Bronwen Reid, Author at Warwick District Green Party

Warwick District Council Action to Improve Housing Standards

Bronwen Reid — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 15:43:34 +0000

The Council’s new Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets, Councillor Helen Adkins, reflects on the progress made by officers in addressing the recent regulatory judgements in her statement at last night’s Council meeting:

“Since taking office in May 2023, the Green-Labour administration has uncovered serious and long-standing issues within Warwick District Council’s Housing and Assets policies and procedures that had not previously been addressed. The gravity of the situation became undeniable through several independent reports over the past twelve months, culminating in a Regulatory Judgement that highlighted deep-rooted problems. Despite the severity of these findings, Council officers have moved swiftly to implement corrective measures, demonstrating a commitment to overhaul the housing system.

Earlier this year, an external body was appointed to assist the Council with preparations to achieve compliance with the four consumer standards which were introduced in April 2024. The findings of their appraisal revealed serious issues that go back many years. For example, poor data records and lack of an effective risk management framework meant the council couldn’t evidence its health and safety measures. Such feedback was provided to the Regulator for Social Housing who has issued a regulatory judgement and has confirmed a consumer grading of C3. From the outset, this Green-Labour administration has been concerned about aspects of the way Warwick District Council’s housing assets are managed. Over the last 12 months, we’ve been working hard to address the huge number of issues left by previous administrations. Risk and complaints procedures have been designed and are being implemented. Officers are working hard on our housing safety action plan and have been praised by the body providing external advice, commenting they have made ‘an impressive amount of progress…’. Overall, we are prioritising a major restructure of how the council operates in this area, to be sharper, more effective, with clear lines of responsibility. To this end we, as an administration, are developing a new housing strategy.

This strategy will reassure our tenants that all regulatory standards are fully met. Furthermore, a Consumer Standards Action Plan has been drafted and will be presented to the Housing Committee at its next meeting in November. Again, I am confident that this approach will be successful.”

Cllr Davison Leader of the Council commented:

“It is extremely disappointing that the external reviews of the Council services itemise so many long-standing failings; but I am impressed how efficiently officers are now addressing the issues. Even so, we expect it will take another 2 years to rebuild the Council’s housing processes to provide a high-quality service for our council tenants and value-for-money for taxpayers.”

Warwick District Council is not alone, being one of several local authorities who have been rated C3 by the Regulator for Social Housing since the introduction of the new regime.

Ian Davison

For more information see: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20160/social_housing_and_garages/1914/housing_regulations_and_compliance

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Green Party Warwick District Councillor Count Rises To Fifteen

Bronwen Reid — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 06:52:09 +0000

Cllr Becky Davidson (pictured centre with Green councillors Will Roberts & Hema YellaPragada)

A Councillor on Warwick District Council has changed her party allegiance and joined the Green Party.

Councillor Becky Davidson, who has represented Radford Semele ward since May 2023, joined the Green group on Friday (6^th September). Her switch increases the number of Green Party Councillors from 14 to 15 and they remain the largest party on the Council.

Cllr Becky Davidson (formerly Noonan) said her decision had been prompted by having lost faith in the Conservative Party:

“Over the past year, I’ve realised that my values don’t align with my previous party as I once thought they did. The national party have continuously made poor decisions on many issues and policies that I can no longer defend.

I got into politics because I wanted to make a difference to my local community and I believe I can achieve more for my ward with the support of the local Green Party, with whom, after many shared Council meetings, I have come to see my values are much more aligned.”

Cllr Davidson (pictured centre with Green councillors Will Roberts & Hema YellaPragada) added that she is “honoured and proud” to represent Radford Semele and the surrounding villages had not taken the decision to resign as a Conservative lightly.

“I appreciate that my decision may be a disappointment to those who continue to support the Conservative Party,” she added. “I wish to reassure all residents within my ward that I will continue to work hard for the communities I represent.”

Cllr Becky Davidson explained why she chose the Green Party. “I want to represent a party that people can trust and I believe that the Greens are a party of integrity. I’ve looked at the Green Party’s priorities, policies and the District Council’s corporate strategy – and having asked many questions – I feel very aligned with their policies and vision for the future.

“Green Party councillors are professional, effective and committed to challenging injustice. They are environmentally driven, not just in terms of biodiversity and climate crisis, but also in terms of our communities and developing vibrant economies.”

