Redditch Labour Manifesto

Our Vision for Redditch from 2021 and beyond

 FOREWORD
We are so proud to introduce our Manifesto which sets out Redditch Labour
Party’s vision for the future of our town.

Unlike other Parties who prefer slogans to substance, our Manifesto is is not
just a list of policies, but sets out how the challenges of the 21st century,
climate change, the changing economy and supporting you after Covid, can
be tackled.
Our ambition for the town is to build on the concept of keeping things local.
This means that we want to keep the wealth generated by Redditch in
Redditch, so it used to benefit us all. This approach requires a significant
change in how the council is run and what it does.
The wealth and power a council has - can be used to enable local people to
fulfil their aspirations and provide for our vulnerable residents much better.
It means making local people the heart of everything we do, helping to
achieve aspirations and ambitions. It also means involving people in the
decisions which impact upon their lives. Not token consultation at the end
of a process but real participation from the start.
Redditch people have talent and skills, local entrepreneurs and businesses,
not for profit enterprises, local Co-Operatives who will all be encouraged
and supported using the influence, power and wealth of the council. There
are challenges due to national cutbacks and local mismanagement. We
believe it is possible to do more things and enable more to be done by
managing the council differently instead of doing the same tired old things
with the same predictable results. We would also review the payments to
Councillors.
But the challenges are not just financial. There is now no doubt that the
climate is changing and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to
minimise the effects and to play our small part in protecting our fragile
planet.

Bill Hartnett
Leader of the Labour Group

Page 1
Contents
7 - 9. The Local Economy and Co-operatives

10. Young people as part of our Community

11. A clean and safe Community

12 - 13. Health and Community wellbeing

14. Parks and Open Spaces Community Fitness

15. A diverse Redditch

16 - 17. Housing and Homelessness

18. Labour’s NEW Green Deal

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YOUR Redditch Labour Council Team

FROM TOP LEFT

Sharon Harvey Andrew Bevan Joanna Kane

Winyates Matchborough Lodge Park

Greg Chance Bill Hartnett Joe Baker

Central Church Hill Greenlands

Monica Fry Phil Berry Lisa King

West Batchley & Headless Cross &
Brockhill Oakenshaw
 Redditch Labour's
pledges for you
Keeping it local

Tackling climate change

Supporting you after Covid

Growing the Local Economy

Putting the community at the heart

of EVERYTHING we do.

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 Supporting YOU
before, during and after Covid
Putting the community at the heart of
EVERYTHING we do.
 The Local Economy

Redditch has a proud history of manufacturing industry from being in the forefront of
needle making, world class motorcycles, war time production to today’s high-tech
aircraft components supply and other supply chains.

However, wages in Redditch are the lowest in the West Midlands. Uptake of Universal
Credit is the highest in Worcestershire and post school academic attainment is the
lowest in the region.

The Town has suffered from a lack of investment in new start businesses and the
Redditch Labour Council flagship Rubicon Business Centre has been closed by the
Conservative Council in order to make savings for their financial incompetence.

The Conservative party of enterprise is now the party of business closures. Our Town
Centre is becoming a town of empty shops and closed businesses. What was once a
beacon of the new town vision has fallen into disrepair and neglect.

Redditch Council cannot change the economy overnight, but it can still make a
difference by using its money differently and more creatively.
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We will over the next few years:

Appoint a Co-Op development worker.

Promote Co-Operatives wherever possible including housing, markets, creches, or in

any area where there are people with ideas and vision who wish to work together.

Support and encourage new startup businesses.

Support local not for profit organisations with a move towards contracts for work
rather than just grants.

Change the council’s procurement policy so it is ‘Redditch First’ whenever possible. If

the council is spending thousands of pounds on work, then it should be done by local
companies using local people.

Ensure that all those who work on behalf of the council meet the highest employment
standards and do everything they can to reduce their carbon footprint.

Redditch Labour will promote and support business by encouraging inward

investment and supporting businesses that offer local employment, the real living
wage to their employees along with guaranteed working hours and trade union
recognition.

Regenerating the Town Centre and District Centres.

