Telford & Wrekin Council Watch - Housing Summit andown Park Protest

Housing Summit andown Park Protest

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Written by John Franklyn

Friday, 12 September 2008

The Road to the Housing Summit is being paved

MP David Wright has proven to be as good as his word and is making significant progress in paving the way towards a Housing Summit.

As previously reported, I had the pleasure of meeting MP David Wright and must admit I was extremely impressed with his approach.

MP David Wright and his office have worked hard not only to pave they way to the housing summit, but also to do it in a positive manner that is inclusive to residents with the long term objective being the needs of resident, whilst working to assist a struggling housing market.

In a detailed letter to the Chief Executive of Telford and Wrekin Council

MP David Wright says,

“It is my intention to hold a Telford Housing Summit in the next two or three months and I am asking you to participate in the process. I would like this event to engage with a wide range of opinion formers locally and regionally, and I want the discussion to be productive and forward thinking.”

I agree with MP David Wright whole heartedly. I know this is an emotive topic for many residents and it is emotive for a wide range of reasons, it is vital that we as residents remain productive, forward thinking and act professionally.

MP David Wright goes onto explain that Housing issues form around 40% of the casework that comes through the door during regular advice surgery sessions. He also explains and wide range of packages brought in by the Government in response to a wide range of needs that affect residents, not only locally, but also nationally.

I also agree with MP David Wright, that

“through partnership action in Telford we can build on this and lead the way in a co-ordinated effort to meet local housing needs and support the housing market. In many ways we are uniquely placed to do so.”

I agree we are uniquely placed and I also believe that we have the opportunity to play a small, but important role in shaping the future of housing needs within Telford.

MP David Wright would like

“to bring together a range of partners and local people together to discuss these important issues at a Telford Housing Summit in the next few months.”

Having approached MP Iain Wright to give a key note speech at the Summit, in the hope this would set the scene for a wide ranging discussion on local housing priorities and provide us with an opportunity to reach a consensus on the way forward.

It is crucial that the Council plays a leading role in these discussions and I hope you would agree to participate. I see the other key players being

Wrekin Housing Trust

GOWM

AWM

Transforming Telford

The House Builders Federation

Other large Social Landlords

Homelessness Organisations

And other organisations who we will engage with via Telford Council Watch.

I for one am quite inspired by this and believe, that we as residents are now approaching a unique opportunity not only to have our say, not only to have our voices heard but also to shape the needs of housing for future generations who live in the Communities we are all so passionate about.

I also believe, that it is absolutely vital that we conduct ourselves in a professional manner, put politics to one side whilst not allowing our hearts to rule our heads.

There will be times when we have to give, there will be times when we can take, there will be times when we have to firm, but we have to be fair.

This is a unique opportunity afforded us and I for one intend to grab it firmly with both hands and ensure that YOUR views, ideas and thoughts are not only put forward, but also acted on in the best way possible.

I congratulate MP David Wright and his office for the significant in roads they have made in such a short period of time.

Telford Town Park Protest

The Protest at the Councils recent policy of checking adults is still going ahead

Saturday 13^th September 1030hrs at the Arena.

A number of points are vital with regards this protest, firstly,

I feel it is absolutely vital to remind everyone that

Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson – who dressed as penguins and handed out leaflets in the Town Park were giving leaflets to interested residents about climate change entitled –

WHY CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

It was their actions that was ultimately responsible for exposing a crazy policy, but I also feel it is important that :-

Their Message and Reason for being in the Town Park does not get lost or over shadowed.

Whether you agree in Whole or part with their message, we must acknowledge their right to peacefully bring Climate Change to the attention of residents.

Rachel Whittaker, Neil Donadlson and Graham Bunn are extremely nice people, who are extremely well informed about their topics and have the ability to debate, talk, listen, share views and ideas, whilst being prepared to take on board other people’s views.

These are very rare qualities, when so many others only want their view heard and adopt a “Do as I say, not as I do” style of policy enforcement.

I will make available their leaflet and other information available in the forum for download.

It is also vital that we work to open up the council, so they finally deliver on their promise “To be open and Honest” which recent events have clearly shown they have failed to deliver on.

I will continue to push for residents to have a voice at full council and a voice at planning meetings. I for one no longer accept it reasonable to have a “Listen Only” policy at full Council for residents, especially when some comments made in the past have been insulting, yet we do not have the right to rebuttal.

I hope Andrew Eade, as leader of the Council accepts my invitation to attend tomorrow and I hope he finally delivers on his promise to deliver an open and honest council, then keeps his promise to allow a residents panel to speak at full council.

If there was ever a time to keep these promises, IT IS NOW.

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