UPDATED: Labour-run Council Mishandles Bush Hill FC's Proposal

Southampton Independents
Councillor Andrew Pope

Our Redbridge Council Candidate Denise Wyatt
and
Millbrook Council Candidate Ed Edworthy

UPDATED (20th April 2018):

Our Councillor Andrew Pope has complained again to Council officers that the website does not properly show the objections and comments relating to this application. This is a week after he raised initial complaints. Andrew says:

"Just what is this Labour-run Council doing? They are failing on planning applications and on protecting our parks. 

Having had six years in power, Southampton Labour have failed to keep weekly bins, failed to fix our roads, failed to fix our pavements, closed care centres at Woodside Lodge, Brownhill House and Kentish Road, and threatened countless times to take away our public park. Vote them out on 3rd May.".

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On this website, Facebook and Twitter, we have shown that we care about Southampton and its communities, sports clubs, businesses and parks.

And we care about local residents.

You may have read on this website about the proposal by Bush Hill FC to put up a large 7 foot solid metal fence around an area larger than their football pitch on Mansel Park. It would include gating off public park owned by the Council.

Residents have told us that the impact of Bush Hill FC on the area is already unacceptable, especially on match days. And this proposal would make things worse.

Residents have objected to the proposal. More residents then objected to the proposal. The objectors have included local residents and Council Candidates Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy, and Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope.

And now even more residents across the area are objecting to the proposal.

New information has now come to light, because the Labour-run Southampton City Council has failed to handle this planning application properly.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope says:

"I have raised concerns with officers of Labour-run Southampton City Council about how they have handled this case. I have contacted senior officers including the Chief Executive.

Now, new information has come to light about quite how badly they have handled it.

To protect local residents, I am not divulging that information now.

I have raised the issue with the authorities.

I am also raising other issues such as the continuing criminal incidents on retail businesses in our area, and the continuing rogue motorbike problems.

I have asked for an urgent meeting with the Tory Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane. 

This is not the first time I have had to meet with a Police Commissioner. The previous one, Independent Simon Hayes, listened and acted when I met with him. I hope Conservative Michael Lane will do the same.

Mr Lane needs to get a grip on policing in Southampton. 

And the Labour Council need to get a grip too. They are supposed to be a local authority, so they need to start acting like one."

Southampton Independents Protects Parks That Labour Threatens

Redbridge Ward Council Candidate Denise Wyatt
in Mansel Park the park nearest where she lives

Millbrook Ward Council Candidate Ed Edworthy
in Mansel Park the park nearest where he lives

Since Southampton Independents was being formed a few years ago, residents asked us to protect parks and open spaces.

Working hand in glove with local residents, Councillor Andrew Pope and Denise Wyatt have done that.

We have:

