Torridge & West Devon Labour Party The official website for the constituency Labour party of Torridge & West Devon
Torridge District Council Manifesto 2019
What Torridge District Labour Councillors will do if elected to serve you on May 2nd 2019.
Housing and Planning
“The disparity between typical incomes and the cost of market housing is so significant as to exclude the majority of new households from ownership of their own property”. In order to address this crisis in the provision of affordable housing we would:
❖ Support applications of housing developments that include genuinely affordable homes, particularly on brownfield sites.
❖ Work with Registered Social Landlords in this area to develop schemes targeting First Time Buyers.
❖ Address the issue of housing for the 16-24 year olds to make sure they have a good start to their adult lives.
❖ In 2015 there were 950 empty properties, a third of which had been empty for some time. We would explore avenues for bringing these back into use, possibly through co-operatives or DIY schemes.
❖ In 2018 one in four houses were classed as second homes in Torridge, concentrated mainly in coastal areas; and the number bought in 2018 has jumped by 34%. We would investigate the viability of restricting the purchase of second homes or increase the council tax on these properties which could enable the District council to repurchase ex council property as it became available.
The Private Rented Sector
❖ Torridge has a small public housing sector comprising approximately 8% of the stock in 2011. Therefore it’s important that we optimize the private rented sector which is four times that size, by taking action on sub-standard accommodation, preferably with the co-operation of its owners.
Homelessness
❖ We would provide increased support for services to tackle homelessness and proactively aid those at risk of it.
Public Transport
“Although transport links are crucial for the population of Torridge, the District Council currently has very little direct authority over the provision of services in our area. We will continue to energetically lobby the County Council and local service providers, and pay for service enhancement where it would bring benefits to the local area.
It is inevitable that transport as we know it will significantly change over the next four years with the electrification of vehicles, so there will be important opportunities to canvas support for improvements to our transport systems, and the general environmental benefits this will bring.”
The Environment
1) Waste management
❖ We would support district wide facilities to convert waste vegetable oils and animal fats into biodiesel, thus reducing pollution and damage to the sewer system.
❖ Promote and encourage recycling initiatives by:
❖ Extending the opening times of Recycling facilities.
❖ Opening recycling reusable centres in community parks/ centres
❖ Work in partnership with community groups such as Surfers Against Sewage, Rise Against Plastic and Devon County Council.
❖ Promote Community Equipment returns centres: i.e.
❖DCC and Long Term Health
❖Devon Independent Living Integrated Services
❖Millbrook Health Care
❖NHS wheelchair providers
2) Renewable Energy
“The Labour Party manifesto pledge:
- More renewable energy on homes, businesses and public buildings
- Community owned projects with profits going back to the community
- Increased support for people struggling with their energy bills”
To this end we would:
❖ Add solar panels and renewable heating to a greater number of Council owned buildings.
❖ Match crowdfunding projects for energy improvements to buildings of community significance – as was achieved at Pollyfield, east the Water by Labour councillors.
❖ Support local energy co-operatives to provide clean power to homes and businesses.
❖ Explore community owned solar, wind or water energy projects at utility-scale, based in appropriate locations, any surplus used for a fund to benefit all Torridge residents.
❖ Require higher energy efficiency and sustainability standards for all new builds from developers.
❖ Replace, when necessary, Torridge District Council vehicle fleet with electric vehicles and ensure that District Council run car parks have at least one electrical vehicle charging point by 2020.
❖ Investigate the formation of a council owned company to act as an energy provider
“It is hoped this 7-point plan will help achieve our targets of a 30% reduction in the number of Torridge households living in fuel poverty and 25% cut in carbon emissions across the district by 2023.”
The Local Economy
In office we would do our utmost –
❖ To ensure the town centre meets the requirements of the community and support independent businesses in competition with larger retail chains.
❖ Consider change of use for empty shops.
❖ Continue to actively support Appledore shipyard, as an engineering facility providing a skilled workforce with meaningful sustainable employment.
❖ Promote our traditional industries and encourage the growth of new businesses offering skilled employment.
❖ Support contracts awarded to local companies to keep money in the local economy.
❖ Brunswick Development – Labour will seek to end the unacceptable delay and speculation concerning this site. It has always been our preference to keep the site in Public ownership as it is an asset to the Town. It should be used for public recreational use. It would also be the only place in Bideford that would provide good access to the Tarka Trail.
❖ Support credit unions.
❖ Campaign for appropriate broadband access across all corners of the District Council.
Leisure and Recreation
We would aim to:
❖ Ensure the forthcoming development of Bideford cattle market is used for the whole community providing much needed sport and leisure facilities.
❖ Make a commitment to secure, and preserve TDC owned recreational and community space by:
❖ Taking advantage of Central Government funding for parks and amenities.
❖ Work with parks and green spaces charities and government initiatives in providing, health and well-being improvements to health.
❖ Encourage the transfer of community parks to Parish councils.
❖ Encouraging community groups / cooperatives in adopting community open space resources.
❖Reappraise the current facilities/activities and opportunities for children and young people in our community and seek to improve following consultations.
❖ Re-instate the Youth Council.
Farming and the rural community
“A Labour authority would use its powers to help preserve and support a sustainable rural economy where agriculture/horticulture are important employers, producers of local food and guardians of our beautiful rural landscape. With Brexit in the offing there are huge concerns in the farming community about sub-standard imports, food security and the future in general. As local councillors we will keep a watching brief on farming and agriculture, and back any initiatives that support the farming community.
More broadly, this Conservative government and its predecessor has taken rural communities for granted, with chronic under-investment in public transport, broadband and public services. The problem of isolation and lack of employment opportunities in the countryside is exacerbated by the closure of local schools, post offices, GP surgeries, community hospitals and library services, all of which affect farming. We would campaign to restore those services where needed.”