Democracy and our Town Centres
Labour’s Folly
Over the past few years Labour has put local democracy into reverse in our town centres. The area committees were scrapped in 2007 but there has been no effective replacement.
Conservatives’ Answer
Across the borough we will:
- Create a new Lambeth where people in communities have a real opportunity to exercise influence over what is important to them and what is less so. In community engagement there is no “one size fits all” and Conservatives want to encourage improved governance at town centre level. We will establish local forums, where residents have a say on how budgets are spent and can challenge council officers.
- Support Conservative national proposals for greater use of local democracy, including allowing residents to veto high Council Tax rises and instigate local referendums on local issues.
- Increase the Ward Purse scheme to £20,000 per ward per year with the increase to be funded from existing budgets. We will fully embrace the principles behind the Sustainable Communities Act.
- Encourage our schools and colleges to promote courses which are skill oriented rather than just qualification based. We will review Lambeth Council’s employment structure to ensure that as many Lambeth residents as possible are aware of potential jobs with the authority. We will support young people where appropriate to be involved in real apprenticeships in the work place.
- Encourage opportunities for employment in service industries in Lambeth as well as in leisure and sport, in media, Information technology, and creative vocations, all of which are expanding in our diverse borough. We will encourage and support such courses and course providers.
Click on the links below for our plans for local town centres in Lambeth:
Herne Hill & Brixton
Streatham
Norwood
Clapham
Vauxhall & Kennington
To find out more CLICK HERE and download our manifesto (PDF, 9MB)
