Who we asked on 10 April 2003: We contacted the following by
e-mail: James Airey (Conservative - Roger Mace replied
28/4/03), Ian Barker (Labour - replied 15 and 22/4/03:
thanks to Michael Gibson), John Gilbert (Liberal -
replied 24/4/03), Emily Heath (Greens - replied 12/4/03)
and Tricia Heath (Current Council leader and Independents
- replied 21/4/03). Note: The Independent group have released joint statements
to local press on behalf of the Morecambe Bay Independents, Lancaster
Independents and nine rural Independent candidates.
• For the results of the local elections, to be posted
Friday 2 May, click here
JOBS:
What further steps could the council introduce to help improve employment
prospects in the area?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
want to encourage the creation of employment opportunities for the
long term. In our view, "job creation will encourage house
building", but building houses is not the priority activity
for generating the job opportunities in the area that durable economic
success will require.
We believe that a re-addressing of the balance between industrial,
commercial and domestic uses of land is necessary for ensuring conditions
for the creation of adequate sustainable long-term jobs, and the
reduction of unemployment in the area. This calls for an integrated
strategy for housing, transport, road use and industrial and commercial
development.
Punitive car parking charges should not be allowed to drive cars
(and therefore business!) out of our urban areas. We shall campaign
for an improvement in the "marketing" of our area to businesses,
and the offering for sale of vacant business premises. We actively
support the Morecambe Action Plan and the work of the Carnforth
Market Towns Initiative.
Address
the skills shortage in the area by supporting more opportunities
for education and training. Green Councillors have been doing this
in the Marsh area by raising funds for a new Community Centre there,
which will be part of a network of learning centres (in partnership
with Lancaster and Morecambe College).
Target economic development at sectors which would help to solve
local problems as well as creating permanent jobs. For example,
recycling industries (to create value out of Lancashire's waste
mountain), renewable energy (to reduce pollution from fossil fuels
and nuclear power), public transport (cut traffic and improve access
for everyone), organic farming (reduce food miles and pesticide
use) and energy efficiency (tackle fuel poverty and refurbish run
down housing). The Green Party put together an outline bid for an
'Environmental Economic Development Zone' along these lines, but
was told by the European funding body that it was "too innovative"!
Labour
will:
• Make full use of the massive Government and European aid
for Lancaster
• Promote new business parks and industrial sites concentrating
on brownfield sites
• Work with business to improve promote Lancaster as a retail
centre
• Redevelop the canal corridor with mixed human scale development
not "retail boxes"
Increase
resources in the Economic Development section in order to improve
the marketing of the District.
Keep working on the Industrial Aid programme and support the Economic
Development Zone.
Work with other partners both private and public to bring business
to the area and increase commitment to the rural areas.
In
the budget this year the Independents proposed investment in the
planning service which would bring about a quicker, simplified,
customer friendly response to planning applications.
We feel it is extremely important that any business making that
first contact with the City Council should be treated to a 'can
do' rather than the negative response they may have received in
the past.
We should also be selling the district more, rather than waiting
for business to come to us. This has already been tackled in part,
but we realise we still have some way to go in a change of working
practices.
JOBS:
What one national change might improve local employment figures?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Cut
taxes on small businesses, and increase taxation on high earners
and activities that wreck the environment (e.g. aviation). Both
of these things would help to support the local tourism industry
too!
Labour
candidates welcome the introduction of the Minimum Wage, Working
Families Tax Credits and Child Benefit increases, however we are
concerned about the continuing decline in manufacturing within the
district and will continue to support initiatives which create employment
opportunities.
Money
raised from the Non Domestic Rate should be kept by the Local Council
instead of currently going to Government and only a proportion given
back on a population ratio.
Less
bureaucracy, more encouragement to take on apprentices.
TRANSPORT:
Is your party in favour of the Western Bypass and why?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
support the building of a Lancaster bypass. We will continue to
look at all the possibilities, and in particular, we will continue
to protect the line of the Northern bypass until such time as it
is clear that the Western bypass is to be built.
No.
The Green Party is opposed to the Western Bypass because it would
not solve traffic congestion problems (the vast majority of traffic
in Lancaster is locally generated, not passing through), would be
too damaging to landscape, wildlife and recreational amenity of
the Lune Estuary, Canal and Freeman's Wood, and there is no evidence
that it would lead to more jobs in Morecambe and Heysham (in fact
it could suck business out of the area).
