Norwich Labour City Group Manifesto 2014

Standing up for everyone in the city

NORWICH LABOUR MANIFESTO 2014

Working all year round for a safer, fairer Norwich

USE YOUR VOTES FOR LABOUR ON 22nd MAY

NORWICH LABOUR MANIFESTO 2014

Our Norwich Labour manifesto 2014NORWICH LABOUR MANIFESTO 2014


Our pledges to the people of Norwich are that if you elect Labour councillors in May 2014 we will;n Make sure more people have good homes by building new

council homes and more affordable properties for rent, while we tackle absentee landlords who rip off tenants and leave homes empty

n Boost jobs by working with our contractors to make sure they have apprenticeships and by investing in skills training

n Make Norwich a fairer place to live by working with the voluntary sector to make sure people have access to free, high quality advice, support and information

n Create safer and cleaner communities by delivering more services at a neighbourhood level, making recycling easier, reducing energy costs and investing in our parks and open spaces as well as a new improved pedal way for cyclists.

Every election is a choice. But a vote for Labour will help us to deliver the changes, support and services which will see opportunity, fairness and power in the hands of Norwich people. If you share our values of fairness, believe in the community and want good quality public services being delivered at a local level, then I urge you to not only vote Labour on Thursday 22nd May 2014 but join and help us build this future together. CLLR BRENDA ARTHUR

I am proud of what Labour has achieved in Norwich over the past 8 years. This manifesto shows how we will build on our award winning record and by continuing to put our democratic socialist values into practice, create the real changes which can make our city a better place to live for all the people of Norwich.

It demonstrates clearly how Labour councillors will ambitiously deliver more homes, new jobs, regenerate our communities and make our city a fairer place to live during these tough times.

It is about the future we shall build together. It shows how we will ensure that Norwich City Council delivers the services working people need in every community.

It is a manifesto which is on the side of the many, not the few.

Opening up the private rented sector and tackling homelessness Labour City Council delivering. LetNCCleasing scheme, which was launched in May 2006. It currently manages 350+ properties in Norwich, one of the largest such schemes in the country. Since inception the scheme has

successfully accommodated almost 1,000 households that would otherwise have faced significant housing difficulties or homelessness. The scheme, which is self-funding, takes on the management of private sector properties from landlords in Norwich and then uses these to provide a decent, affordable housing alternative to those facing homelessness. This small team provides a complete management service to both landlords and tenants.

How does the scheme work? The property management service provided by the team ensures that LetNCC is an attractive proposition for landlords, offering peace of mind through hassle free property rental, with a full management service and guaranteed and competitive monthly rent. Under the scheme, a landlord can lease his or her property to Nor-wich City Council for a period of four years. This is subject to a one year minimum agreement, during which the lease cannot be terminated. Norwich City Council guarantee to pay the rent to the landlord whether or not the property is let. Rents are paid at a reasonable market rate. Landlords can choose whether to deal with their own repairs or ask the council to deal with them.

Services to landlords and tenants The council hands the property back to the landlord at the end of the lease in the same condition in which it was leased, less fair wear and tear. Any damage by the tenants is put right by the council, and this is where the management skills of the team are put to the test. Unlike the private rental sector, no rental deposits or advance rental payments are demanded from tenants, so it is essential any such damage is kept to a minimum. Tenants are assured of well managed property that meets all standards. A specialist housing officer offers support through regular visits. The team works closely with partner organisations to ensure that clients with specialist needs receive the right help to maintain their tenancies.

properties to allow access to this burgeoning sector from those that may otherwise have been excluded (e.g. benefit claimants and those unable to raise a deposit). In practice, this means putting vulnerable people into suitable homes where they would otherwise be facing homelessness. The positive impact of the scheme is reflected in a high number of successful homeless prevention cases and a reduction in homeless presentations. This has been a contributing factor in the huge reduction since 2006 in the number of homeless applications made to the authority, the number of households in temporary accommodation and therefore a significant decrease in the costs created by the above. Such provision and

