Don't let your family/friends lose their vote

Hopefully anyone who bothers to read my blog has also remembered to return their electoral registration form.  However if you haven't - get it in!  But it's also a good idea to talk to friends and neighbours to remind them to return it.  Next year there are local elections in Reading and - assuming the government gets it's act together sufficiently to organise it - there will be elections for police commissioners, in November.

The council's press release is below:
"The annual electoral registration audit began last month (19th August) with electoral registration forms being sent out to all households.

This costs the Council money. Reading Borough Council is therefore urging people to make sure the registration forms are filled in and returned as soon as possible in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Every time a household does not send back their registration form, the Council is obliged to chase households for a response. The Council's door-to-door canvassers have now started to knock on the doors of the households that have not yet responded.

If you are not on the electoral register, it means you will not be able to vote in next year's local elections and therefore not have a say on who runs your local services. Also you will not be able to vote in the proposed Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Registration forms are in large (A5) white envelopes. It is easy to register. You can complete, sign and return the form in the enclosed pre-paid envelope. If there are no changes to your family details you can confirm this by phone, SMS text, or internet, as explained on the registration form.

Some residents do not think they have to register if their details are the same as previous years. However the register has to be updated annually by law and householders have a legal obligation to complete the form every year. If you have 'rising voters' - young people aged 16 or 17 - living at your address then you should ensure that you add their names to the register so that they can vote when they are 18.

Credit companies also use the electoral register to check for residence, and if residents are not on the register they may experience difficulties in getting credit. Registering for other services or paying Council Tax does not register you to vote.

The annual electoral registration audit in Reading will run for 14 weeks, until 21 November 2011. The Council encourages all households to respond as soon as possible. Please help your Council to save your money by doing so. If no response is received, canvassers will knock on doors for 9 weeks from 16th September 2011 until 21st November 2011.

The Council reminds all Borough residents that they have a legal duty to complete and return the electoral registration forms that are being sent to their homes."

We need to talk about HMOs in Reading #rdg

We are running a consultation on HMOs in Reading and are doing this through a series of focus groups in the wards with the highest number of HMOs.  We're keen to hear from residents of HMOs, landlords and other local residents:


10th October: United Reform Church, Palmer Park Avenue (Park Ward) 4:00pm – 7:15pm

13th October: St Joseph's College Annexe (Redlands Ward) 4:00 pm – 7:15pm

17th October: New Christ Church School, Milman Road (Katesgrove Ward) - 4:00pm – 7:15pm

If you can't make it to one of these events please get in touch with me and to share your views about what the future for HMOs in Reading is.  We believe that demand for HMOs is likely to increase in the next few years in large part due to government policies but also demographics, so it's important we get this right and make sure it works for residents

"Reading Borough Council wants to engage with local residents from neighbourhoods with high levels of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through a series of events inviting feedback.

A combination of student accommodation and other individuals sharing properties make parts of Reading a hotspot for HMOs. HMOs can be seen as bringing with them issues such as pressures on parking spaces, bin storage, and increased noise levels.

HMOs are particularly prevalent in the town's terraced streets and the area around the University of Reading tends to have the higher concentrations of HMOs in the town.

Planning legislation relating to small HMOs (broadly speaking those between 3-6 occupants) changed last year. These changes mean that the Local Planning Authority has the ability, where a case can be made, to require a planning application be submitted for future small HMOs

Reading Borough Council is looking for local views and opinions on HMOs to help inform the decision over whether any future small HMOs should require planning permission. To do this the Council is holding three exhibitions and drop in events around the University area of the borough. They are:

10th October: United Reform Church, Palmer Park Avenue (Park Ward) 4:00pm – 7:15pm

13th October: St Joseph's College Annexe (Redlands Ward) 4:00 pm – 7:15pm

17th October: New Christ Church School, Milman Road (Katesgrove Ward) - 4:00pm – 7:15pm

Tony Page, Reading's Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: 'The Council is committed to using all available planning, environmental and housing powers to ensure that HMO's are of a proper standard and do not adversely impact on their locality. Now is the chance for residents to contribute their views and I urge them to do so on what are important issues in many areas of Reading.'

Rachel Eden, Reading's Lead Councillor for Housing and Neighbourhoods, said: "More than a quarter of households in Reading live in the private rented sector including approximately 6% in HMOs. This consultation is an important part of what we are doing as a Council to help ensure that private rented accommodation in Reading works better for residents".

Following the introduction of new laws, a petition consisting of over 220 signatures was presented to the Cabinet meeting in January 2011. The petition stated: 'We, the undersigned, call upon Reading Borough Council to use its powers to require all new house conversions to HMO's to apply for planning permission.'"

