Comments(0)
Annual General meeting
Thursday 4th Febuary 2010
7.30 pm
The Clarendon Hotel
Westcombe park suite
8-16 Montpelier Row
Blackheath SE3 0RW
All are welcome
Comments(0) Yesterday the London Assembly debated the Mayor of London’s draft budget for 2010/11. Boris Johnson proposes a freeze in the GLA’s share of the Council Tax precept. The Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly, however, proposed a 2.6% CUT in the Mayor’s budget.
The Mayor’s Draft Budget
Due to the Mayor hiking up fares well above the rate of inflation - including Oyster Pay As You Go bus fares by a staggering 20% - most Londoners will be paying a far greater bill under Boris Johnson’s mayoralty.
This year the Mayor is proposed to cut the Metropolitan Police’s budget by £16.4 million and to cut devolved budgets given to the Borough Commanders by 5%. The Mayor’s proposals will lead to a net reduction in police officers by 2012 of 455 police officers, and possibly even more. The Liberal Democrat amendment
The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group proposed a detailed and fully costed amendment. We proposed:
- Restoring Boris Johnson’s £16.4 million cut in Council Tax funding for the police.
- Redirecting police spending by cutting out waste and certain perks, so allowing extra spending on the key priorities of tackling and knife and gun crime as well as child trafficking.
- Supporting funding to give the go ahead to our plans for One Hour Bus ticket. We also proposed trials of innovative transport projects such as a Fastbus’ express bus route linking Wembley, Ealing and Park Royal business park, acting as a pilot for other schemes in future years
- Funding a feasibility study to introduce one or more inner ‘clear air’ zones to help tackle the scandal of 3000 plus deaths per year in London because of poor air quality
- Preventing the Mayor from building up excessive reserves for an election year.
Our proposals would have allowed the GLA precept to be cut by 2.6% this year, saving 58 pence per week for a Band D Council Taxpayer.
Commenting on the Liberal Democrat proposals Mike Tuffrey said:
“Our budget proposals have a golden thread of fairness running through them. We are totally committed to enhancing public services in the capital and especially maintaining police numbers across the number – this is absolutely critical. However at a time when most boroughs are holding their costs and charges we believe it is also time to offer a fair deal for tax and fare payers. Certainly Londoners are not getting that under Boris Johnson!”
At present the Mayor has two weeks to consider changes to his draft budget. However already Conservative Assembly Members, joined by Labour and Green Assembly Members have voted against the cut in the GLA precept as proposed by the Liberal Democrat Assembly Group. We will report back on what the Mayor finally decides to do.
You can see a full copy of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group budget amendment via our website. Just click onto the link.
Comments(0) Lib Dem councillors claim Lewisham Council’s failure to meet three key housing targets demonstrates the need for change at the top in local elections.
Lewisham Council agreed 3 housing targets with the government back in June 2008. According to information obtained by the Lib Dems asking questions at council, all three have been missed. Lewisham has MISSED a target on building affordable homes, FAILED to hit their target on reducing the number of households in temporary accomodation, and MISSED their target on reducing the number of non-decent council houses in the borough.
Commenting, Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate Chris Maines said, “These targets were only agreed 18 months ago, and Lewisham have fallen at the first hurdle. It’s clear the present leadership can’t deliver on housing. It’s time for change at the top.”
Comments(0) Lewisham Borough Council last night (Wednesday 27th November) passed a Liberal Democrat motion to remind all older residents of their entitlements to Winter Fuel Payments.
Councillors from all other parties joined behind Councillors Griesenbeck’s and Feakes’ motion, calling on the Mayor to ensure that all elderly residents were aware of their entitlements, and to publicise the scheme further.
Councillor Griesenbeck said: “Far too many older people die of hypothermia when they can’t afford to turn the heating up, because they either don’t know about the benefit available, or else don’t claim it. We’ve had two cold winters in a row, and this shouldn’t be something they need to worry about.”
Councillor Feakes said: “I’m glad the council joined behind this, and is keeping elderly Lewisham residents in their minds this winter season. It’s simply not on that in a civilised country, too many people have to make a choice in the winter between heating and eating.”
Comments(0) In December it appeared that the staff at the station were locking the exit gate at platform 4.
After we contacted Southeastern they contacted the station manager who advised them that the gate was closed during the recent snow for saftey reasons.The footpath and steps were covered in ice and deemed hazardous to passengers.
The gate has now been re-opened as originally agreed.
The final decision on the gates future is awaited from the department for transport.
Comments(0) My heart goes out to all those suffering and I strongly urge all of us to make a difference and donate what we can .
Comments(0) Several hundred Blackheath commuters have registered their fury with the timetable changes introduced on 13th December by Southeastern Railways which have affected their daily commute.
There has been anger at the fares increases which coincided with the overcrowding resulting from the timetable changes.
Last week the emergency service provided in anticipation of bad weather made travelling a nightmare for many Blackheath residents.
As a response to the latest appalling service local Liberal Democrats have launched a petition - please sign it and pass it on to fellow passenger who have endured Southeastern Railways service since the New Year.
The Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for Southeastern Railways to reconsider the timetable changes and replace the missing services in May.
here’s the link to our online petition
Comments(0) Residents have contacted me over the last few days about what is being done to grit the icy streets and pavements.
With the reports in the media about grit shortages, I thought it would be useful to pass on the latest information that I have managed to obtain from the Council.
Before the recent spell of cold weather arrived,the Lib dems had asked the Council whether it had sufficient grit to cope, and we were assured they did.
It now appears that the Council is running very low and may shortly run out before the thaw sets in.
According to the Council:
- Gritting is being done on a ‘London resilience’ basis - what this means is that all A and B roads (anything coloured yellow, red, orange on a map) should be gritted. A small numbers of others on bus routes and those required for emergency service access, are also being done.
- Street sweepers are using shovels where possible, but no grit is being put on pavements, in order to conserve supplies.
- The only way roads not currently being gritted will be added to the list is at the request of the emergency services.
You can get more information by following this link: http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/NewsAndEvents/News/WeatherConditions.htm
Please keep an eye on any senior citizens that live locally as they may be struggling to get out for food, or to keep warm. If you or anyone you know is in particular need, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will do my best to arrange for help.
Comments(0)
Many thanks to those who took the time to respond to the consultation carried out in October 2009 on the existing 20mph zone in the
As a result of the consultation and their own analysis , they have prioritised the proposed works in the zone to suit the available budget. Some work has already started.
As with all construction works, they anticipate some disruption, but will try to keep this to a minimum. It may be necessary to use temporary traffic lights and close some roads during the course of the work, to allow the work to be carried out safely.
During some aspects of the work it will be necessary for owners to move their vehicles and residents will be given adequate time to relocate their vehicles.
The main works are programmed to commence January 2010 and be completed by end March 2010.
If you need further clarification, please contact Pam Bacchus, on 8314 2215 or by e-mail at Pam.Bacchus@lewisham.gov.uk or
Bill Tarplett, on 8314 2570 or by e-mail at
Alternatively, you can write to Pam at:
1st Floor,
Comments(0) Annual General meeting
Thursday 4th Febuary 2010
7.30 pm
The Clarendon Hotel
Westcombe park suite
8-16 Montpelier Row
Blackheath SE3 0RW
All are welcome
