SIR PETER BOTTOMLEY: Reliable service, dedicated work

Housing was one of the causes that led me towards sustained public and political service.
Sir Peter Bottomley with one of the local road signsSir Peter Bottomley with one of the local road signs
Sir Peter Bottomley with one of the local road signs

Before I was first elected, I found a way to resolve the difficulty facing two very young parents: their baby could not leave hospital until they had a home; the home could not be allocated until the baby was with them.

The motto should be: “If it needs to be done, it can be done.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Politics can be much more than the art of the possible. It is the responsibility to make possible that which is right.

Later, I worked for a middle-aged mother who had to cross London twice a day to care for her slowly dying parents.

The social housing system found it difficult to allow her or them to move to live close for her support every day.

When I chaired Family Forum, the gathering of voluntary organisations and charities sharing concern for practical approaches to problems and opportunities, we looked to bring the household life cycle into social and economic policies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Once I had a lone elderly constituent who refused to accept her work pension.

Thankfully, it was possible to gain cooperation from her housing association, the local council and a circle of Westminster friends to keep her rent and council tax paid.

Their understanding and help prevent a useless eviction and costly care elsewhere.

I pay tribute to those who work in housing every day.

Locally we are fortunate to have dedicated housing professionals managing social housing. Arun has maintained direct ownership and management. They do well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The establishment of Worthing Homes follows a different model. Their annual meeting is this week. They take a positive attitude to community life.

At Westminster I speak with pride about the dedication and the achievements of our housing and community teams.

Without claiming everything goes perfectly, I can testify that staff give dedicated service within the limits of finance and homes available.

There are problems. Our towns and villages are not isolated from the pressures of changing lives and growing populations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For over a hundred years, there has been building. West Durrington will grow. Government inspectors have overturned some local refusals; they have upheld others. Ferring especially has suffered.

Look at a local road sign pointing to our communities. Few can expand greatly. East Preston with Kingston and Goring-by-Sea should maintain their identities, not becoming part of continuous development from Hove to Bognor Regis. Soon I hope to be able to write about relying every day on train staff and middle-ranking doctors but strikes and threats make that difficult.

Let us recognise that many others serving the public are also people on whom many rely for caring competent professional help.

In times of need and with ordinary day-to-day issues, they are dedicated to being available and to giving reliable service.

---

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: