Labour criticises "alarming" state of council's housing repair budget

After reports from residents that necessary repairs and work on the some of the City’s council housing has stopped, the Labour Group is questioning whether the money budgeted for improving housing across the City has run out.

In a letter from the Labour spokesperson for Housing, Cllr Christine Simpson to the Councillor in charge of Housing for the City, Maria Caulfied asking for the Housing Revenue Accounts of the Council to be scrutinised.

Cllr Christine Simpson said,
“My councillor colleagues and I are getting a number of complaints from residents about previously agreed repairs to their homes that are now being delayed until the start of the next financial year in April 2010. It is alleged that the council’s repairs contractors have already been warned that budgets have run out. It is important that councillors get to the bottom of this and find out exactly what the situation is and where the money has gone.”

Tackling fear of crime amongst older people

In a review brought to the Environment Scrutiny Committee and presented by Cllr Mo Marsh, fresh recommendations on safety and perceived fear of crime felt by older people were heard.
 
Chair of the Panel, Cllr Mo Marsh said:
“Fear of crime amongst the elderly is a problem that deserves to be tackled properly by this local authority.  However, it is not an issue that can be dealt with in isolation.  We heard from residents, Age Concern,  East Sussex Fire Brigade and experts from the NHS.
 
"The most worrying factor for me was the issue of domestic violence.  The common perception of the little old lady being scared to leave her house and the perceived fear of crime that is felt from the outside world is actually incomparable to the largely unknown, unreported and unpublicised levels of domestic violence against the elderly in their own homes.”
 
One of the committee's key findings was the availability of information and how it is best delivered to older people.  It was recommended that any future information for older people about community safety must be user-friendly, clear in its purpose and its intended audience.  

	JOIN OUR 20 IS PLENTY CAMPAIGN FOR SAFER STREETS Look out for a new petition on a campaign for a 20mph speed limit in our local streets. Councillor Melanie Davis and Lis Telcs are campaigning for a legally-enforceable 20mph limit for residential streets. To view the full article and download a petition go here.
	FUEL POVERTY This Winter has already seen record low temperatures and energy companies have increased fuel costs.  The Labour Party in Brighton and Hove has been arming people with useful information and practical tips on how to limit fuel costs and what to do if you find it is too difficult to pay your bills. For more information please contact our councillors or see useful information cards in the gallery.
	FAIR TIPS Brighton and Hove Labour Group have launched a campaign with theMirrorand Uniteto try and continue the work already started with the government closing the loophole that allowed businesses to make up their staff's minimum wage through tips. However, there is still no legislation to say how tips will be divided between staff and businesses and no protection that tips will not be used to cover 'walk outs' and breakages. The mirror, unite and the labour group still believe more needs to be done
	ENDING CHILD POVERTY The Labour lead for Children’s Services, Cllr Pat Hawkes, has urged Brighton and Hove City Council to apply for up to £20 million towards from the Labour Government to tackle the unacceptable levels of poverty faced by our city’s children.  Cllr Pat Hawkes added, “There are currently over 10,000 children living in poverty in Brighton & Hove and the government’s proposals deal with the root cause of the problem; employment. Parents on low incomes could benefit from  affordable childcare, through the Childcare Affordability Programme, which enables parents to retain or seek work."
	BID FOR NEW SKATE PARK AT THE LEVEL Over 60 of Brighton and Hove’s skating and BMX community joinedLabour’s PPC for Pavilion Nancy Plattsand Leader of theLabour Group Gill Mitchell at a demonstration on The Level on 18th August. Councillor Gill Mitchell added “the turnout from the skating community demonstrates the feeling and need for improved skate facilities in the area. There is a pot of government money set aside for initiatives like this and we must ensure the Conservative council put in a bid, so that our City’s young people do not miss out.”