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16/06/08 : Labour sets out Council programme
Reading’s Labour Cabinet will be presenting its programme to the Council on 24 June, asking the Council to endorse key priorities, or make any constructive amendments, in order to give a clear signal to officers and to partners of the direction of the Council over the next two years.
Labour is inviting the Council to reaffirm “its commitment to quality public services, to good management of the Council’s finances, and to working with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors in the interests of the people of the town” and goes on to propose a set of priorities which include commitments to reduce Reading’s carbon emissions and increase recycling, continuing action to reduce crime, improve children’s chances in life, develop affordable housing, offer quality community care both at home and in residential placements such as Extra Care Housing, reduce traffic congestion, plan to replace the Hexagon and the central library, develop new mechanisms to consult with local communities, and take new measures to enforce against poor private landlords whose lack of care is spoiling many of the town’s streets.
The full text of the resolution is below.
Leader of the Council Jo Lovelock says: “The annual meeting of the Council agreed that Reading should continue with a Labour administration, albeit a minority one, and we feel it right to set out clearly how we hope to take the town forward. We have incorporated key issues, which we believe are important for Reading. It may be that the other parties will want to make amendments, but I hope they will be constructive ones, and that it will be agreed as a clear statement of the Council’s priorities. Those priorities cover a wide range, but that is because Labour has always been and remains ambitious for Reading and determined to do the best we can for the town.”
RESOLUTION FOR COUNCIL 24.06.08
This Council reaffirms its commitment to quality public services, to good management of the Council’s finances, and to working with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors in the interests of the people of the town.
This Council resolves that the key priorities to be addressed in its programme for 2008-2010 will include:
Reducing Reading Council’s carbon emissions by a minimum of 10% by 2012, becoming one of the leading Councils in carbon reduction and leading the fight against climate change. Working through the planning system to make sure new buildings are built to the highest environmental and energy-saving standards, and reviewing the Council’s waste policies so as to increase still further the level of recycling
Aiming to ensure crime in Reading continues to fall – by working with the police to strengthen neighbourhood policing by working with the increased number of police officers and PCSO’s; by further developing action on drugs, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, street drinking and graffiti
Aiming to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life, with a strong network of children’s centres, good schools, and good training opportunities, working to improve the availability of school places for Reading children and continuing to invest in Reading’s schools so that the town’s record scores for GCSE and A-level continue to improve
Developing more affordable housing – to rent and to buy – giving people a chance to have a decent home at a price they can afford, and achieving Reading’s Decent Homes standard for all our Council homes
Providing high quality safe and reliable services for older people, people with disabilities, people with mental health problems and other vulnerable adults - maintaining the Council's current eligibility criteria and offering choices on how individual care needs are met, both at home and in high quality appropriate residential placements, such as Extra Care Housing
Working to reduce traffic congestion, particularly in the town centre, taking account of the recommendations of the Transport Commission.
Promoting public transport and cycling as alternatives to the car, working to overcome South
Oxfordshire’s resistance to a third Thames Bridge, and making sure Reading benefits to the full from the Ł664Million for revamping Reading Station, which is one of the biggest investments in public transport in the country
Working in partnership to continue to regenerate areas of Reading, both in the centre on sites such as the civic area and the station, and at a neighbourhood level with schemes such as the Dee Park Regeneration.
Ensuring protection of the town’s open spaces, including Kennet Meadows and Kennetmouth, and seeking to add to them
Developing plans for a new, larger, state of the art theatre to replace the ageing Hexagon and a modern, improved central library, as part of the regeneration of the civic centre area
Promoting access to sport for all, with the Sport Reading partnership helping Reading children participate in a minimum of 5 hours of sport and exercise a week
Developing better mechanisms for consulting communities on issues of local concern and for local communities to request action by the Council on their local priorities
Maintaining Reading's generous support to the voluntary sector, working to provide a new resource centre for smaller voluntary organizations and helping local groups and ethnic minority organisations who are keen to develop their own community facilities
Enforcing against breaches of standards by private landlords, including health and safety, infestation, failure to clear rubbish, and overcrowding and continuing to work with the police and the magistrates to crack down on graffiti vandalism, and investing in graffiti cleaning teams.
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