The four main parties in Stratford speak to the Herald about why you should vote for them. Lib Dem leader Susan Juned answers the key questions
1. What is your top priority for the Stratford district over the next four years?
Our top priority is to listen to and serve our residents well.
We want to support our communities with quality, value for money services that work.
We need a strong sustainable economy that looks after our high streets, small businesses and the future economy. We need leadership in the fight against climate change.
Every community and place across the district is different, but everywhere should be a good place to live, with affordable housing for our young people, excellent services and a healthy, green environment.
We need to restore trust, show leadership, ambition and vision, act for residents and put them first.
2. Stratford town centre, in particular, has been described as tired and hampered by traffic issues. How would you address this?
Ten years ago, the Grimsey Review highlighted the challenges faced by town centres. We have since had Covid, an economic meltdown and inflation. All our town centres need care and attention to thrive.
Stratford Town Council initiated plans for the re-design of Bridge Street and the centre of town but the funding bid failed.
We must look again at 66+ parking permits, the state of the car parks, Park and Ride sites and electric vehicle charging.
The key to success is vision and outstanding, talented and committed leadership that brings everyone in the community together to develop and implement a plan and seek investment.
3. Stratford District Council has been accused of losing out to other authorities in the competition for government money. Do you agree, and if you do agree, what would you do about it?
Government uses a lottery system of competitive bidding with short time scales to distribute cash to councils for special projects. Many bids fail.
Bids require particular skills and a large input of resources with no promise of a return from government. How well a bid is written, scale, ambition and political favouritism are seen as deciding which bids are funded, not how impactful a project is.
The Liberal Democrats asked for investment in economic development, coordination and in extra skills to develop bids in 2021 and 2022. These proposals were rejected, but will be revived.
4. What will you do to ease the housing crisis in the district?
The crisis is not the numbers, but provision of genuinely affordable homes for young families who want to live and work in the district. Also the provision of infrastructure such as schools and health services. This district has more households on waiting lists than all other districts in Warwickshire combined.
Housing has to match the need of local communities. The district has average private rents that are over £1,000 a month.
The council must provide affordable housing, where needed, working with communities, housing associations and providers. Planning rules must be enforced.
Previous Liberal Democrat proposals asked for developer contributions to build the council’s own housing accommodation as a revenue stream.
5. How will you work with local businesses to boost the district’s economy, create jobs and increase prosperity all round?
Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
Despite world-class companies and an innovative, resilient, successful small business sector; the district faces both short term and long-term challenges to local economic prosperity.
The council must take an active role promoting economic growth, reflected in the council’s policies. A government focus on bidding for investment is short sighted, but the council must bid to attract funds.
We will target growing the local economy sustainably, supporting training and the recovery of cultural tourism, local businesses and high streets - building on our strengths. We will commission an updated strategy for the visitor economy.
6. Is enough being done in the district to tackle the climate crisis? What would you do?
No. The Liberal Democrats proposed the Climate Emergency Motion. A working group produced an action plan and planning advice for developers. This needs to be updated.
The Local Plan must properly tackle climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy and biodiversity.
The Liberal Democrats proposed a Community Climate Change Fund to enable community groups to promote change. We proposed grants to support energy efficiency in community buildings. Both were rejected but will be revived.
Twenty years ago, a Liberal Democrat council had the foresight to form the energy efficiency charity Act on Energy. We need similar foresight today.
When Climate UK issues its 2023 performance scorecards, we must aim to be amongst the high achieving councils.
7. What feedback have you had from voters and how are you planning to address the issues raised on the doorstep?
Our survey done earlier in the year on the issues that mattered to people had a very good response.
The same issues were raised on the doorstep. They are both local and national and include the NHS, social care, the state of the roads and pavements and a loss of faith in our MP.
The cost of living is causing a lot of concern. A Liberal Democrat proposal for energy finance advice was accepted. We can do more to help.
Whilst some of the issues are not in the council’s own powers to solve, we can work with others to get the message across to government.
8. Why should the people of the district vote for your party?
We need a chance for new ideas, leadership, ambition and vision to come forward. The Liberal Democrats are fielding an immensely talented, capable group of candidates with wide experience. We are encouraging younger candidates too.
Our vision is set out in the Manifesto at stratfordlibdems.org.uk/manifestomay2023, or ask us for a copy.
Now is a time for change and a fresh start.