We believe that the best way to reduce traffic is to improve public
transport, and provide a safe network of walking and cycling routes,
so people have more choice about how to travel to work, school or
shops. This would be a lot cheaper than road building, and the benefits
would be long-lasting. Road building actually generates more
traffic in the long run.
The problem of lorries could be minimised in the short term by making
them access the M6 via J34 (avoiding Galgate, Scotforth and Lancaster
City Centre), and in the longer term by Government investment in
a decent rail freight system, and by setting up a local delivery
system whereby goods destined for local businesses can be transferred
from lorries/trains to smaller vans at distribution hubs located
near motorway junctions and rail interchanges. We should also reduce
long-distance transport of goods by adopting economic policies based
on local production for local needs.
•
Support a Heysham-M6 Link and be guided by the environmental impact
survey on the choice of route.
Source: Local Labour Party Leaflet for Bulk and Skerton
• A Heysham-M6 link will get heavy traffic off our streets.
Source: Extracted from Abbott Bryning's vision statement, the
Lancaster Guardian 11 April 2003
A Heysham-M6 link would not only create much needed employment
in Morecambe and Heysham, it would also improve the urban environment
for people who live on over-used and congested roads.
However, the bypass is not the only answer to congestion, we need
to work with Stagecoach, the Strategic Rail Authority and train
operators to improve the local public transport infrastructure.
No
- we are in favour of the Northern Link to Heysham. It is less environmentally
damaging, does a lot for the industrial sites both on Caton Road
and at White Lund and Heysham and gives a good connection to the
Port.
If that route had been chosen in 1993, the road would have been
built by now as it would have been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate.
Most
definitely. It is the one most important investment which would
bring about regeneration, jobs etc to Morecambe and Heysham.
It would make the Luneside development and the University more accessible
and therefore more viable for jobs. It would take traffic congestion
away from local homes and therefore make life healthier for local
residents. It would also help sustain Glasson Dock.
TRANSPORT: Apart from the
Bypass, what one step could the Council help introduce to ease car
traffic problems in the area? How long would it take to introduce?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Conservatives
have been active through the City's Transport Task Group to investigate
ways of improving the flow of traffic through the centres of Lancaster,
Morecambe and Carnforth, and along the A6 and the Morecambe Road.
We welcome the County's recent proposals to find ways of improving
local traffic management, and will continue to lobby the County
Council for urgent implementation of a range of schemes e.g.
1. to provide information to travellers, 2. to reduce the time taken
to respond to disruptions to normal traffic flow, and 3. to prevent
the development of gridlock conditions.
Work
with every local school, college and big employer to develop Green
Travel Plans - improving facilities and incentives for people to
travel by bus, train, bike or foot, or to car-share. This could
reduce peak-time traffic by as much as 20% over the next five years,
and would be relatively inexpensive - with grants available from
various sources. As well as reducing traffic it would help improve
health and fitness levels, and reduce road casualties.
Labour
will:
• Extend bus lanes, cycle tracks and safe routes to schools
• Protect the urban environment with 20mph zones, traffic
calming and residents parking
Source: Local Labour Party Leaflet for Bulk and Skerton
More bus lanes will help tackle congestion. However Labour
will not penalise motorists who have no practical alternative. Labour
plans more 20 mph zones, traffic calming and cycle routes to improve
road safety.
Source: Extracted from Abbott Bryning's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
Working with local government and other agencies Labour will invest,
over the ten-year period of its
Transport Plan, a record £85 billion of public and private
resources on local transport
Traffic:
the answer is twofold:
1) Make every effort to transfer goods from road to rail and individuals
from cars to public transport. Encourage people to walk and cycle,
provide a more efficient bus service and pursue the feasibility
of light rail.
2) As lorries and cars are still essential, provide routes which
minimise their environmental damage. Develop the link road between
Bulk Road, St. Leonardgate and Edward Street that was kept in
the Local Plan and build the northern route for the Heysham-M6
link.
