Article 4 direction set to be confirmed in #rdg – ensuring new HMOs are of benefit to the area

Council press release:Residents in Katesgrove, Park and Redlands Wards are set to benefit from the introduction of new controls which will see landlords having to apply for planning permission if they want to convert their property into a small house of multiple occupation (HMO).Known as an Article 4 Direction, the …

Guest blog: Leader of #rdg council on council tax benefit abolition

Letter to local press: Dear Sir, I see  that Tory Councillor David Stevens is indignant about the Council’s consultation on the abolition of Council Tax Benefit, claiming that “To say, as Reading Borough Council are, that the government is  ‘abolishing’ Council Tax Benefit is at best a misrepresentation of what …

Working together to make Reading town centre a safer place for all

Council press reelease:An innovative scheme aimed at providing reassurance to people with disabilities has been handed a Promoting Community Safety Award by Association of Business Crime Partnerships (ABCP).Reading Business Against Crime (RBAC) is a partnership between town centre shops, Reading Borough Council and the Police and given the award was …

£20,000 fine for lettings agent – 3rd rogue prosecuted this year in #rdg

In Reading as I’ve blogged many times before we are committed to doing all we can to improve the private rented sector including ensuring a level playing field for good landlords. Extract from council press release below: Tenants had to live in overcrowded conditions with blocked toilets, exposed electrical wires …

Good news for #rdg – £20.7 million for affordable transport

This money is tied very specifically to sustainable transport so won’t affect our general, very difficult, budget decisions, but it can be used to push forward Reading’s partnership with residents, neighbouring authorities, the NHS and business to encourage sustainable travel.  This will be good news for cyclists and pedestrians especially those needing …

Latest local groups getting grant funding for Olympic or Jubilee related events from #rdg council

At a time when many sources of grant funding are drying up Reading council under Labour has remained committed to maintaining and indeed increasing our funding of voluntary groups.  The latest announcement is groups that are planning projects specifically linked to the Olympics or Jubilee celebrations.  They are:” Reading Repertory …

Free bus travel from 9am to return for #rdg pensioners – @ReadingLabour

This was a local manifesto commitment and a partial restoration of a badly thought through cut from the short-lived Conservative-led administration.  We would like to restore it at all times but we need to make sure this is affordable.  Talking to retired people the loss of the 9-9.30 period was …

Whitley councillors’ ‘thank you’ leaflet and views on local elections

We are now putting out our post-election leaflet in Whitley, our top story of course is Mike Orton’s re-election with 65% of the vote.  However we have also gone for a slightly different departure for us by analysing the result and why we think that “coalition” candidates did so badly – …

Your community – your cash: giving tenants real power to improve their neighbourhoods #ukhousing

Last year I was really proud to launch the pilot the “Your community your cash” scheme where decent neighbourhoods funding will be directly budgeted for by local residents.  I believe that the best way to ensure that money to improve neighbourhoods is spent wisely is to get local people involved. …

Housing in multiple occupancy – use of planning tools

Local residents have consistently been calling for the use of planning legislation to control HMO’s in Reading.  This is part of a wider picture as Reading’s Labour run council is determined to support good landlords, ensure decent homes for tenants and pleasant neighbourhoods for all.  You can read more about …

Tomorrow’s elections

If you are reading my blog you probably are interested in politics, so I doubt you will forget to vote.  But obviously don’t forget! It will be interesting to see what happens locally and nationally in the elections tomorrow.  I won’t make any predictions, as ultimately it’s all down to …

#rdg Children’s festival program launched!

