make it happen in norfolk

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Make it Happen in Norfolk – Vote Liberal Democrat 2009

Dear resident,

This Liberal Democrat manifesto sets out in detail ouwork to make Norfolk a better place with your suppoelections, 2009.

We have outlined here seven key pledges. A Liberwould use its influence to make you feel:

• Inspired: increased funding for youth activitieschools; more support for local businesses

• Prouder: more investment in affordable housinenvironment

• Safer: no more dangerous gaps in emergency response; more help to stop speeding traffic

• Healthier: more choice of housing with care scsupport for carers and less bed-blocking

• Better connected: urgent expansion of publictravelcard for young people

• Involved: funding for you to control in your coinfluence over local decision-making

• Better off: Less money in council reserves to h

We also pledge to you that everything we do will prenvironment and addressing what we call the ‘5 Ds’ (discrimination; diversity; deprivation). If you would become more of a priority in Norfolk, you know who Liberal Democrats will. Labour have proved they canproved they won’t.

Our ideas for Norfolk are forward-looking and excitinmaking them happen. Vote Liberal Democrat in the elections. With best wishes,

pm

r plans for how we would rt in the County Council

al Democrat county council

s and helping failing

g and protecting the

fire cover or flood

heme places, better

transport services; a new

mmunity and more

elp keep council tax down

ioritise protecting the disadvantage; disability; like to see these issues will make it happen: the ’t. The Conservatives have

g. Please support us in 2009 County Council

Councillor Paul Morse 20 Spurdens Crescent

North Walsham NR28 9JD

[email protected] 402003

2

mailto:[email protected]


WWhhaatt LLiibbeerraall DDeemmooccrraattss ssttaanndd ffoorr

“ The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full.

” (Extract from the Liberal Democrat constitution)

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In Norfolk Liberal Democrats are campaigning for:

A fair county council, which

genuinely values the opinion of all local people and responds to their concerns A free-thinking county council, which thinks positively and creatively about how it could make life better for Norfolk people An open county council, which uses modern technology to make information about its services more easily accessible to all and is honest about its plans and performance

Equality for all local residen

Stronger communities, wand councillors have

The elimination of povertthe way in addressing the

The freedom of individu

All local services to prese

An effective three tier system

Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrat Leader, Paul Morse,with National Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg MP

3

ts with the same access to opportunities and keyservices wherever they live in Norfolk

here people understand each other’s perspective the power to help them solve simple issues fast

y in our local area and public services which leadissues of disadvantage, disability, discrimination,

diversity and deprivation

als to be respected and protected and the end ofunnecessary interference in people’s lives

rve and promote the dignity and well-being of individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable

of local government with county, district, townand parish councils working together at all times


SSoommee tthhiinnggss wwee hhaav vee aallrreeaaddy y mmaaddeehhaappppeenn

orfolk’s

o

restorative s

or

ded in obtaining a new centre

pposed proposals for increasing amounts of London wan local

ly critical of the creation of an cademy school at Heartsease against the

air nspection charges for

30mph limit agreed in NeNorwich to make the road safer for m

Worked hard with others to save Nflood sirens Discovered recurring gaps in emergency fire cover in many parts of Norfolk and got an investigation instigated which will lead tincreased funding for the fire service in 2009/10 Got the Council to agree to use ‘approaches’ across lots of services – thi

means a chance for victims of crime poor service from the Council to have more say in how things are put right Succee20mph limit in Fakenham town to prevent speeding motorists risking lives

Councillor for Harleston, Fran Pitt-Pladdy, has challenged the number of school crossing patrol vacancies and got a request for a safe crossing near the local school on the Council’s ‘to do’ list

Timinc

p

Otransported to Norfolk for disposal ilandfill sites Were strong

Lib Dem counCallaby, has s

better disabled aas a champio

acommunity’s wishes Fought against unfiMultiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres – these were removedthis year Got a new

