Redlands Liberal Democrats

Residents Join Lib Dem Fight for Redlands' Precious Trees

I was really proud yesterday evening when my constituents Colin Eastman (pictured) and Annette Juckes attended a meeting of Reading Borough Council's Cabinet to quiestion Cllr Tony Page, Labour Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Transport on the fate of well-loved trees on Cintra Avenue and Warwick Road.

I have been working closely with local residents Colin and Annette in recent weeks. They have both actively supported our local campaign which we launched over the Summer to get the Council to take extra care of these special trees.

I encouraged them to come along to a Council meeting to help me fight for Redlands' local beautiful environment and they got stuck in!

In response to their expert questioning Cllr Page pledged to replace historic trees on Cintra Avenue "as soon as possible" and agreed to meet with Annette and I to see what more can be done to ensure the survival of strees on Warwick Road.

Well done guys!

I called on the Council to take better care of existing street trees to reduce the need to replace trees further down the line.

We will continue to campaign alongside residents to ensure Labour councillors keep their promises on the environment in Redlands.

Whitley Park Lane - Fly Tipping Hot Spot: Action Needed

I'm grateful to constituent @Myriad_Comm for tweeting me recently about a return of environmental problems on Whitley Park Lane.

Over the past year we have been supporting local residents who want to see the shopkeepers on Christchurch Road keep the lane behind the shops on Whitley Park Lane tidier. We held a meeting with the Council and shopkeepers earlier this year to reinforce the concerns of residents about the state of areas.

As the picture I took earlier today shows this area is once again being used as a place to dump rubbish. Further down the lane I noticed two dumped mattresses.

I have written to Reading Borough Council's Streetcare team asking them to raise this matter urgently with shopkeepers and remind them of their responsiblities as regards waste management and the local environment.

Redlands 'Eco Home'

Today I went to visit a new Eco Home in Redlands. The property (pictured) on Addington Road is owned and managed by Catalyst Housing association which have a number of social homes to rent in Reading and across the South East.

This is the first major scheme in the development of Catalyst Housing's sustainability strategy for existing housing stock - we are very chuffed that they chose a property in Redlands to pilot this work!

The project comprises the eco-refurbishment of two, three-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian properties in Reading (12 Palmer Park Avenue and 47 Addington Road). Both homes were void and dilapidated and had been identified as suitable for sale on the open market because o the high costs of bringing them up to scratch.

The house I visited on Addington Road is a 'performance house' where budgetary constraints have been secondary to the overal building performance. It is being seen by Catalyst as a model for what can be achieved  when additional funding becomes available.

As well as studying how effective retrofitting an existing property can be, the project will also monitor the way in which new tenants interact with their homes and this should provide valuable information about how individuals can improve their environmental performance by changing their behaviour.

I had a tour of the property - main features are as follows:

• Insulation - all external walls were insulated either internally or externally.
• Micro generation - electricity-generating photovoltaic tiles were installed to the front section of the roof. Solar thermal panels were also installed together with a range of efficient mechanical and electrical installation.
• A green roof was installed to the new rear extention - these retain 70-90% of precipitation.
• Rain watering harvesting systems mean that no surface rainwater will be sent to the local drainage system.
• SUDSCAPE sustainable urban drainage system was used to reduce risk of flooding.

The property itself has undergone extensive internal and external renovation. The house was transformed inside and outisde. It is great to see a national organisation investing in a property in our area. It will now make a very welcoming, warm affordable home for a Reading family and make a great addition to the Redlands neighbourhood.

These improvements mean that 47 Addington Road actually exceeds the energy efficiency requirements of new housing - this is some achievement although clearly it is very costly not only for housing associations but individuals to achieve this.

The SAP Rating on 47 Addington Road is now 87 (up from 17 before retrofitting) and there will be an estimated 91% reduction in CO2 emissions.

The Government's Green Deal is designed to help people cut emissions and cut their fuel bills. It will be rolled out later this year.

Aside from the work that has been done turning the property into an 'eco' home, I was pleased to see that Catalyst have worked hard to reduce the impact on the local environment. Where possible, all deliveries to site were combined

• Cycle stores have been fitted in the gardens will encourage the use of bikes
• Transport to and from site meetings were shared
• Information on local transport will be given to the new residents
• Local labour was used throughout the project

Wouldn't it be great if all local developments could be like this!

