EXCLUSIVE: Mansel Park Bomb/Explosive Device - Council Chief Executive Defends Council

 

Andrew Pope at Mansel Park
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

 

On 12th April, an explosive device was found by a metal detectorist in Mansel Park. It was later destroyed in a controlled explosion by the Army Bomb Squad.

Since then, local residents told Redbridge ward candidate Andrew Pope that they were very worried, as they had been in the area shortly before. And including with their families.

Andrew was worried for them, and because he was also at the exact site of the find with a colleague, just days before (see photo above).

Added to that is the fact that this was the site near where the play area used to be. Now there is just a climbing frame.

Immediately after the incident, Andrew asked the Chief Executive of the Council the following questions:

 

"Why did it take a metal detectorist to find something which should have been checked and found by the authorities (namely, Southampton City Council, as it is your land)?

Wasn't there a play area near where the device was found?

Was this turned up when the play area was removed?"

 

No reply was received. Not even an acknowledgement of receipt.

Andrew had to chase the Chief Executive, twice, to get a response.

Eventually a response was received from the Chief Executive today, almost three weeks after the bomb was found:

"As you may suspect I wanted to gather the facts before responding to you and it has taken some time to do so. From my emergency planning colleagues, I understand that while this matter was not reported to us, the appropriate agencies were contacted by the individual and the ordnance made safe which is good news.

 

Whilst the Council carries out routine visual inspections of its open spaces it does not search for buried ordnance by way of invasive or other means, it would be impractical to do so. If ordnance is found either by Council staff or reported to us by residents there are strict escalation procedures via Emergency Planning and as you will appreciate these involve partners such as the police and army if appropriate. 

 

In the circumstances I am comfortable that the Council takes a responsible and appropriate approach to dealing with such matters and acts in line with both professional advice and as other local authorities do."

 

What do you think of the Chief Executive's response? 

 

Do you think residents will be reassured by it? Are you?

 

Do you think the Council could do more to protect residents and workers on their land from explosives?

 

Or do you think we are asking too much?

 

 

Andrew says: 

 

"I am disappointed in the Chief Executive's response, and how long and how much effort it took to get it. I respect the emergency planning function at the Council from previous very positive dealings with them.

But I do not know why other local media have not asked these questions about something which is worrying a lot of park users and Council staff too. It's all a bit of a mystery.

I do not think it is too much for Council workers and contractors to look out for bombs or other dangers on Council land, when conducting work. They surely do, but somehow this was missed. Why and how?

I am worried for the public and for Council workers. I understand these things - if a war explosive is what it was - by nature are hidden but was it inadvertently churned up by works and missed. If so, why? And could anything more have been done? If it could then it should.

At Southampton Independents and the Independent Network, we listen to residents and act on their concerns. We do the investigations that other local media do not, and inform the Southampton public about important and urgent issues. We are volunteers. They are paid."

 

 

Safe Standing "A Resounding Success" - Now The Next Step in Our Saints Fan Safety Campaigning

Andrew Pope Letter Daily Echo 25 October 2024

The Inquest into the death of Saints fan Simon Oakley has concluded, as reported by the Daily Echo.

Following the Inquest, Southampton Independents Andrew Pope has had a letter published in the Echo as a response to requests that he has received from Saints fans for "grab rails" in the aisles of the stands.

 

Part 1 of the Letter to the Daily Echo

Having led the seven-year-long successful safe standing campaign, with 7,000 fans in the Northam Stand better protected with rail seats, Andrew says in the letter that he agrees with campaigner David Davies and the other Saints fans that had contacted him. Andrew has written to Southampton FC, Southampton City Council and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.

 

Part 2 of the Letter to the Daily Echo

The Sports Grounds Safety Authority has already replied to say that while it is not a legal requirement, Southampton FC could go ahead and install grab rails:

"there are no legal requirements for radial stairways leading to stadium seating areas to have grab rails (sometimes known as comfort rails). It is a matter for the stadium to consider whether they want to go over and above the legal standards."

