PHOTOS: Southampton Labour Fails Again on Tower Blocks

The Top Floor Stairwell of Millbrook Towers

Southampton Independents has been campaigning for better fire safety since the fire at Redbridge Towers in April 2017.

As shown on this website, our campaigning with residents forced the Labour-run Council to commit to install sprinklers in all Council tower blocks.

Before our campaign, the Labour-run Council's boss of Housing, Warwick Payne, said that residents did not want sprinklers.

We forced Labour to think again.

Southampton Independents prefer action, not empty words.

We were formed by residents, for residents.

Since the Grenfell Tower disaster in London, we have been pressuring the Labour-run Council even more.

As shown on this website, we have exposed Councillor Payne's failure to fix long-running problems with fire safety in Canberra Towers. This block is in Weston in the Council ward that Councillor Payne represents, Woolston ward.

Some of those problems have remained for a long time, despite Councillor Payne's Housing staff having reports from fire safety experts that showed problems remained unfixed.

On the BBC's Inside Out programme, Councillor Payne did not explain why these long-known problems were not fixed. On the BBC, Councillor Payne's back was to the wall, residents tell us.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope says:

Councillor Andrew Pope

"I have challenged Councillor Payne directly to explain why he hasn't fixed the problems. 

Councillor Payne did not give an adequate explanation.  

Councillor Payne has been in this post for over five years and claims to be an experienced Councillor. I've been telling him for five years that he needs to get a grip. Yet Labour keeps him as "Housing Boss". Why?

It is time that the people of Woolston and Weston voted him and the two other Labour councillors in Woolston Hammond and Blatchford out. This is supposed to be the area that they represent, but they too have failed. 

It's the same in Redbridge and Millbrook, the two Labour councillors McEwing and Whitbread have failed to get Southampton Labour to fix the problems in Redbridge Towers and Millbrook Towers.

And don't forget that Millbrook Labour councillor Mike Denness is under investigation by the Council. 

It is Southampton Independents that is exposing Labour's failures and potential corruption.

Labour is supposed to be in charge, but all they do is charge more Council Tax for a worse Council."

Now, Southampton Independents is publishing below more photos of failures by the Labour-run Council to protect residents of tower blocks. These photos were taken during the last two weeks.

Like before, this is not an exhaustive list of their failures. It is the job of Southampton City Council and Southampton Labour that is supposed to be running it properly.

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt says:

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt

"Southampton Labour should have fixed the problems. 

Southampton Labour should have known about the problems. 

Southampton Labour should care. But it doesn't. It just pretends. 

We publish these photos to show how Southampton Labour has failed again on tower blocks. 

What is the difference between Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council where Grenfell Tower is, and Southampton City Council? 

One is Tory. The other is Labour. 

Like residents tell us all of the time, whether it is Labour or Tory, it's the same old story - residents let down by the Westminster parties."

The only sure way is to vote Labour and Tory councillors out in the City Council election in May 2018.

The only sure way is to vote for Southampton Independents candidates to replace Labour and Tory councillors in May 2018.

Contact us to get involved to help us to help you, your family and your area.

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Damaged handles on fire doors

Many fire doors don't close properly

Another fire door that doesn't close properly

Yet another fire door that doesn't close properly

Rusty hinges on fire doors - will this protect residents in a fire?

The Coroner of Shirley Towers said firefighters were caught in loose cables

Cable through frame of fire door

Bent handle on fire door

Wooden replacements for ventilation grilles - are they fire safe?

Plastic housing for lighting - is this fire safe?

Redbridge Viaduct works by Hampshire County Council

Redbridge Towers The Gateway to Southampton

Tory-run Hampshire County Council have decided to do the works below, which will cause a lot of disruption over many months.

They have not consulted Southampton Independents, or our Councillor for Redbridge Andrew Pope.

Hampshire County Council claim this is "advanced notice", but the works will soon be upon us.

What do you think?

Councillor Pope is asking questions about what the Labour-run Southampton City Council knew, and what they agreed on YOUR behalf.

