Local Elections
Posted May 22, 2011 * Comments(0)

I would like to thank all those who supported our team at the recent elections and to all those voters who gave their support and elected me to Burgess Hill Town Council. Many in the team were not successful on this occasion, but I believe that had more to do with national than local issues.

During my time as a Councillor I will endeavour to work hard for all the residents of Burgess Hill and Leylands Ward and intend to show that the confidence shown in me through the vote is well placed.

Call for pothole cash to be spent on repairs not reserves
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 by Simon Hicks

Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the extra £2.6 million that the Government allocated for pothole repairs following the budget.  Liberal Democrat Group Leader on the County Council Mrs Morwen Millson said, “Most councillors receive a large number of reports about potholes and uneven pavements in their areas. Although people understand that they can’t all be permanently repaired overnight, residents want to see significant progress now that spring is here. This money is therefore most welcome and we expect to see major improvements in the county’s roads by the end of the summer.”

We all know local roads that need resurfacing, constantly repairing pot holes is expensive and does not solve the problem for streets such as St Peters Road and Highlands Drive which are like moonscapes in parts where holes have been constantly repaired.

West Sussex County Council set aside £2 million in its February budget for pothole repairs and a further £753 thousand for carriageway patching in the new financial year, which was welcome news to many motorists.

Morwen said, “This Government funding is very close to the sum allocated by the Council for pothole repairs. What the Liberal Democrats don’t want to see is the Cabinet using this Government money for the pothole repairs, whilst at the same time squirreling away the original budget sum into reserves. This windfall should be used for the purpose the Government intended it – additional maintenance, over and above what was already planned.  “There are plenty of places across the county where more major reconstruction would pay dividends in the long run.”

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesman Dr Nigel Dennis added, “If there is money left over, some could be used for pavement repairs. This would simply restore the money that was taken out of the pavement budget to provide additional funding for pothole repairs. Many pavements were also damaged in the bad weather during the winter and this can cause more pedestrian falls.

Action on Climate Change – the next stage for Mid Sussex?
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 by Simon Hicks

Liberal Democrats in Mid Sussex have consistently pushed for a green agenda, successfully proposing that Mid Sussex District Council sign up to the Nottingham Declaration in 2006 which committed the council to action on climate change.   However since then the Conservative run council has done little to put these principles into effect, although finally with the appointment of a new chief officer with responsibilities for sustainability there is a draft Climate Change Action Plan due to go to a Cabinet Meeting on 5th November which can be viewed at:

http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/Nimoi/sites/msdcpublic/resources/fullreport34.pdf

The Council has failed to make use of planning regulations that could have ensured major new developments incorporate sustainable environmental conditions and to implement the Merton Rule pioneered by other local authorities which would have required developers to implement on site renewable energy generation such as the use of solar panels.

However the new draft proposals are to be supported, although the council needs to go further, ensuring all major new developments have environmental considerations built in from the beginning and to promote energy conservation measures throughout the district, as well as encouraging the development of micro-generation of electricity by incorporating these into the design of its own new building developments.

Energy conservation and action to help prevent climate change not only helps to safeguard our future, but can lead to real cost savings for local residents in terms of savings from energy efficiency, and by reducing fuel poverty. 

As a town council Burgess Hill also needs to take these principles on board, the council’s annual report for 2007/08 saw a welcome commitment from the Conservative controlled council to tackle climate change, although it has yet to agree to specific targets – Liberal Democrats will be pressing for action rather than just words.  See also my previous proposals on sustainability and an environmental purchasing policy, as well as information on a possible “greening” campaign for Burgess Hill.