Lib Dems in Norfolk, such as James Joyce, County Councillor for Reepham, have fought to save local post offices from closure

encourage more people to walk and cy

Local Lib Dem councillor East has fought against

ineration and contributedto seeing a more

environmentally-friendlyalternative agreed as thereferred waste treatment

option for Costessey

Liberal Democrats have always worked hard for Norfolk residents and, despite not currently having control of the County Council, hereare just a few of the things we have managed to achieve since 2005…

4

ste to be

wmarket Road, otorists and

cillor for Fakenham, David uccessfully campaigned for ccess in Norfolk and acted

n for those with disabilities

cle


Took a leading role in fighting to ensure that community hospitals across the county were not closed before

t

vative roposals to close a local children’s centre in

Got the County cil to offer more work experience for

young people and to establish a Youth Forum

ot the

flooding

services in Norfolk and got uncil and new funding for Citizens’

eaux

wo children under five instead of just one to travel fr T Opposed the sale of school playing fields, such as at Blackdale, and called for more consultation w

suitable alternative provision provided – we helped prevent immediate closure at St Michaels Hospital, Aylsham, and are still fighting for the righdecisions to be made for local people Fought successfully against ConserpThorpe Hamlet

in North Walsham

Coun

Helped local residents across North Norfolk with flooding problems and gcouncil to agree to look into how it could domore to prevent surface water Challenged inadequacy of funding for debtadditional work undertaken by the County Co

Advice Bur

Persuaded First Eastern Counties to allow t

ee with a fare-paying adult on local buses

ook up a role as champion for carers

ith the community

9

Lib Dem councillor for North Walsham East, Paul Morse, meeting with flood wardens at Walcott

Lib Dem councillor for Kings Lynn South, Judith Brown, pictured here with Jane Evans of West Norfolk Carers, has worked hard as Norfolk’s champion for carers

Lib Dem councillor, David Harrison fought hard to save St Michael’s hospital in Aylsham

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5

chance of making more of our ideas become

We have already achieved so much but with your vote in 2009 we would stand a better

a reality where you live. Read on to learn more about what a Liberal Democrat Council could make happen in Norfolk…


6

WWhhaa

Liber make sure orfolk:

•

tion by standing up

•

to

ed economic development service, people living in the poorest areas of

t

• nds the important role that museums, libraries and the arts can play in

WW

A Liberal Democrat county council would use its influence to make the following things appen in Norfolk:

and activities for young people

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tt wwee bbeelliieevvee -- iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll

al Democrat County Council would use its influence and powers to AN

• Supports diversity by providing an education system where success is not determined by where you live, how much your family earns or whether or not you have a disability

Has schools of a quality which compares favourably with the best nationally

Tackles discrimina• against the Government’s attempts to privatise education and insisting that all schools should be given the same opportunities to innovate and improve facilities

Tackles disadvantage by giving childrenin its direct care the support they need succeed in life

• Tackles deprivation by having a well-fund

which has a genuine impact on the lives ofNorfolk

• Does all it can to support the survival and development of local business so tha

skills, jobs and money are kept in Norfolk

Understathe development of confidence and skills and makes them more accessible to those on the lowest incomes

hhaatt wwee wwiillll ddoo ffrroomm 22000099

h

• ncreased funding for youth servicesI• Early identification and more support for schools that are struggling with

standards


7

• Increased funding for vulnerable people and those on the lowest incomes to access museums, the arts and adult education classes Increase the• funding of the Council’s Economic Development team so it can bring more European funding into Norfolk and have a greater impact on tackling poverty

ren are ild’s

• to ergise the Norfolk economy and a programme to help them win

• s’

• t of more academy schools unless they are

he County Council

• local places for children with SEN

on

• ork experience placements for students across the County Council’s

• confusing

• they do

• plan to enable all local children and young people to have access

• they have the support of local parents

Gree

• Funding to make grants available for schools to improve energy efficiency by, for example, improving building insulation and replacing inefficient boilers

ystems • Promotion and use of alternative forms of energy in schools, and more

encouragement for the rest of Norfolk to do the same

• n nd don’t need to use a bus

• Increased investment to ensure early intervention where young childliving in abusive homes to stop irreparable damage being done to a chearly emotional and intellectual development Review of council contracts to check how much is going to Norfolk businesseshelp re-enmore work with the Council More one to one teaching support for all children who fall behind their peerprogress

