A focus on public safety, bringing back Operation Street Pride and enhancing housing regulations are key messages from the local Grimsby and Cleethorpes Liberal Democrats ahead of polling day this local election on May 2nd.
Liberal Democrats have a representative in all twelve wards standing for election in North East Lincolnshire this year. Waltham, West Marsh and Wolds Wards will not be voting.
Lib Dems' priorities for North East Lincolnshire
At the heart of Grimsby and Cleethorpes Liberal Democrats, our focus is on addressing poverty, enhancing access to education and healthcare, promoting environmental sustainability, and securing a sustainable legacy for future generations, especially as North East Lincolnshire includes some of the most deprived areas in the entire country. Very little has been done to address poverty locally, Recently, the Liberal Democrats brought to light the fact that North East Lincolnshire Council do not have a food poverty action plan, despite the conservatives claiming otherwise.
We are calling for urgent action to support those in need within our community. The local Lib Dems are also committed to individual empowerment, and community involvement in decision making, and to responsible spending, avoiding unnecessary Conservative or Labour vanity projects, and ensuring taxpayer money is used wisely.
We're dedicated to improving public safety, enhancing the well-being and security of all residents. Measures on this include increased community policing and better street lighting.
Well-lit streets not only deter criminal activity but also enhance the sense of safety and visibility for pedestrians and residents during night-time hours. The Lib Dems are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour head-on, with strategies to address the likes of vandalism and graffiti, and substance abuse.
Housing
On housing, the Lib Dems' vision is to prioritise affordable and quality living standards, and tackle unchecked HMOs and rogue landlords.
Previous council administrations have failed to adequately address housing needs, resulting in many empty properties, a lack of affordable housing, and unsafe living conditions. Also, developers can currently convert family homes into HMOs up to seven bedrooms without planning permission, leading to potential overcrowding and parking issues.
The Lib Dems are leading the campaign for several stronger housing regulations in North East Lincolnshire. This included selective licensing to target rogue landlords, many from out of town who exploit cheap properties while neglecting their upkeep, causing local residents to suffer.
Last year, we called on the Conservative council leader to implement selective licensing in a public council meeting. Despite pledges from him to do so, progress has been slow, which is unacceptable. The Lib Dems are also calling for Article 4 directions, which mean smaller HMOs in an area have to go through the full planning process to gain permission. These would provide better regulation and appropriate location placement" to lessen problems such as anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance.
Our policies have already launched two petitions for such directions in East Marsh and Park wards, due to be debated at July's full council. We intend that more areas should follow.
Regeneration
Liberal Democrat policies for achieving regeneration in Cleethorpes, Grimsby, and Immingham focus on several key initiatives. This includes support for community-led initiatives focussed to address local needs, and communities to be empowered to drive the regeneration process.
The Lib Dems would support small businesses and entrepreneurship. Their policies advocated access to funding and resources, as part of helping small local businesses to thrive, and generate jobs.
We also want to revitalised neglected areas of the towns, including brownfield sites. "Our policies focus on repurposing vacant properties, upgrading dilapidated infrastructure, and creating vibrant public spaces.
Breathing new life into neglected areas would foster community pride, entice investment, and create attractive environments for residents and visitors, she said.
Fly Tipping - bring back 'Operation Street Pride'
Liberal Democrat councillors take a proactive stance against fly tipping, evidenced by our recent removal of over 25 tonnes of fly tipping in recent months and the organisation of regular litter picks throughout the years.
Lib Dems are leading the charge to ensure council officers thoroughly investigate any identifying documents in dumped waste. She highlighted when last year the Lib Dems picked out a number of instances across Labour and Conservative-run council years of East Marsh fly tipping incidents with reported material linked back to addresses, but no-one had been prosecuted. This showed the urgent need to prioritise enforcement.
Our efforts have already yielded results, with several fly tipping culprits located and held accountable, including incidents like the one on Phelps Street in Sidney Sussex, which we raised in council." However, more was needed.
To this end, we are committed to not only continuing our efforts to strengthen enforcement but also reintroducing initiatives such as 'Operation Street Pride’, aimed at making our streets cleaner and greener. This involves localised, deep cleans of streets.
Transportation and Infrastructure
More sustainable modes of travel is a transport priority, including developing safer, linked cycling routes. Safer cycling routes not only protect cyclists from traffic dangers but also encourage more people to choose cycling as a viable mode of transportation, particularly to and from school or work.
Liberal Democrats call for radical improvements to the area's public transport. This includes redesigned bus routes and action on deficiencies in the local bus service.
We also prioritise tackling road congestion exacerbated by frequent road works, ensuring accountability through heavy fines for disruptions caused by utility companies.
Cycling and public transport improvements are to create a future that would reduce carbon footprints and promote healthier modes of travel for all local people.
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