Carbon emissions from existing homes account for the majority of carbon emissions in the UK. Well done to Catalyst Housing Association a landlord of 20,000 for showing leadership on this issue. 

Currently there is no funding available for housing associations to retrofit their stock in this way. I will be raising the issue with Andrew Stunell MP to see if there is more the Government can do to encourage and incentivise housing associations to improve the energy performance of their stock.

Apparently officers from Reading Borough Council's housing and sustainability teams visited the house - hopefully we will see more exciting innovations like this across our Council housing stock and in privately owned and rented homes soon.

Keeping Erleigh Rd Clean & Tidy

 
We work hard all year round helping to keep Redlands clean and tidy for the benefit of residents.

Earlier this week a constituent contacted me to complain about this eyesore on Erleigh Road.

There is no excuse for people leaving rubbish all over the place like this. It adds to a sense of degradation at local level which we have worked hard over the years to stop and turn around.

However, it is a constant battle - particularly in streets with a high turn over of residents like this one in the University area.

I have written to the Council asking them to contact the property owner directly to clean up this rubbish.

Please let us know of any other problem areas in the ward and we would be happy to raise these with RBC.

Progress on Lib Dem Campaign to Protect Historic Trees

Last month I highlighted the threat to historic trees in Cintra Avenue in Redlands. This is just the latest episode in a battle we have fought over many years for trees in Redlands to be protected and replaced when they are removed.

As soon as I heard about plans by the Council to fell trees in Cintra Avenue I raised the matter with Labour Lead Councillors - I am happy to work with anyone regardless of Party to ensure that ward matters are addressed.

I was pleased to get a positive initial response from Cllr Tony Page, the councillor responsible for street trees.

Today he has written to me and the residents who raised the issue as follows:

'The Parks Team have confirmed that the results of the survey are being used to produce a maintenance programme for the Council's tree stock including periodic inspections.

They will also prepare a management plan for all the mature trees in the Cintra Park area. This programme and plan will help maintain the health and prolong the life of these mature trees, and identify long term replacement of trees as they are lost.

It is agreed that the existing standing stumps from the two trees to be felled can remain, following the removal of dead branches. 

The two trees to be felled cannot be replaced, as new young trees would not survive in the restricted light available as, apparently, this has been a major cause in the decline of the trees.  The Cedars are planted too closely together and this means the growth of some trees is suppressed.  The Council will obviously look to provide replacement planting in the future if and when further trees are lost and sufficient space and light appears within the group.

The Parks Team have confirmed that about 5 trees could be planted to create a new line of trees within the open space area, away from the existing trees, where there is sufficient light. 

We haven’t yet established where funding can be found for this but  will undertake to explore options. Such planting would also take up a relatively narrow strip of open space, possibly making it less useable. As such I consider that some limited consultation would need to be undertaken with local residents to test whether they have any views on such a planting proposal.  Officers are suggesting consulting occupiers of properties from which the trees will be visible, mainly along Cintra Avenue, but obviously we will take account of the Ward Councillors views on who should be consulted. I would therefore welcome feedback from them and yourselves on this aspect as well...

Cllr Page signs of the email saying: 'I hope this e-mail reassures you that we take these issues very seriously and, where possible, will look to replace as many trees as possible in the locality.'

It is reassuring to see Cllr Page responding positively to the issues myself and residents raised, and to hear he takes the matter seriously.

That said it is concerning that thought had not been given to protecting and promoting this important green space before plans were announced to fell trees.

Our campaign  to protect this historic space is not yet over.

We will be encouraging officers to think imaginatively about how trees can be replaced so that this valued piece of open space can be enjoyed by residents and visitors both now and in the future.

Resident involvement will be key so it is good to hear that local people will be consulted on future plans.

Officers have said that it would 'not be a priority'under the Capital Programme' but tree planting could be a possible candidate for Section 106 funding. We will be lobbying the Council to identify funding as soon as possible.

