West End South Ward candidates video hustings

[0s] you Hello, who are you?

[34s] Hello my name's Gerry Hall, I'm the Conservative Party candidate for the election that's coming up on Thursday.

[39s] I've lived in the area since 1968 and I am very hopeful that you'll be voting for me on the 5th of May.

[48s] Hi, i'm Tracey Weeks, Green Party Candidate for West End South.

[52s] i am also Eastley Green party co-chair alongside Ben Parry who is standing on West end North.

[60s] I run my own creative design business from my home office, as I have done for the past 16 years, and I'm very active in the local business community.

[68s] I am the founder of LinkedIn Local for Eastleigh and the Free Food for eastleigh Facebook page.

[76s] Hi, I m Steve Willoughby and am standing again as the Labour candidate here in West End South.I ve lived in Chartwell Green for seven years now and have

[84s] been in a greater area for around 20 years.

[97s] What's your favourite place in the borough?

[101s] Well, obviously the woodland in West End is one of my favourite places, but I have to say that over the years, the Hamble River has been one my favorite

[111s] places which is where I've canoeed and where i've walked my dog and my daughters for many, many years.

[119s] I'd say my fave place is definitely Itchin Valley Country Park and I love living near Ellington Lane for years watching the deer,

[129s] badgers, foxes and buzzers all on my doorstep.

[133s] Areas like this have such a positive impact on our mental health and our physical health.

[139s] I would say my back garden, but it's the afternoon and the traffic on Townhill Way is really noisy.

[147s] My favourite place to visit in the borough is right here in West End South.

[152s] i really enjoyed going to Hatch Grange during the pandemic, it was a great place Why are you standing in this election?

[162s] I'm standing for election here because for far too long the Lib Dems have dominated the council.

[167s] They've become a rubber stamping council, they buy land, grant themselves planning permission and build houses and basically it's a puppet council who

[178s] vote however the leader wants them to vote and if they don't do what he says they're out.

[183s] I will be a strong local champion and I'll take your arguments to the Council and i'm not afraid to stand up to leadership.

[192s] Over the years I found myself more and more frustrated at not being listened to by local and national government.

[199s] One day I sat in this very chair and said to myself, I want to vote green.

[204s] Why is there no one standing in the area so that I can vote Green?

[210s] The penny dropped.

[212s] I need to stand in a gap.

[214s] There is a high level of apathy and many people are experiencing that same feeling.

[220s] I had of not being listened to.

[222s] And I want this change.

[226s] It has to change!

[227s] I'm standing in this election because I wanted to see change After 25 years of Liberal Democrat rule, we deserve better.

[235s] This can be seen best on the environment.

[237s] The Lib Dems are poor in the environmental as demonstrated by their recycling policy and the airport.

[244s] How long have you lived in West End, and what are your views on local councillors not living in the area that they represent?

[252s] I've lived in the area since 1968, and from my bathroom window I can see the UGS bowl.

[257s] I think it's important that people that represent you live locally.

[262s] Um, I live right in heart of the He-Web Area Committee, which hopefully I'll be representing you on.

[268s] It's very wrong that councillors should live far away.

[272s] Some cases as far as Oxford, about 60 miles away, so I will represent strongly as a local voice on the local council.

[280s] I've lived in this area for 17 years, and I do think local councillors should definitely live in the same county.

[289s] The ward itself would be preferable, as this would definitely save on time and travel.

[297s] I used to commute for work before I started working from home.

[301s] And I know what it's like to split my time of priorities.

[305s] Even an extremely dedicated and hardworking person cannot realistically stretch themselves that thin.

[312s] I've lived in the Chartwell Green area of West End for seven years now, and I have been politically involved for pretty much as long.

[319s] We've got no problem with local councils not living in this area especially, I don't know why I would want to do it, but it's fine by me as they understand

[327s] the cares and concerns of their constituents.

[330s] If money, resources and planning were no object, what one thing would you build or create for the people of the West end?

[338s] This is an easy question to answer.

[339s] I think it would have to be a medical centre and a drop-in centre.

[344s] There is not enough infrastructure for the area.

[346s] Housing has massively gone ahead of healthcare and I know it's almost impossible to get an appointment with a doctor and probably impossible become an

[357s] NHS dentist patient.

