Reading Liberal Democrats

We are delighted to have reached agreement on so many important areas. This is a great start to our coalition that aims to deliver better value for our residents, better services to our residents, instill a sense of pride in our town and have ambition for its future. Our coalition team is already working hard towards these goals.

The people of Reading asked their politicians to work together to address the dire financial mess left by the last Government. This is exactly what the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups are doing; working together for the good of our town.

Click here to download the agreement in full (Adobe PDF format)

Commenting on the release of the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) and Organisational Assessment report on Reading Borough Council, Cllr Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat group spokesperson on Communities & Neighbourhoods and prospective MP for Reading East, said:

“The Assessment’s findings on crime and neighbourhoods are very worrying. It shows that Reading Borough Council is still doing far too little listening. The work on the Thriving Neighbourhoods programme to tackle inequality in Reading’s most deprived areas is absolutely critical to get right.

“Much work remains to be done both to tackle crime itself and residents’ perceptions and fears about crime. Warnings about joint working are not new: they just serve to emphasise that work with Housing Associations and other bodies could be much strengthened.”

The CAA report shows a satisfaction rate of only 40% with Reading Borough Council – below the 47% national average. The Council is also scoring below average on residents feeling they have the ability to influence decisions in their area.

Reading Lib Dems have posted objections to the Traffic Orders advertised by Reading BC for closing Station Hill as part of the planned Sackville development opposite the station.

The traffic orders would allow the permanent closure of Station Hill/Station Approach, preventing through traffic following a transfer of Council land to Sackville Properties as part of the Station Hill development. The publishing of the Orders – done in a way that failed to make the public aware of this major change – has been slammed by the Lib Dems.

Transport spokesperson Cllr Ricky Duveen objected as the station area plans did not include facilities for bus passengers.

“Bus passengers will be queuing in the streets around the station rather than at any new bus station with facilities like an information desk, public loos etc. They will also have to walk in the open quite some distance to get to and from the station.

“The council’s use of the word ‘interchange’ is a misnomer when you look at the details of their plans.”

Reading East PPC, Gareth Epps, agrees and added:

“The poor facilities for bus passengers, taxis and private hire vehicles will lead to more traffic pressure on roads around the station. The lack of passenger facilities is being pushed forward for the benefit of the Sackville development and will produce chaos for travellers rather than provide a 21st century transport interchange.

“The way the Council have given minimum publicity to this massive change is a disgrace. This decision could forever shut off through bus travel outside Reading Station – but Reading’s Labour bosses do not want to breathe a word about it.”

Following the council’s moves to consult local people on the Reading Station development, Cllr Ricky Duveen, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson on the Council said: “We very much welcome the opportunity for people to learn about and comment on the planned development. Reading needs an effective public transport interchange.”

Ricky continued by saying “What appears to be taking shape is a series of bus stops along Blagrave Street rather than any terminus with facilities for passengers such as loos, a tea shop or an information desk. I just think Reading deserves better.”

Cllr Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary campaigner for Reading East said: “Labour are making many promises, but the truth is that this project relies on getting a huge injection of funds from a Government already running out of cash.

The Station Hill development should be providing much, much more to this area. But like the space for the integrated transport interchange the town really needs, it looks like our Labour bosses are letting the town down with Station Hill’s contribution to the wider Station project.”

Reading’s Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that Reading Borough Council has belatedly joined the group of local authorities representing over 5 million residents of the Thames Valley and west London who are campaigning to oppose Heathrow Airport expansion.

Liberal Democrat councillors in Reading have signed up to Greenpeace’s Airplot campaign, becoming owners of a plot of land earmarked to be concreted over for the third runway. The campaign is an attempt to frustrate the compulsory purchase process and demonstrate the strength of opposition to the third runway.

Welcoming the news that Reading Borough Council has formally joined the 2M Group of 24 local authorities campaigning against Heathrow airport expansion, Cllr Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary campaigner, said:

“This is positive news for the people of Reading who already suffer aircraft noise from Heathrow, and for the thousands of local residents who oppose a Government scheme that makes a mockery of Labour’s commitment to tackle climate change.