Source: Extracted from Pat Quinton's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
Alternative
rail and bus services, but to be realistic people aren't going to
leave their cars, even for short journeys, unless there is a vast
investment into rail and bus. That would not help the movement of
heavy goods vehicles through residential areas, and the Council
have no or little say in what the private companies will do. We
need the M6 western link.
TRANSPORT: Stagecoach has
come in for a lot of criticism from bus users. What is you view
on the current bus system in the area and what steps could the council
take to make more people use it?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Improve
co-ordination of timetables with main train arrivals and departures
e.g. as Carnforth Connect.
We
welcome the recent improvements in bus services between Lancaster
University and Morecambe - with accessible vehicles, and stops that
now have shelters, seating and timetable information. However, fares
are too expensive, and there are problems of overcrowding on some
routes and under-use on other routes (particularly in rural areas).
The fact that passengers have to pay cash to the driver slows down
the buses - bringing back conductors or introducing 'smart card'
ticketing would reduce journey times. The Council could investigate
the feasibility of abolishing Lancaster's one way system and turning
the inside lane into a contraflow bus lane (at least at peak times)
to stop the buses getting caught up in congestion.
Giving more road space and priority to buses has worked very successfully
in Edinburgh and Leeds.
We
welcome the Labour Government's commitment to improving public transport
despite the continuing difficulty of persuading the major operator
to provide the necessary frequency and fares to the benefit of local
people and believe that the Quality Bus partnership can be greatly
improved upon.
Source: Skerton Labour Party leaflet
Encourage
Stagecoach to consult users before route and timing changes take
place. Roll out the Quality Bus Partnership to more parts of the
District.
The
local Council again have little say. Any discussions tend to take
place through the County Council which has a duty to coordinate
public transport.
POLICING:
What are the major problems for the police in the area today?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Conservatives
want to see improved measures to tackle vandalism and juvenile nuisance,
linked to more leisure opportunities for young people. The principal
problem is fear of crime, which has a more widespread and restrictive
effect on people's activities and on the quality of life in the
district than does the actual occurrence of crime.
Lack
of resources and excessive bureacracy - we need more police out
on the streets, and responding quickly to incidents, instead of
filling in forms.
The
British Crime Survey shows that with Labour, all crime is down
by 28 per cent, burglary is down by 41 per cent, vehicle thefts
are down 34 per cent and violence is down 26 per cent. The chances
of being a victim of crime are still the lowest in more than 20
years.
Lancaster is already benefiting from increased resources to the
local police and this has been used to target drug-related crimes.
Labour welcomes the focus are now attaching to serious repeat offenders.
Drug
and alcohol abuse and consequent violence, juvenile nuisance.
Lack of resources to put police officers on the beat.
POLICING: CCTV and Community
wardens are already in use in Lancaster. What more could the council
do to help the police?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
support additional use of CCTV.
Help
to prevent crime, juvenile nuisance and speeding by providing better
community facilities, especially for teenagers, and making streets
safer for pedestrians (with better lighting, more traffic calming,
etc).
The more people walk around, the more they look out for each other
- informal policing!
Labour
is working to cut crime, reduce anti-social behaviour and make neighbourhoods
safer. In government, we have delivered record ever levels of police
on the beat – over 131,500 police officers
in England and Wales, up 4,300 in the last year alone. We have put
in place the biggest ever expansion of CCTV and new laws have been
introduced to tackle antisocial behaviour. Labour was the first
government in nearly half a century with crime lower at the end
of its first term than when it took office. The chance of becoming
a victim of crime remains at its lowest for 20 years – since
the British
Crime Survey started.
Labour will:
• Extend the CCTV network to cover “hotspots”
• Work with the Police to tackle vandalism and anti-social
behaviour
Source: Local Labour Party Leaflet for Bulk and Skerton
Continue
the work in the Community Safety Partnership where Probation,
Health, Youth and Community, Police and City Council are working
together.
We
have liaison meetings with the police on a regular basis. We are
currently discussing ways in which we can help each other. City
council has provided CCTV in many areas, and is continuing to do
so.
Neighbourhood wardens have also been introduced in two areas of
Morecambe. The Independents would wish to see every ward covered
with a similar scheme.