• More work to develop tourism in the county, our no.1 industry, and ensure that Visit Norwich is given enough funding to keep drawing visitors to Norfolk Opposition to the developmenstrategically planned, have the support of the local community and sponsorship involves t

• Review of support provided to young carers with a view to freeing more time for them from this role so they can look after their own development and needs Full investigation into why Special Educational Needs (SEN) statements take so long to be updated and more

• The relocation of Coltishall Pupil Referral Unit away from the planned new prisso that vulnerable young people are not unfairly associated with crime More wservices A top level restructure of Children’s services management to replace and inefficient management structures Better marketing for museums so people know where they are and whatand an overhaul of the chaotic charging system An actionto two positive structured activities a week Support for small rural schools whereand are educationally viable

n action:

and control s

• More support to develop biodiversity in school grounds Footway improvements targeted at school runs to ensure that children cawalk to school safely a


8

HHee wwhheerree yyoouu lliivv

emocrat County Council would use its influence and powers to make sure

well-maintained open spaces

• Has a really efficient waste collection and disposal service which maximises

• Looks after its

and environment

• diversity by

d

from all walks of to

d her

•

ng affordable housing where it is needed and not storing up money in reserves that could be spent on meeting this housing need

• ot blighted by the noise and air pollution caused by heavy d speeding traffic

WWhhA Liberal Democrat county council would use its influence to make the following things hap e

• Immediate work in the communities hit by post office, pub and local people need to adapt and to get work as possible

e more affordable housing and push the Government to

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WWhhaatt wwee bbeelliieevvee -- iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll A Liberal DNorfolk:

• Is a pleasant place to live with clean streets and

recycling

natural assets

Supports

looking after communities angetting people

life talkingeach other anworking toget

Tackles deprivation and helps keeps communities together by providi

Communities are ncongestion an

aatt wwee wwiillll ddoo ffrroomm 22000099

p n in Norfolk:

shop closures to assess what help localcarried out to meet those needs as soon

• Work with other local councils to review all publicly-owned land that could be used to provid


9

support councils to buy up unsold properties and sites from building companiorder to increase the availability of social housing Funding for new Rural Housing Enabler posts to h

es in

is

• Proper consultation with the community on what surplus school playing

et the

Gree

• to reduce unnecessary carbon miles • Much greater levels of overall investment in work to slow down climate

for advice and grant-aid to communities who want to reduce their carbon imprint

• Start work on making Norfolk a ‘zero waste’ county – that means putting our

more environmentally and socially sustainable g

•

• elp town and parish councils succeed in getting more affordable housing in rural areas where therean identified need

fields should be used for and an assumption that open space should be protected unless a better use is identified by local people

• Stop Council-owned farmland being sold off provided it is used to meneeds of Norfolk people

n action:

More clean local disposal of waste

change • New funding

investment into reducing, reusing and recycling first and avoiding the incineration or landfilling of waste Oppositi• on to the development of unsustainable ecotowns in rural areas and a push instead for Government to focus on making already planned and approved developments

• Prioritise work to identify why residents’ satisfaction with local recyclincentres is so low currently and to improve the services provided there Undertake a programme for all County • Council owned property to reduce energy use through efficiency measures and switch to renewable forms of energy wherethis is cost-effective in the long-term; and encourage the rest of Norfolk to dothe same

• Move towards all County Council owned vehicles using cleaner fuel Obligation for every council report to include consideration of any environm• ental impacts so that the risks of climate change are taken into account in every Council decision that is taken Promote enhanced biodiversity where appropriate on all County Council owned land


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HHeellppiinngg yyoouu ffeeeell ssaaffee wwhheerree yyoouu lliivvee WWhhaatt wwee bbeelliieevvee –– iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll A Liberal Democrat County Council would use its influence and powers to make sure Norfolk:

• Has police who do less paperwork and have more time to help local people who are the victims of crime

• Fights discrimination by having a fire service which is sufficiently equipped to

make sure all residents can feel safe in their homes, wherever they live • Prevents disadvantage by better protecting residents from flooding

• Supports those with a disability and is a place where vulnerable people, and

especially children, are kept safe from harm

• Is a place where residents’ lives are not endangered by speeding traffic

• Is kept free from nuclear energy and mass waste incinerators, which we consider both constitute long term risks

• Is a champion for the fight against climate change, which could put all our lives

at risk

WWhhaatt wwee wwiillll ddoo ffrroomm 22000099

A Liberal Democrat county council would use its influence to make the following things happen in Norfolk:

• Build on the existing flood warden system to establish a full network of voluntary Community Emergency Wardens across Norfolk

• More funding for the fire service so there are no gaps in emergency fire cover • Replacement of failing flood sirens with new ones and provision of

laminated advice cards for residents in flood risk areas


11

• Work with the Police to see officers’ paperwork reduced by better use of

voice-recognition technology and hand-held computers and to get direct phone numbers for Safer Neighbourhood Teams so they are easier to contact

• Work with other local agencies to trial new restorative community justice panels across the county to deal with anti-social behaviour and low-level crime where offenders can face up to what they have done, apologise and agree to make amends to their victims

• An urgent review of the provision of domestic violence support services in Norfolk (the East of England is one of the poorest served areas of the country)

• Lead role for the Council in fixing surface water flooding problems for local householders and helping make homes more flood resilient

• More support for communities threatened by coastal erosion and managed retreat including help in fighting for financial recompense for loss of property and livelihoods

• More intensive fostering for young offenders to help contribute to the reduction of offending and to get more positive outcomes for vulnerable young people

• Work to make sure people’s private information is protected and to eliminate any unnecessary interference in people’s lives e.g. children’s fingerprinting in schools

• Ensure sprinkler systems are installed in all new school buildings and undertake a programme of installation in vulnerable existing school buildings

• Work with Police, media and other agencies to reduce the fear of crime • Work with the District Councils to use planning powers to ‘plan out crime’ in

new building developments • Support for efforts to introduce 20mph limits in more residential areas and

around all schools Green action:

• Work to ensure adequate lighting at bus stops and train stations so people feel safe to use public transport more

• Address speeding problems throughout Norfolk by adapting roads to encourage motorists to drive at responsible speeds


12

LLooookkiinngg aafftteerr yyoouurr hheeaalltt hh

WWhhaatt wwee bbeelliieevvee -- iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll A Liberal Democrat County Council would use its influence and powers to make sure Norfolk:

• Tackles discrimination by recognising people’s individual health and support needs and not being driven exclusively by assessment criteria

• Tackles disadvantage and deprivation by ensuring all care providers, such as

the County Council, the NHS and the independent sector, work together to target their resources to where there is the most need

• Respects disability, protects the human rights of all those with health needs and

does not tolerate poor quality services which undermine individuals’ dignity

• Supports diversity by really listening to people and responding to their concerns when they are consulted on changes to services

• Provides care services that are ready for people when they need them so they

don’t have to ‘block beds’ by staying in hospital longer than necessary

• Gives carers the help they need to cope with looking after loved ones



• Priority work to bring the management of health and social care services together so that access to the healthcare system is simplified

• Better use of technology to support carers and help maintain personal independence

• Increased investment in user-friendly information and guidance for all those who ask for help with their healthcare and not just those who meet current assessment criteria

• Work to accelerate the availability and variety of housing with care schemes places, including in sheltered housing and private schemes


13

• A review of charges made

for key preventative social care services such as for bathing services and the meals service to ensure those most in need find them affordable

• Recognising the key role of physical activity in health and well-being, seek additional funding for sports and leisure facilities and ensure that informal activity is encouraged by making walking and cycling etc safe and pleasant

• Urgent work with other local organisations to increase the allowances for volunteer drivers who have had no increase for some time