What other questions do you want answered?

Contact us at the details on the left of the website.

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A35 Redbridge Viaduct Essential Works

 

I am writing to inform you of forthcoming essential bridge repairs and carriageway resurfacing on Redbridge Viaduct and the A35, between the M271 and Rushington Roundabout. Phase 1 of the project is to replace all the bridge joints on Redbridge Viaduct and resurface the carriageway up to Rushington Roundabout.

 

Background to the Scheme

 

The A35 Redbridge causeway is a strategic transport link which connects western Hampshire, New Forest National Park and the significant industrial areas of Fawley oil refinery and Marchwood military port to Southampton, its docks and the associated motorway / strategic network. It is the only major non-motorway crossing of the River Test. It also carries significant tourist and holiday traffic for the New Forest National Park and links Southampton to the residential areas on the Waterside.

 

The eastbound A35 is carried over three bridges, and the westbound is carried over the 20 span Redbridge Viaduct. Regular Inspections and structural investigations have identified deteriorating problems on all four causeway bridges. The problems are caused by the marine location and leaking bridge expansion joints making them vulnerable to the effects of de-icing salts and sea water. Significant repairs are needed to all four Redbridge Causeway bridges in order to maintain this vital strategic transport link. If no action is taken and the deterioration of the bridges continues then progressively more restrictive weight limits will need to be imposed on the route in order to ensure the safety of the travelling public. This would have a detrimental impact on the large number of vehicles that use the route including the bus services and commercial traffic. The total cost of repairs and strengthening of all these four Causeway bridges and the associated road surfacing works are estimated to be approximately £20 million. Hampshire County Council (HCC) has committed £2 million for the immediate works, and are disappointed that previous DfT bids have been unsuccessful. HCC continue to explore funding opportunities for the remainder of the works.

 

Inspections and structural investigations have identified Redbridge Viaduct as the bridge which is in need of early attention. Prior to carrying out repairs needed to the reinforced concrete supports, leaks through the bridge expansion joints need to be stopped. Replacement of these joints is Phase 1.

 

In order to ensure the safety of the traveling public and our operatives on site, as well as the quality of the work, the westbound carriageway will need to be closed at weekends. The closure dates and times for Phase 1 are listed below.

 

A35 WESTBOUND closed:

 

·    From 8pm on Saturday 4 November 2017 until 5am on Monday 6 November 2017

·    From 8pm on Saturday 11 November 2017 until 5am on Monday 13 November 2017

·    From 8pm on Saturday 3 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 5 February 2018

·    From 8pm on Saturday 10 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 12 February 2018

·    From 8pm on Saturday 17 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 19 February 2018

·    From 8pm on Saturday 24 February 2018 until 5am on Monday 26 February 2018

·    From 8pm on Saturday 3 March 2018 until 5am on Monday 5 March 2018

 

The nature of the works makes them highly weather dependant and a decision whether to go ahead with the works will be made on the Wednesday preceding each of the dates. If poor weather is forecast then no work will be possible and we will not close the road unnecessarily; this news will be published on the electronic signs near the site, as well as Hampshire County Council’s webpage and social media channels.

 

For vehicular traffic, a signed diversion route will be provided during the closure periods, and access for pedestrians/cyclists will be maintained.

Bus companies have been informed, and the affected services will be rerouted via the motorway diversion route.

 

A35 Eastbound

 

Phase 2, in 2018, will be the resurfacing of the Eastbound carriageway and will not involve any daytime full road closures. Further information will be released when available.

 

For the local businesses, we intend to drop letters informing about the work in advance.

Further information about the project will go live on Monday and can be found at https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/a35essentialworks .

 

PHOTOS: Southampton Labour Fail on Tower Block Safety

Is Council keeping Canberra Towers clean?

Southampton Independents has listened to residents concerns on fire safety. Their concerns increased after the fire at Redbridge Towers in April 2017.

We haven't forgotten. But it seems that the Labour-run Council and Southampton Labour councillors have forgotten residents of tower blocks.