Campaigning to protect Redlands' Historic Trees

 

We have received notice that the following trees in Redlands could be felled in the coming weeks:

• Deodar Cedar Cintra Avenue on green opposite 3
• Deodar Cedar Cintra Avenue on green opposite 1
• Tilia sp. Cintra Avenue Front of 22 
• Myrobalan Plum Christchurch Road Front of 40

The reason for this is becuase they are either dead, sick or could pose a danger to the public if they fall.

Although we understand entirely the reasons for these trees to potentially be felled losing these trees will be a huge loss to the local street scene and we are campaigning for them to be replaced as soon as possible.

Officers wrote in a briefing note to all councillors earlier today:

'The Council adopted the Tree Strategy in June 2010 and the Tree Planting Strategy in November 2010 which set out the policy framework for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of Reading’s tree cover.

Over the past 3 years Highways and Parks have undertaken a comprehensive   condition survey for all trees on the highway in Reading using the Arbortrack mapping system. The survey has identified and located all Highways tree assets and this will form the basis of highways tree management from now on. Lack of proactive tree management in the past has resulted in a comprehensive highway tree felling programme in recent years. The final phase of this work will be completed in the 2011-2012 financial year and involves the felling of around 100 trees all of which have significant defects which have the potential to be hazardous to the travelling public.

 The attached list shows the trees which will be removed.

Clearly the removal of trees from public places is an emotive subject, but this work is essential to ensure the safety of the public. The Planning Department are coordinating a two year replanting programme for Highways trees, the details of year two are currently being finalised at present. This will see new trees being planted and it is likely that some of the stumps currently on street will be replaced with new trees during this planting season.

 The majority of the felling works will be finished in August and September. Felling notices will be put up on each tree 2 weeks before the works which will give details of the reason for removal and who to contact should there be any queries. Queries will initially be dealt with by the Planning Support whose number will be on the notices. Details of the felling programme will be posted on the Council’s website ahead of the works.'

Cllr Glenn Goodall and I have campaigned hard in recent years for the adoption of the first ever comprehensive Tree Strategy to protect and promote Reading's street trees and to call for missing trees in Redlands to be replaced.

This was adopted last year when we led the Council.

Many residents in Redlands care deeply about the local environment and trees in particular - a large number of people attended a packed meeting last March calling for action to reinstate trees where they had been destroyed or felled by the Council.

We recently called on Reading Borough Council to replace missing trees in Erleigh Road and Warwick Road.

When we ran the Council with the Conservatives we found the cash to fund an additional 100 trees across the Borough.

At the moment officers are refusing to say which trees will be replaced.

We would like to see all street trees in Redlands replaced as our ward has already suffered a significant loss of local trees in recent years.

It is regrettable that as officers themselves admit a 'lack of proactive tree management in the past has resulted in a comprehensive highway tree felling programme in recent years'.

Hopefully the new Tree Stategy and new Tree Wardens will mean more effective conservation of trees in future.

The trees on the green in Cintra Avenue in Redlands are very special and are important not just to Cintra Avenue but to the wider Conservation Area, and for the contribution they make to Reading's heritage more generally.

These trees are well over 100 years old and are shown as an avenue of trees on a map of the area dated 1879. 

The Sutton Seeds family, who owned the demolished Cintra Lodge, put the land on which they stand into a Trust.

Reading Borough Council now manages that Trust, therefore it is the Council's responsiblity to maintain them.

I have written today to the Lead Members for the Environment and Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Gittings and Cllr Page asking that these historic trees on the green on Cintra Avenue be replaced as a priority so that they can continued to be enjoyed by future generations.

Campaigning for more street trees in Redlands

Residents in Warwick Road have contacted us asking for help to replace street trees that have died or need to be replaced.

I have written to officers requesting these trees be replaced as soon as possible.

We succeeded in getting trees replaced on Alexandra Road following a local campaign in conjunction with residents.

When we ran the Council we found money in the budget to fund planting of 100 new trees across the Borough.

We also set up a new tree warden scheme to encourage residents to get involved in conserving trees in their area.

This was much needed as there are many parts of Reading which lack greenery and trees really enhance the local urban environment.

We hope Labour will continue to increase the number of trees in the Borough but so far they have made no commitments to doing so. 

If you know of any missing trees in your area - please get in touch and we will see if we can get them replaced or introduced into a new area.