A16 year-old's view on what the Tories mean for young people

I'm not at #lab11 but this speech from a 16 year old shows what the Tory government is doing to a generation of young people more powerfully than I've seen elsewhere

Ken Livingstone has set out a transport policy that will have benefit for all of us in Reading who visit the capital:  (this great video was made by local film maker and Labour activist Duncan Bruce!)

Exciting times for Reading Art #rdg

I've just seen hot off the press the programme for this year's Whitley Art's Festival.  Very exciting and something that puts Whitley and Reading on the national map for art.   Really looking forward to the choral work that's this year's major commission (they've just started following me on twitter but I'm not just sucking up, honest!) and to the 'Whitley Arts Trail'.

I've also been asked by my excellent fellow councillor Sarah Hacker to advertise the resurrected Art's forum.  Those involved in the Art scene in Reading will know that the Arts forum (along with quite a number of other consultative groups) was unceremoniously dumped during the, breif, tenure of the Conservative-led administration.  Well not wanting to go back to the same old stuff for the sake of it Sarah and Marian Livingstone have been meeting with the arts community and the message we got loud and clear was 'we want to talk'.  So the art's forum is being relaunched but with an increased emphasis that it is lead by the artistic community with the council very much as a facilitator:

'The Arts Forum was resurrected this year by the current Labour administration. There was a very positive and productive first meeting on 13 September. It was decided the forum will have a relaxed agenda going forward with talks, meetings held in various venues and a chance to share events and information within the arts community of Reading.  The style of the forum was decided by those attending from the arts community.  The Arts Forum was, and is, valued by the arts and those present were pleased to see it restarted.

Please get in touch if you would like to be put on the mailing list or if you would like to attend the next forum, pencilled in for January.

Email sarah.hacker@reading.gov.uk'

Finally as has been reported in the local press as part of Tesco's plans for a distribution centre they have agreed to put £75,000 towards art 'in the vicinity' of their distribution centre.  Those who know more about planning than me tell me this means in the ward of Whitley.  I'm really hopeful that we can get something really good for the Whitley community that comes from ideas and work that local residents want not something that is imposed, so I'll be working hard behind the scenes to ensure that happens.  Maybe it will even be able to be linked to the Whitley Art's Festival in some way, who knows.

Democracy in action

A Whitley resident sent me this link.  It's increadibly depressing that independent experts are predicting 10 million people will 'fall off' the electoral register as a result of changes proposed by ministers. 

I'm hoping that decent members of parliament from all parties will get this amended.  I know how hard councils like Reading's work to ensure that all our residents are registered to vote.  That's partially so that they can choose to vote when the time comes and all the other reasons that are listed in the article.  However it's also really helpful for the council to plan services and see how the population of wards are changing and gives us a more up to date snapshot that the census. 

If voter registration was voluntary, there was no reminder to register to vote and registration becomes individual it's not surprising that pollsters predict it would be the young, ethnic minorities and the poor who would be disproportionately affected.  The fact that even Conservative members of the select committee expressed 'surprise' at the proposals shows this is just another example of the government playing fast and loose with the future of our country.  It's all very well making it up as you go along when you are a PR man but when you are running the country it's down right disgraceful.

Women's 'issues' - lets ask a 'group of no 10 women' what they are...

Not being a Guardian reader I didn't see this leaked report yesterday but honestly, wow!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2011/sep/13/leaked-memo-women-coalition-government

Some of the ideas in there are good, even if they are u-turns (like revisiting failure to criminalise forced marriage) but other bits are frankly ludicrous as serious policy to remove the disproportionate effect that this government has had on women ("Give universal credit to women as the default" - "probably largely symbolic").

What worries me in particular is the methodology they've used to generate these policy proposals "the group of cabinet office and number 10 women we assembled".  They do acknowledge that this wasn't a statistically valid sample but honestly, if the government is serious about a change of tack to consider the needs of women it might be a good idea to ask some who don't work in Westminster in the heart of the government.

I know that this is only one memo but it smacks of a government making it up as they go along.  A government that claims to be 'the most family friendly ever' (as well as the 'greenest government ever', remember that?) ought to be thinking more seriously about family issues and if they are serious about issues that affect women they could do more than talk about communication and tone.

One policy idea I'm willing to throw in for free is to reconsider the unfair and sudden hit that women between born in 1953 and 1954 will take to their pensions.  They are a group who don't have big pension pots generally - having often have or had caring responsibilities and they are not being given time to adjust their plans.   Of course the document gives doesn't even mention this, which if you are a woman born in those years has got to be a slap in the face:  
 
"In addition, we are clear that there are a range of policies we have pursued

as a Government which are seen as having hit women, or their interests,
disproportionately, including:
1 Public sector pay and pensions (particularly as contrasted with -
mostly male - bankers, in the popular narrative)
0 Tuition fees
Abolition of Child Trust Funds
Changes to child tax credit and the childcare element
0 Changes to child benefit
0 Rising cost of living
0 Lone patent obligations"

All that and more.

"Let's talk" - #rdg council wants your help

Labour in Reading is serious about working better with residents across the community to improve services and to deal with the unfair hand that the national government has dealt us.  The survey's we're already sending out are part of that but while that's a great idea for getting a spread of opinion it doesn't get the same depth of face to face interaction that a workshop does.  So the next stage is those workshops.  We want all party involvement on this and councillors of all stripes are invited to the relevant event but this won't be a 'political' meeting - it is about listening to what residents what to say about ways the council can change and the community can work together to deal with the situation that Reading is facing.

If you are interested you can sign up here or drop me a line to find out more.  It's open to all residents.

Let's Talk' in Your Area

12/09/2011
Reading Borough Council Press Release

A series of consultation workshops spread across the borough begins later this month and marks the next stage in Reading Borough Council's on-going 'We Need To Talk' campaign.

Residents are being invited to attend one of the events which involve informal, small group activities, designed to tease-out the things that matter most to people in their own communities, the council services that are most valued, and how local people can work with each other and the council to improve the places in which they live.

With public spending being reduced there are difficult budget decisions to be taken over the next few years. It is therefore more important than ever to listen to people's views on how the Council should spend their money.

Feedback from the events will be added to the views that hundreds of residents have already provided via the on-going Council leaflet and website campaign. These will be analysed to identify common themes and the results will be used to help shape council spending decisions that will need to be made over the coming months.

The consultation events have been arranged to ensure everyone in the borough can have easy access to them, with a choice of day-time or evening events in each of the borough's 16 wards. All residents need to do is to register their interest in the event which suits them best, either by telephoning 0118 937 3783 or on-line at www.reading.gov.uk/letstalkevents, and then turn up on the day to make their views count.

Jon Hartley, Reading's Lead Councillor for Service Delivery and Improvement, said: 'These events will play an important part in helping us to gather as many views as possible. We always said we didn't just want this to be a box ticking exercise - this is a new way of engaging with residents and I'd ask as many people as possible to try and find the time to attend.'

Bet Tickner, Lead Councillor at Reading for Public Engagement and Health, said: 'We hope that by attending an event we will be able to help residents focus on which services are important in the local communities and how they can be better delivered.'

The full timetable of events is:

Central
• 27 September from 12.00-2.00pm at Katesgrove Children's Centre, Waterloo Meadows, Elgar Road, RG2 0BN
• 27 September from 7.00-9.00pm at Christchurch Centre, Milman Road, RG2 0AY
• 29 September from 7.00-9.00pm at Battle Library, 420 Oxford Road, RG30 1EE
• 29 September from 1.00-3.00pm at Coley Park Baptist Church, Wensley Road, RG1 6DU
• 30 September from 1.00-3.00pm at Battle Library, 420 Oxford Road, RG30 1EE
• 3 October from 7.00-9.00pm at All Saints Hall, Downshire Square, RG1 6NN
• 4 October from 1.00-3.00pm in the Kennet Room, Civic Offices, RG1 7AE
• 4 October from 7.00-9.00pm at Wesley Church Hall, Queens Road, RG1 7BW

North
• 4 October from 12.00-2.00pm at Mapledurham Pavilion, 129 Upper Woodcote Road, RG4 7EZ
• 5 October from 1.00-3.00pm & 7.00-9.00pm Milestone Centre, Northbrook Road, Caversham Park Village, RG4 6QH
• 6 October from 7.00-9.00pm Caversham Primary School, Hemdean Road, Caversham, RG4 7RA
• 6 October from 1.00-3.00pm at Caversham Hall, St Johns Road, Caversham, RG4 8BD
• 6 October from 7.00-9.00pm at Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road, Caversham, RG4 8BS

South
• 30 September from 1.00-3.00pm at New Directions, 330 Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, RG2 8DH
• 3 October from 1.00-3.00pm & 7.00-9.00pm at the Scout & Guide HQ, 163 Northcourt Avenue, RG2 7HG
• 6 October from 7.00-9.00pm at Whitley Wood Community Centre, Swallowfield Drive, RG2 8UT

East
• 29 September from 12.30-2.30pm & 7.00-9.00pm at Hamilton Road Children's' Centre, 135 Bulmershe Road, RG1 5SG
• 29 September from 1.00-3.00pm & 7.00–9.00pm at Cintra Park Pavilion, Cintra Avenue, RG2 7AU