COUNCIL
TAX, BUSINESS RATES & BENEFITS: Does your party think Council
Tax is too high, and, if so, why?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
• The legacy of four years of an Independent-led administration
has been:-
• a 48% increase in Council Tax and an official projection
of a further 20% increase for 2004-5:
• over £500,000 spent on the District Auditor's report
on the Crinkley Bottom Theme Park:
• fewer productive assets in City Council ownership:
• run down Council properties suffering from disrepair.
Council Tax increases over the period have clearly been excessive
and Conservatives do not believe that taxpayers have been getting
value for their money.
Yes
(although Council Tax in the Lancaster District is not excessively
high compared to other districts). This is mainly because local
Councils are being given more and more to do by central government,
but are not being given extra funding to fulfil all the government's
targets. Also the cost of providing basic services is rising (e.g.
more and more heavy traffic is doing more and more damage to roads
so the Council cannot repair them fast enough). Of course, wasting
2.5 million on Blobbygate didn't help either (this scandal happened
before the Greens were represented on the Council!).
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has stated that council tax
should be about 6%.
Since 1997, funding for local government has increased by 25 per
cent in real terms. This year, for the first time ever, every
single authority in the country is receiving an above inflation
grant increase.
In Lancaster the Government provided an additional £2.5
million by way of three measures.
1. 8.2% increase in the revenue support grant.
2. Over £0.5 million to improve the housing benefits system.
3. Over £0.9 million to fund improvements in recycling.
However, what has not been published by the MBI administration
are their plans for a 20% council tax increase in 2004/05 -- something
we clearly would have to tackle and reduce. Labour is also backing
plans to force councils to publish their future year's budget
forecast.
Council
Tax is too high for the less well off.
This
year we were told by Government that even to 'stand still' with
the services council provides, council was expected to raise its
tax level by approximately 6.2% (Some of this caused by the increase
in National Insurance) Unlike many other authorities Lancaster managed
to keep it down to that level.
County Council, who set and take a massive 80% of the local tax,
raised it far higher.
Notes: For 2003/2004 Council Tax
bills in the Lancaster District have risen by 9.7%, a weekly increase
of approximately £1.98 per household for a typical D Band
property. Source: http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SXC578-A77FB085
According to The
Guardian (15/4/03) the average council tax increase in
England is 12%.
COUNCIL TAX, BUSINESS RATES
& BENEFITS: What could be done to reduce Council Tax?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Less
bureaucracy imposed by Central Government, so leaving more resources
for policy implementation and requiring fewer resources for endless
policy drafting and re-drafting.
Here
are a few examples of things that Greens have been advocating to
cut Council spending:
a.. Improve efficiency in the Council (e.g. improve working conditions
to reduce sickness absence).
b.. Improve joined up service provision (e.g community wardens reporting/taking
action on litter, dumping, vandalism, graffitti, lighting, potholes
- instead of all these things being done by separate units).
c.. Stop wasting money on bureaucracy and Government inspections
(unfortunately we don't have any choice about this at the moment).
d.. Apply for more external grant funding (e.g. Greens have been
influential in attracting new money for recycling, safe walking
& cycling routes, better play areas, etc).
e.. Concentrate on making the Lancaster District a nice place to
live and visit - instead of claiming that it is in expensive advertisements!
f.. Refuse to allow Nuclear Power stations to defer rate payments.
g.. Do not employ barristers to oppose local residents at planning
inquiries.
h.. Reduce the Council's fuel bills through efficiency measures.
i.. Cut civic nosh-ups, mayor's car, and subsidised parking for
councillors.
Labour
has provided local residents with an independent assessment of
Council performance, through Comprehensive Performance Assessment.
This enables local authorities to identify areas of strength and
deal with the weaknesses to ensure that services for local residents
continuously improve. And we have enabled Councils to modernise
the way they work, through streamlined structures
and more accountable Cabinets.
In the past four years the council has wasted huge amounts of
money in paying off officers whose faces didn't fit. Over £0.8
million of additional pension liabilities were incurred in 2001/02
alone.
Labour will act to end the 'blame culture' under which officers
work. This alone should enormously improve council efficiency.
Liberal
Democrats believe that the system should be replaced by a local
income tax, which would work in the same way as national income
tax. People would pay according to what they could afford.
"We support regional assemblies as a way of devolving decision
making to a more local level and promote a local income tax (to
replace the unfair council tax)."
