I strongly believe in pursuing straightforward and realistic policies.

Cleaner Streets

Southfield is blighted by serious litter problems. Litter has become an unacceptable fact of life for Southfield’s residents, whether it’s on the streets or strewn around our open spaces. Wherever you go in our locality, you are constantly aware of littering, drinks cans, discarded takeaway cartons and all manner of food wrappers blow around in the wind and damaging our environment. Fly tipping is also a problem in some of the back streets and in our open spaces, with pieces of wood, old carpets and cooking oil drums either just dumped or left lying around making the area look like a real mess.

I believe that the most effective way to tackle this problem is to build a social action partnership between the the council and the local community. I have already conducted an extensive survey of the litter problems in Southfield to assess the current situation and I have organised a Conservative Action Team, made up of volunteers, to remove a large quantity of rubbish from the open space at the end of Fletcher Street. In doing this we even found half a motorised scooter, as the below picture shows!

 

I will make it my priority to tackle the litter problem in Southfield.

Clean Streets look more pleasant, but most importantly they are safer.

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Safer Roads & Pavements

Potholes and badly worn out road surfaces are a major hazard for everyone, they don’t do car suspensions any good, are dangerous to pedestrians and look very untidy. The impression our badly tended streets give, is that no-one cares about our local infrastructure, and we need action on this issue soon. Below is just one example of the problem I located on one of my tours of the ward.

 

I will work with residents to locate problems faster and with Lancashire County Council to resolve them more effectively.

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Tackling Absent Landlords

Far too many properties lie empty in Southfield , many of these have just been abandoned by their owners and are being left to rot away, looking worse by the day. Any property left in this condition looks awful and seriously affects the environment in its neighbourhood. In addition, residents are left feeling the pinch should they wish to sell their own property, as any valuation is going to be dependent on the immediate locality, and a derelict empty house will certainly have an impact on this.

We need a comprehensive review of properties abandoned, we need to trace the owners and serve them with either improvement notices or compulsory purchase orders.

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Better Public Transport

I rely on the bus network every day to get to work and I know how vital public transport is to so many people in Southfield. I am concerned that there is a lack of bus provision in the area during the evenings. I will undertake a review of public transport provision in Southfield and see how things can be improved.

Improving Public Transport is my priority.

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I also strongly support Pendle Conservatives’ policies:

 

Lower Council Tax

This year Pendle’s ruling Liberal Democrat Councillors have proposed the highest possible increase in council tax the government would allow - 4.95%. Pendle Conservatives feel this places an unacceptable burden on pensioners and hard working families who are already struggling after recent rate rises.

 

Fighting Crime

Fear of crime remains a big issue for many residents. Pendle Conservatives recently carried out a major survey on Crime and Anti-Social behaviour across Southfield and Nelson and the results will be used to help develop local solutions to local problems.

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If you have issues that you think I should look in to please do not hesitate to get in touch with me by phone: 01282 614748 or by email: pmckenna73@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Promoted by George Askew, 9 Cross Street, Nelson, BB9 7EN on behalf of Paul McKenna, 52 Bath Street, Nelson, BB9 0NP