Responses from Southampton FC and the Council are awaited.

CAMPAIGN DELIVERED: Safe Standing for Fans At Southampton FC's St. Mary's Stadium

 

Andrew Pope Began The Campaign in 2017

Southampton Independents, led by co-founder Andrew Pope, has delivered another campaign win after a seven-year battle on behalf of fans of Southampton Football Club ("Saints") to get safe standing installed at St. Mary's Stadium, the home of Saints. 

 

Our campaign made this Echo front page

And this main article on Safe Standing

 Andrew says:

"I started this campaign in 2017 and kept it going despite resistance from Southampton FC itself because Saints fans wanted to be able to safely Stand Up If You Love The Saints, just like it says in the footbridge to the Stadium. I listened to fans and I acted for fans, providing the leadership that was not being provided by the (then) directors of the Club.

After a difficult time trying to work with those former directors of Saints, and due to my leadership of the campaign, in April 2023 I was invited to a meeting at St. Mary's Stadium with more recent directors Tim Greenwell and Toby Steele.

Tim and Toby confidentially briefed me on the proposals and asked for my feedback, after I had contacted the Sports Ground Safety Authority, the Football Supporters Association (FSA) and St. Mary's Stadium Safety Advisory Group.

And of course, after I had heightened the issue via national and local media, starting a petition and using the Southampton Independents website and social media, pressuring Southampton FC into doing Safe Standing. The Daily Echo and BBC Radio Solent interviewed me and published articles.

Andrew's Rail Seat Demo for Southampton Media

Another front page generated by Andrew's campaign

 

Directors have come and gone during this long seven year campaign, but I am pleased that Southampton FC directors eventually listened to my suggestions and acted on my concerns for safety and order at the Stadium. It took time, but I think these proposals are much improved from the very concerning proposals that I was initially presented with that seemed to want to make Safe Standing fail (see above Echo front page).

I kept my silence for a long time, as agreed with the directors, and waited patiently for the proposals to be altered. I am pleased that other fans on the Fans Advisory Board more recently told the Club what I had already told successive Southampton FC directors and chairmen over seven long years.

In addition to the new entire Safe Standing Northam Stand, away fans are being moved - something that Saints fans have wanted for years - and Saints fans are being prioritised instead in the new Northam Stand for Safe Standing.

Other clubs have done this - installed safe standing and putting away fans in the corner quadrant instead of prime position behind the goal, so I am pleased that Southampton FC are doing it too. St. Mary's is our home.

Fans will soon be able to stand safely and make more noise to support their team.

Thanks to the Daily Echo and BBC Radio Solent for reporting on my campaign over all these years. It has been hard but it will be worth it.

BBC Radio Solent asked me what I would do if I won the campaign. I said that I will be standing and shouting in supporting Saints with the rest of the fans.

And I am delighted to have delivered this campaign, for fans to be able to be Standing Up For Saints with me in the Safe Standing area next season, whether Saints are in the Premier League or The Championship!"

 

Stand Up If You Love the Saints? Let's make it happen...

So'ton Indies Councillor Andrew Pope
on the way to St. Mary's last Friday

Do you want to stand up if you love the Saints? Southampton Independents want to make it happen. With your help, we can.

Last year, Southampton Independents (So'ton Indies) asked local Saints fans whether they wanted us to campaign for Safe Standing at St. Mary's Stadium. They did. So we have taken the lead.

That's what independent councillors and residents do - stand up together to achieve a better future for our City and its residents.

So'ton Indies Autumn 2017 leaflet

Since starting the campaign, our City Councillor Andrew Pope has:

• got the issue on the front page of the Daily Echo (see the back of our Autumn 2017 leaflet above and link here)
• has appeared on with Sasha Twining on her BBC Radio Solent programme to promote the campaign
• hundreds of Saints fans have signed our petition and 
• Councillor Pope has garnered verbal support from other City councillors

Andrew has also secured a venue for the demonstration of rail seating, and has agreed with the Safe Standing Roadshow to bring the demo to Southampton.