Source: Extracted from Pat Quinton's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
The national Liberal plan is to try to cut bills by £100,
before abolishing the council tax altogether within three years
in favour of an income tax.
Less
bureaucracy from London - let local authorities manage their own
budgets and give them less forms and tick boxes to fill in.
COUNCIL TAX, BUSINESS RATES
& BENEFITS: How would reducing Council tax affect local services
and which ones would be affected first?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Revisions
to working practices should enable mandatory services to be supplied
at less cost without sacrifice of quality though it will probably
remain true that "You get what you pay for" and significant
saving can only be made if there is a change in the system of central
support for local government expenditure - or a reduction in the
number or quality of services provided.
Many
savings, such as those listed above, could be done without affecting
services. The Green Group budget always puts forward sensible ideas
for savings, enabling us to propose the lowest Council Tax increases
without cutting services.
See
above.
The
overall take under our system would be unchanged so there would
be no effect on local services.
We
have a mandatory duty to provide services - therefore the only ones
we could cut would be the discretionary like, Arts, Tourism, Museums.
The Independents feel that services could be improved without a
high tax bill if we were given the opportunity to bring more best
business practise into the local authority. We have already made
a start on this, but have been held back by party political infighting
i.e. for political reasons some groups do not seem to want to make
progress if someone else might get the credit. Sad but true.
STREET
CLEANSING,WASTE COLLECTION, DISPOSAL & RECYCLING: Many local
people are concerned about rubbish on the streets, from fast food
stores to dog waste. What can be done to reduce these problems?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Conservatives
want to see increased focus on the provision of traditional services
such as cleaner streets and effective rubbish collection, in co-operation
with stakeholders such as fast food stores and others.
We
need to reduce the sources of the rubbish through enforcement (more
and bigger fines) and education (making people understand that litter
and dog fouling is a major expense as well as a health hazard).
We also want fast food stores and supermarkets to help tackle the
problem by reducing the amount of unnecessary packaging they produce,
and taking some of the responsibility for cleaning up after their
customers. The introduction of wheelie bins in Carnforth and Silverdale
has helped to reduce litter from ripped bin bags (as well as massively
increasing recycling rates!).
Labour
wants better street cleaning, more food inspections and an improved
environmental health service to tackle noise nuisance and pollution.
Source: Extracted from Abbott Bryning's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
Labour will:
• Speed up the introduction of wheely bin waste collections
without reducing service where they cannot be used.
• Reverse the decline in recycling
• Improve parks and green spaces
• Improve street cleaning
• Increase food hygiene inspections
Source: Local Labour Party Leaflet for Bulk and Skerton
Dog
waste will be helped by the appointment of an extra dog warden.
Food wrapping litter comes from people who need to be educated not
to drop waste, but otherwise enforcement is needed where the offender
can be recognised. In the meantime, constant cleaning seems the
only answer, but it costs money.
Education
to give people a pride in the area they live in. The introduction
of more neighbourhood warden schemes to first of all warn offenders,
then prosecute if necessary.
Our policy is zero tolerance on litter and dog fouling - we would
clamp down quickly on offenders.
STREET CLEANSING,WASTE COLLECTION,
DISPOSAL & RECYCLING: Are you in favour of the new recycling
scheme?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
are in favour of recycling wherever viable opportunities exist for
recycling to take place. We support the introduction of the wheelie
bin schemes and will endeavour to ensure that alternative arrangements
are provided in cases of hardship, or where implementation of the
standardised system of wheelie bins is impractical.
Yes
- it has been very successful, and should be extended across the
district as soon as possible.
Labour
will:
• Speed up the introduction of wheely bin waste collections
without reducing service where they cannot be used.
• Reverse the decline in recycling
Source: Local Labour Party Leaflet for Bulk and Skerton
Labour introduced kerbside recycling to the district and is committed
to extending this to every home.
Very
much so; it is needed to achieve future government targets for recycling
percentages.
Yes,
it has to be good both locally and nationally. Less waste and less
use of resources.
It can be difficult whilst new schemes settle in, but once the initial
settling in period is over it seems to be working well.
COUNCIL
HOUSING: What steps if any would you want to take to improve social
housing provision in the area?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Nationally,
the Conservatives draw attention to the fact that fewer houses
lie empty in Conservative-run boroughs, and that they champion
the right of tennants to buy council houses.