Council reinstates end of term collections - good news for residents!

Great news for residents and students in the University area today as the campaign we launched a few days ago has resulted in Reading Borough Council, (which is currently controlled by a Labour minority administration) reinstating end of term bin collections.

Labour had planned to cut the collections without letting residents know.

We thought residents might have something to say about this - and they did!

The Council has confirmed that on Saturday July 2 there will be a special collection in the student areas.

As I pointed out this was a completely unnecessary cut to frontline services that we would never have made had we been running the Council.

Labour councillors blamed officers for the decision (and attempted to blame us) but they are running the Council and they must take ultimate responsibility for all Council decisions.

We would like to thank all the residents who signed our petition and who supported our campaign.

 We are always happy to work with any political group if it helps improve the quality of the local environment for residents we represent.

Full details of planned waste collections are outlined below:

• Household waste will be collected – Week commencing 27 June  & 11 July 2011
• Recycling waste will be collected – Week commencing 4 July 2011
• Crews will collect ALL domestic or recycling bagged waste adjacent to bins throughout this three week period (Monday 27th June to Friday 15th July).  We promise to take all rubbish put out for collection
• The Waste Operation Management teams will survey the area daily (excluding weekends) and identify any properties with visible excess bagged waste. If a regular collection is not due within 48 working hours the team will arrange a separate collection within 24 hours (any identified on a Friday which will be collected the following Monday).
• Environmental Wardens will knock on known student properties on Monday and Tuesday  evenings for w/c 20/6 and 27/6 to make sure as much household waste is put out in good time for scheduled refuse collection each week.
• On Saturday 2 July there will be an extra collection in the student area

We are pleased to see on this one Labour councillors have listened to residents' concerns and ditched their plans to scrap extra collections.

We will continue to stand up for residents and fight for better services in our ward.

Rubbish News: Labour scrap extra bin collections at end of University terms

Over the past five years we have actively campaigned to get the Council, University and Students' Union to work together to tackle the problem of excess waste at the end of University terms - in particular the summer term.

With the introduction of fortnightly collection of household waste by Labour in 2006 the management of waste in student houses became an even bigger issue.

We successfully campaigned to get the Council to introduce extra collections at the end of terms to reduce waste.

We also planned to increase weekly collections in areas where waste managment remains a problem.

I hear that Labour councillors have taken the decision behind closed doors to scrap extra collections in the University area.

This is very bad news for residents who will be forced to put up with rubbish piled high in front gardens.

It will also be highly-detrimental to student-resident relations which we have worked hard with both the University, the Students Union and the Council to improve.

Neither we as ward councillors for the area or residents have been consulted about this change.

The question is did the Labour councillor for Redlands know about it? And what has she said about it?

This cut is highly unecessary and is example of the type of reduction in service we have warned residents with the advent of a Labour administration in Reading.

Labour's short-sighted plans such as those to scrap charges for green waste collections which will leave a £320k shortfall in the budget mean they will have no choice but to make cuts to frontline services to balance the budget.

Labour's election literature made no mention of this cut. Did the Greens know about it and agree to it?

This is not what we would have done had we still been running the Council.

We will be campaigning to reinstate these collections to keep Redlands clean and green.

Please sign the petition!

Cleaning up Whitley Park Lane - Campaign Continues!

Over many months I have been actively supporting residents who live on Whitley Park Lane in Redlands.They have got very fed up with some shopkeepers on Christchurch Green failing to manage their trade waste and leaving the access road at the back of the shops (off the Lane) in a bad state.

We met with officers and shopkeepers a few weeks ago to call for action. As the access road is privately owned (and ownership is shared between various shops and businesses) the Council is not responsible for maintaining it.

However, residents would like to see the owners club together to tidy up the access road to stop mud and other detritus spiling on to their street.

I was in the area today and spoke to residents who are still facing problems. One shopkeeper has been burning pallets behind the shops which is not only anti-social but potentially unsafe. This has caused damage to one of the buildings along the access road.

I have spoken to officers today and heard they are currently considering enforcement action for litter and waste managment issues.

This is good news but it's not the end of the story. We will continue to work with residents to help keep the area clean and green.