Councillor Pope has now submitted a motion to the May Full Council meeting of Southampton City Council. The motion, which is a call to action for the Council, is designed to garner support from Saints fans, other councillors, the owners of Southampton FC and the Government. 

Councillor Pope says: 

"Due to the changes after Hillsborough, the law must be changed to allow Premier League clubs like Southampton to install Safe Standing, and to allow councils to license Safe Standing at local grounds. 

But we need the help of the Saints owners to make a public statement of support. I know they support it in private, from my contacts in the Safe Standing campaigns across England. 

But we need Saints' PUBLIC support, and they must "break ranks" from other Premier League clubs. They must take the lead in the Premier League, like Southampton Independents has with the Safe Standing campaign here in Southampton. 

Other clubs like Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur are warming to the idea. 

Let's have "The Southampton Way" meaning Saints lead on the pitch as well as off the pitch.

I very much hope that ALL 48 Southampton City councillors, old and new after the 3rd May elections, will support the campaign for Safe Standing at St. Mary's."

Denise Wyatt, Leader of Southampton Independents and Council Candidate for Redbridge Ward at the 3rd May local elections, says:

So'ton Indies Council Candidate for Redbridge Denise Wyatt

"Last Friday, Andrew and I went to St. Mary's to watch the Women's World Cup Qualifier between England and Wales. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, especially all the men, women and children flying our nation's beautiful flag, the Cross of St. George. 

Denise on the way to St. Mary's

St. Mary's is a great stadium but fans want to be able to stand and shout. And to stand and shout safely. The owners of Saints should invest in fan safety and give fans what they want. Fans pay a lot of money, so they should get their say and not be ignored.

At Southampton Independents, we believe that fans should have more say about what happens at their clubs, because fans are the true custodians of football clubs - not the current owners who often are just passing by. 

I urge all Saints fans to get behind our campaign and to sign our petition. 

If elected to the City Council on 3rd May, I will be seconding Councillor Pope's motion.   

The petition, joined with the Council Motion, will help to defeat those party poopers in Government and the Premier League who want to stop Saints from having the fantastic Safe Standing areas like they have at Celtic and Borussia Dortmund. 

Let's create a "Saints Wall" with Safe Standing at St. Mary's!"

Today (Sunday 8th April 2018), Councillor Pope has been interviewed by the Daily Echo for a new piece in the newspaper. This should appear tomorrow (Monday 9th April 2018), so keep an eye out.

Councillor Pope says:

"At the 3rd May City Council elections, please vote for our Redbridge and Millbrook Council candidates Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy."

Denise Wyatt and Ed Edworthy

Southern Water - Worst with Southampton's Water

Southern Water Signs of Failure

Our community activists look out for problems in Southampton's communities.

They don't just keep Southampton City Council on their toes. Southampton Independents keep utility companies working for you.

Members of our Redbridge team twice spotted the same water leak over the last week. The sign in the photo above claimed that Southern Water were aware, and that the leak would be fixed by 13th December.

In Winter this will ice up

The photos were taken today (18th December). Obviously it still isn't fixed. A worker nearby told us that he had reported the problem to Southern Water again on Friday 15th December. Still it wasn't fixed.

A dangerous path

So Southampton Independents Redbridge campaigner Denise Wyatt and our Councillor Andrew Pope took these photos, and have followed up with Southern Water to ask them why it hasn't been fixed, and when it is going to be fixed.

Another dangerous path

The problem is especially dangerous as it has now created pools of water, pools of water and mud and wet paths. These paths are used by many members of the public every day, including by elderly people and by children.

School children and elderly people walk here

 And in water these long lengths of path will turn into ICE.