Increase
the proportion of affordable housing (including Housing Associations)
in new developments through strengthening planning policy, as the
Green Councillors in Oxford have done. Encourage more diverse tenures
such as housing co-operatives, community co-housing, and self-build
schemes.
We
believe that housing should meet the needs of everyone's circumstances
whether privately owned or publicly rented, but with the council
continuing to be a major provider. We also believe that the government
should introduce legislation to ensure Private Landlords have a
responsibility in respect of their tennants actions and behaviour.
Source: Skerton Labour Party leaflet
Working with local government and other agencies Labour will fulfil
our target to make all social
housing decent by 2010, and, as part of our commitment to achieve
this, Labour will invest £2.8 billion in improving council
housing over the next three years
There
needs to be some social housing in the rural areas to enable young
people
to stay in the villages.
The Liberal
Party 2003 local election manifesto indicates that Liberal Democrats
will act to bring empty homes back into use in areas of high housing
demand and we propose "empty home management orders",
to enable empty homes to be compulsorily leased
Liberal Democrats will develop investment models for affordable
housing, such as "golden shares" where councils keep control
of housing built for local people.
We
have a very good housing stock, and are continually investing in
improvements to enhance it. There are a few exceptions, and we will
deal with them as they arise.
COUNCIL HOUSING: Does the
Council still have a role to play as a housing provider?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Everyone
should have a place they can call home. Conservative councils work
with the voluntary and private sector to make housing more accessible
to buy and rent.
Conservative councils are also fighting John Prescott’s attempts
to slash Right to Buy discounts and will protect the rights of long-standing
tenants to have the opportunity to own their own home.
Yes.
The Green Party belives that Council Housing stock should be retained
either with the Council or in partnerships with Tenants' Groups.
It should not be transferred to private developers through 'Private
Finance Initiatives' or to other social landlords.
Yes.
Labour is committed to working in partnership with tenants and introduced
tenants on to the housing committee when in power. We will not privatise
council housing against tenants’ wishes. Instead we will work
to make council housing a quality service capable of attracting
additional funds.
Yes,
particularly for sheltered and extra sheltered housing.
Yes,
but to a lesser degree. In an area like ours many people are still
able to afford to buy their own homes.
EVENTS
& ATTRACTIONS: Some of the local events, such as the Street
Theatre Festival, were cut this year. Do you support existing arts
provision such as the Maritime Festival, the Dukes, Folly and the
Literature Festival?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
support the continuation of existing Events and Attractions which
add to the quality of life in the district. We will continue to
encourage all kinds of voluntary groups in the district, but we
do not expect to spend money on activities which can be self-funded,
or on activities which have no commercial or social justification.
Yes.
The
Council needs to support the arts to add to the quality of local
life.
Source: Extracted from Abbott Bryning's vision statement, the
Lancaster Guardian 11 April 2003
Labour will support voluntary groups in the arts and sport
Source: Skerton and Bulk Labour Party leaflet
Yes.
The provison of leisure, sports and cultural services must be protected
(for both residents and tourists).
Source: Extracted from Pat Quinton's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
We
strongly support the festivals, but it would be wrong to let them
drift on - we need to continuously look at improving them and expanding
them.
Other festivals took the place of any that were cut from the programme.
In fact we are extending the programme.
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS:
Do you support the retention of the Musicians' Co-op in its current
location and the council's policy for an Arts Quarter?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
expect to consider all planning applications on their merits in
accordance with accepted procedures.
Yes.
It was a Green Party motion that forced the Council to give the
Musicians' Co-op a secure lease so they can improve their premises.
The arts quarter idea must not be sidelined by developers who may
have other priorities (maximising their own short-term profits rather
than enhancing quality of life in Lancaster).
Yes.
It was Labour who introduced the idea of an Arts Quarter into the
local plan and insisted that this should be part of any future redevelopment
of the Canal Corridor.
Yes
The
Independent group have been looking at extending the Storey Institute
as a Creatuve Industries Centre. Talks have been taking place with
the Musician's Co-op as to the best options for their future.
