Clay Hill 'crying out for wardens' - Barnett

2.02.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Apr 2007

Clay Hill has been denied wardens by the Tories

Clay Hill Liberal Democrats made formal requests for West Berkshire Council to consider funding additional wardens at last week's Newbury Area Forum (Wednesday 18th April).

An area which has made the headlines in the past year for violence on the local buses, vandalised children's play areas and numerous thefts, not one Neighbourhood Warden is currently available to Clay Hill. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Phil Barnett commented:

"It is clear that Clay Hill would benefit from a local warden presence on the streets. I was disappointed that Tories voted down Lib Dem suggestions to fund two extra wardens in this year's budget - to my mind, their decision has come at a much higher cost. Crime rates are up by 27% and children are not able to safely use play areas. Wardens for Clay Hill could change this."

Town Councillors for the Clay Hill area Ron Rookes and Richard Howison-Johnstone presented a formal request to the Newbury Area Forum to match the Lib Dem Town Council's pledge of £15,000 to the warden scheme. Ron outlined his request:

"Newbury Town Council has agreed £15 K this financial year for Neighbourhood Wardens in Clay Hill and are in positive discussions with the scheme manager and partnership on the potential use of this money. I wanted to know when West Berkshire Council will financially support this initiative, matching the commitment of Newbury Town Council at the very least, but unfortunately the Tory member responsible for Community Safety did not attend the meeting."