by Paul Scully | Mar 24, 2016 | News |
Last week I was pleased to meet with the new Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Sutton, Iman Samad and the Deputy MYP for Sutton, Harry Hamilton, to discuss their priorities now they have been elected.
A large part of our discussions focused on the UK Youth Parliament’s (UKYP) campaign to reduce racism and religious discrimination in our communities. Over 95,000 young people voted to make tackling racism and religious discrimination, particularly against Muslims and Jews, a priority issue and MYPs voted to make this their national campaign. UKYP will aim to challenge negative attitudes around race and religion, work with others to educate their communities and promote integration.
I was disappointed by the figures that there was a 15% increase in race related hate crime and a 43% increase in religion related hate crime last year in England and Wales. This kind of intolerance has no place in a modern civilised society. I do believe that this rise is partly fuelled by fear, particularly of terrorism. The atrocities that we’ve seen committed by terrorist groups such as Daesh in Iraq and Syria, who use religion as a justifying tool, have shocked the country. This week’s terrible event in Brussels brings the matter closer to home. However, part of their campaign of terror is to spread that fear and suspicion, so that people feel alienated in society and are driven to radicalisation. We must not give into that fear, but stand strong and united in the face of terrorism.
This is why I think Iman and Harry’s campaign to promote racial and religious tolerance in Sutton is such a good one. Sutton is a low crime Borough and a tolerant one, but there is always more we can do to promote better understanding and integration between different groups.
We also spoke a lot about the planned closure of many of Sutton’s youth services by the Liberal Democrat run council. A majority of councillors voted to scale back youth services in Sutton to the extent that the council now only provides what they are statutorily obliged to. There were concerns raised that the views and opinions of young people had not been properly listened to during the consultation period, and what the potential negative impact would be on groups such as the Sutton LGBT Youth Forum, which used to meet at the Sutton Youth Centre. The council could have managed its finances better. For example, if they weren’t pouring money into the financial black hole, which is the Sutton Life Centre that runs at a six-figure deficit each year, they would not have to scale back these services. I want to pay tribute to the Conservative councillors on Sutton Council who fought to keep these services open, but especially to Iman, Harry and the former MYP for Sutton, Ethan Smith, for their tireless efforts on this campaign. These cuts means that Iman will be the last Member of the Youth Parliament here in Sutton, breaking a record of many years of engaging young people in politics, volunteering and democracy.
I was very impressed with Iman and Harry’s enthusiasm and professionalism. I look forward to working with them over the coming year to help young people in Sutton and to promote their positive campaigns.
by Paul Scully | Mar 23, 2016 | News |
I have received a lot of emails and phone calls about the proposed permanent traveller sites in Sutton as part of Sutton Council’s Local Plan.
The proposals for two travellers’ sites on Kimpton Park Way and Hannibal Way in Wallington are part of Sutton Council’s draft Local Plan in which they look at the borough as a whole to decide on how it may look. This plan identifies key sites and gives potential developers a steer when seeking planning permission. Any plans for a travellers’ site would still need full planning permission.
However, as the Local Plan admits, the council is going further than is required in law. The government changed the law on defining travellers to those with a ‘nomadic habit of life’ were required access to a site, thus reducing the need for councils to find sites.
Sutton Council have gone further though saying in their draft Local Plan: “It is the council’s view that, despite the Government’s new definition, the council should continue to provide for the need identified for the borough’s permanent Gypsies and Travellers on the grounds that, the council site is so overcrowded, new site(s) are needed regardless.” (p.72, Sutton Local Plan Issues and Preferred Options document).
The council is consulting on this draft plan and has two questions relevant to this site:
- Consultation Question 12a – Do you agree with the council’s standpoint on the need for new Gypsy and Traveller sites? If not, please give details.
- Consultation Question 12b – Do you agree with the draft policy on Gypsy and Traveller sites ? If not, please give details.
You can see the standpoint and policy in the draft Local Plan here (the Sutton Local Plan Issues and Preferred Options document is a big download). The Sutton Local Plan Response Form can be found on the same page and should be emailed to planningpolicy@sutton.gov.uk.
At a time when we cannot find enough brownfield land to build a much-needed school and enough housing, I cannot see that we can justify relaxing the definition of travellers to supply extra provision for them at this time.
I have also sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, to clarify the ‘legal requirement’ element of Sutton Council’s proposals.
by Paul Scully | Mar 22, 2016 | News |
One of my favourite parts of being a member of the Petitions Committee is the variety of topics up for discussion. In my first few months on that Committee we have debated banning Donald Trump, stopping all immigration, and compulsorily giving children a meningitis vaccine, to name just a few.
Recently, we had the chance to consider brain tumour research following a petition to parliament that reached 120,000 signatures, calling for increased funding into brain tumour research. It called on the Government to give a clear statement of whether current levels of funding are adequate, and if not, asks what it will do to improve it.
Unanimously, the Committee agreed that despite brain tumours being the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, patients are failed at every stage. So we produced a report and agreed to forward this topic for further debate in Parliament.
You can read the report we produced here and I look forward to the follow-up debate on April 18th.
by Paul Scully | Mar 16, 2016 | News |
Fifty-three countries came together yesterday to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2016 under the theme ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’. Among the many activities and events taking place globally, a multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey welcomed thousands of guests from around the world.
Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March every year. It is an opportunity for individuals, communities and organisations to promote shared Commonwealth values of peace, democracy and equality, and to celebrate the association’s rich diversity. Each year a theme is chosen for Commonwealth Day.
The theme helps to guide our activities and those of Commonwealth organisations throughout the year. Find out more about the 2016 theme: ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’.
Yesterday I joined the Mayor of Sutton in Trinity Square to celebrate Commonwealth Day in Sutton and I would like to say thank you to him for inviting me, and to everyone I met there.
by Paul Scully | Mar 10, 2016 | News |
A planning application to demolish the eyesore that is Victoria House in North Cheam, and build housing on the site, has finally been submitted.
The application is for four blocks ranging from four to ten storeys high, to provide 90 residential units (including 9 affordable units), with the potential for 282 occupants as well as retail space. There will be 55 parking spaces, 45 dedicated to residents, and 10 to be shared with shoppers. There will also be 4 parking spaces for retail outlets, 3 parking spaces for motorbikes and storage space for 96 bicycles.
You can view the plans online here by searching for the application number A2016/73710. The consultation period begun on 2nd March and closes on 1st April. You can comment on the proposed plans by writing to the London Borough of Sutton Planning Division at 24 Denmark Road, Carshalton, SM5 2JG, or by emailing developmentcontrol@sutton.gov.uk.
Speaking to residents, I understand that some concerns still remain about the height and design of the development, plus the lack of enough parking spaces. For years, Victoria House has been an eyesore on the skyline of North Cheam. Whilst we cannot have a development at any cost approach, there is also the need for Victoria House to be demolished and developed sometime soon. I will be following the debate carefully to make sure this important landmark site is returned to a state in which local residents can be proud.
I would urge residents to register their opinions with Sutton Council, and I am glad to see that we are one step closer to seeing this eyesore demolished.
