Katesgrove Lib Dems

New Whitley Street Public Toilets

As many people passing by will have noticed, the new public conveniences at Whitley Street have been nearly, but not quite open for some weeks now.

The contractors' Christmas holidays, combined with the weather either side of it, have caused a delay.  However, having pressed for a completion date, I've been told that 5 February is the target.

I hope people can wait that long!

As the Council's Access Forum heard in the autumn, the new facilities will improve the experience for those needing to use public conveniences - particularly those with young children or problems getting about.  Compared to other councils like Wokingham - who've closed all their public loos - this looks like good news.

Dog Days

Do you use the road, pavement or someone else's garden as a toilet?

I imagine the answer is 'no'.

So why are there people who treat the areas around them as one?

I refer to the irresponsible dog owners who seem to have taken in particular to using the areas around New Christ Church School and the Aveley Walk childrens' play area as open toilets.  The fact that it is dog mess being left does not make it any better.

Over the weekend I walked the area with other Liberal Democrat campaigners and was shocked at the way just about every street and walkway had been smeared.  I've just come back from an Environmental Visual Audit with the police and Council's Streetcare team, and we noticed just the same thing.

One patch of land in particular was bad enough that I couldn't attach the photo of it - it was obscene.

PCSOs and Council officers have powers to issue an on-the-spot fixed penalty for anyone caught in the act - of £75.  Put an extra 0 on the end of that and you would begin to get near the sort of penalty I'd like to see these people given.

Maybe these dog owners want to give children toxocariasis, tapeworms, crysptosporidiosis, campylobacter or one of the other diseases contained in dog faeces?

Not all dog owners behave in this way, but there are plenty of less harmful activities where public outcry leads to real action much tougher than a £75 fine.

Meanwhile I'm demanding the Council takes action to put dog mess bins up in areas where it's clear they are needed, and does use its powers to fine the disgusting individuals who let their dogs foul our streets and pavements. 

Action on empty homes - it's a win-win, and a Lib Dem issue

Yesterday, by a remarkable coincidence, the launch of the Liberal Democrats' manifesto pledge to bring Britain's empty homes back into use came at the same time as a press release from Reading Borough Council, trumpeting the success of the action it has been taking.

Empty homes (which this one had been too) can cause real problems for residents as well as being a stain on the local environment.  We've never really understood why Governments are happy to tolerate properties lying empty when people are desperate for a roof over their head.

Here, I've been campaigning to tackle empty homes in Katesgrove and Reading since before my election.  I moved a motion in October 2007 which succeeded in bringing forward an Empty Homes Strategy, backed by resources to make it happen, after several frustrating encounters because officers had no such document to follow.  Since then and the recruitment of some excellent staff, progress has been made.  Some Katesgrove properties have been easier than others - 41 South Street, which was a real eyesore, has been fitted out and painted and should be occupied very soon.  A pair of semis on Winchester Road - which were used for dumping - have also been brought back into use.  Some others, unfortunately, may take longer for various reasons.  The continuing saga of the four tumbledown houses at 67-73 Southampton Street - the possible location for a Community Garden - is a case in point.  I have this week pressed the Council again to move this on.

The Council has succeeded in bringing three long-term empty properties into use.  But there are over 500 (by their estimation) in Reading, and if you count the figures used by councils for the Council Tax Base calculations - official Government figures - the real total in Reading rises to over 2,500.

I'm personally delighted that Nick Clegg and Vince Cable have put this at the heart of our manifesto.  It is a real win-win.  It creates jobs; makes much better use of resources (and is sustainable in the true sense of the word) and embodies fairness.  Much more could be done to remove red tape - which slows down the processes of bringing empty properties back into use.  The Liberal Democrat action plan would take the good start made in Reading following a Liberal Democrat lead.  It would take it nationally, providing thousands of families with a roof over their head; reducing the need for inappropriate development; and creating 65,000 jobs in the process.  That's the sort of good news we like.  Now over to the other parties from whom on empty homes the silence is deafening.

Snow update

It's very pretty outside (and there are some really fine works of art taking shape), though travelling conditions are very difficult.  Much of the Town Centre was already closed when I walked through it earlier, though snow clearing was taking place in earnest.

The Council's plans this time seem to have worked - major and secondary routes have responded to gritting well, even with the volume of snow.  Freezing temperatures are forecast this evening - so those walking or cycling should take extra care.

Vulnerable people or their carers can phone the Council's response team on 0118 955 3600 if they have any urgent needs.