While we welcome offers of Government investment in the regeneration of our Town,

it's vital that local people are involved in any resulting changes. Our concern is that
little, if any public involvement has been had or even asked for. In planning the future
of our town, the Conservative council has been making plans behind closed doors,
leaving the Community behind as an afterthought once the decisions have already
been made. This is grossly unfair and counterproductive.
Labour believes that the Community demands more public consultation, transparency
and should have a say in all future developments before they are decided.
Redditch Labour believes the Council should be MORE inclusive and transparent. We
will create Community Forums utilising skills, ideas, experiences from black, Asian and
minority ethnic people [BAME] Youth, Disabled, Elderly, Community groups and local
businesses - by giving you a real say in shaping future developments.

Putting REDDITCH back on the Map

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What is a Co-operative?
There are dozens of co-operatives up and down the country
that offer a variety of goods and services. An obvious example
that is very prominent within the wider Market framework is the
Cooperative, known by many simply as the Co-op.
At the other end of the spectrum there are smaller grass roots
community run cooperatives here in the UK and this is
gathering momentum due to workers' valued involvement and
input, the social investment, and the general resilience of
cooperatives compared to marketplace models of trading and
producing goods and local services.
A co-operative is a business that is owned and controlled by its
members.
The members can be its customers, employees, residents,
volunteers or suppliers.
Profits are shared between people who have a stake and a say
in how the co-op is run, not distant developers or shareholders
looking to make a quick profit.
You can find co-operatives in pretty much every industry – you
name it and there’s probably a co-op for it!
From healthcare to housing, renewable energy to retail, sports
to social care. And they are every shape and size from multi-
billion pound businesses to small community enterprises.
See above on page 8 and in our County Manifesto to see
what Labour would do in the County including Redditch and
how YOU can be a part of this exciting concept.
 Young people as part of our
Community

Youth provision in Redditch is at an all-time low.

Youth clubs have closed and, unless voluntary provision is provided, young people
have nowhere to go to socialise and enhance their skills.
A Labour Administration at the County would support a fully funded youth service
and where we would be able to make sure Redditch gets its fair share of the funding.
Under the Conservative administration over the years Redditch has become the
forgotten Borough and this inbalance will be readdressed under Labour.
During Covid our young people have suffered through Government failures within
education and employment with job losses where our young people are more than
twice as likely as older employees to have suffered job losses, with six in 10 seeing
their earnings fall. They need to be able to play a part in the future ahead of them.

Redditch Labour will put young people at the heart of everything we do. We will
create a Youth Council drawn from Schools, Colleges and Youth Associations.
Meetings at the Council Chamber in the Town Hall and through virtual meetings
during Covid the Youth Council will be consulted on decisions that affect our young
people to promote ideas as part of our inclusiveness agenda.
Redditch Labour believes the Council should be MORE inclusive and transparent.
We will create Community Forums utilising skills, ideas, experiences from black, Asian
and minority ethnic people [BAME,] Youth, Disabled, Elderly and Community groups -
by giving YOU a real say in shaping future developments.
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 A clean and safe Community

We often hear from residents complaining about litter, dog mess, pavements and
general street uncleanliness. Redditch Labour welcomes the work carried out by
community litter picking groups and we will continue to support the formation of
voluntary groups in tidying up their roads.
But we will go further.
Whilst we applaud local residents for being the eyes and ears on our streets, we will
make provision for Council Area Wardens whose role will be to regularly inspect and
address every aspect of our roads, pavements and district centres and ensure that
problems are dealt with in a timely and satisfactory manner. We will ensure that the
resources to provide a Clean Community will be directed to the right place including
easily visible contact points.
During Covid we have seen an increase in fly tipping and dumping of unwanted items
and it hasn't been helped while the tips have often been closed, along with the bulky
collection service. It's not about to get better under the Conservatives who have set to
raise prices from April. We will tackle the serious and unsightly issue of fly tipping and
dumping by reviewing charges for Household bulky waste collections. We aim to
provide a FREE service for elderly, disabled and those on low incomes.
We will support the Redditch Re-use and Recycle Network, encouraging positive
public participation.
Redditch Labour will encourage the creation of NEW neighbourhood watch teams in
every area working with the Police to crack down on anti-social behaviour, car crime,
burglary and drug use. Our Youth policy will also help with anti social behaviour.
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 In 2017 Rachel Maclean
promised "cross party"
Hospital Summit meetings.
Nearly 4 years on and there's
NOT even been one!
For the last 2 years our MP has promised to bring
back the Alex's lost Maternity and Children's
Services, but nothing has changed.