West
• 28 September from 1.00-3.00pm at St Mary Magdalen Church Hall, LyndhurstRoad, Tilehurst, RG30 6UB
• 28 September from 7.00-9.00pm at Norcot Community Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Tilehurst, RG30 6UB
• 30 September from 1.00-3.00pm & 7.00-9.00pm at St Matthew Church Hall, Southcote Lane, RG30 6AX
• 4 October from 7.00-9.00pm at St Michael's Parish Centre, Routh Lane Tilehurst, RG30 4JX
• 5 October from 1.00-3.00pm at St Michael's Parish Centre, Routh Lane, Tilehurst, RG30 4JX
• 5 October from 1.00-3.00pm at Dee Park Advice Shop, Lyon Square, RG30 4DD
• 5 October from 7.00-9.00pm at Wilson Primary School, Wilson Road, RG30 2RW

In July this year Reading Borough Council launched a new way of working with local people. This is the beginning of a new relationship between the council and residents, which will give people a real and on-going say in how their local communities are run and how the Council delivers services to them. 'We Need To Talk' is the start of that process.

Consultation leaflets distributed across libraries, leisure centres and other community spaces across the town and already hundreds of residents have come forward with their views.

Go to www.reading.gov.uk/weneedtotalk for more and to register your details.

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 of disabled children and young people who were using their bus passes to get to school who were then entitled to free transport at far greater cost to the council.   


From 19th September free travel for disabled residents before 9.30 is being reinstated making it easier for disabled residents to get to school, hospital appointments or work.
This reinstatement has been paid for by the higher income that the council is making from bus lane enforcement.   


I'm proud to be part of an administration that will do everything it can to protect residents who need it most from the impact of the Tory-cuts.  We won't be able to do everything or to keep the status quo but we know whose side we are on, and it's not Eric Pickles.


Council press release is below:


"Free unrestricted bus travel for disabled residents and their carers will be fully reinstated later this month.

Over the next few days Reading Borough Council will be writing to the estimated 5,000 disabled residents and carers in the borough to confirm that from Monday September 19 Access Passes and Companion Passes will once again become valid for free bus travel in Reading at anytime of the day or night, seven days a week.

Reading's generous concessionary scheme had been scrapped from April 1st this year, but was reinstated following a change in Administration at Reading Borough Council in May.

Tony Page, Reading's Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: 'This delivers on an early commitment from the new Administration and re-instates the cut which was a part of the budget we inherited. It will be welcome news to the many disabled who are obliged for reasons such as doctors and hospital appointments to travel before 9.30am.'

Disabled residents and carers are asked to note that free bus travel at anytime will apply only to boarding buses within Reading Borough. Free travel upon boarding buses outside Reading Borough will remain available off peak only – that is 09.30 to 22.59 Monday - Friday and anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays - and is subject to the rules of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme. In some other council areas Companion Passes – which are used by carers to accompany disabled residents - are not accepted at all.

Letters being sent to residents this week will include the new passes which will become operational on Monday September 19. As of that date old passes will no longer work.

Disabled residents and their carers who have any questions or require further information can phone Stephen Wise at Reading Borough Council on 0118 9373948 or stephen.wise@reading.gov.uk"

Cake judging - as fun as it sounds

 Cake judging in Southcote, #rdg on Saturday, had the added bonus of tasting the entries.  The winning entry was based on a war time recipe and was delicious.  Here are John Ennis and I after awarding first prize:

Council press release:


A community fun day, organised by the Council, together with local residents, took place in Granville Road, Southcote, on Saturday.

The Council's housing services team organised the day with help from residents to bring the local community together and also promote the range of housing services available to tenants and leaseholders.

The event featured a mini farm, giant Jenga, bouncy castle, face-painting and refreshments. There was also a cake competition which was won by Sylvia Wylde from Granville Road who impressed the judges with her fruit cake entry.

Rachel Eden, Reading's lead councillor for housing and neighbourhoods, said: 'Saturday was a great way to bring people together and we all had a great time. I was really impressed with the standard of cakes and found it difficult to pick a winner. There was also a practical side as housing officers were available throughout the afternoon to answer tenants' questions and offer useful information. Congratulations to the tenants and Council staff who worked together to organise it.'

3rd September events

There are 3 events* tomorrow in Reading where Labour will be well represented - hopefully I'll be at two out of three...

Obviously there is Reading Pride, one of the highlights of the Reading year for me.  Our stall is being organised by Richard Wood and will be part of the fun atmosphere, but with a political message too. (Picture of last year's stall left)

Labour are also holding a street stall on Broad Street to highlight the threat to the NHS from the dangerous changes that the Tory-led government are planning.

And Southcote's Labour councillors will be at the Granville Road fun day, organised jointly by tenants and housing staff from the council.  I will be there too, as I've been asked to judge the cake competition.  Yes, that's right.  I'm going to be eating cake.  This is apparently now part of my duty as a council cabinet member.

But seriously, if you wanted to know what Labour stands for in Reading, what Labour members and councillors are doing tomorrow would be a pretty good guide.  Not the cake part obviously...

*I'm not including the various ward surgeries of course.