It is a pity it took the Labour Party in Reading so long to face up to their responsibilities on this matter. I would urge Reading residents, including councillors like my Liberal Democrat colleagues, to sign up to a campaign backed by the overwhelming majority of local people.”

Editor’s Note: Cllr Gareth Epps has campaigned for the Council to formally oppose Heathrow expansion since 2007 when he asked a formal question to then Labour transport spokesperson Cllr Tom Crisp. At that time the position of the Labour council administration was that the Council should not oppose expansion; however, it supported the cross-party motion passed earlier in 2009 which formally signed the Council up to 2M.

Liberal Democrats in Reading have warned, ahead of this week’s public unveiling of proposals of the new Station Hill development, that the plans could jeopardise a once-in-a-century chance to achieve a fully integrated transport interchange next to Reading Station.

The Liberal Democrats are concerned that rail users could be taking second place to development interests, and have criticised the drive to close Station Hill to buses in particular.

The Lib Dems on the Council have repeatedly advised against splitting the transport interchange, as it would cause confusion for passengers and encourage car journeys to and from the Station. As currently envisaged, there will be no fewer than three separate transport interchanges for buses, taxis etc, linked to the proposed new station building.

Commenting, Cllr Gareth Epps, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Borough Council, said:-

“There is a huge danger that Reading loses an unrepeatable opportunity for a world-class transport interchange.

Labour Council bosses have had the chance to negotiate with developers to plan a development that enables high quality public realm and allow through bus travel past the Station.

Relegating many buses to Valpy Street hardly sends a positive message that we want to integrate public transport.”

Cllr Ricky Duveen, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson, added:-

“The Station Hill development plans appear to shift the buses further away from the station.

I am very worried that what I’ve heard about Station Hill 2 will shut the door on linking transport at the Station. We should be putting passengers first.

While it’s obvious the area needs regeneration, the Labour-run Council cannot allow that regeneration at any price.”

Reading’s Liberal Democrat councillors have said a call for further work on the proposal to appoint Askett-Hawk as preferred bidders for the refurbishment of King’s Meadow and Lock Island is a ‘do-nothing’ option – and called for the bid to be thrown out outright.

The Corporate, Community and External Affairs (CCEA) Panel voted for a Conservative “call-in” proposal for further work to be done on both bid proposals for King’s Meadow. Liberal Democrats – who have consistently voted for the rival bid by the King’s Meadow Campaign, subject to improvement of its business plan – point out that neither bid can progress until a decision is taken on which bid is preferred. Liberal Democrat Cllr Gareth Epps proposed an alternative call-in to ask the Cabinet to rule out the Askett-Hawk bid outright – but this was rejected by Conservative and Labour Councillors.

Cllr Warren Swaine, the Lib Dem spokesperson for Culture and Sport, said: “The Culture and Sport scrutiny decision was not unanimous so looking again at the decision is the right thing to do. However, it is disappointing that the Conservatives, despite having taken part in the process to evaluate these two bids, have yet again shown that when it comes down to it they are incapable of making a decision and have chosen to procrastinate yet again.”

Lib Dem Group Leader and prospective Parliamentary candidate Gareth Epps commented:

“Tonight the Conservatives voted to further put at risk the chances of Kings Meadow ever being restored.

“Failing to back either bidder at this stage makes a mockery of the scrutiny process. If they felt strongly about neither bid measuring up, then that would have been the appropriate place to voice it. Instead we heard nothing until their position started unraveling at a public meeting, Their call-in now puts both bids in jeopardy.

“It is pure political expediency at its worst. The Askett-Hawk plans are massively out of scale with the listed Baths, to a point where they are undeliverable. The Conservatives have ducked a positive decision – and have ended up backing Labour over public opinion on this issue.”

Investigations by the Lib Dems on Reading Borough Council have revealed only one fixed penalty notices been issued by the Council in relation to illegal dog-fouling in recent times.

This is despite the fact that dog fouling is a regular complaint of local residents.

Cllr Kirsten Bayes, Redlands ward councillor who tabled the question commented:

“Recently we have received a number of complaints across the area from local residents fed up with the amount of dog mess on footpaths and public areas – particularly in South Reading including Cintra Park and Bede Walk.