The photo above was taken on Friday 13th October 2017 by Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope when he visited to check that the Council was doing its job. He listened to complaints by residents and acted for them.

The photo is a room apparently used for cleaning the communal areas of Canberra Towers, a Southampton City Council tower block in Weston, Southampton. We think it is disgusting. It shows the Council doesn't care about tower block residents.

Do you agree?

Below, we have more photos taken by Councillor Pope and Denise Wyatt, Leader of Southampton Independents. They also heard from residents of more of their concerns over fire safety.

The photos below show how Southampton Labour has failed to protect the safety and the health of residents of Southampton's tower blocks.

Southampton Labour is supposed to be "in charge" of Southampton City Council.

This is just ONE block of the Council's TWENTY blocks. We have evidence that the state of other Council tower blocks is just as bad.

Residents have raised these concerns over years, just like the residents of Grenfell Tower did with the Grenfell Action Group did. But the Council there didn't act either.

And the Labour-run Southampton Council hasn't acted.

Southampton residents deserve better. We don't think Labour cares and neither do the Tories. They only care about themselves and their political parties.

Do you agree?

Are there issues in your block that need fixing but the Council haven't fixed them?

Contact us at the details on this website. We want to hear from you.

And don't forget to VOTE LABOUR COUNCILLORS OUT IN MAY 2018. Councillors like the ones in the last photo below - the Labour councillors who are supposed to work for Woolston and Weston.

Do you agree that Labour councillors are more shirkers than workers?

Fire Door Failing to Close Properly

Exposed Cables and Wiring

UNLOCKED Fire Door to Electrics and Dangerous Voltages

Cabling Loose and Going Through a Door Frame

Cabling Through a Door Frame (other side)

Sticky Tape around a Tile for a Detector

Hang your heads in shame, Labour councillors Blatchford, Payne and Hammond... Councillor Payne is supposed to be "in charge" of Council Housing. We can't repeat what residents told us they think of him, because some people might be offended. You can imagine what they said, can't you? They saw how badly he answered questions on the BBC recently.

VOTE SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS in May 2018 to remove Labour councillors like Councillor Warwick Payne.

Front page of the Echo after April's Redbridge Towers Fire

FIRE SAFETY FAULTS - Southampton Labour Council's Sticky Tape for Fire Safety

Detector and Duct Tape

We have listened to residents of tower blocks across Southampton.

Residents are very worried about the failings of Southampton City Council to provide adequate safety against fire. 

There are THOUSANDS of people who live in the City Council's tower blocks. As shown in fire safety reports, in just ONE block there can be 300-400 people.

We listened to residents' worries after the Redbridge Towers fire back in April 2017.

We listened to the reports on fire safety that residents had given to Southampton City Council, which alarmingly had not been acted upon by the Labour-run Council for YEARS. When the Tories had run the Council, they were no better.

Since the Grenfell Tower disaster, residents have understandably become even more concerned about the failures of the Council to protect them by improving fire safety.

Southampton Independents has repeatedly asked the Council to address residents' concerns IMMEDIATELY. Yet the Council has dithered, or not acted at all.

We have asked why the Council has neglected safety for years. We don't yet have the answers, or enough action. The photo above, taken on Friday 13th October 2017, shows how pathetic the Southampton Labour Council is. A fire detector and tile held on with sticky tape. We have plenty more evidence of Labour's failures.

As shown on this website, Southampton Independents won its campaign for the Council to commit to installing sprinklers in ALL tower blocks. And as shown on this website, the Labour Councillor responsible for Housing, Councillor Warwick Payne, did not want to do it. It was our campaign, working with residents, that made him and the Labour Council change their minds.

We have been repeatedly informing the media about the failures of the Council. Why? Because the Council wasn't listening. And the Council wasn't acting to protect residents.

We are pleased that the BBC, ITV, the Daily Echo and Wave 105 have all reported on the failings of the Council to install sprinklers for seven years after the Shirley Towers tragedy and to take action to protect residents.

