Selly Oak Labour Party wants a future for our area based on the principles of democracy, equality and social justice. This is our manifesto for Selly Oak:
Tolerance and Respect for all Communities
a) We believe that Selly Oak’s greatest strength is that it welcomes people from all parts of the world. We support every move to bring people of different cultures and beliefs together as citizens
b) We support all moves to foster good relations between shorter-term and longer-term members of the local community
c) We value the contribution of older people to the life of the area
Safe, Clean and Green
d) We need a programme of crime prevention across the ward, giving households the security they need. This can be achieved through, for example, the Bournbrook Community Safety Project
e) More resources will be used to clear Selly Oak of rats. Fly-tippers will be prosecuted. We will rub out the graffiti nuisance across Selly Oak
f) The doorstep collection of bottles, cans, plastic and paper will be made weekly
g) In recognition of the special problems with rubbish in Bournbrook we will consult residents on the desirability of changing the day of collection from a Monday and also consult them on introducing weekly collection from wheelie bins in that area. Any wheelie bins used must encourage recycling rather than the generation of waste
h) We support the establishment of ‘Friends’ groups for every park in Selly Oak, with a small budget to start things off
i) We will work with the Police and Trading Standards to stop the sale of alcohol to under 18s from shops and off-licences
Prosperity for all
j) We will ensure there is a public debate on the future uses of the Selly Oak Hospital site once the new general hospital has been built. In particular we support the retention of the historically significant Workhouse Buildings and would be keen to maximise the percentage of any housing given over to affordable, environmentally sustainable housing
k) When the new Sainsbury’s is built we will work to ensure that the needs of the community and environment are incorporated into the project, especially re-opening the Lapal Canal as far as Selly Oak Park. Similar considerations apply to any proposed Asda store on the Dingle site
l) We will fight any move to close the very popular Tiverton Baths
m) We support local provision of home care, day care and residential care for those who need it
Education and Young People
n) We will make sure Tiverton J&I continues as a primary school
o) We will establish an inquiry into the problems faced by the parents of secondary school boys in Selly Park. The lack of an accessible school is driving families out of the area
p) We will give a boost to the Youth Service in Selly Oak. On the Lodge Hill side, in particular, there is just not enough for young people to do
q) We support the campaign for a Sexual Health Clinic in Selly Oak to support young people taking more responsibility for their own health
r) We will encourage the University to work with secondary schools in the area to support the aspirations of local young people
Safer Roads and Better Public Transport
s) We will consult on additional road safety measures for Bournbrook and explore the possibility of the area becoming a 20-mile per hour zone. Double yellow lines will be imposed to stop irresponsible parking at junctions
t) More speed cameras will be erected on the Pershore and Bristol Roads at accident black spots
u) We will consult local residents on how best to stop the rat-running in Cecil and Kitchener Roads
v) We will work with the Transport Authority to develop clean, safe and accessible bus and train services for Selly Oak. In particular we will back the earliest possible introduction of an oystercard-style sevice for public transport.
w) We support the extension of the tram network to Selly Oak
Licensing of Rented Properties
x) We will bring the rented market under control by introducing an additional licensing scheme for the whole ward. This will allow basic standards to be established and force bad landlords to clean up their act
y) We support the accreditation of landlords to bring additional standards that licensing will never achieve and support the rolling out of Tenancy Deposit Schemes to protect vulnerable tenants from losing their deposit needlessly
z) We will initiate an inquiry into the exhorbitant rents currently being imposed on students in Selly Oak