“This problem is the result of a handful of dog owners regularly failing to act responsibly.

“Reading Borough Council must take tougher and more concerted action to prosecute dog owners who allow their dogs to mess in public places.”

Cllr Glenn Goodall, Environment spokesperson for the Lib Dems added:

“One Fixed penalty notice has been issued in recent times – this clearly does not reflect the scale of the problem across the Borough.

“If this public nuisance continues it will be necessary for Labour-run Reading Borough Council to review the amount of resources focussed on this area to see if it’s doing the job.”

Reading’s Labour administration sought all party support at a Council meeting on Tuesday 31 March for a reduction in Council house rent following the Labour government’s u-turn on guideline rents for 2009-10.

Margaret Beckett, Minister for Housing and Planning recently proposed that all councils reduce their council house rents for 2009-10 which was a complete reversal on their previous advice which had been to increase rents substantially above the rate of inflation.

Cllr Daisy Benson welcomed the rent reduction on behalf of the Lib Dem group and made the point that the above inflation rent rise Labour pushed for in January would have hit many tenants, particularly those in receipt of Housing Benefit (23%) hard.

In January, Labour councillors and officers had urged councillors to back a 4.9% rent increase.

Cllr Benson read from a letter issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government which confirmed that Reading Borough Council would be expect to meet the administration costs of bringing forward this rent reduction in full.

A formal question to Council submitted by Cllr Benson confirmed that officers estimate this figure will amount to in excess of £10,000 and will have to come out of Council coffers.

The Lib Dems proposed an amendment which was successfully carried requesting that the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council be instructed to write to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning welcoming the reduction in guideline rent increase for 2009-10 and the benefits this will bring Council tenants, but also expressing disappointment at the timing and handling of this decision, and the impact it is likely to have on the Council, drawing her attention in particular to:

• The costs which are expected to be incurred to the Council
• The impact on internal budget setting, Housing Revenue Account Balances and delivering quality housing services in Reading
• The brevity of the consultation process

Cllr Daisy Benson commented:

“While we welcome the rent reduction and the benefits this will bring tenants but we are angry at the inept way that this decision has been handled by the Labour government which we now know has cost Reading Borough Council at least £10,000 pounds.”

“The cost will include sending new rent demands to all tenants in the Borough – a second time – which many tenants are likely to find confusing.”

“It is shocking that in a recession, when many councils including Reading are desperately seeking ways to save money, that this Labour government is adding to the financial burden of already cash-strapped local authorities in this way.”

“We sincerely hope that this cock up will not impact on services for residents in Reading.”

Cllr Gareth Epps, Lib Dem Group Leader and Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Reading East added:

“It’s time Labour politicians stop treating Council housing as a political football. This rent reduction is not an act of kindness by Labour but an electoral bribe aimed to save council seats in other areas.

“We will continue to campaign for an end to the dreaded ‘tenant tax’ whereby a significant proportion of Council tenants rent is sucked back to Whitehall.

“Labour should know that reducing the amount stolen from Council tenants by the Treasury doesn’t make the theft any less wrong.”

Editor’s Notes:

More information about the government’s decision to reduce guideline rents for councils can be found here.

The Lib Dems welcome the news that Labour-run Reading Borough Council has finally agreed to back our plan for a cleaner, fairer Reading by introducing free bulky waste collections for more Reading residents, including those on low incomes.

Cllr Gareth Epps, Lib Dem Group Leader and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Reading East commented:

“The Lib Dems in Reading have long campaigned for the introduction of free bulky waste collections for people on low incomes. In a recession with many people in Reading struggling to pay bills this plan which we first put forward is more needed now than ever”

Cllr Glenn Goodall, Lib Dem environment spokesperson added:

“We are delighted that Labour has finally seen sense and belatedly backed our scheme after they and the Conservatives rejected it last year. Only the Lib Dems have the vision to make this town a cleaner and greener place. Fly tipping is a major problem for Reading and this will help reduce it across the borough.”

Editor’s Notes:
For more background information about the Lib Dem campaign can be found at this URL victory for cleaner greener and fairer Reading