Really looking forward to this:www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest.Organisers are getting ready to kick-off what promises to be a celebratory year to remember with a bonanza of free activities for the Reading Children’s Festival.The festival, which celebrates its 23rd year, will deliver a three-week programme full of exciting events, music, drama, sports and arts …

Reading Labour will work with ‘anyone’ to get the best for our young people

At the moment it feels like the Conservatives in Reading are taking it in turns to say silly things: whether that it’s a myth that doctors are against the NHS bill/act or that the Conservative councillors are ‘a united team’.Now the MP for Reading East has decided it’s high time …

Reading’s Labour Council installs 2,126 solar panels on public sector and community buildings

What a twisted tale this has been, but there is good news at the end of it.  It shows that ambition and vision can still pay off even in these tough times.The Labour group has been pushing this since October 2010 (when in opposition) on this and once back running the council …

Tomorrow’s cabinet – petition coming on 11-19 school for East Reading

A number of things coming to tomorrow’s cabinet including a very worrying report on the potential impact of the police and crime commissioners. However of very local concern is a petition being submitted regarding the technology based 14-19 secondary school in proposed in east Reading.  Instead petitioners want an 11 to …

New accessible housing in Hastings Close #rdg

Council press release:Disabled residents in Reading are celebrating the completion of three new accessible housing properties in Hastings Close, off Hatford Road, Southcote.A housing development site in Hastings Close, sold by Reading Borough Council to Ability Housing Association, has been developed to create three much needed disabled-adapted affordable homes.The accommodation …

#rdg Conservatives are desperately smearing Labour to distract from their problems- letter from Labour agent to Conservative agent

On 28th March I wrote of the local Conservatives: “This is a sign of a party that is focused on what happens in the council chamber and not on people’s neighbourhoods  A sign of a party out of fresh ideas.   A sign of a party that is out of …

Nominations for #rdg elections in – don’t forget to register

The nominations for elections in Reading are now all in and they will be published shortly.  Some very interesting candidates for any follower of Reading politics.   I’m proud to be supporting Mike Orton’s bid for re-election in Whitley ward.  A resident and councillor for “longer than I’ve been alive” – as …

Extraordinary performance from #rdg Conservatives at full council meeting last night

I had predicted a council meeting dominated by some key policy debates – the NHS, education and workfare. Instead I suspect this week’s local newspaper headlines will be dominated by the internal workings of the local Conservative party. The controversy about Cllr Chowdary’s deselection has received a lot of coverage …

No to forced acadamisation – and #rdg council meeting preview

Tonight’s council meeting agenda is a mix of the very administrative and the highly charged – the statement on pay policy and ratification of the recommendation of the Independent Re-numeration Panel’s recommendations probably fall into the first and motions on workfare, the NHS and education on the other. The Reading Labour party …

Children’s safeguarding and looked after children’s services #rdg OFSTED

Council press release below and full report available here.  This is a crucial area of the council’s work and we must never be complacent about it.An Ofsted inspection has found that Safeguarding and Looked After Children services in Reading are performing adequately.The report   published today on the Ofsted website …

‘Lets talk health’ – summit next week – making the changes work?

Or at least salvaging something…Assuming the Lords don’t change their tune and the government doesn’t drop the bill we will need to move to inch by inch defence of the NHS and public health at the ground level.  Reading Borough council is leading the way on this locally:A special ‘Question Time’ event …

@ReadingLabour runs joint candidates with @cooperativeparty

As a member of the Cooperative party I’m really pleased that in Reading we are making this link more high profile: Eight prospective Labour councillors in Reading and Wokingham, who are also members of the Co-operative Party are standing on a joint Labour and Co-operative Party ticket this year.The Co-operative Party has …

Labour in Reading increasing funding for short breaks for young people with disabilities

Reading Borough Council is increasing the amount of money it gives to voluntary groups who provide short breaks for children with learning difficulties and their families. Short breaks provide a vital lifeline for many parents of children with learning difficulties by allowing them some much-needed rest time, while their children …

Details of proposals to improve Housing in #rdg coming to cabinet tonight

The full reports are available here – item that are labelled agenda item 15.  However a summary is in the press release:Plans to improve Reading’s private housing sector by providing further support for tenants, house owners, landlords and local communities, will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet on 12 March. …

VIDEO: Major plans to improve private rented accommodation in #rdg

Reading’s Citizen’s Advice Bureua’s Director and I are interviewed on some major plans to improve the private rented sector in Reading.  You may notice it’s quite windy today in Reading.  I’ll blog on the details of this further but you can read the full reports here[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3fZmzvJStk]

Motion to #rdg council tonight for more support for rape abuse victims @SARCReading