NORWICH CITY COUNCIL LABOUR GROUP NEWS, CAMPAIGNS AND UPDATES



LABOUR WILL:n Build a minimum of 250 new council homes, let at a

social rent by 2017-18 and bring at least 300 empty homes back into use by 2018

n Substantially reduce the number of hazardous, poorly managed and sub-standard privately rented homes through enforcement

n Improve the council’s housing stock through a programme of upgrades and maintenance, including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors bringing them up to a Norwich Standard

n Promote independent living through the provision of information, disabled facilities grants, discretionary loans and adaptations of council homes

n Continue to make tackling and preventing homelessness and rough sleeping a key priority

n Keep improving the energy efficiency of all homes in Norwich

n Help to bring down rents by expanding the supply of all types of low-cost private and non-council sector housing

n Look to use planning powers to limit the percentage of houses in an area that can be Houses of Multiple Occupation

n Prioritise the building of affordable family homes over luxury flats.

LABOUR WILL:n Ensure that all new council-funded construction includes

training and job opportunities for the workforce and work with our partners to help increase training and employment opportunities in the city

n Use the council’s resources innovatively to leverage new investment into the city prioritising investment in projects with the greatest potential to drive sustainable jobs growth

n Work with partners to raise the city’s profile and attract visitors, students, new businesses and investment to the city

n Build on the work to boost retailers in our city centre and ensure Norwich stays in the top shopping destinations

n Continue to boost the local economy by seeking to use local suppliers and workers

n Continue to work with the Universities and partners to promote Norwich as a global centre for research – energy, engineering, science digital businesses and art and design

n Continue to publicise the reliefs and grants to which businesses are entitled to.

LIVING NORWICH – HOUSINGHaving a secure roof over your head and a warm, comfortable home is fundamental to health and well being. Good housing enables families to flourish, children to thrive and older people to live in dignity.

Norwich Labour has a proud record of providing homes and this is something we are committed to continuing despite the Tory government attacks and cuts to local government.

WORKING NORWICH – JOBS AND GROWTHLabour understands that the City Council is a major player in the local economy – a large local employer and a significant purchaser of goods and services. Responsibilities for providing a range of vital services such as housing, local area planning, economic development and regeneration, waste collection, leisure, culture and looking

after the city’s environment and citizens’ wellbeing – all of great importance to the local economy and local people.

A wage to live on

Labour is proud to have turned Norwich City

Council into a Living Wage council earlier

this year. A colourful new plaque is on display in

The definition of a living wage is the income

required to maintain a safe and decent

standard of living, with the ability to save for

future needs. Currently, the living wage rate

is £7.45 per hour outside of London, but

approximately 30 per cent of the 81,600

people who work in Norwich are thought to

earn less than £7.35 per hour. This

accreditation recognises that our direct

employees are already paid at or above the

living wage rate, and that we have a

scheduled programme

to ensure our

non-direct employees

and sub-contractors

will receive a living

wage within a certain

timescale.

-term aim

is to encourage

businesses to pay a

living wage. This will

not only help

employees but give

proven benefits to

employers too, such as

a lower turnover of

staff, greater employee

commitment, and a

higher degree of

productivity.

NORWICH CITY COUNCIL LABOUR GROUP

NEWS, CAMPAIGNS AND UPDATES

Despite vicious Tory / Lib Dem attacks our Labour

City Council has;;

1. Delivered a Living Wage authority.

2. Promoted two switch and save auctions which have

saved a large number of people significant sums of

money 3. Entered into a joint venture company which is

wholly owned by the public sector to deliver many

of services which were previously out sourced to

the private sector.

4. Started to build council homes for the first time in

30 years

5. Refused to introduce the invidious council tax

benefit scheme which the Tory government wanted.

6. Has led or promoted a number of initiatives to

inform, help and advise the most vulnerable people

who have been hit by the monstrous changes in our

social security system.

Reproduced from the

Evening News

4

Evening News

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014

NEWS

Your local news

video service –

online and soon

on Freeview

Go to eveningnews24.co.uk

to watch local news videos

After funeral

buffet’s

Starting at £5.50pp

2mins from St Faith’s

Crematorium

01603-898366

ElmFarm Country House

Happy 70th Birthday

CHRISTINE

THOMAS

With love from

all the Family

x x x x x x x x x

JOHN. D. BROWN

01603 419397

After funeral

buffet’s

Starting at £5.50pp

2mins from St Faith’s

Crematorium

01603-898366

ElmFarm Country House

70th Birthdays

Happy 70th Birthday

CHRISTINE

THOMAS

With love from

all the Family

x x x x x x x x x

Deaths

RYDER

BARBARA LEONORA

(nee Williams)

Suddenly at home on

February 11th. Darling wife of

Leslie, loving mum of Sandra,

Angela and Tina, mother-in-

law to David, Graham and

Karl. Nanny and great-nanny.