• Got to know and supported sports clubs across the Millbrook, Maybush and Redbridge area. This includes Bush Hill FC, Queens Keep FC, Millbrook Rugby Club, Travellers Cricket Club and even the Petanque Club at Five Acres (despite some former Liberal Democrats being involved with it!).
• When a group of residents raised concerns about the new pitch by Bush Hill FC on Mansel Park, Councillor Pope spoke to over a hundred local residents about their views. Following listening to them, Councillor Pope raised those concerns with Bush Hill FC. He also publicly offered, via the Daily Echo, to broker talks between residents opposed to it. Andrew sought assurances from the manager of Bush Hill FC, about concerns relating to parking and road safety. Later, Cllr Pope also raised the prospect of progression by Bush Hill FC with the manager,and any potential issues with their lease of the public park and its impact on local residents. Cllr Pope made it clear that Bush Hill FC have a LEASE on a PUBLIC PARK, and that it must remain a public park. And Cllr Pope did not object and sought residents' views on the new pitch in order to obtain compromises. A compromise was a tubular fence around the pitch, not a solid metal one. Bush Hill FC agreed. Cllr Pope therefore did not object to the new pitch and the tubular fence. For more on this, see our separate article on the new planning application for a 7 foot high solid metal fence.
• Andrew and Denise listened to Millbrook Rugby Club's proposals for an improved roof on their existing pavilion, and their open fence around their pitch at Five Acres. We were very clear that we would NOT support permanent or fixed solid fencing, and would have objected if the Rugby Club had proceeded with this. However, they listened to our suggestion of tubular fencing, as Cllr Pope and Denise said they needed to be consistent with Bush Hill FC. We actually supported Millbrook's application. And we applaud this type of engagement by the sports clubs and we continue to enjoy a constructive dialogue with the Rugby Club.
• Fought and stopped Labour-run Council plans to build on our parks with their hated "Regeneration". They wanted to build on Mansel Park and Green Park. We enabled residents to fight back, including securing a public meeting at All Saints Church Hall in early 2016. Councillor Pope had to fight hard against Labour councillors who did not want the public to have their say at a public meeting. Denise Wyatt actually stood up and pushed for the residents to have their say. The Chair of the meeting, Councillor Cathie McEwing, said to the hundred or so residents "Where were you before?". Residents said they had objected but they had been ignored by Labour. And they booed Labour Councillor McEwing for trying to make the meeting only one hour. The Regeneration was scrapped as reported by the Daily Echo. Labour Councillor McEwing is seeking your vote and re-election on 3rd May. TIME TO GO. VOTE MCEWING OUT AND DENISE WYATT SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS IN HER PLACE!
• Fought to protect our public parks - Mansel Park, Green Park and Five Acres (Lordshill Rec) to protect it from development. These are public parks, but in recent years more and more has been lost to private clubs, schools and companies. 
• Worked with local residents to get the Council to list ALL THREE parks as "Assets of Community Value". This added protection of parks against new changes of use.
• Got the Labour Council and Network Rail's plans REFUSED for removal of some of Redbridge Wharf Park. The two Redbridge Labour councillors actually SUPPORTED removal of this park, writing to the Council planning officer in emails supporting the proposal. We have copies of their emails.

Redbridge Wharf Park which the Labour Council
and Network Rail STILL want to decimate

Southampton Independents has delivered on our promises to protect our parks and open spaces.

But the Labour-run Council has put our parks at risk, repeatedly. And the Labour Council and Labour councillors are still at it, despite residents being clear THAT WE WANT OUR PARKS PROTECTED.

The two Labour Redbridge ward councillors Cathie McEwing and Lee Whitbread actually SUPPORTED the removal of public park and building on public park.  Not just once, but repeatedly. We have the proof. They can deny it all they like but we have the proof, in writing.

Labour councillors have also voted to remove one of the Mansel Park play areas. Why? Who asked them to? Did you?

This Labour Council does not want to listen to residents. The Redbridge Labour councillors don't either. 

Southampton Independents have listened to residents.

They know who protects their parks.

We do.

And we will have to continue to do so, because it appears that Labour is doing things secretly, behind closed doors.

Why? Ask the Labour councillors. Here are their email addresses:

councillor.c.mcewing@southampton.gov.uk

councillor.l.whitbread@southampton.gov.uk

Here is our email address:

sotonindies@gmail.com

Tell us.

Do you want our parks to be carved up for private clubs and private companies?

Or do you want our parks and open spaces to be protected for future generations?

Please contact us to let us know how you support what we have done for Millbrook, Maybush and Redbridge.

And on 3rd May, please VOTE SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS on 3rd May - Denise in Redbridge ward, and Ed in Millbrook ward.

Labour's Broken Bin Promises to You

Labour Council's overflowing bins

Do you remember the Tory Council bin strikes? We do. The current Labour Council is just as bad.

Another overflowing bin
(and Dotty the Dog)

These photos were taken last Friday by Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope. When the fortnightly bins were supposed to be collected in Maybush.

And another...

But they weren't. So not only were they late already because Southampton Labour cut your bins in half. They were EXTRA LATE!

Yet another overflowing bin

The photos were taken in a small area, just three roads while Councillor Pope and Denise Wyatt were out walking their dog, Dotty. This shows how bad Labour's bin cuts have been. Residents are fuming. 

We have more fly-tipping and residents say they have to go to the tip. Why should they? They pay their Council Tax and did not vote for cuts to bins. 

Residents didn't want the bins cut. But Labour did it anyway.

Labour carry on doing things to residents. 

Residents tell us it's Labour or Tory, same old story. With bins cut, roads and pavements dangerous and care homes closed.