The 'Arts' in any form is important to the 'feel good' factor of
any area, and we are supportive of them. However, we don't think
this only applies to Lancaster City. From Glasson through to Silverdale
and Hornby, all residents should be able to share the arts wealth.
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS:
Is there some arts-related event that you think the area lacks,
such as a major music venue for Lancaster?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
will work to provide more leisure opportunities for all residents,
young and old.
Source: Extracted from James Airey's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
A
major music venue would be great. Now that the Musicians' Co-op
have a secure lease, they are planning to provide a 300-seater performance
venue.
We also believe there is a need for a more diverse nightlife in
Lancaster - it is too dominated by pubs and clubs, and the culture
of heavy drinking and violence is scaring people away and not meeting
the social needs of the whole community. More activities focused
on music, arts, theatre, food, games, debate, etc would help to
achieve a better balance.
Labour
believes that there is scope for using existing venues, from the
University to The Platform, in a more co-ordinated way. We would
want to work with all arts groups to promote a vibrant and varied
arts scene.
Yes.
We also support the idea of a developing the Storey Institute into
a Regional Arts Centre.
The
Independents support the Friends of the Winter Gardens in their
attempts to re-open the venue as not only a stage school, but a
theatre which could be used by local amateur groups, students and
also for commercial theatre. We already have a fine building there,
why not utilise it.
SPORTS
AND RECREATION: Salt Ayre Leisure Centre has drawn much criticism.
Many facilities such as saunas are not working on a day to day basis
and basic maintenance doesn't seem to happen very quickly as far
as its users are concerned. What is your party's view on the Leisure
Centre?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
We
are unconvinced that transfer to an NPDO [Trust] will solve the
financial and other problems of Salt Ayre. We look to improvements
in management to achieve greater percentage utilisation of the available
time-slots for use of the various facilities, improved public transport
from Morecambe and Lancaster to Salt Ayre, and greater use of the
site for staging competitive events that bring in visitors to the
district.
We
believe it was a mistake to close Kingsway (close to a huge residential
area and a bus station) and build Salt Ayre on marshy land in a
not-very accessible location. However, now that it is there, we
need to ensure that it is well-run and maintained, and that residents
can access and afford the services it provides.
The management of the Salt Ayre could certainly be improved and
cabinet members, including Green councillor Gina Dowding are working
very hard to achieve this. The centre needs more investment in ongoing
maintenance - this was not thought through properly when it was
first built.
Unlike
the MBI, who have been responsible for mounting deficits, and the
Liberals and Greens, Labour are opposed to privatising the Salt
Ayre Leisure Centre. We need to continue to invest in it and improve
its accessibility by providing public transport links to it.
Salt
Ayre is a wonderful facility for the area, but has suffered from
management problems, which have now been largely resolved, so that
maintenance should take place more efficiently.
Since
its opening no maintenance budget was put in place for Salt Ayre
- this has caused many problems. The Independent group have now
put a budget in place and repairs have already started. We are also
talking with staff to ensure that the best possible use is made
of the facility for local customers.
Because of past neglect it will take some time to complete repairs,
but at least they've started now.
SPORTS AND RECREATION: Does
your party support plans for skateboard parks for Lancaster and
Morecambe?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Yes
- though not to the exclusion of extending opportunities for other
forms of leisure activity.
Yes.
We also think that it is important to involve young people in designing
the kind of facilities that they want.
Yes.
Labour mayor Eileen Blamire made the skateboard park the centre
of her fundraising efforts this year and we are pleased it will
shortly be going ahead.
Yes
and they are also needed in the rural areas.
We
support plans for skateboard parks throughout the district, and
have put money into this year's budget to pay for them.
SPORTS AND RECREATION: What
other sports provision if any should be built in the area and how
should it be funded?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Our
proposal for a covered tennis court failed to get support in the
city's recent budget debate, and the project has probably been lost
to the district as a result, but we shall continue to press for
full advantage to be taken of grant moneys available for the expansion
of leisure opportunities for young and old alike.
We
favour having lots of well-run community-based sports facilities
across the district rather than expensive centralised facilities
such as the proposed Indoor Tennis centre.
We need to protect and enhance the tennis courts, bowling greens,
football pitches, swimming pools and play areas that we've already
got, and provide more of these kinds of facilities in areas that
lack them. Funding can be sought from external sources such as the
Lottery, Sports Council, etc. The Greens raised £140k for the new
Marsh Community Centre in this way.
