Leslie Kaye has served as Councillor in Castle Bromwich for 3 years
I have very much enjoyed helping residents with a wide range of queries about housing, Council services and wider issues concerning the Police and local transport.
We have made good progress with new pedestrian crossings and other road safety measures especially around our schools. However there is more to do. Inconsiderate parking on pavements and grass verges is a continuing issue for residents.
Crime and antisocial behaviour are a persistent problem. I have been working with the local police to identify the off-road bikers. Although arrests have been made, this is a serious nuisance causing danger to pedestrians and damage to our green spaces. I have been able to pass on residents' specific information to Trading Standards to crack down on the selling of illegal vapes and tobacco resulting in the largest seizure of goods in Solihull ever. I was pleased to support our motion to Council requesting Government tighten the rules on "phoenix" shops.
A recent survey shows that people like to live in Castle Bromwich because or its unique character, cleanliness and quality of local schools and facilities. I understand that residents will wish to make sympathetic modifications and extensions to their houses to meet their changing family needs, but I have been pleased to oppose Planning Applications which are excessive and inappropriate for the street scene. I was pleased to propose a number of measures to tighten the Planning and Licensing rules for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to full Council. These should reduce parking problems and improve building safety.
I know that people are furious over the poor performance of Government, and national issues that the Council cannot do anything about. We can make our voices heard about this in the 2029 General Election. These local elections are about giving you a voice on the Council, delivering high quality local services and keeping Council Tax low. I am a professional accountant. With your vote, I am determined to deliver these for you.
