September Lewisham Central Focus

Focus Lewisham Central & Hither Green

Autumn ‘09

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The Lewisham Lib Dems don’t just turn up at election time. We work all year round for you. We keep in touch through regular Focus newsletters, door to door surveys and hold regular surgeries for local people.

Current numbers of Co

uncillors in Lewisham

Stay updated with our email newsletter LC-focus@ lewishamlibdems.org.uk Councillor Surgeries 1st (St Swithin’s) & 3rd (Lewisham Library) Saturdays of month.

Recycling targets set to be missed

Fine targets not fine

Recycling rates in Lewisham have fallen further. Labour-run Lewisham council told the public that 22% of waste was being recycled and composted. However, the latest figures from April show just 14.26% is in fact being recycled.

Consumer watchdog Which? has criticised Labour-run Lewisham for unfairly issuing parking fines. Which? found that in breach of government guidelines the Council issues targets for issuing tickets and fining motorists.

Labour-run Lewisham was already in the bottom 20 councils in England, before this ‘discrepancy’ was uncovered. “This means the amount they have been telling us has been recycled has been over-estimated in the past,” says Cllr Chris Maines, Lib Dem prospective Mayor.

Earlier this year the Labour-run Council also failed to pass on the VAT cut for parking costs.

James Jennings says “Labour promised to improve recycling rates and they have failed. Local people want to get recycling but the Council leadership have not done enough.”

The Lib Dem team are campaigning to improve recycling rates in Lewisham. Under Labour the recycling rate has fallen to amongst the worst in the whole of England.

“Recycling targets are missed, targets to improve local homes are missed and our taxes keep on rising. Lewisham’s Labour leaders have failed us too many times. Voters at the election next year,” added Councillor will have an opportunity to deliver their verdict Dave Edgerton.

Pollution action needed now in town centre Lewisham Central ward has some of the highest mortality rates in Lewisham. The area also suffers from appalling air pollution, according to data obtained by Cllr Andrew Milton in a recent question to Lewisham Council.

years, including the need to increase green space and trees in the town centre" says Andrew.

James Jennings added "The Labour Council admitted only this year nitrogen dioxide levels in Lewisham centre are too high. Fast action is needed to ensure we "Liberal Democrats have raised this issue over the all have cleaner air to breathe.”

The Lib Dem team campaigning for fair parking charges

Costly failure on housing Lewisham’s Labour Mayor is set to break another promise. In 2006 he promised that all council homes would be improved by 2010. However three times more homes are classed as ‘not-decent’ today. Promised future improvements are under threat. Labour announced they will withdraw ‘Decent Homes’ money from failing management organisations like Lewisham Homes – the Council’s ‘Arms Length Management Organisation’ (ALMO).

Hither Green landmark Kids Corner saved

Conservatives struggle

An application to redevelop the art deco landmark Kids Corner has been rejected by Lewisham planning committee.

Conservative voters angry with the failure of the Conservatives in Lewisham have been switching to the Lib Dems.

Max Calò says “There was strong local support to preserve this landmark. The local community have come up with some imaginative ideas to get this building back into use and regenerate the shopping parade.”

The Conservatives have had a string of poor by-election results in Lewisham. At the last local election they only held on to 3 Councillors whilst the Lib Dems, the official opposition to Labour won 17.

Right Decision

The local Lib Dem team Tam Langley , Cllr Dave Edgerton, Cllr Andrew Milton, & Max Calò celebrate the decision not to redevelop Hither Green landmark Kids Corner

Tam Langley says “Rejecting redevelopment was the right decision. I joined Max Calò and the team collecting petition signatures. Residents have told me how much they like this art deco landmark.” Find out more about the campaign to get the Kids Korner building turned into an arts and community centre email: [email protected]

At the Council Chamber the Conservative Councillors regularly back the Labour Mayor, instead of holding him to account. They even choose to sit with Labour in the council chamber and supported Labour’s increase in council tax by 2.5% this year – making Lewisham council tax the highest in inner London. To great surprise they also failed to support the Lib Dem tax freeze proposal. Only the Lib Dems can beat Labour here!