At tonight’s council meeting there will be a lot on the agenda and particularly a lot to say about next year’s budget, which I will blog about tomorrow if I have time.  However I am also proposing a motion to full council supporting a SARC in Reading, a single point …

Action on sub-standard rental properties and #emptyhomes

One of my priorities this year as the council’s lead on housing and neighbourhoods has been to look at how we can improve the private rented sector in Reading.  While obviously most private rentals work well and are managed by responsible landlords there are a minority of landlords who don’t …

Tackling overcrowding through helping tenants who want to downsize

A win-win that I hope will benefit residents in both situations!Reading Borough Council will be increasing the range of voluntary incentives and support for tenants living in larger properties who are considering downsizing.Assisting tenants in this way will also enable the Council to release family size accommodation to help tackle …

#Rdg council’s Labour cabinet recommends below inflation rise in council rents

Although a decision for full council the council’s cabinet has to recommend a rent increase for council tenants.  As I outlined at the council cabinet meeting earlier this is not something that can be done easily at the moment.  Inflation is still over 5%, the government is recommending a 7.2% …

National policy change as government backs down – due to @ReadingLabour pressure

It’s not often a planning committee changes government policy.  But that’s what has just happened following Reading’s planning committee decision to ensure that all developers, schools, itself, charities, businesses are treated on a level playing field when it comes to planning. Following this decision the Reading Labour run cabinet and …

Proposals for improvements to sheltered housing in Reading

After a thorough and wide ranging consultation with tenants, potential tenants, families and other interested organisations we will be considering proposals to improve our much valued sheltered housing service further at the cabinet meeting a week on Monday (16th January).  There are 5 key proposals and together the aim is …

Management savings at #Rdg council and good news for housing and neighbourhoods

As probably many already know the council recently agreed to reorganise the senior management team.  This was to both improve service delivery and join up working and also to save money at the senior level, to help protect to the extent possible the key services that residents rely on. From …

Why study CIMA?

http://www.viddler.com/player/fea53523/I often get asked about the benefits of an accountancy qualification in my political life and conversely about why I am involved in politics in my professional life.  The Chartered Institute of Management accountants recently interviewed me and also asked me to discuss the benefits of CIMA in a recession.  I guess …

What the feed in tarriff cut means for Reading

A consultation which ends almost 2 weeks after the changes come into effect, creating massive uncertainty for a fledgeling industry and not just moving the goal posts but taking the ball away for community environmental projects for the sake of the profits of the big 6 energy companies. Insert your …

#Tories are creating homelessness so #Labour councils need to act

We know that the Tory led government policies are forecast to increase homelessness substantially, with national forecasts showing scary figures. Here in Reading we are already seeing an increase in homelessness and we are worried about what the new year will bring. As an administration the Labour group is committed …

Disabled residents – bus passes reinstated from 19th September

One of the most thoughtless of the cuts made by last year’s Tory administration was the removal of free bus travel for disabled residents pre-9.30.  In some cases this decision was actually counter productive even from a pure cost perspective.  For example a number of councillors are aware of cases …

Dee Park launches!

With members of CRAG Today was the official launch of the Dee Park show homes (although apparently they’ve already sold 3 properties!).  Below is a copy of my speech “As Reading’s lead councillor for housing and neighbourhoods it’s a real pleasure to be here today to celebrate the next step …

Priorities for Housing and Neighbourhoods and tonight’s cabinet

This evening at cabinet we approved our priorities for this year.  You can see the full document here but the priorities from my portfolio are reproduced below. I was shocked by some of the things said by opposition speakers at tonight’s meeting. In particular I found Cllr Ralph’s comments about …

Jim Hanley

Whitley councillor Jim Hanley died suddenly on Friday morning. Anyone who reads my blog is probably aware of this as it’s been all over the local blogs and getReading. It’s also why I haven’t posted anything since Thursday.  What do you say when something like this happens? Jim was a …

Full council – a serious business – everything but the grass cut

This is my personal recollection. Last night was full council and it was a meeting which included some cross party work and sensible discussion.  But it also included the first round of the budget cuts being brought for debate.  The Conservative, Cllr Stevens (he never seems to enjoy\ political disagreement, …