Will be sadly missed. Sleep in

heaven Mum, will be loved

always.Funeral service at St. Mary

Magdalen Church, Silver

Road, on Friday, February

28th at 10.30 a.m., followed by

interment at Earlham

Cemetery. Flowers may be

sent c/o Allcock Family

Funeral Services, Falcon

House, 96a City Road,

Norwich, NR1 2HD.

RYDERBARBARA

Dear sister-in-law of Mabel

and Ethel and Families.

Sleep peacefully.

Acknowledgments

BLAKE

The family of the late PETER

WILLIAM CHARLES

BLAKE, wish to express their

sincere thanks to all for the

kindness and sympathy shown

to them during their recent

bereavement.

Also for the cards, letters of

condolence, floral tributes

and donations received for the

Elsie Bertram Diabetes

Centre.Thanks to Father Tony

Snasdell for a comforting

service, to Julie Jarvis and her

staff from R J Bartram & Son

in Wymondham for their

excellent funeral

arrangements and to the staff

at the King’s Head

Ashwellthorpe for her

hospitality.

Funeral

Directors

JOHN. D. BROWN

01603 419397

From page one

finished and ready to let to people

on the city’s social housing wait-

ing list by May.

A further four, two-bedroom

properties will be available to buy

on a shared ownership basis

through Orwell Housing

Association, which is working in

partnership with the city council

to deliver the scheme.

A new concept known as ‘self-

build’ is being piloted in Norwich

for the first time in the building of

the shared ownership homes –

with the houses built to 90pc

completion. The buyer is then

given a range of options for finish-

ing the build themselves or buying

in building services from the main

contractor.

The city council has committed

to building 250 new homes over

the next five years and leader

Brenda Arthur said today was an

“historic occasion”, which she

hoped would be “the first of

many much needed, affordable

council-owned homes for the city”.

And the council’s controlling

Labour cabinet has also agreed to

spending which will see a start to

the long-awaited work on the

Three Score site.

The Three Score site is the last

remaining piece of land in

Bowthorpe not yet developed

under a plan forged for the area in

the 1970s.

The 79-acre site will eventually

include 1,000 homes, a care home

and community facilities.

The spine road through the

estate has been mapped out, while

this week will see work to cut back

trees before the bird nesting

season begins.

The council’s cabinet recently

met behind closed doors to agree

As per a partnership agreement

with the Homes and Communities

Agency, which has provided

money to kick-start the Three

Score scheme, proceeds from

future development of the site will

be pumped back into regeneration

and housing schemes in Norwich.

Cash generated from the first

phase of homes, next to the hous-

ing with care scheme which

Norsecare intends to start work on

in the summer, will be used to

recoup the cost of building the

road and drainage, including two

lagoons, which the site needs.

Mrs Arthur said: “This is an

exciting moment, not only for the

development at Three Score, but

also for the council as a service

provider.

“By looking to take on a busi-

ness model for this development,

we hope to create a robust and

sustainable means of delivering

and funding homes for Norwich

well into the future.

“It is also another way in which

we can manage our money

wisely to reduce the effects of

funding cuts on our frontline

services.”

Steve Collins, head of area for

the HCA, said: “We fully support

this move by the council to use

remaining funds for the partner-

ship to deliver infrastructure,

which will unlock this develop-

ment site, and their plans to

provide private sale and affordable

housing directly to the market.”

Are you looking for a new

home? Make sure you visit

www.homes24.co.uk

development manager at the city

council, said the first 140 units

would be in the north-east corner

of the site and would be for a mix

of private homes for sale and rent,

plus social housing.

She said planning applications

would have to be lodged and a

construction company appointed

to build the homes, but, if it goes

ahead, work is likely to start in

summer next year and take two

years.

to make £13.2m available to design

and build the first of the homes at

Three Score.