Elderly people walk here - ICE danger

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope said:                                                                                                                           

Councillor Andrew Pope

"This is a serious and urgent safety issue for Millbrook residents. 

The Water Regulator CCWater said in September this year that Southern Water were the worst performing water company for the FIFTH year running. So it is perhaps not surprising that they haven't fixed this problem on time. 

The leak is near a block for elderly residents. And next to a very well-used path on a main road in Millbrook. Southern Water have tried to blame Vodafone, so why did they put up the sign telling residents it would be fixed - and it hasn't.

They have apologised to me and said it will be fixed.

I will continue to pressure Southern Water and other utility companies to protect Millbrook residents, just like I did four years ago when Southern Electric lost the power to hundreds of homes in the area. I forced them into an apology and won compensation."

Denise Wyatt

Redbridge campaigner and Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt said:

"Southampton Independents was formed by local residents so that they can work together on the problems they face. 

Activists like Andrew and I help to solve problems like water leaks and power cuts. We help residents to have better and easier lives, despite the failures of Labour-run Southampton City Council and the Tory Government.

What issues are important to you where you live in Southampton?"

UPDATED: Local Media and Football Fans Back Safe Standing

BBC Radio Solent's Sasha Twining
on iPlayer

UPDATED (13th September 2017): Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope appeared on the Sasha Twining programme today. It is available on the iPlayer here (until 12th October). If the link doesn't take you directly to the right spot, the safe standing segment is at 2h 10m 24s in. Have a listen and let us know why you support safe standing by contacting us here.

In the programme, Andrew explains that the campaign is not about returning to the old-style terracing, before the Hillsborough disaster. Andrew is sticking up for what many Saints fans want - to stand and to stand safely. Andrew has supported safe standing since he first saw rail seats at a football conference in 2012.

Andrew said on the programme:

Councillor Andrew Pope

"I think it is important that fans have their say in the way clubs are run... The law needs to be changed to allow safe standing using rail seats...

It's important to me because enforced seating hasn't worked.

People stand at every match.  

People are paying money and they should get what they want, not what they are given."

As you can hear, fans of other South Coast clubs called in to the programme to support safe standing and said that they are campaigning for it at their clubs.

Southampton FC Chairman Ralph Krueger's response to our campaign is also read out on the programme.

(12th September 2017): The Daily Echo has put our Safe Standing Campaign on the front page today.

Daily Echo Front Page

The online version of the Daily Echo article is here.

Andrew says:

"PLEASE VOTE YES in the Daily Echo Survey to support Safe Standing.  

It isn't dangerous. It's safe! 

That's why it's called Safe Standing! 

And that's why the Sports Grounds Safety Authority has authorised trials at League 1 and League 2 grounds.

Now we want them to authorise it for the Premier League and Championship. 

So if you haven't already, please sign our petition."

If you want to help our campaign, please get in touch via email at sotonindies (at) gmail.com or by phone on 07580715687.

More updates to follow soon...

Once again, Southampton Independents are about actions, not words. We listened. We acted.

Sign our Petition: Safe standing for Southampton fans at St. Mary's Stadium

St. Mary's Stadium*

Stand with us and sign our petition!

Thousands of Saints fans want to stand at the match, and they must be able to do it safely and without being persecuted by stewards.

We want trials of Safe Standing using rail seats at St. Mary’s Stadium, for example in the more vocal parts of the Stadium such as the Northam and Itchen stands.

The Football Supporters Federation says:

"Every week thousands of fans stand in front of their seats for the duration of the game while following the team they love - attempts by the authorities to end this practice have failed. Surveys regularly show the vast majority of supporters back the choice to stand or sit."

Rail seats have a rail all-along between rows, with seats that can be locked in the up position for safe standing, or down if seating is required (e.g. for European matches).

Safe Standing would immediately remove conflict between stewards and fans that want to stand and those that want to sit. It would also free up stewards to focus on protecting fans and players in other ways.