Cllr Davidson’s move increases the Green group to fifteen after a breakthrough local elections for the party in 2023. The existing fourteen Greens represent a wide range of areas from South Leamington, parts of Warwick and Kenilworth to rural villages including Lapworth. The Green Party are in joint administration with Labour on Warwick District Council.

Cllr Ian Davison, Leader of the Green Party on the District Council, said: “From her work on the Council, we know Becky to be a Councillor who is articulate, giving clear reasons for her principled views. She has also been amazing in her efforts to fundraise for her chosen charity. She is well-known in her local area, is passionate about her community and determined to do the right thing for her constituents, regardless of party politics. We are very happy to welcome her to the Greens.”

Green Councillor and MP candidate Hema YellaPragada added: “In the last couple of years we’ve seen former members from across the political spectrum to join the Green Party because they recognise Greens commitment to their communities and desire to find practical solutions to the challenges we face whether that be the environment, housing or the cost of living crisis. I am delighted to welcome Becky to Greens. Her decision reflects the values we share and our collective determination to make a real difference in people's lives.”

Cllr Lara Cron, Green Councillor who sits on the Planning Committee alongside Councillor Davidson said: "I'm sure this will have been a difficult decision for Becky, and I respect her greatly for taking a principled stand. I'm delighted to have Becky alongside us as a fellow Green Councillor, sharing our aspirations for a more sustainable future."

Cllr Becky Davidson is one of several Councillors around the country to move to the Green Party in the last year, including in Wirral (from Labour), Kensington & Chelsea (from Labour), Doncaster (from Conservative) and in Stroud (from Labour and Conservative).

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Street Proud now open

Bronwen Reid — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 17:21:51 +0000

Entry now open - apply here

Councillor Nick Wilkins is the organiser of Street Proud 2024.

The winner of Street Proud 2024 will be the best presented street or part of street in South Leamington that enters the competition.

The winning street will win a special plaque and a street party!

Who can enter

Any whole street
Minimum of 10 houses in larger streets, but this must be both sides (and no gaps)
Minimum of 2 people from different addresses need to be on the application to enter – so make sure you talk to your neighbours!
Must be in the Willes or Brunswick district ward boundary. This is South Leamington, but not Whitnash. If your street is on the map below you’re in!

What will the judges judge on?

Front gardens
Window displays (inside and out)
Hedges
Flower boxes
Overall cleanliness of street

We can’t judge on things that are done by the Council (potholes, parks etc)

Judging will be by independent people in the 1st week in July (Monday 1st to the Sunday 7th July 2024)

The application to enter will be available from 1 March so why not bookmark this page and come back soon.

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Town Council agrees to support the Kenilworth Centre

Bronwen Reid — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:51:43 +0000

The Kenilworth Centre

At the January Town Council meeting, councillors unanimously approved a proposal to support the Kenilworth Centre with core funding of £75,000 over three years. This will significantly support theKenilworthCentre to maintain and enhance its services for young people and other community groups.

Mandy Brougham, Chair of the Trustees of the Kenilworth Centre, said: “We are delighted to receive this core funding from the Town Council. Since 2015 we have operated without any core funds, relying on lettings income and charity donations to operate a significant building in the centre of town and support for local young people. As a result of COVID and inflation the charity’s reserves have been eroded. This funding will enable the Centre to maintain its services, particularly to young people, and will give us a sustainable platform from which we can further fund-raise and develop new services for the community and explore sources of income.”

Cllr James Kennedy, leader of Kenilworth Town Council said: “The Council is committed to enhancing opportunities for young people in the town and the Kenilworth Centre, through its Youth Club and mentoring programme at Kenilworth School provides a life-changing experience. With the lack of core funding from central government and with an increasing number of new residents moving into the town looking for community activities, I am pleased that the Town Council can provide support for one of the key facilities in our community. The Council will be monitoring closely both how the Centre continues to develop new services and the Centre's progress in its fundraising.”

In addition to supporting the Kenilworth Centre, the Town Council has an ambitious programme of improvements for some new projects, including the next phase of Wayfinding, verge wildflower planting, and a Business and Visitor Economy Forum. Some of this funding will come from reserves, but it will also be necessary to increase the precept (the money the Council receives from council tax) by £1.95 a year for a band D council tax payer.

Cllr Richard Dickson, Chair of the Council’s Finance and General Services Committee, said: "For less than the price of one extra cup of coffee each year for a typical household in Kenilworth, the Council will be able to support the Kenilworth Centre and continue to deliver and improve high quality services across the town. Our precept remains less than half of the national average amount and is one of the lowest in Warwickshire.”

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