Labour launch manifesto

He spoke at a meeting in Bulwell’s Riverside Centre last Friday to launch Labour’s manifesto for the forthcoming elections.

Coun Collins told of a plan to enable streets across the city to be temporarily closed so that children could play safely there.

He said the creation of these ‘play zones’ depended on the majority of a street’s residents being in favour. “The closures could be on a regular basis, perhaps on one Saturday a month or for half a day,” he added.

The Sheriff of Nottingham, Coun Jackie Morris, who is a Labour member for Bulwell ward, said street closures could also enable community events to be arranged.

Labour’s manifesto contains 123 promises, includes a plan to build 2,500 new homes which Nottingham people can afford to rent or buy, as well as tackling fuel poverty by setting up a not-for-profit company to sell energy at the lowest possible price.

The party also wants to cut the number of city crime victims by a fifth and continue reducing anti-social behaviour. Labour also aims to ensure that every Nottingham child is taught in a school judged good or outstanding by OFSTED.

Bulwell’s Labour MP, Graham Allen, praised the city council for a ‘brilliant job’ in keeping services going despite the money it received from Central Government being cut by half. Labour’s manifesto contains commitments on housing, community, school, leisure, transport and the city as a whole.

Coun Collins said: “Over the last decade, Nottingham has got better, with crime down by a third, better schools and higher education standards, cleaner streets than any other city, thousands of new affordable homes and millions of pounds invested in our parks, public buildings, transport network and leisure centres.

“Since the last local elections the Conservative-led government has drastically cut local spending. Their cuts have hit poor communities and big cities hardest, while protecting wealthy, mainly Conservative-run councils in the South and South East.

“However despite the challenges, our ambition for Nottingham remains unchanged. But in these difficult times we need to change the way we deliver our goals. Now more than ever, partnerships with others in the public, voluntary and private sectors will be key to our city’s success.

“And we will work even more closely with local people so that we can all take on more responsibility: look out for each other, respect the city’s environment and take the opportunities that are presented to us.”