The Sports Grounds Safety Authority recently authorised trials of Safe Standing to clubs in League 1 and League 2.

Rail seats allow cheaper admission prices and a stronger atmosphere in supporting Saints, as has been done at Glasgow Celtic and Borussia Dortmund.

The trial of Safe Standing in lower divisions must be extended to include the top two divisions, and include Southampton FC.

We ask that Southampton FC publicly supports trials of Safe Standing and informs the Premier League, Southampton City Council and the St. Mary's Stadium Safety Advisory Group that they intend to do so.

The petition is at this link.

Send us your photos to sotonindies (at) gmail.com and why you think Safe Standing is important. Send us a photo of you at St. Mary's (although perhaps not standing as that might annoy the stewards)!

Thanks for your support!

---

Southampton Independents pays tribute to the Football Supporters Federation and Jon Darch of the Safe Standing Roadshow. More information on Safe Standing and Rail Seats is on the following links, courtesy of these stalwarts of the Campaign:

Football Supporters Federation - Safe Standing Campaign

Safe Standing Roadshow using Rail Seats

---

* Image By David Ingham, used under CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10652798

Update on Burst Water Main

Earlier today, Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope received the following information from Emergency Planning staff regarding the burst water main at Chandler's Ford that threatened water supplies in Southampton.

"You may have heard about an incident affecting a burst water main in Chandler's Ford this morning, which has closed two schools and affected a number of homes.

I have been working with emergency planning colleagues at Hampshire County Council and with Southern Water to understand the extend of the incident and the process for resolution. 

The information we have currently is that a water main has burst affecting the surrounding area, in order to fix this it is likely that the mains water will need to be turned off. 

The postcodes affected are:

SO15,  SO16 , SO18, SO19, SO21, SO22, SO30, SO31, SO50, SO51, SO52, SO53, SP11"

These postcodes include areas of Southampton.

Councillor Andrew Pope

As of 1pm today, Councillor Pope has received the following information:

"Following the incident this morning, we have now had notification from Southern Water that the incident is concluded and is now manageable internally within Southern Water.  The leak has now been isolated with homes being diverted onto other supplies, that includes customers that may have been effected in the Southampton area.  The homes in the immediate vicinity are still without water but that is limited to the Hursley area.  The Southern Water incident manager has reiterated that anyone still experiencing problems can contact Southern Water directly for assistance."

Andrew says: 

"If you were affected by the incident, or have any information about what happened, please contact us."

Sprinklers: Questions the Council Need to Answer - NOW!

Redbridge Towers

After the Redbridge Towers, Shirley Towers and now Grenfell Tower fires, Southampton City Council need to urgently answer the questions below in the bottom of this post.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope has today asked these questions to the Labour Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Letts, copying in Cabinet Member for Housing Councillor Warwick Payne.

Councillor Pope on ITV Meridian News
holding Southampton City Council to account

Let's not forget that as recently as April 2017, Councillor Payne dismissed residents' concerns about the lack of sprinklers, which was shortly after the Redbridge Towers fire. Councillor Payne said residents didn't want sprinklers! What a liar! Residents DO want sprinklers. He also said there isn't enough money! That is also untrue. 

Councillor Payne needs to go, or to be sacked by the Leader of the Council.

If you want to see what Councillor Payne looks like, he's the one in the second row from the bottom, holding both his hands up, in the below photo. Is it because he is doubly guilty of putting the public at risk by his lies? You may think that, but Southampton Independents couldn't possibly comment! Here are his contact details. Ask him why he has failed to protect residents in high-rise blocks.

The Labour Group of Councillors - Yes, Guilty

The Councillor behind him is Labour Councillor Sharon Mintoff. She is paid an allowance to stand up for the safety of Southampton residents on the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority - councillors which are supposed to hold the Fire Service to account. When Councillor Pope asked her to tell him what she had done to promote sprinklers - she declined to respond - twice in writing and once in person. Here are her contact details - ask her why she did nothing!

