Southwell Liberal Democrats

Sept 1st prize 47, 2nd 26; Oct 1st 13, 2nd 59

Tackling COVID19 outbreaks should be the responsibility of Public Health England. However, the agency, underfunded since it was set up seven years ago, was unprepared to deal with a pandemic.

World Beating Promise

Instead of rapidly expanding Public Health England, the Government opted for a brand new centralised scheme outsourced to private companies. Spending £10 billion on drive through testing and giving £108 million to Serco for contact tracing, the Prime Minister promised a "world beating" system.

In order to "get more homes built", the Government wants to completely change the planning system.
Currently there is a two stage planning process. Once the Government has set the number of homes to be built, the District Council develops a Local Plan after extensive local consultation. Once the plan is agreed, individual planning applications are then considered by local Councillors, with input from the public, before final approval is given. The current system enables issues such as flood mitigation to be ironed out at the detailed planning application stage.
The Government claims that this is too much "red tape", preventing house building. However 90% of planning applications are approved. In fact there are more than a million homes with planning permission that have yet to be built. That represents three years supply of new homes.
Now the Government wants to take the second detailed stage away from local Councils with a single stage zonal system. Where land is zoned for "Growth", developers will receive automatic planning approval, removing the chance for local objection.
"Simplifying" planning is not the real problem, it is the private housebuilders sitting on land banks and only building when they can make greater profits.

In 2018, faced with a £54million funding shortfall, the Conservatives at County Hall wanted to scrap all seven District and Borough Councils in Nottinghamshire to create a super-Council run from West Bridgford. Following fierce opposition, the idea was quickly dropped. Now, this time with Government support, the scheme has been revived.

When Lockdown eased in June and shops began re-opening, Town Councillors decided it was time to spruce up Southwell's centre. Hanging baskets have been put up in King Street, flags put up where watering is difficult currently, and bollards re-painted.
A decision to paint the bollards was taken two years ago but with staff shortages the work had not been carried out. To avoid further delays, a group of Councillors aided by several groups of volunteers decided to take on the work to welcome shoppers back.

The recent COVID19 lockdown brought out the best in Southwell. Once the Government declared a lockdown, the Town Council responded quickly to open its Emergency Communications Hub. A telephone helpline manned by Councillors connected residents in need with local groups who could provide help.
Volunteers, such as the newly established Torpedoes, Southwell live at Home, Southwell Lions, Turtle Dove, the Scouts and many other groups offered support to help those who were self-isolating and shielding. Practical and emotional support came from Southwell Churches together. Local shops and the business community showed resilience and commitment, providing goods and services throughout the lockdown.
The Town Council will continue to do everything it can to provide support and keep Southwell safe in the coming months.

and the winners are..................1st: 56 & 2nd: 60

The results of the June draw are 1st:39, 2nd:56 and for July 1st:24, 2nd:36.

The Winners of the Local Paarty May 50-50 Club Draw are 1st; 78 and 2nd; 52.

The draw took place with witnesses under social distancing guidelines.

The Newark and Sherwood Local Party have managed to undertake a draw for the last three months with witnesses at a suitable distance!

Here are the results

February 1st 57, 2nd 63
March 1st 10, 2nd 87
April 1st 26, 2nd 43

Congratulations to the winners! Stay Safe everyone