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in Windsor and Maidenhead |
Boundary changes have reduced the number of seats by 1.
In 1997 and 2000, both councils were NOC.
Previously the council was 'hung' with no overall control (NOC)
by any one party although the Conservatives were the single largest
party by eight seats.
In the run up to polling day, the Liberal Democrats
had denied Conservative claims that their plans would not increase
Council Tax, merely that their priorities were different and
that money would not be wasted on such schemes as the unpopular
redevelopment of Maidenhead Town Hall. The Lib Dems claimed that
the cost of this plan was £608,000. They also attacked
the substantial cost of glossy brochures - thinly disguised party
political manifesto costing some £50,000, the Lib Dems
claim - that was sent to every household in the Borough. Money
would be directed towards such priorities as reducing home care
charges. The Maidenhead Advertiser had reported that the redevelopment
plan of the Civic Centre in St Ives Road was opposed by some
93% of residents polled.
Recently local residents had received their Council
Tax bills for 2003-04 which had been increased overall by 9.3%
with a massive 45% increase in the element funding the police
in the area.
The Liberal Democrats also claimed in their leaflets,
distributed a few days before the poll, that the independent
Audit Commission inspectors graded the Tory run council as 'weak'
and in the bottom 20% of the country. Just three years ago, when
the council was previously run by the Liberal Democrats, Windsor
and Maidenhead was named as the best unitary council in the south-east.
Whilst these comparisons deserve closer inspection, there was
obviously much disquiet in the borough concerning the policies
that the Conservatives had adopted.
In Conservative literature, claims were made for
improved roads and parking with car park availability and capacity
signs, increases in education resources such that results from
Windsor were amongst the best in the country, reduction in crime
through CCTV and evening security patrols, plus a voucher system
for respite care. Cleaner streets and greater public involvement
in planning decisions were also claimed. In the future the Conservatives
pledged to provide free state education for all 4 year olds,
accelerate spending on schools, provide affordable rented housing
fro teachers on under-utilised school sites, adopt a zero tolerance
policy towards graffiti plus a cheap removal service on private
property, uniformed Community Wardens and more CCTV cameras,
'after school' clubs for parents who work, along with other schemes
to assist or improve services for cares, transport, additional;
parking at Alexandra Gardens, as well as Park and Ride based
at junction 6 of the M4.
What should our new Council do?
There are many elements of local government
that both major parties would do their best to support and enhance,
policing, education and care for the elderly being just three
examples and we assume that the new Lib Dem council will do just
that.
As far as Windsor residents are concerned, a local
council's responsibility also includes local ward matters and
the Lib Dems must demonstrate an awareness and take action accordingly.
This will not always be in accordance with national strategies,
but Windsor is a very special case and needs treating as such.
The proposed multi-storey car park at Alexandra Gardens/Alma
Road is unpopular and we hear that the Liberal Democrats will
scrap the plans, focussing instead on the Park and Ride Scheme
from junction 6 where there is space aplenty and that does not
seriously erode the amenity of Windsor riverside. One assumes
that the rail link right into the heart of Windsor will play
a substantial part in bringing in visitors and those working
in the borough. Although the car park should be scrapped, the
council must now act fast to put the terraced housing, including
Sir Sydney Camm's house, back into the housing stock. To leave
these houses empty any longer would be thoroughly irresponsible.
The Liberal Democrat council would do well to hasten
the provision of a Windsor Museum too which has been talked of
for too long - some 50 years or more!! Residents would also like
to see some sensible arrangements regarding the Vansittart Road
Skate Park which remains a thorn in the side of those living
nearby!! The Conservatives made much play of the CCTV camera
and fencing [See Skate Park]
which was extremely costly at some £30,000, yet is rapidly
disappearing as it is broken down, and anyway doesn't stop late
night, noisy activity on the ramps on hot summer nights. As a
leisure facility the Conservatives should have ensured its relocation
to the Leisure Centre when they had a chance but no, they left
it it in a remote corner at the end of a lane yet within earshot
of dozens of private houses! Local residents have reported to
us that the CCTV camera hardly ever moves, and when it does it
fails to detect or deter vandalism and is normally pointing the
wrong way. (See the condition of the fencing in May 2003). The
campaign against graffiti that was so loudly trumpeted in January
(See Graffiti Campaign
2003) has made little or no difference as far as residents
can see, and as for zero tolerance, what did that mean anyway,
given that prosecutions were out of the question. There is much
that our new council must take on board and we wish them luck
and, of colurse, success.
We would welcome comments from Windsor residents as to what our council should concentrate on.
To contact us, email Thamesweb
To contact us, email Thamesweb.