In 2019 Endoscopy services were moved to Evesham,

yet nobody was consulted. Alexandra Hospital Land
was sold to pay back the Capital Funding loan promised
over 4 years ago. The Alex has seen NONE. Our MP
supports this and calls it an "investment."

Now many more services have silently been

transferred during Covid and are said to be
"temporary" and this is what happened before. The
Trust have said they are reviewing ALL "temporary"
moved services and deciding in the summer whether
to make them "permanent" - including the Cancer
Chemotherapy Garden Suite!

Nearly 4 years on and we've lost

Page 12 even MORE services!
 Health and Community
Wellbeing

The remodelling of our NHS provision in 2017 has resulted in Redditch being the
poor relation in terms of access to children’s emergency care and maternity
services.
It was Redditch Labour that set up the Local Health Commission to take evidence
and make recommendations as part of the Future of Acute Hospital Services in
Worcestershire. Despite 85% of Redditch residents opposing the proposals, the
local Clinical Commissioning Group [CCG] went ahead and stripped those
services from the Alexandra Hospital. Despite the outcry, our MP stood by and
let it happen and since then we have lost more.
Redditch Labour will continue to hold the MP, Trust and CCG to account
and campaign for the restoration of Services back to the Alex with the aim
of providing a FULLY functioning Hospital.
But that is not enough as we keep finding services that are being
transferred temporarily, often don't ever return.
During Covid we have seen more and more services being transferred away
from the Alex and now there's a real threat of the Trust making them
permanent. As Labour set up the Local Health Commission before, we will
launch an in-depth Health Inquiry Commission to obtain the views of all
residents on the future health provision, including exploring a remodelling of
the service and accountability based on a stronger relationship with Birmingham
Hospital Trusts with better access to medical care and transport links.
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We believe that the current commissioning and service provision [CCG] is not fit
for purpose and will identify and put Redditch forward as a pilot for the return of
District Health Authorities comprising of elected members to fully reflect the
wishes and needs of our Community.
Government funding for Mental Health Services and Social Care has been cut
drastically since 2010 and suffered even more heavily during Covid where there
is still no real plan for integration of services or sufficient funding. We support
the Worcestershire County Labour Group Manifesto policies on provision of
these vital services.

Redditch Labour will lead the fight for adequate funding locally and at County
Council level, consulting with the voluntary sector with a view to maximizing
funding and reversing the damaging cuts made by the Conservatives to the
Redditch Voluntary sector funding streams since 2018.
We have seen how our Charities and Voluntary groups are absolutely vital in our
communities. They are the ones who have stepping up during the Covid crisis
and it's only right that they should be recognised.

Labour thanks and supports our Charities and Voluntary Sector

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 Parks and Open Spaces,
Community Fitness

Redditch has some of the most open and green spaces

south of Birmingham. Our Arrow Valley Park, Morton
Stanley Park and other spaces are ideal for the promotion
of outdoor activities.
Redditch Labour will promote and fund the establishment
of Community Fitness Groups, enhance the provision of
walking and cycling routes and ensure provision of green
spaces in any major planning developments.
We support the Labour County Manifesto to work closely
with district councils to make greater cycling a reality.
Redditch Labour will promote a healthy eating policy and
encourage local providers and community allotments to
contribute to a fully functional market and lively Craft and
Farmers markets helping our locals to move forward after
Covid and helping to regain some of their lost incomes
and sense of community.
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 A Diverse Redditch

Redditch is proud of its diverse community whether from black, Asian and
minority ethnic people [BAME] LGBT+Q, religious beliefs and disabled residents.
Redditch Labour has worked hard to support all those in our community from
all backgrounds. We also recognise those who have suffered disproportionately
during Covid.
Redditch Labour will encourage full participation in the decisions that we make
and ensure full and equal access to Council facilities and those of the other
businesses and services in our Borough.
We will set up a Redditch Equal Rights Council made up of representatives from
our minority groups along the lines of the Youth Council to ensure that
everyone regardless of their background has an equal voice.

