SUTTON’S PROBLEMS – AND UKIP’S ANSWERS

UKIP have been investigating many local problems that exist within the borough.  Below, is a brief synopsis of them and our answer to them.

BELMONT MEADOW – Sutton’s Lib-Dem council are planning to sell off this beautiful and unique piece of land situated close to Belmont Village for housing due to their continual financial mismanagement.  Cllr David Pickles has campaigned against this since 2001 and will continue to work cross-party with the remaining two Conservative councillors in Belmont ward to prevent the disposal of this much needed asset for the local community.  A cross-party approach is required here as it is most important that local residents are truly represented by all three councillors within the ward.

UNDERGROUND – The council is willing to squander your money …. It will waste £50 million when building the tramlink to Croydon for over £530 Million. A cheaper less disruptive option is to extend the Underground at a cost of around £450 Million. Makes sense .. Too much sense for the Liberal Democrats !

COUNCIL TAX – UKIP feel that council tax is far too high in Sutton borough.  There are over 100 senior officers employed by the council on salaries of over £50,000 per annum, and a number of employees whose remuneration exceeds that by a wide margin.  Money is wasted on politically-correct projects which pander to pressure groups but in fact benefit no-one.  Having been instrumental in spending £600,000 of public money some years ago on a bus-stop in St. Nicholas Way (that leaks in the wet), the Lib-Dems continue to pour money into white elephants.  They plan to spend £50,000 on “artwork” within the borough, and yet the High St in Sutton continues to degenerate in cleanliness and appearance.  By the underpass near the Civic Offices is a classic example of tax-payers money going to waste.  A “peace mural” cost tax-payers over £1,000 to be painted, and a further £1,000 to hang on the wall owing to bureaucratic “health and safety” regulations.

CRIME AND PARKS POLICING – The Lib-Dems recently disbanded the parks police, a vital and efficient way of ensuring that our parks are safe.  UKIP believe in a strong deterrent against crime and a local way of fighting it.  The money spent on our overstaffed bloated council could go a long way in ensuring that our parks and our streets are much safer.

COUNCIL COMMITTEES – The cost of councillors’ allowances now tops £1m per annum.  This is solely because of a proliferation of committees that essentially are no more than a debating society.  However each chairman and chairwoman of these committees qualifies for an extra allowance, bringing that particular councillors salary up to around £20,000 per year.  UKIP believe that the number of committees should be bought down to the bare minimum required and that chairing one should be a honour for a councillor, and not a means of soaking up yet more tax-payers money.  Representing local people can be done in a more efficient way by tackling local issues, not spending endless hours in a “debating committee” where inevitably nothing positive gets resolved.

STOP HOUSEBUILDING —  An immediate stop of the uncontrolled house building just to comply with EU directives (http://www.europeanlawmonitor.org/latest-eu-news/uk-needs-to-increase-housing-supply.html)

Citizens Advice Bureau

Originally the Liberal Democrats plan was to cut back on the budget for the CAB by reducing the opening times in Sutton and closing the N Cheam branch altogether.  Both these proposals have been cancelled following protests and correspondence led by Lionel, our former chairman. This closure plan must not be resurrected at some future date.

Lack of police on the streets

There are only 6 beat officers available in Sutton on a Friday night and with an increase in bars and clubs in the High Street, UKIP members feel that the police should have more visible manpower. Despite this being larger than the national average this is still insufficient.

Removing speed humps

To prevent the damage caused to cars for limited return

Mess near the Asda supermarket

UKIP members feel strongly that businesses should clear up mess created by both themselves and their customers.

A working party is busy finalising other issues

 …  if you would like to add something please contact Adrian on 07768 052700.