Cuts and coffee

Today has been a mix of highs and lows.  A low is the proposed swingeing cuts that were published by the council on Friday.  Along with Cllr Chris Maskell and Paul Gittings I met with council staff this morning (still can’t get used to calling them ‘officers’) to discuss the …

Kelly Edwards

My colleague and comrade Jim Hanley has decided to retire from the council in May following his qualification as a social worker.  I’ll be sorry to see him step back from front line politics and I know that many people in Whitley, and indeed across Reading, have reason to thank …

Speed limits and fun

I’m not really a fan of sharing adverts on blogs, but I couldn’t help think this was brilliant.  Cllr Willis can feel safe – I’ll not be submitting a question to council suggesting it!  Although it is an interesting idea…

October report –

Summary:  A busy month. some local positives overshadowed by the national news.  Council work:   Full council this month was I have to say a largely disappointing affair with a lot of bad temper and unnecessary amendments of motions for political point scoring.  I kept out of the debates that caused …

The morning after…

If Labour was running the council this post would sum up how I was feeling.  CllrTim in Bansley is agonising over horrendous decisions being foisted on him by central government cuts.  Local government is probably the hardest hit of all departments, and this is after already spending years on efficiency …

Grown up politics?

Today of all days residents in Reading will be hoping that their local representatives will be thinking and acting responsibly.   We will need to make some very hard decisions as the central Conservative and Lib-dem government have chosen to impose savage cuts on our budget – and to do it …

Feed in tarriffs

In advance of the spending review I thought I’d stick to positive stories today.  Tonight I’m proposing that Reading moves forward with installing solar panels on borough buildings.  I’m really hoping all councillors support it as it is a win-win.  I was interviewed on the radio this morning and have …

Oppostion is a dog’s life

It’s good to know that despite being an opposition councillor I can still get things done. Today’s achievement is that a new dog poo bin has been installed on Dawlish Road after I raised resident’s concerns.  It’s not much comfort though when you have to watch the administration cutting £1.5million …

Shinfield Road lights

You may be wondering why I’ve been on Andrew Peach, done a press release etc and not mentioned the lights in my blog.  There’s no cunning plan, just been too busy. If you’re interested the press release is on Whitleynews For the record my personal view is that I have …

Cycling posties – update

Regular readers of my blog (all one or two of you – hi Mum!) will remember I proposed a motion to Reading council in June that was passed unanimously (amazingly given what else went on that night…) offering support to the “Keep Posties Cycling” campaign.  Well they’re now getting somewhere, …

July councillor activities

Summary: As  I predicted in my June report July was a quieter month on the council front partially as there has been less going on and partially due to the personal circumstances that meant I have taken some time out here and there. Council work: The only committee related to …

Lots of hot air…

Full council last night was full of hot air. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by the game playing and the lack of real engagement in debate by the Conservative/Libdem groups.  I had to make a real effort to attend (thanks to the staff who brought me …

First scrutiny panel

Well I’ve attended my first scrutiny panel what a varied agenda!  It’s all publicly available if you want to see the reports that we had access to. Disappointing that the 10:10 report was shunted to the end of the meeting, but it looks like the council has been making good …

Week 3 as a councillor – new politics and business as usual

Long post but I want to keep Whitley residents informed about what I’m doing as a councillor rather than disappearing into a black hole. Started with finishing off even more paperwork over the weekend!  I am actually going to get back out and about this weekend hopefully… There was also …

Results time

I’ve been elected as Whitley ward councillor.  Some very varied results across the country. Locally of course I’m really disappointed by the General election result but surprised and pleased by the Reading borough council elections.  Net impact is Labour are still on 19, Conservatives have lost a seat while the …

Martin Salter on the snow

I’m on a Christmas break now but Martin Salter MP has asked me if I’d like to post up his comments on the recent snow…  I pretty much agree with him:  – it’s nice and simplistic to blame one group or organisation for everything that isn’t totally smooth in life …

Brrr…

I’ve been too busy to write but thought I better update on my earlier post (especially given the comment on it today!).  I still maintain it was nice on Wednesday afternoon (hard to remember it now – a few flakes that didn’t settle!) Got home from visiting some of my …