We thank all of our media colleagues for helping us to expose and put pressure on the Council.

And we thank residents across Southampton for telling us about the continuing failures of the Labour-run Council to protect them.

Southampton Independents has listened.

Southampton Independents has acted.

Please see our related article for some of the latest evidence we have gathered.

It shows that Labour Councillor for Housing, Cabinet member Warwick Payne and the Labour Leader of the Council Councillor Simon Letts, who is ultimately responsible for Property and the performance of Cabinet members, have continued to put lives at risk DESPITE all of the warnings and complaints.

They both should resign in shame.

And if they do not resign as councillors, we ask Southampton residents to VOTE LABOUR OUT IN MAY 2018 at the City Council elections. Labour only has a majority of two seats of 48.

And don't forget, the Tories were rubbish at running the Council before Labour got in.

Vote for Southampton Independents candidates at the May 2018 local elections.

Southampton Independents stand up for action, not words.

UPDATED: Southampton Labour Councillors Under Investigation

Southampton Labour's Wilting Rose

UPDATE (7th October 2017):

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope has submitted a formal complaint on Labour Councillor for Millbrook Mike Denness. 

A similar and related complaint was raised by Conservative Councillor Jeremy Moulton. The Independent Person investigating as an external investigator has been appointed.

We have substantial evidence going back to 2014 which supports Councillor Pope's complaint and the allegations made. Residents support our complaint, because they are very unhappy with Councillor Denness' conduct.

Councillor Pope also attended the Council's Planning and Rights of Way Panel on Tuesday, representing Redbridge residents against the Test Lane development. Neither of the two Labour councillors for Redbridge, McEwing and Whitbread, attended to stand up for Redbridge residents.

Despite attempts by Councillor Denness and the Legal Officer present to prevent him from speaking up, Andrew spoke up to say that because of the investigation into Councillor Denness, that Councillor Denness should not be chairing the Planning meeting. Andrew suggested that Labour and Tory councillors should propose a vote of no confidence in Councillor Denness. Sadly, they failed to do so.

Councillor Denness presided as Chair over the entire meeting, including the McDonald's at Woolston and the Test Lane development, which was not refused AGAIN for a FIFTH time.

Incredibly, two Cabinet members spoke on the McDonald's development without declaring an interest, since they had been involved in the Cabinet on the sale of the land at McDonald's. The Cabinet APPROVED THE SALE OF THE LAND.

Southampton Independents think that Labour councillors Warwick Payne and Councillor Christopher Hammond should be more open and transparent about their previous dealings with McDonald's. Do you agree with us?

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt also spoke at the meeting against the Test Lane development. Denise urged the Labour and Tory councillors sitting on the PROW Panel that Councillor Denness be removed as Chair. As noted above, they refused to do so.

Denise has also asked for her Formal Complaint into the Leader of the Council, Labour Councillor Simon Letts, to be re-opened in the light of the complaints into Councillor Denness, who was relied upon to defend Councillor Letts.

Southampton Independents also understands that residents are considering submitting formal complaints into Councillor Denness.

Southampton Independents listens to residents. We take action for residents.

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BBC Radio Solent political reporter Hannah Bewley's Twitter feed said on Wednesday 20th September 2017 that Southampton Labour* Councillor for Millbrook Mike Denness is under investigation by Southampton City Council.

Mike Denness

He asked residents at a meeting about plans for Shirley store to send responses to his company freepost address.

— Hannah Bewley (@HannahBewley) September 20, 2017

The company's website shows the following information about Mike Denness, mentioning his councillor role:

"Mike brings a wealth of experience to Local Dialogue, furthered by his role as a local Councillor and Chair of a Planning Committee on the south coast."

Attempts by Conservative opposition councillor Jeremy Moulton to ask questions of Councillor Denness at yesterday's Full Council meeting of all councillors were stopped by the Mayor of the Council who chaired the meeting. The Mayor gave the reason given by the Council's Monitoring Officer Richard Ivory that an investigation was being conducted.

