Liberal Democrat response to "Hounslow Plan"

Speech by Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Group Leader delivered to Full borough council on Tue 19th Dec 2006

The Liberal Democrat group support much of what is in the new Hounslow Plan. It has the potential to deliver a better quality of life for Hounslow residents today and start to reduce the destruction of environmental resources bequeathed to the next generation.

Five of the administration's commitments particularly stand out as encouraging:

1) Switch away from inefficient paper based procedures - it will come as no surprise that Cllr Drew Morgan-Watts and I look forward to a day when Wireless networks are easily accessible in the council chamber and there is technology as advanced as a plug socket at these desks

2) We are encouraged that [Cllr Kinghorn will be] Strive to raise expectations and aspirations so that children and young people can take full advantage of the employment opportunities of Hounslow, the powerhouse of West London. As illustrious as this chamber may be at times we assume you mean "economic" powerhouse.

3) "a business friendly Council" will encourage many firms that have struggled to engage with the Council in the past

4) "Review [of] allocation policies so that those Council tenants who are overcrowded can increase the chances of transfer within their existing community" is long overdue

5) The plan includes environmental policies that we can all rally behind:

• Improve public transport, pedestrian and cycling facilities

• More and easier recycling to reduce waste sent to landfill and subsequent landfill taxes.

• Improvements to the urban design of the Borough

• Vitally inclusion of:

>> Set[ting] clear targets for making the Council more sustainable with both energy and environmental improvements and associated cost savings.

>> Work[ing] to reduce the Boroughs overall ecological footprint.

>> Oppos[ing] the development of a third runway at Heathrow.

It will be no surprise that whilst recognising the promise of the plan we also have concerns that I want to put on the record:

• Any lowering of Council tax must be balanced and not compromise the borough's pressing social needs and urgency of more investment in environmental sustainability from recycling through to renewable energy

• Given the multiple pressures on the council's budget, whilst the borough's logo does appear somewhat dated, any "corporate re-branding" should be phased in at limited or no additional cost to Hounslow tax payers

• Not mentioned in the plan, but given that the Executive is "committed to transparency, accountability and participation" we hope you remain supportive, as we do, of the constitution review group identifying further new approaches to the way the Council conducts many areas of its business. These must open up our structures and attract many more viewers to the public gallery and our webcasts, as well as wider participation in decision making.

• Due to diary commitments the scrutiny panel will be having our first meeting with the Leader member for Leisure services this Thursday. Hence we believe a decision by full council on the target (pg 43) for a "Cross party scrutiny committee to conduct a full review of CIP before the Council re-tenders the Leisure Services contract" should be deferred until the next full council, with it removed from the plan for the time being. Despite the fact that the Exec has already adopted a position on this issue, we put the removal of this item forward as an amendment until further scrutiny and discussion has taken place.

Where we support the administration's goals the Liberal Democrats will continue to develop and advance practical policy measures to help ensure Hounslow Council performs well, is a leader in many areas, and is an exciting and fulfilling place for staff to come to work.

As always, for all the fine words of a strategy document, its the quality of delivery and leadership that matters. We wish the Executive luck as you endeavour to deliver the new plan and will, of course, continue our work as a constructive opposition to ensure good public services and a bright future for all Hounslow's citizens.