[360s] There's so many things I could do if money was no object.

[364s] We could retrofit the heating systems in all of the homes, insulation provided, solar power, anything to stop the use of fossil fuel in the area,

[376s] a free shuttle bus that's solar powered.

[380s] I'd also like to see a creative centre for children and young adults.

[384s] We have a few spots of graffiti in the local area, so a dedicated wall for creative discovery would be interesting.

[393s] We could have local artists as guests to teach techniques and challenge creative thinking, which can enrich young minds.

[403s] Free creative workshops, cooking classes designed to save on food waste and sustainability tips that everyone can make good use of.

[413s] Because no child should go hungry and no parent should have to choose between feeding themselves or their children.

[418s] We're currently simultaneously fighting a cost of living crisis and a climate emergency.

[425s] These are actually two very similar issues.

[428s] With Infinite Resources, I would create an easily renewable energy company, giving discounted energy to residents by use of solar and wind on land that

[437s] the council owns and buying more with some of the products.

[441s] Given the housing situation nationally, what is your view of the Aegis Bowl housing plans?

[447s] The Aegist Bowl, I have the plans here, which I've studied.

[454s] The fact is, when I'm elected on Thursday, if I am lucky enough to be elected, I'll be one of the people that makes the decision on the planning,

[462s] so therefore I cannot pre-determine it because I couldn't sit at that meeting.

[467s] But lots of people locally have contacted me and raised their concerns.

[471s] So if i'm selected on thursday I will take those concerns to the Planning Meeting.

[475s] I oppose the plans of The Aegeus Bowl development.

[478s] The housing section of this plan is a token to increase the viability of the business plans.

[485s] Commercially focused developments only allow for a minimum of 35% housing to be built as affordable.

[493s] That leaves 65% that is not.

[495s] The AEGIS Bowl development isn't about housing, it's about business and profit before people.

[502s] They say it'll enhance the fan experience.

[506s] But what about the local residents I oppose the AGIUS bowl housing plans.

[512s] The traffic in West End, in that particular area of West end is really bad and adding more to it was not going to help anything.

[517s] I'm also against building so many unaffordable homes.

[522s] Lid Thems commit to build 30% affordable homes, we want 70% and more than that if we can manage it.

[530s] Right.

[546s] I think that it's important that if you represent local people, you present local People.

[551s] There will always be an argument to vote along party lines.

[555s] We've seen this for far too long with the Liberal Democrats.

[558s] They're bullied and whipped into voting as the leader wishes.

[562s] I would be very independently minded as your councillor.

[567s] i would look at the pros and cons of something as a resident and a councillor put the facts on the table and listen to what the local residents have to say.

[577s] As a local resident myself I want to be listened to, as a counsellor I would want do the same as well as give my constituents as much information as possible.

[591s] If my constituency were strongly against something that I proposed and believed in, I'd try my best to convince them it was the right thing.

[598s] I would do consultations with residents and bring them evidence to show what I believe in the hope that I could turn them around and convince them.

[606s] This is not something that's currently being done by Eastley Council.

[610s] If at the end of that process the constituents are still not convinced, it's an easy labour policy that for major policies we would move to a citizens'

[617s] assembly where we consult with the residents, and honour that.

[630s] As there is a climate emergency, where should we build more houses?

[634s] What mix of social, affordable, open market would you propose?

[640s] Well, I think we should only build to the government assessed needs rather than speculatively build for profit.

[647s] We'd absolutely need more social housing and we need less mansions built on green fields.

[652s] So I would support more Social Housing on brownfield sites.

[658s] The UK government took to a build, build policy to lift the country out of a global recession 12 years ago.

[665s] The fact that we are still saying there is a housing crisis after all that time suggests to me something isn't working.

[674s] There's always another way.

[676s] How about filling empty properties, working with landlords to improve conditions of failing properties and being more considerate and understanding of

[685s] pet owners and reviewing commercial property use.

[689s] Maybe even looking at matching larger property owners with tenants which might mix generations to work together.

[697s] As we are in a climate emergency, we must try our hardest to build houses only on brownfield sites and avoid whatever possible building on greenfield site.

