THE New Homes Bonus scheme commenced in April 2011 and match funds the additional council tax raised for new homes and empty properties brought back into use for a period of six years.

The 3,225 dwellings which are in the process of being built in the Ribble Valley netted £3.5 million in NHB. The authority can spend this money on anything it likes. Have they spent the money on improving your towns and villages? No. Have they consulted you on what the money should be spent on? No.

The Conservative website proudly boasts the NHB as number 40 on their top 100 achievements. The NHB is little more than a financial sweetener by this coalition government for their inappropriate housing targets which do not take into account community needs or wishes. To be fair to Ribble Valley Borough Council they have seen their general funding cut by this same coalition government by £1,423,900.

Ukip believes residents should have greater control over what happens in their communities eg planning permission for large-scale developments can be overturned by a referendum triggered by the signatures of five per cent of the district or borough electors collected within three months.

Ukip will introduce the Citizens’ Initiative to allow the public to initiate national referendums on issues of major public interest.

Shirley Parkinson, Ukip prospective parliamentary candidate (via email)