• Tighter standards in residential care homes and work to ensure that residents have the same rights to a range of choices and opportunities as those using day care/home care services

• Suspension of the trend to move care services from local authority provision to private provision and carry out a review of private provider capacity, quality and skills before any further switches

• More attention to the views of staff and service users when decisions about the future of services are being taken

• Priority work to fix the failed attempt by the Conservatives to reduce social care staff paperwork and to make sure they have technology that does what they need it to

• Work with other agencies to accelerate the implementation of improvements to care for the terminally ill so patients can end their days at home should they wish

Green action:

• Promotion and use of alternative forms of energy in all County Council owned residential care homes


bbeeWWhhaatt wwee bbeelliieevvee -- iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll A Liberal Democrat County Council would use its influence and powers to make sure Norfolk:

• Fights disadvantage by maintaining a good road network while we build up a public transport system that provides an alternative to car use

• Has a flexible and reliable public

transport system which people want to use

• Tackles deprivation by getting

itself better connected to the rest of the country so that it is a more attractive place for businesses to be based

• Tackles discrimination and

supports those with a disability by makingopportunities and services just because the

• Is a safer place for all pedestrians and road


A Liberal Democrat county council would use its inhappen in Norfolk:

• More support for speed management sc

limits outside schools • Work with County and regional bodies to se

from the County • Intensified pressure on the Government to

that Norfolk becomes a more attractive area• Insistence on the provision of low floor b

accessible to those with disabilities • Support for the development of the North

of the feasibility of making it a full link to th

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14

sure nobody is excluded from key y cannot access them

users

fluence to make the following things

hemes, including variable speed

ek improved rail services to and

get Norfolk’s key roads dualled so for business development

uses and making transport more

ern Distributor Road with a review e A47


15

• Use of our influence nationally to push the Government for an independent

national bus regulator to hold bus operators to account • Suspension of the punishing travel charging arrangements for post 16 students

and the provision instead of a travelcard for all young people aged 14-19 in full time education, which would enable them to travel at half fare anywhere 24/7

• Improve public and community transport links to enable those living in rural areas to travel to and from work, educational and leisure activities late into evenings and at weekends

Green action:

• Additional funding to promote rail use, to make stations easier to access and to lobby for the provision of new ones

• More funding to support the carshare scheme in Norfolk • More investment in community transport that would connect people in

villages to key public transport interchanges • Personal travel planning service for residents in market towns • Targeted work with the Council’s own employees to get more of them off the

roads and into public transport


16

GGeettttiinngg yyoouu iinnvvoollvveedd

WWhhaatt wwee bbeelliieevvee -- iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll

“Good leadership does not mean telling people what to think, it means allowing people to make up their own minds by presenting a balanced and factual view.”

A Liberal Democrat County Council would use its influence and powers to make sure Norfolk:

• Supports diversity by upholding democracy and getting people excited about it • Can address disadvantage by having councillors who are really able to make

things happen for people • Fights discrimination by being a place where all residents feel they can influence

decision-making in their area



• New funding pots for each community, looked after by their local councillor, so money can be available fast for projects that people think are important where they live

• Funding for a new disabled access officer to make sure people with disabilities have someone to contact directly who can help them address any access issues

• The use of ‘restorative approaches’ across the Council– this means a chance for staff or the public who have experienced poor service from the Council to have more say in how things are put right

• Increased investment in events which promote the celebration of multiculturalism in Norfolk

• A wholesale review of the Council’s consultation procedures to make sure residents’ views have a genuine influence on decision-making and are properly responded to

• Work to see more decisions about spending priorities of the children and young people’s services budget directly determined by children and young people themselves

• Work with the district, town and parish councils to establish a system of area forums covering all parts of the county to improve communications, encourage communities to address local issues and ensure effective collaboration between the different levels of local government

• A proper system to respond to petitions • An overhaul of Council meetings so they make it easier for the public to be

involved, including more opportunities for local people to influence debates • Relocate appropriate meetings away from County Hall to more convenient

locations

Green action:

• Webcasting of important council meetings so that more people can see decision making from their own homes


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works so more money is sav

WWhhaatt wwee wwiillll ddoo ffrroomm

A Liberal Democrat county counchappen in Norfolk:

• Reduction of the amountcan be used on services

• An urgent review of the aincreased investment in he

• Development of the Counusing costly consultancy anover time and over budget

• Priority work to share morother local councils so that

• Making the managementefficient and saving money

• Review of the Council’s uonly used when it is shown taxpayer than public financ

• Increased investment in theclaiming the benefits they a

• Sustained pressure on Govewith a local income tax b

• Continued fight against uGovernment

• Better spread investmen

Green action:

• An ethical investment poand fair trade

• Investment in appropriate treduced and unsuitable, ex

WWhhaatt wwee bbeelliieevvee -- iinn aa nnuuttsshheellll

17

A Liberal Democrat County Council would help address deprivation by:

• Reducing the amount of money stored away to help keep council tax

down

• Working better with other local councils so

together they waste less of your money

• Modernising the way it ed and can be reinvested in services important to you

22000099 il would use its influence to make the following things

of money stored in Council reserves so that it

dequacy of debt advice provision in Norfolk with lp from us if it is needed cil’s own project management skills to avoid

d to reduce money wasted through projects running

e support services such as human resources with money is saved of waste collection and disposal much more by bringing it together under one organisation se of Private Finance Initiatives so that they are they can provide better value for money to the e Council’s work to make sure local people are re entitled to rnment to replace the unfair Council Tax system ased on people’s ability to pay

nfair reductions of Norfolk’s funding by Central

ts that do not expose taxpayers to risk

licy which promotes protection of the environment

echnology so more staff can work remotely, travel is pensive council property can be released


IInn ccaassee yyoouu wweerree tthhiinnkkiinngg aabboouutt iitt…… 1100 ggoooodd rreeaassoonnss nnoott ttoo vvoottee TToorryy iinn 22000099 The Conservatives have controlled Norfolk County Council since 2001. Here are a few reasons why we think that is bad news for local people:

7 years of Tory control has cost you over £400 extra in council tax at band D – an increase almost 2.5 times above inflation – despite this, more than
1 £100m is now stored away in council reserves and not being spent on services Youth services are under-funded compared to other councils even though polls show investing in activities for teenagers is the top priority for Norfolk 2 people
Norfolk’s fire service is under-funded compared to other councils frequently leaving parts of the county without adequate emergency fire cover
3 27% of Norfolk people think that improving job prospects locally is a top priority but money invested in economic development services is amongst the lowest of all county councils nationally
The Conservatives are in favour of building large scale waste incinerators in Norfolk despite wide concerns about public health risks The Conservatives continue to support the national Labour policy of handing control of schools over to private sponsors - this means less accountability to the local community, inequalities in the funding allocated
6 to schools and wasteful competition between them
Repeated failures to work constructively with other councils means wasted taxpayers’ money: promises for big savings from shared back office
7 support have never been delivered while funding that’s supposed to help provide more affordable housing is sitting around unused Public transport is still under-developed in much of the county and expensive – the Conservatives have made this worse by introducing 8 massive increases to travel costs for college students Despite increasing problems with flooding across the county some Conservative councillors in Norfolk are still openly stating they do not 9 believe climate change exists 66% of Norfolk residents do not currently feel that they can influence decisions affecting their local area 10
4

5

18


19

NNeeeedd ssoommee hheellpp??

We want to help protect the

environment and have made our full manifesto available online

only to help reduce paper used for printing.

If you would like to request a

printed copy of this document or require it in a different format please contact Paul Morse on 01692 402003 or email [email protected] and we will do our best

to help.

If you would like to know more about anything you have read in this document or just want to ask some questions about what Liberal Democrats in Norfolk stand for please

contact Kate Sayer on 01485 600825 or email [email protected]

Paul Morse, Leader of Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrats, working with

Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, to make it happen where you live

mailto:[email protected]

make it happen in norfolk

Documents