The
Council needs to support the sports and community organisations
to add to the quality of local life.
Source: Extracted from Abbott Bryning's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
We need top quality facilities for our young sportsmen and women
but we also need local provision for informal kick-abouts. Labour
councillors have supported the Ridge Multi-Games area now under
construction.
Furthermore, the city council needs to build a relationship with
leading sporting clubs such as Morecambe FC, Lancaster City FC and
the Vale of Lune RUFC to encourage the use of facilities to the
benefit of all.
We
would support the proposal for a tennis centre and any other leisure
activities if funding could be found outside the Council.
The
Independent Group have initiated talks with Morecambe Football Club
and Morecambe High School through Poulton Neighbourhood Management
to look at the possibility of creating a joint football training
facility.
Investment through outside funding would upgrade the pitches at
the school, including an all weather pitch, for joint use by Morecambe
Football Club, the school and the local community.
We believe that partnerships like this which draw in outside funding
are the way forward for the district. The Independents feel that
sport, health and environment must play a large part in the way
this district moves forward.
SPORTS AND RECREATION: There
are few recreational facilities for young people aged 10 - 17 easily
accessible from residential areas by non-drivers. Does your party
see this as a problem? In addition to skateboard parks, do you think
the council should provide any other leisure / recreational facilities
for this age group? If so, what?
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
It
is especially a problem for rural locations which are cut off from
the recreational facilities available in urban areas. See
answer above
Yes,
the lack of facilities for young people is a problem, and the council
should address it by supporting youth cafes, community centres and
leisure facilities, and insisting that developers provide such facilities
as part of all major new developments (e.g. Lancaster's Canal Corridor).
Yes.
Labour have successfully supported the multi-games area on the Ridge
and would like to see further developments of this sort.
See
above.
We
are currently looking at several ideas for youth facilities throughout
the area. Skateboard, football, stage & music academy, etc.
ANYTHING
ELSE?
Does your party have any other major policy for the local area not
covered by the above questions? Please feel free to tell us what
you would do to improve the local area and how it could be achieved.
Conservatives
Green
Labour
Liberal Democrats
Independents
Conservatives
have been in the forefront of seeking consensus between local politicians
over the past four years. We shall continue to promote our policies
and discuss them with other groups to achieve our goals, but that
does not stop us opposing proposals we believe to be wrong.
Further details from James Airey 015242 71731 or Roger Mace 01524
733801
The
Green Party has a comprehensive local manifesto of policies and
our recent achievements. The 20-page booklet can be purchased for
1 pound (from Emily tel: 380169 or email:
)
or read it online:
Regrettably
probity is now an issue on the council. With the District Auditor’s
findings that the Council Leader gave 'false' and 'collusive' evidence
to him.
Clearly this cannot be allowed to continue. Labour and we hope all
other parties are committed to the highest standards in public life
and we will support all measures to ensure this.
The
quality of life of the District needs to be preserved and therefore
a balance found between development of business and the economy
without damaging the environment.
We would also like to see a feasibility study into the proposal
for a light rail between Morecambe and Lancaster.
John Gilbert
Retail Development: This must be as near as possible to the centres
of Lancaster and Morecambe. Out of town development can decimate
town centre shops.
The rural economy: Local post poffices, shops, pubs and schools
must be kept open. The closure of one affects all the others.
More support is needed to encourage diversification amongst farming
communities.
Source: Extracted from Pat Quinton's vision statement, the Lancaster
Guardian 11 April 2003
• Liberal Democrat Party 2003 Local Elections manifesto:
Go
There
is one major difference between Independent Councillors and those
from national political parties.
Independents stand as councillors because they have a passion for
their district, and in particular their ward - we want to make a
difference to local people. Political parties believe in the policies
of their national party first and foremost and they try to bring
those to bear upon local decisions.
If you want someone to represent your views, and not party politics
then you need an Independent Councillor
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We've
asked every major local party to answer some questions about local issues.
We
want to encourage the creation of employment opportunities for the
long term. In our view, "job creation will encourage house
building", but building houses is not the priority activity
for generating the job opportunities in the area that durable economic
success will require. 
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or read it online: 