In their 2014 election leaflets, Labour Councillors said they would "keep weekly bin collections". Last year, ALL Southampton Labour councillors VOTED FOR FORTNIGHTLY BINS.

Southampton Labour put Council Tax up 6% but cut bins in half!

They broke their promises to you.

TIME TO GO!

SEND A MESSAGE TO LABOUR!

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

Southampton Independents listen to residents and act for residents. Because we are residents.

Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy

In Redbridge ward, our Candidate is Denise Wyatt. Ballot papers are in alphabetical order, so she will be at the bottom. You can help her be on top when the votes are counted by voting for her.

In Millbrook ward, our Candidate is Ed Edworthy. He will be in the middle of the ballot paper. Just look for Ed!

If you aren't sure which ward you are in, look on your poll card that you should have received from the Council.

Or you can look it up on the WriteToThem website here.

FIXED: Guess the Pothole - Road Revealed

1st Clue: Rubber ducks in one of Southampton's many potholes

2nd Clue: Redbridge Council Candidate Denise Wyatt
with the rubber ducks in the pothole in Redbridge Ward

UPDATE (17th April) - FIXED: The pothole has now been fixed. Why did it take the Labour-run Council so long to fix it?

Did you guess the right road... It was Waveney Green.

Denise Wyatt, Redbridge Council Candidate for Southampton Independents says:

"This Labour-run Council is useless. Why don't they fix them without us having to play Guess the Pothole and put rubber ducks in the potholes? It's fun but it's serious - our roads are dangerous.

Vote for me to join Andrew Pope as a Councillor and we will put even more pressure on the Council to fix our roads."

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UPDATE (3rd Clue): Next Clue - It's one of the greens in the Redbridge Ward. And now, our campaign has meant the pothole has been fixed! This should be a BIG CLUE, because so many potholes are still left by the Labour Council.

This week, residents of Southampton have been happily playing "Guess the Pothole..." on our Facebook Page at Southampton Independents. The pothole has been reported but not fixed by the Council.

It seems that only rubber ducks and the Council's contractor Balfour Beatty, benefit from our City's atrocious roads...

Meanwhile, it's the same old story, Labour or Tory - blaming each other and forgetting about the residents.

Our Council candidates Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy have written to the Daily Echo with a letter:

Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy

We read with interest the Daily Echo front page about potholes in Hampshire, and former Labour councillor Mr Reynard's one-eyed attack on former Tory Council Leader Royston Smith. Residents are fed up with both of them and tell us it's Labour or Tory, same old story. 

The Labour-run Southampton City Council, and Mr Reynard, tried to blame the previous Tory-run Council for the failings of the “partnership” contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places for Southampton’s roads.

Yet Southampton Labour councillors did not cancel the contract. Last year, Labour councillors actually EXTENDED it! Yes, they extended it. Perhaps Mr Reynard is unaware of the actions of the Labour Cabinet that includes "roads chief" Councillor Jacqui Rayment, who Royston Smith called the "Cabinet Member for Chaos".

How many years has Labour been in power on the Council? Six. SIX YEARS.

And still, almost everybody Southampton Independents speaks to, whether resident or visitor, thinks our roads are shocking.

Our recent Facebook game of "Guess the Pothole..." was very popular with residents - a pothole that has been reported several times but not fixed by the failing Labour Council and Balfour Beatty. They make excuse after excuse, and say there is no money.

The number of roads guessed by residents was huge and the point was made again and again by residents - so many of Southampton’s roads are a disgrace. 

Why did the Labour Council spends tens of millions on the Arts Complex/Studio 144 - with even more millions apparently now at stake by independent adjudication? Tory councillors supported Labour on this spending. Over-time and over-budget by millions and maybe even more! But still those councillors added more millions.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope voted against the extra millions and together with residents, we have exposed the scandal of this Labour and Tory spending. 

Those tens of millions could have gone on our roads, bins and care centres. 99% of residents tell us those are higher priorities than "arts". Residents are right. 

Southampton Independents will continue "lifting the lid" on the failing Southampton City Council (photos attached).


Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy

Southampton Independents Council Candidates for Redbridge and Millbrook wards

Former Council binman Ed is
lifting the lid on the Labour Council