On Thursday May 4th 2017, you have the chance to break the one party dominance in Burgess Hill by electing independent councillors who will speak up for the town and the people. We will put Burgess Hill first instead of the interests of a political party.
Always Keeping You Informed
We will keep you fully informed of all the activity going on at West Sussex County Council as and when it happens (no electing us for 4 years then having us disappear!) We've kept you fully informed of what's happening in the town for a decade and this would continue as councillors. We'll all be more knowledgeable as a result.
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We'll Be The Most Accessible Councillors EVER!
Regular meet-and-greets will be held at various locations and times during our term in office as we seek to be the most accessible councillors the town has ever had. Unlike your current councillors, we are both very active on the internet and can easily be found via social media to help tackle your queries promptly.
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Freedom To Fight For Burgess Hill And Its Residents
As we will not be tied to a political party, we will be free to speak out against any rulings, initatives and projects which aren't in the interests of our town. You and Burgess Hill are our priorities.
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We'll Air Your Opinions At The County Council And Not Those Of A Political Party
Ahead of any debates at the council, we will ask you for your opinions and use them when we speak at the meetings.
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You Can Influence How We Vote At Meetings
If there are any votes to be taken at the council, we will poll local residents via Burgess Hill Uncovered beforehand and we'll vote the way the majority would like us to.
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The Opportunity To Represent You At District Planning Meetings
As West Sussex County Councillors, it will also give us the right to speak at all Mid Sussex District Council planning meetings on applications relevant to the town. As MSDC is currently 100% occupied by one party, it will be an opportunity for the public to have someone fight their corner when applications may not be in the town's interests.
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Ensuring All Community Groups Have A Fair Chance Of Being Awarded Grants
In our role, we will be responsible for awarding grants to local community groups three times a year at the local county council meetings held in Mid Sussex. We want to ensure that as many community groups as possible are made aware that grants are available - therefore ensuring that everyone has a fair chance of success and not just those who already have council connections.
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Fighting For Every Penny Burgess Hill Is Owed From Developments
In recent years our town has become the one where our assets are sold off and we don't get anything back in return. We are soon to see the Martlets Hall demolished without a replacement as the council didn't ask the shopping centre to pay for one. We've now been told we need to fundraise £5 million for a replacement!
We were also promised £80 million if the town took around 5,000 new homes. Money which would be controlled by the town council for 'goodies'. A freedom of information request proved that this was never agreed and that the proceeds from new housing could be spent elsewhere in the area. We need councillors who will investigate this and not roll over like the current crop are.
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Supporting All Of Our Local Schools During A Time Of Financial Restraint
Our schools are struggling financially and the situation is only going to get worse. Staff are already being cut. West Sussex County Council will not release extra funds for education. We will support all of our local schools, working with the Headteachers to fight for the money required to keep them ticking over until a better national funding formula is introduced by central government.
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Fighting For Woodlands Meed To See Their School Completed.
Our local special educational needs school is only half-complete. The County Council only want to do a bodge job on the old site and then sign the project off. The Conservative council rejected a motion to commit to a new building which Woodlands Meed had been promised.
The school desperately need councillors who will fight their corner. We already have an existing relationship with the governors at the school and we would relish the battle at the County Council. Our SEN children should not be sent out of the county to be educated (at great expense) just because WSCC won't fulfil their obligations.
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Refunds For Those Illegally Charged To Dispose Of Certain Types Of Waste
The county council had to suspend charging £4 each time a resident disposes of 'non household waste' items such as bricks, rubble, plasterboard etc as it turns out these charges may have been unlawful. If this proves to be the case, then we want to see everyone refunded. We'd also resist any alternative scheme introduced as our council tax already covers waste disposal.
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Prompt And Better Quality Repairs To Potholes
We're not convinced that Burgess Hill has its potholes fixed as promptly compared with other areas in West Sussex. This is something we want to investigate when on the council. We'll also be asking why the repairs are of such poor quality and keep requiring addtional maintenance.
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Resisting Controlled Parking Zones As A Stealth Tax
From attending a recent meeting at the District Council we learnt that a parking audit has been taking place across the town. The relevant cabinet member at MSDC admitted that CPZs are on the table and could be introduced in Burgess Hill.
The public have always resisted them as the county council charge large sums for people to be able to park outside their own homes as a stealth tax. Our policy is for CPZs to be introduced only if significant amounts of residents in a road want them AND that the charges need to be minimal or at zero cost to the householders.
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 CCTV For St Johns Park
A few years ago there was a consultation regarding putting CCTV cameras in St Johns Park. The public were asked where they'd like to see them positioned. It was a case of when and not if it was going to happen, but we're still waiting for them.
Due to recent vandalism at the Cricket Club and the Skate Park, along with assaults and other anti-social behaviour, people agree that now's the time to push for the cameras to come. We'll get onto it.
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| News Stories Related To Issues In The Town And The Election |
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