object to this planning application. 

Neither have any of the other candidates in the Redbridge local elections.

Over years, Southampton Independents has stood up for our parks and for local residents. All the while, the Labour Council has sought to take away park land - at Green Park, at Mansel Park and at Redbridge Wharf Park.

We will continue to look after local residents, to protect our parks and green spaces, and we will try to work with all local sports clubs and residents in a constructive dialogue with trust."

Councillor Andrew Pope

Southampton Independents

Redbridge Ward

30th April 2018

VOTE
SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS

* For reasons unknown to me, although I have raised it with him before, Mr McManus uses the email of the Residents Association for Bush Hill FC business, or the Saints Pub address for the planning application. This would suggest a potential conflict of interest between the three interests. Perhaps he can explain how he manages this conflicts of interests, to the Residents Association that he chairs.

CAMPAIGN VICTORY! Working With Residents We Stop Domino's in Residential Area

Redbridge Council Candidate Denise Wyatt
at the new estate on the former Ordnance Survey site

We are campaigning for a community facility
here like a cafe

On Romsey Road there is a new housing estate on the former Ordnance Survey site. Ordnance Survey have moved to Adanac Park and the site has been re-developed.

Southampton Independents has been listening to residents here, like we do everywhere.

We have been campaigning for a community facility here, but the Labour-run Council has been letting the developers get away with not providing one. Currently there is only a Tesco Express.

No GP.

No cafe.

No community facility.

So we were dismayed when Domino's recently submitted a planning application for the vacant commercial premises.

They had already had one turned down in 2016, which we worked with residents to oppose.

We listened to residents' concerns and we acted on their concerns.

Both Denise Wyatt and Councillor Andrew Pope objected to the application. We encouraged residents to object to it, and to work with us.

The application by Domino's was refused.

Denise Wyatt, Council Candidate for this area as well as the whole of the Redbridge Ward, says:

Denise Wyatt
Redbridge Council Candidate for Southampton Independents

"We were formed to listen to residents and to act for residents, because we are residents too.

Together, residents can shape their area and stop the wrong proposals like this.

It was brilliant to work with residents on this. They objected and we informed and supported them.

We want to see a proper community facility here, like a GP surgery or a cafe.

There is already a Domino's in Shirley, on the main road and not in a residential area. The parking issues around the Tesco Express are already seriously impacting on residents. The Domino's would have had too many negative impacts on residents here.

What would you like to see here instead of Domino's?

Please vote for me in the Council elections on 3rd May."