Councillor Moulton raised the complaint about Mike Denness.

Southampton Independents Councillor for Redbridge Andrew Pope said today, Thursday 21st September:

Councillor Andrew Pope

"I am not surprised that Mike Denness is under investigation. 

I raised concerns about Councillor Denness and conflicts of interest in Full Council in 2015, having previously taken those concerns to the Labour Group Whip Councillor John Noon and Labour Group Leader Councillor Simon Letts in 2014.  

I also raised concerns with the same Monitoring Officer (the Council's officer Richard Ivory) in 2015 and at a Planning Meeting chaired by Mike Denness.

Action was taken in 2014, but it didn't go far enough. And no action was taken when I raised those concerns repeatedly in 2015. 

Many residents have remarked to me that they believe it is wrong for a Chair of a Planning Committee to preside over decisions that could involve developers and organisations that Councillor Denness may know from his business contacts. 

This was especially the case in the highly controversial Test Lane development, which Southampton Independents fiercely resisted with local residents. 

The Labour Council and Labour-controlled Planning Committee that Councillor Denness chaired sold the land and gave planning permission on it. They ignored the concerns of Redbridge residents.

I understand from the Lidl public meeting that Councillor Denness used his business contact details for his councillor role. 

And I understand from local media contacts that Councillor Letts has already admonished Councillor Denness. 

Yet Councillor Letts sought to defend Councillor Denness in yesterday's Full Council meeting when questions were attempted to be asked. It seemed that the entire Labour Group of councillors wished to defend Councillor Denness too. 

They must be under pressure. I've seen this pressure put on councillors before, under former Councillor Williams** when I was a Labour Councillor. I resigned from Labour in 2015 and became an Independent because of the way Labour operates in Southampton.

It is right that Councillor Denness is under investigation.

When the Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt asked for Councillor Letts to be investigated by the same Monitoring Officer, Councillor Denness was heavily depended upon for Councillor Letts' defence.

Denise Wyatt will be asking for Councillor Letts' investigation to be re-opened in the light of the current investigation into Councillor Denness."

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Notes:

*Prior to joining Labour, Councillor Denness was a former long-term member of the Conservative Party and former agent for Basingstoke Conservative MP Maria Miller.

** These investigations into Labour councillors come four years after former Labour Leader of Southampton City Council Richard Williams resigned as Leader and as a councillor in 2013 following a lengthy investigation, and comments in the Daily Echo newspaper from his Deputy Leader Councillor Jacqui Rayment that "he probably wants to rule the world".

Councillor Rayment was cited in the same investigation as former Councillor Williams, but she did not resign.

Councillor Letts became the Leader after Richard Williams resigned, following a temporary appointment of Councillor Rayment as Leader.

Sign the Petition to Government: Sprinklers in ALL Tower Blocks

Redbridge Towers Fire Damage

Daily Echo Front Page

Since the fire at Redbridge Towers in April 2017, Southampton Independents have been campaigning for sprinklers to be compulsory. We listened to residents and acted for them, getting the issue on the front page of the Daily Echo and putting pressure on the Council.

Our campaign to protect tower block residents has forced Southampton City Council to commit publicly to put sprinklers in ALL Council tower blocks. The Labour-run Council didn't want to do it. But pressure from us and residents made them change.

Denise Wyatt

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt says:

"As we have said repeatedly before on our website and in the media, and proved by our actions, we will hold the Council to account until all sprinklers have actually been installed. 

The Labour-run Council is still delaying and dithering actually doing what they promised."

Sadly, it isn't the law that sprinklers have to be installed in all tower blocks - only for new ones.

On this website, and via our social media, we supported a petition created by Southampton resident Tracy Cutler earlier this year, which rightly achieved a lot of signatures after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Sadly that petition did not directly lobby the Government and has not resulted in a change to the law. The Tory Government, like the Labour Council, is dithering and delaying. The enquiry into Grenfell has only just started, months after the tragedy.

Action is needed NOW.

