LABOUR ACTION
How is the Labour led administration delivering on its promises
OUR PROMISES
In 2023 you elected Labour councillors to deliver a Better Way. We promised a new way of working and a council which would:
- work with, not against our residents
- spend money wisely, not on vanity proects
- secure a future for all
Click here to read out 2023 Manifesto in full.
In a spirit of transparency we are keen to update you on our progress. The activity of the Labour Led council is listed under our three manifesto promises to deliver a greener way, a fairer way and a stronger way.
A GREENER WAY
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GET NEXT ZERO BY 2030
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GET NEXT ZERO BY 2030
Since being elected Labour have:
- set up a £500,000 climate change reserve
- launched citizen led climate change assemblies
- introduced real time air quality monitoring
- led on a district wide recycling pushÂ
- decarbonised our leisure centres in Canterbury and Whitstable
- converted our bin lorries to run on vegetable oil
Our proposed Local Plan means new developments will be greener than ever with stretching targets around biodiversity net gain, tree cover and the green construction methods
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PROTECT OUR SEAS AND GREEN SPACE
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PROTECT OUR SEAS AND GREEN SPACE
Since being elected Labour have:
- partnered with ZSL on a sea grass planting trial in Seasalter
- demanded higher fines against dumping water companies whilst working with them on practical solutions in Swalecliffe
- supported SOS Whitstable run a citizen science project
- given the community a right to grow on council owned land
- launched biodiversity grants and bee corridors in our parks
We've changed our communications protocols to help better inform residents of risks caused by sewage in our seas.
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TACKLE OUR TRANSPORT PROBLEMS
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TACKLE OUR TRANSPORT PROBLEMS
Since being elected Labour have:
- ditched the Conservative plan for zones and bypasses in Canterbury
- relaunched the Sturry Park and Ride
- repriced Car Parks to make it cheaper to park in less congested areas
- consulted on a new Bus Strategy to improve access across the district
- channelled funding on new cycle routes in Canterbury City CentreÂ
We rejected Conservative backed plans to introduce the Herne Bay Plaza when it threatened local business whilst retaining improved cycle routes.
A FAIRER WAY
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PUT THE INTEREST OF LOCAL PEOPLE FIRST
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PUT THE INTEREST OF LOCAL PEOPLE FIRST
Since being elected Labour have:
- Doubled the council tax on second homes
- Introduced a review of licensing AirBnB's
- Discounted car parks for local residents
- Waived costs for small community groups running events on our land
- Appointed a coastal champion and sought to better focus in Herne Bay and Whitstable
Our new Corporate plan focusses on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It seeks to includes work on poverty, health and inequality and not just service delivery.
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PROVIDE HOUSING THAT PEOPLE CAN GENUINELY AFFORD
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PROVIDE HOUSING THAT PEOPLE CAN GENUINELY AFFORD
Since being elected Labour have:
- Spent millions of pounds on new council housing in Sturry - securing more homes in one deal than the Conservatives managed in ten years
- Strengthened planning enforcement to ensure developers deliver their promised affordable housing and used planning powers to ensure new social lettings go to residents with a local connection
- Used the credits that come from new housebuilding to make council homes more energy efficient
- Worked with Catching Lives to bring back the seasonal night shelter for homeless people
We are calling on the government to make more money available for housing repairs and council housing investment
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SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS
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SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS
Since being elected Labour have:
- reopened the Canterbury Market
- agreed to pay its staff and all contractors the Real Living Wage
- Delivered a Green Skills for Business Programme and mentoring programme for small business leadersÂ
- Launched a Choose Canterbury campaign to encourage inward investment and started working with Canterbury BID to actively advertise business on the coast - after the last administration ended this work
The council has joined the a group of local authorities actively seeking to keep money spent by the council in the local area.
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HELP FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH THE COST OF LIVING
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HELP FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH THE COST OF LIVING
Since being elected Labour have:
-  launched a district wide Poverty Forum responding to calls from the Canterbury Society. Our website now includes now includes information on cost of living
- Piloted providing furniture packs to new tenants and given advice to residents on how to donate unwanted furniture to local charities
- increased the Homeless Prevention Fund and strengthened the independent housing and benefits advice available to residents through CAB and Canterbury Housing.
- launched community fun days on our estates to deliver 'cost of living' advice. We have run 'Winter Well' events with the Community NHS Trust.
Grants to the local charities have increased year on year. We are currently working with CXK to provide one to one support to people not in education, employment or training getting back into work.
A STRONGER WAY
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BE MORE RESPONSIVE
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BE MORE RESPONSIVE
Since being elected Labour have:
- reopened the council office in the Centre of Canterbury and extended its opening times
- started proactively providing councillors and the public reports on missed bins
- given members of the public extra speaking time at meetings and a simpler way of creating petitions
- launched a working group on digital exclusion
- started enforcing idling outside of local schools in partnership with headteachers
We are committed to trying to find ways in which we can engage a wider range of people in our decision making and will be publishing a new Consultation and Engagement Strategy this year.
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LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS
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LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS
Since being elected Labour have:
- agreed to run an annual debate in the council chamber with school children to support democracy
- launched a Canterbury Health Care Alliance with local GP's and voluntary sector forum
- Extended the Community Alcohol Partnership to give us extra powers to prevent disturbance on the coast
- Supported a new Youth Hub for Canterbury City Centre
We're always interested in new ways we can support people to get involved in local democracy
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GIVE POWER BACK TO LOCAL PEOPLE
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GIVE POWER BACK TO LOCAL PEOPLE
Since being elected Labour have:
- carried out a community governance review in Whitstable and listened to local residents
- put new independant members on Whitstable Harbour Board and the Audit Committee
- given opposition councillors new powers and time to scrutinise our decisions in public
- launched a new Culture Grant to support popular festivals and events in the district
GET IN TOUCH
As your local Councillors, we can help residents on a range of issues, such as council tax, bin collections, housing issues, social services, schools and roads and pavements.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with us. Please remember to provide as many details as possible, including your name, address, issue, and full contact details.
Your Labour Councillors also hold face-to-face and online surgeries using Zoom/Microsoft Teams. At each session, we’ll be available to help with local issues. Click here to book an appointment for surgery.