Gwyn Jones, city growth and

An investigation has been

launched following a blaze at an

empty house in Sprowston at the

weekend.

Four fire crews and firefighters

from Sprowston, Carrow and

Earlham stations were called to

the home in Wroxham Road,

Sprowston, at about 1.45am

yesterday.

Firefighters broke into the

empty locked property after

neighbours reported a blaze on

the first floor of the house.

After establishing that no one

was in the home, crews used

breathing apparatus and hose

reel jets to put out the flames,

which left the property heavily

smoke damaged.

The firefighters were at the

scene of the blaze until 4.40am.

Station manager David Brett,

of Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Service, yesterday began an

investigation into what caused

the blaze.

He added that there had been

fears that someone could have

been in the house when the 999

call was made.

“We were called to an incident

at 1.45am to the unoccupied

house. Forced entry was made

through the front door and the

emphasis was on search and

rescue and firefighting.

“It was on the first floor and it

is too early to say what caused

it,” he said.

Next-door neighbour Keith

Frary said no one had been living

at the property for the last two

weeks.“I could smell plastic burning

earlier and before I want to bed I

looked out at the back and there

was a red glow in the upstairs

window and I called the fire

brigade.“It does not look like there is

any structural damage and the

main concern at the time was

that we did not know if anyone

was in there at the time.”

Empty house is smoke damaged following fire

The house in Wroxham Road,

Sprowston. Picture: SUBMITTED

Authority leader hails historic

new development of homesThis is an exciting

moment, not only for

the development at

Three Score, but also

for the council as a

service providerBrenda Arthur

An artist’s

impression of the

new development

in Pointer’s File,

Catton Grove.

Graphics: ANNETTE HUDSON

Sleaf

ord

Gree

n

Boston Rd

Phila

delp

hia

Lane

Angel Rd

Rackham Rd

George Pope Rd

C open

hage

n W

ay

Vica

rage

Rd

Waterloo Park

A1402 Aylsham Road

Site for new council houses in Pointer’s Field

Wendene

Bowthorpe

Three Score

Colney

BowthorpeChapel Break Rd

A47

Housing area

Ear lham Rd B1108

Watton Rd B1108

A1074 Dereham Rd

Bowthorpe Rd

Red area is

where the

council plans to build first

140 homes

Site for 1,000 houses at Three Score

All press clippings from EDP/Evening News



LABOUR WILL:n Continue to work with the voluntary sector to help ensure

voluntary sector organisations can provide free debt and money advice services to Norwich citizens

n Ensure that the council’s money advice team continue to provide high quality debt and money advice to council tenants and by offering pre-tenancy courses focusing on financial capability

n Continue to protect the worst impacts of the Tory government localisation of council tax on those with low incomes in Norwich

n Maximise fuel efficiency of council properties, saving tenants money

n Work with the private sector housing service to investigate the provision of home improvement loans to address excess cold hazards in properties

n Work alongside the local credit unions in their continued development. We will continue to highlight the dangers and pitfalls of using un-licensed loan providers, loan sharks or high charging companies

n Continue to work closely with veterans and ex-service personnel associations to ensure that organisations in the City are doing all they can to support those people who put their lives on the line for our country

n Campaign to ensure all citizens are aware of their entitlements to benefits and other services such as winter fuel payments and TV licenses

n Support existing residents’ and community groups and encourage the creation of new groups

n Provide more training for council staff advising on welfare changes.

CARING NORWICH – FOR ALL OF NORWICH’S RESIDENTSNorwich Labour wants a fairer, more equal city. Our vision is one where the wealth and opportunities of Norwich’s economy are shared more widely, where everyone can rely on help when they’re struggling, where basic services are prioritised and where we care for everyone, including the young, the old and the vulnerable. Everyone within the community must have their voice heard, including those with the quietest voices or the smallest pockets.



LABOUR WILL:n Restate our ambition to be a city that is welcoming,

diverse, inclusive and safe. Combating hate crime is a priority for Labour

n Continue our effective working arrangement with our anti-social behaviour team and the Police

n Not cut CCTV coverage in the city and continue to lobby for streetlights to be turned back on

n Maintain and develop the successful Community Warden scheme which is highly regarded across Norwich

n Implement our 12 point plan to make the night time economy safer for those using it and less anti-social for those living in the area

n Hold local crime summits involving residentsn Continue to improve the enforcement of littering,

dog-fouling and fly tipping. We will adopt firmer policies to control premises selling alcohol and introduce more rigorous inspections for off-licenses

n Tackle untidy and eyesore land and gardens.

