Introduction

Reproduced from the Chichester Labour 2019 Local Election Manifesto.

Every day, Labour councillors across the country are delivering services for more than 25 million people. Day in, day out, Labour is battling cuts and simultaneously delivering vital services. Close to 7,000 Labour councillors are putting into practice real Labour values from the heart of our communities.

Chichester, for far too long, has been let down by consecutive councils and councillors from both the local Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Nothing illustrates this failure of leadership and direction more than the continued saga of the A27 or the persistent pockets of poverty and deprivation which are a reminder of the failure to grapple with the needs of residents throughout our District.

The picture for our local authorities is dire; the size of the funding shortfall in local government will be £5.8bn by 2019/20, plus an additional £1 bn required to stabilise the social care system. By 2019/20 for every £1 of council tax collected, as much as 56p could be spent on care for the elderly, vulnerable adults and children. The Tories, with their politically motivated austerity agenda, have created a crisis in local government.

For every £1 generated locally by taxes, only 9p remains with local authorities, while the rest goes to the Treasury. With central government funding being so dramatically cut, local government is facing a crisis of purpose. Councils over recent years have often become little more than a shell of what they once were, merely acting as contracting bodies.

Labour, across the country, has found new innovative ways to fulfill this role and to deliver for local residents.

In this manifesto, Chichester Labour will set out our vision for the future of our district, knowing that while we may not have enough councillors to form a majority on our councils, we have seen in other councils the immeasurable impact that just one or two councillors can make in working towards achieving progress. We ask for your support for our vision for Chichester and the district and that you Vote Labour

Our key pledges to you

Delivering for residents

Labour will deliver greater value for money, setting up a subsidiary not-for-profit company to deliver services and contracts.

Creating jobs and supporting our local economy

Labour will support local businesses, identify infrastructure improvements and promote the District as the place to do business.

Building affordable homes and safer communities

Labour will build affordable council housing, prioritising development of brownfield sites and reinvesting rental income to maintain and build more homes.

Empowering and strengthening our communities

Our councils often appear out of touch with the needs of residents. Labour will transform the relationship between residents and their councils.

Protecting our environment, investing for the future

The climate crisis requires radical action. Labour will extend, maintain and upgrade cycles lanes, review public transport, reject fracking and protect our unique natural environment.