It is therefore fair to say that Councillor Mintoff did nothing to promote fire safety in high-rise blocks.

Perhaps with the massive response to Southampton Independents supporter Tracy Cutler's petition, with over 65,000 signatures since it was created yesterday, Councillor Payne might now change his mind that residents don't want sprinklers? The petition is embedded on our page here. If you haven't signed Tracy's vital petition, please do so and share it widely.

And now perhaps Southampton City Council will change its mind, and fit sprinklers to ALL Southampton high-rise blocks?

We will see, when we get the answers that Southampton residents deserve.

The Chief Fire Officer of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Dave Curry, is still yet to answer the questions we have asked for months now, and asked again.

Firefighters put their lives on the line, but they shouldn't have to if the Council and Fire Service managers like him are doing their jobs properly.

What does Chief Curry and Southampton City Council have to hide?

They must both be held to account. Help Southampton Independents to do that by asking the same questions of the Leader of the Council. Here are his contact details. Thank you.

This is a matter of public safety.

---

E-mail follows;

Dear Councillor Letts,

When you were on BBC Radio Solent this morning, responding to the Southampton Independents campaign with residents for sprinklers in all high rise blocks, you appeared to indicate that money would be allocated for Redbridge and Millbrook Towers.

1. What is this money?

2. What is it for?

3. Where is it coming from?

4. When will the works be done?

5. What will the works entail?

When I asked Cllr Payne in April about sprinklers, he dismissed the idea completely. He said residents didn't want sprinklers. He also said there wasn't the money.

For your information, one of Southampton Independents' supporters T Cutler has created a petition on the topic yesterday. It currently has almost 20,000 supporters and is growing rapidly.

6. Cllr Payne - do you still maintain that residents don't want sprinklers?

7. Why has not a single sprinkler been installed for SEVEN YEARS after the Shirley Towers tragedy, and over TWO YEARS after it was decided to do the 3 blocks? The Council statement sent yesterday confirms this.

8. And finally, I will give you both one last chance - will you commit to installing sprinklers in ALL of Southampton's high rise blocks, and by when?

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!

Why I Will Not Be At Tonight's Hustings

Andrew Pope, Southampton Independents Candidate for Southampton Test at the 2017 General Election, has issued the following announcement:

"Regretfully, I have informed the organiser of tonight's hustings at Southampton University, the Southampton Debating Union, that I will not be attending.

I have not come to this decision lightly, but I have consulted others in Southampton Independents, and Southampton residents.

We face a very serious situation, where our democracy is under threat by terrorists. Terrorists that have grown up in our own country.

In the last year, we have had a Leeds MP murdered in broad daylight.

We have had a Southampton councillor suffering a paving slab thrown through their home window. This led to a tightening of security relating to Southampton councillors.

A terrorist has attacked the Palace of Westminster and killed members of the public and a policeman.

And less than three days ago, we have had children and adults murdered indiscriminately in Manchester by a suicide bomber.

Therefore I have decided to not attend tonight's hustings for three main reasons:

1. If last night's hustings was postponed, which it was, it is also too soon today to hold a hustings.

2. Having asked what has changed about the security at tonight's hustings following the Manchester attack, my Election Agent learned that little had changed. Other events have tightened security, but not this one.

For example, the arrangements for the Southampton Election Count have changed as follows:

"Following discussions with Cabinet Office and Electoral Commission after the tragic event in Manchester earlier this week, the Returning Officer has decided to upgrade security at the count on 8^th June. "

3. I will not put members of the public in danger at a public event that has inadequate security. It is better to be safe than sorry, Let us not forget that the threat level is now Critical, the highest level.  Armed police are patrolling Southampton.

I am working with Hampshire Police and Southampton City Council to secure such a time. Sadly, I do not feel we are at that point now.

I will continue to work for our full democracy and full public safety to return."