Redditch Labour believes the Council should be MORE inclusive and

transparent. We will create the Equal Rights Council by utilising skills, ideas,
experiences from black, Asian and minority ethnic people [BAME] Youth,
Disabled, Elderly and Community groups - by giving a them a real say in shaping
the Council in making decisions on future developments.

Page 15
Housing and Homelessness

In a country as rich as ours it is a scandal that people can find themselves with nowhere to
sleep or a place they can call home. Homelessness and rough sleeping has increased under
Conservative Governments and again during Covid. It is set to raise again as the
Government takes away help being provided and this must be addressed urgently. We
understand homelessness is a complicated issue, and often requires many different
agencies to work together if lasting solutions are to be found. Leading and coordinating
these agencies is the role of Redditch Council and we will ensure that it works and
functions better.
The main housing issue we are facing is that there are not enough choices for residents to
either buy or rent. To get your first mortgage can be out of reach for many and the rental
market is just not able to fulfil the need. Too many houses in the public and private sector
are in poor repair and with low standards and we believe the Council has a responsibility to
ensure people have a choice of quality, high standard homes to live in.
In line with the Labour County Build Back Fairer Manifesto, policies need to be
amended to ensure that all developments which impact on local infrastructure are
taken with the view of local residents in mind as a second criteria after safety.
Residents' views should be heard over the developers'.
In Redditch Labour has a proud record of working with others to achieve what is required.
We were one of the first areas to have a substantial Co-Operative housing programme.

Page 16
Now over 600 renting tenants and their families live in modern, affordable, award
winning homes.

Showing innovation in design and landscaping they provide homes which are so much
more than other rented accommodation. The tenants manage the properties
themselves with help available.
Properties for the elderly and young, houses, flats and bungalows, we will continue to
support and promote more Co-Operative housing within the town.
We will ensure environmental enforcement that developers comply with the highest
standards when erecting new homes.
But we will go further to suit the needs of all people and their families

We will use the new borrowing powers to build with local partners or on our own for
new council homes that offer genuinely affordable choices for everyone. What is
important to us is that people have choice and are not trapped in substandard housing
which fails to meet their needs.
We will introduce a tough housing accreditation scheme so those who rent can be safe
and secure. A tough local housing standard will be introduced.
Labour wants to end the misery of those who live with totally unacceptable landlords
who cut corners and costs to increase their profits.

Page 17
 Labour’s NEW Green Deal

One of the biggest issues facing all of us over the next 10 years is climate change. It is now
beyond doubt that there are going to be challenges which we will have to face and overcome.
We will ensure that Redditch Borough Council sets clear environmental targets for dealing
with the climate emergency; the council must be open and accountable in their response to
the climate emergency declaration demanded by the public. We must include everyone in the
plans going forward.
We will increase the amount of renewable energy generated by and used by the council; we
will do this by installing more solar panels on council owned buildings and working towards a
local green co-operative energy company.
We will encourage strong green credentials for any new build properties in Redditch, to
ensure our housing is fit for the future and encourage positive public participation and
involvement on the Climate Change Forum. Unlike the Conservative controlled Council who
make plans behind closed doors, Labour would include and welcome residents and local
businesses in becoming involved.
We will support the Redditch reuse and recycle network, encouraging positive public
participation; the council should lead by example with an overall aim to achieve Plastic Free
status in our town and making sure our own policies are fit for purpose.
We will promote walking and cycling routes and lobby Worcestershire County Council to invest
in our public transport by reopening rural Bus Services to link the town with countryside, from
Feckenham to the Abbey Stadium and beyond. We want an affordable, regular and reliable
bus service that encourages car users to leave their vehicles behind.

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 VOTE LABOUR
MAY 6TH or EARLY BY POST

Promoted by Monica Stringfellow on behalf of Redditch Labour at 9 Jubilee Avenue Headless Cross Redditch B97 5HB -