So we have created a new petition on the Government petition website.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope says:

Councillor Andrew Pope

"We want to force the Government to change the law to make sprinklers compulsory in all tower blocks, new or old.

Do you?

The petition is here.

Join the other concerned people who have signed it already. 

Please sign. 

And please get your friends and family to sign it too."

Southampton's Labour Council STILL Failing On Fire Safety

Fire damage at Redbridge Towers

Since the fire at Redbridge Towers in April 2017, Southampton Independents have been campaigning for better fire safety in Southampton City Council's tower blocks.

As shown on this website, Southampton Independents successfully pressured the Council into agreeing to install sprinklers in all Council tower blocks.

As shown on this website, Labour's Housing Cabinet Member Councillor Payne said residents didn't want sprinklers and the Council couldn't afford sprinklers.

And as shown on this website, Southampton Independents have conducted our own assessments of fire safety in Southampton's tower blocks.

We have our own photos of fire risks in tower blocks across the City. And we have found the Council have failed to sufficiently protect tower block residents.

The Council also has photos of fire risks that they have failed to prevent, in the Fire Risk Assessments of tower blocks.

In the public interest, we have provided one of the 3SFire assessments to the media.

The Fire Risk Assessment shows the very serious failings in fire safety, including a failure of the compartmentation that is a key feature of tower block fire safety.

And you can see that it appears that records of fire safety are not up-to-date, despite the Council telling residents on its website that annual reviews are conducted of the "Category A" buildings like tower blocks.

The evidence from the Fire Risk Assessments by 3SFire appears to show that this Council's fire safety is a mess.

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope says:

Councillor Andrew Pope and Redbridge Towers

"This is just one tower block. There are twenty owned by the Council. Residents are being put at risk by the failings of the Labour-run City Council. 

Residents told the Daily Echo back in April that they want to be kept safe. 

The Council must address all fire risks immediately."

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!

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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

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

Labour Council: The Filth and the Fury

Since the Labour Council and Labour councillors voted for cuts to bin collections in February 2017, they have created filth across our City.

Hands up who is guilty of voting to put up your Council Tax and cutting bin collections?

The Labour Group of Councillors

They are.

Angry residents have contacted us with fury about the state of Southampton since Labour introduced fortnightly bin collections - residents didn't want it but Labour voted it through anyway.

Here are some examples of the filth that has led to residents' fury...

Overflowing bins

More overflowing bins

And more overflowing bins

Leader of Southampton Independents, Denise Wyatt, says:

Denise Wyatt

"Let's not forget.

Labour repeatedly told Southampton residents that they would 'keep weekly bin collections'.

So Labour have broken another promise.

Labour pretends that they care about Southampton residents. But they are no better than the Tories, who also failed to collect our bins during the bin strikes."

Council staff are complaining about the state of Southampton to Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope. They say they do not have the staff to get the job done.

And now the Labour-run Southampton City Council faces the threat of bin strikes too.

Councillor Pope says:

Councillor Andrew Pope

"I've been told by bin men that they are considering following the lead of the bin men in Labour-run Birmingham City Council and going out on strike. 

Information about Birmingham has been doing the rounds amongst Southampton's bin men.

Recruitment is proving difficult.

Retaining bin men is proving difficult.

And bin men have told me that agency workers now make up around a third of the bin men.

Bin men are unhappy with being undermined by agency workers, with their pay and their hours.

Bin men are unhappy with the health and safety issues caused by Labour councillors moving to fortnightly bin collections.

And if they do go on strike, that would mean Southampton residents get an even worse service than they are getting now - if that is possible. 

The Labour Council needs to stop them from going on strike by dealing with their complaints.

If they do strike, Southampton will face more filth and more fury - not just from residents but from Council staff too.

I will be making enquiries with the Labour-run Council and speaking with more residents and more Council staff.

I have signed the petition asking for the cuts to bins to be reversed.

It's time for change on Southampton City Council. 

In the Council elections next year, VOTE LABOUR OUT in May 2018 and Vote Southampton Independents in!"