LABOUR WILL:n Ensure increased energy efficiency in council-owned

properties and promote domestic energy efficiencyn Reduce the disposal of waste to landfill and increasing

recycling, together with reducing the consumption of paper and fuel in council activities

n Continue supporting and encourage sustainable transport and delivering the Norwich Area Transport Strategy

n Continue to raise awareness of energy conservation and good environmental practice to citizens and businesses

n Maintain and develop our popular Switch and Save scheme giving better utility prices for Norwich residents. It has saved thousands of Norwich resident’s money

n Reduce the council’s carbon emissions every yearn Improve the take-up of energy efficiency measures in

privately rented housesn Work to make Norwich a recognised centre for green jobs.

Labour will continue to improve the number of green public spaces. We believe the natural environment is important to Norwich and we pledge to protect, retain and increase green open spaces as well as parks

n Improve recycling information and ways of communicating this especially for transient residents, students and those living in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

n Work with the County Council for a city-wide 20 mph residential, school area and shopping centre speed limit.

SAFER NORWICH – COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUREveryone has the right to peace of mind, free from anti-social behaviour, crime and disturbance. Labour knows that it is often the most vulnerable and poorest in our community who suffer the hardest from crime. Getting serious about community safety has been a cornerstone of Labour’s delivery in City Hall since 2006. We will maintain and expand it, despite the Tory government cuts to the police.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND NORWICHLabour will ensure that Norwich can be enjoyed safely by everyone. We will steward our green spaces, parks and trees responsibly. We also have a duty to make sure the city plays its part in becoming a sustainable, low carbon city that can be enjoyed by generations to come.



LABOUR WILL:n Increase availability of tourist information through

development of our website and linking this with the Visit Norwich site

n Work effectively to improve customer satisfaction levels for St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls, the Riverside sports complex and the Norman Centre

n Aim to attract at least one major national event to Norwich each year

n Continue to provide a range of free city centre events to promote participation and engagement

n Celebrate the work of community and volunteer sport and recognise the work of community coaches.

LABOUR WILL:n Deliver the City Cycle Ambition programme of cycle

and other highway improvements, creating a linked green route from east to west in Norwich. We will continue to work with local cycling groups to extend the cycle network

n Ensure that there is sufficient car parking in Norwich to support a thriving city centre

n Work to implement a city-wide 20mph residential, school area and shopping centre speed limit and introduce residents parking areas using the limited available budgets which the City Council has

n Keep the streets clean and keep drains clearn Work with bus companies to improve reliability,

cleanliness and new ways of ticketing to aid greater use of public transport

n We want Norwich to keep moving even in times of extreme weather, so we will adopt the Snow Warden scheme using community volunteers to keep residential roads and pavements open at times of heavy snowfall.

VIBRANT NORWICH – CULTURE, CREATIVITY AND SPORTNorwich remains a special place because the people have made our city a creative, cultural and active place to live and work in.

Norwich Labour understands the importance of putting culture at the heart of the city’s life, so that residents and visitors can fully take part in the range of activities it has to offer. In constrained times when people don’t have as much money to spend on holidays or going out we believe individuals and families should still be able to access events which are free. These activities are not simply about entertainment but about providing people with aspirations and dreams while also having fun. Our policies in this manifesto will seek to further maintain, protect and enhance this reputation for the benefit of all the people.

MOVING NORWICH – GOOD TRANSPORT IN OUR CITYOur Labour transport policies aim at ensuring we have a sustainable urban community, with a transport system that meets its needs. This promotes travel choice, recognising the need to maintain the economic health of the city, with improvements for bus users, cyclists and pedestrians.

Reproduced from electronic media. Promoted by Alan Pawsey on behalf of Norwich Labour Party, both of St Mark’s Church Hall, Hall Road, Norwich NR1 3HL

Norwich Labour City Group Manifesto 2014

Documents

Transcript of Norwich Labour City Group Manifesto 2014