The Conservative administration claims local services have not been cut. But that is not
the experience of the local community. A number of services have been stripped down
or contracted out, and charges have risen.

What has Labour achieved?

■ after many years of neglect, a sustained campaign by Labour and local residents
recently succeeded in shaming the Conservative-run Council into taking
enforcement action on fly tipping and waste
■ Councillors alongside residents played a key role in pressing for a review of the
Night Noise Service, which is now underway
■ we persistently highlighted property and grounds maintenance concerns
■ we worked long and hard with Council officers, the police and landlords to reverse
the worrying trends in crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), especially in South
Leamington – two key centres of drug-dealing were shut down in 2018
■ Councillors organised speed watch sessions with local residents
■ we encouraged successful cross-party working on important issues – notably on
HMOs
■ Councillors have pressed for early community involvement in Council proposals
and open access to key documents – for example in planning, and partnerships
with the private sector
■ close and regular partnership working with local community and amenity
associations

What are the challenges?

■ pressure on resources as government support shrinks, which is passed on to
community organisations
■ on-site management and support across our public housing and especially in
sheltered accommodation has deteriorated, affecting the quality of life of some
and examples of poor maintenance for others
■ maintaining good community engagement (community forums and grants have
been halved by the Conservative-run Council)
■ changing business environment in our town centres and from the impact of
business rates and other national policies

What will Labour do if elected?

We will work to restore fair and effective public services:
■ ensure the renewed contracts on waste collections, open spaces etc. are fit for
purpose
■ work closely with residents and officers to ensure the Fly Tipping and Waste
initiative is cost-effective and works to deter these nuisances
■ make the charges for replacement red bins and bags fairer for residents on low
incomes
■ restore a decent service to ensure night noise is brought back under adequate
control
■ reverse the cuts in on-site housing management and restore more responsive
on-site services
■ introduce more targeted mobile CCTV
■ lobby for a 20mph speed limit in our town centres and appropriate residential
streets
■ use Fixed Penalty notices more consistently for persistent ASB offenders, and
innovative approaches successful elsewhere
■ restore, sustain and develop the community forums to ensure decision-making
adapts to local needs
■ encourage a variety of community events and activities to strengthen social and
support networks – and to give people of all ages more fun
■ involve the community and partners at an early stage in decision-making
■ nurture community organisations, with suitable and affordable properties,
contracts and commissioning of their services
■ support our thriving arts and creative communities
■ support existing businesses to operate, thrive and grow through initiatives such as
New Enterprise Hubs and affordable rates
■ require Council contractors – and the council itself – to pay employees the
Independent Living Wage
■ agree evidence-based economic development strategies with local business
leaders, County colleagues and the Local Enterprise Partnership to support:
– our four evolving town centres in challenging times
– the high demand for warehouse, office and manufacturing facilities