[707s] Eastley Labour's lack of a local plan for the past 10 to 15 years has meant ad hoc developments all over the place, willy-nilly,

[713s] with little thought of traffic or the environment.

[717s] It's Eastly Labour policy to have 70% affordable homes.

[722s] In fact, Easty Labour are the only party to bring back council houses.

[728s] The He-web Local Area Committee has identified telegraphed woods must be enhanced for ecological and recreational purposes.

[736s] How would you suggest doing so?

[739s] OK, well, as a local beekeeper, I care a lot about ecology.

[744s] I think Telegraph Woods is a wonderful place.

[745s] So I've been up there a little recently and you'll know that I campaigned against some antisocial behaviour there.

[751s] It's vital that Telegraph woods is protected, but I thing we need to have a very light touch.

[755s] And I wouldn't like to see metal droves in there, and I'd like nature to take its course.

[760s] But absolutely, it must be protected and i'll do everything I can to make that happen.

[765s] already said that I'm against the development plans for the Aegeus bowl or Hilton Aegyus, so with regard to telegraph woods I would say unless there is

[778s] an invasive species like Himalayan balsam, ecologically I will keep management to a minimum.

[784s] Visitors love to bring their dogs to the woods and accept that there's mud a part of the experience.

[792s] The woods just need a greater level of protection from development.

[797s] With regard to recreational purposes, much can be done without even touching the woods.

[804s] Website, microsite can used to run BioBlitz events, photography competitions and educational sections on what to spot in the wood.

[814s] When it comes to recreational improvements in Telegraph Woods, I would consult with the local residents to find out what it is that they think is missing.

[821s] Does it need more benches or cycle tracks and that kind of thing?

[826s] With respect to the environment, i would want to seek scientific expert advice to decide if the trees there are the right sort of trees,

[834s] if perhaps he wants the new breeds adding in, or if we need to plant more wildflowers.

[841s] If you don't get elected, what's the biggest thing represents we'll miss out on?

[850s] Well, what you'll miss out on is me.

[852s] Everybody knows me, everyone knows my mobile phone number.

[855s] I've delivered it to every single house in West End.

[858s] It would be a shame that we carry on with a Liberal Democrat who just does what the leader tells them to.

[865s] As you may know, I only failed to win the seat by 17 votes last time, so I'm very hopeful.

[872s] Don't miss the chance.

[873s] Please vote for me on the 5th of May.

[879s] I'm a person who challenges the norm.

[882s] Just because things have always been done in a certain way doesn't make them right or the only solution.

[890s] A creative thinker, I am used to looking at problem solving briefs and finding ideas that others don't.

[897s] An environmental mindset will look at the best way to save energy, avoid using imported fossil fuels and how to help the local community to make the most

[907s] of what they have.

[909s] If I'm not elected, residents are going to miss out on my wit and my guile.

[913s] But in all seriousness, it'll be a different voice, not just another one of Keith House's lackeys.

[918s] If you're not selected, residential is going get more of the same.

[923s] More let down, more failure to deliver.

[926s] Easty Labour Party are the only party to have a published manifesto to show how we're going improve and take Eastley into the future.

[938s] One last call.

[940s] Anything you'd like to say?

[943s] And one last thing I'd to like say is please use your vote on the 5th of May.

[948s] We came so close, I came close last time to winning the seat.

[952s] And I know a lot of people were disappointed and perhaps think, well, why vote?

[955s] It's not going to make any difference.

[957s] But actually, we are so closed that every single vote counts.

[961s] So I would like so please vote for me, Jerry Hall, on 5 May, and I'll still stay here and won't let you down.

[968s] Up and down the country, more Green councillors are being elected than ever before.

[973s] Greens currently hold 447 seats in 141 different councils, including Horn Dean in Hampshire.

[982s] Let's really tackle climate change this election time.

[986s] Make your vote count.

[988s] Vote Green.

[990s] Thanks for sticking around to the end of this video and for being engaged politically.

[994s] Not enough people are voting in local elections.

[998s] It's a shame this couldn't have been an in-person debate.

[1001s] If you've got any questions or you want to say anything to me, please do get in touch.

[1005s] But most of all, make sure you vote Stephen Willoughby and the Labour Party this May the 5th.

[1027s] you