Lib Dems - Working for you all year round

Working for Lewisham Central Chris Maines and the Lib Dems have been fighting plans to close the Tesco side (platform 4) exit from Lewisham station. Labour Ministers will decide on this issue. James Jennings (left) says “Commuters need this exit.”

The Council wasted £900 installing a speed hump in front of a brick wall in Mercia Grove.

Cllrs Andrew Milton and Dave Edgerton tackled dumped rubbish on the Mercator estate. The Ladywell Playtower has been left derelict for many years. Cllr Dave Edgerton says “When I was a child I used to use this venue as my pool. It is a crying shame such buildings are not being put quickly back into use.”

Lewisham Town Centre

The Lib Dem team campaigned against cuts to A & E services at Lewisham Hospital. Unfortunately the Labour Councillor failed to join the campaign or turn up to Council meetings when the closure was discussed, despite Labour putting him on the Health Committee.

The Lib Dem team are working to get the broken bench outside the Leemore centre replaced.

The Lib Dem team have uncovered high pollution levels in central Lewisham (see story overleaf). James Jennings says “Action must be taken to reduce the risk to people’s health. Labour have ignored this issue for too long.” Over 600 people have so far joined the campaign for a safe pedestrian crossing at the Courthill Road/Hither Green Lane junction. You can back the campaign at

http://bit.ly/1Dtfq

The closure of local community facilities, such as the Spotted Cow pub, have been challenged by the Lib Dems. “A vibrant local community needs community spaces”, says James Jennings.

Max Calò and the Lib Dem team are alerting local residents to a parking “honeytrap” at the George pub. The bollards preventing people parking on the land of the closed pub were removed. Those who park there have been fined and had their cars clamped. Dave Edgerton says “Land owners L&Q should get on with the development.”

“The entrance to Hither Green station could be so much better, that is why we supported the flower boxes outside the station,” says Cllr Dave Edgerton.

The recent planning application to redevelop the old cinema “Kids Corner” was rejected. Tam Langley says “This is the right decision. I joined Max Calò collecting petition signatures. Residents have told me how much they like this art deco landmark.”

Local residents are furious at Lewisham Council's failure to act on the nuisance caused by a garage business in the Hither Green area. "They have known about this for months" says Cllr Andrew Milton "but have ignored pleas from local residents' groups and panels to work with the police to sort it out."

Investigations by Cllr Andrew Milton helped uncover a Hither Green Lane property “lost” by Lewisham homes. It had been left empty since 2007. James Jennings says “Over 20,000 people are on the housing waiting lists in Lewisham. Many homes don’t even meet decent homes Brownhill Road/South Circular standard.”

Maines4Mayor By Cllr Chris Maines Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Lewisham People often ask why Lewisham's Labour Mayor has set such a high council tax - the highest tax rate in inner London. There was an opportunity this year to freeze the tax at last year's level. However, with the support of Lewisham's tiny Tory group, Labour pushed through a 2.5% hike. Council tax is an unfair tax because it does not take into account a person's ability to pay. During this recession council tax is really hitting hardworking families. We probably all know of examples where the council has wasted money, and at a time when every household is feeling the pinch. Labour should at least try and be careful with our money. A small example of this waste is a road hump in Mercia Grove - a tiny cul-de-sac off Lewisham High Street. Lewisham have put a speed hump just yards away from a brick wall at the dead end of the road. They say it cost less than £900, but it's just one example of wastage. And, of course, there are the staff costs of planning and arranging this redundant hump. A more serious example of wastage is Lewisham's appalling collection rate for unpaid council tax. It means more people get away without paying the tax, while the rest of us have to pay more each year to make up for the shortfall. And there's no excuse. In neighbouring boroughs councils have succeeded in improving collection rates. They recognise how important it is to collect every penny, especially during a recession. Labour have overseen a collapse of the economy nationally and are failing with finances locally.

Problems, Issues, Concerns... Your Lib Dem team work hard for our area all year round. Get in touch if we can help.

Use the space below to tell us about problems in your area or to comment on local issues then return to the freepost address below. You can also email or call us if you prefer.

Cllr Dave Edgerton 8691 3052 [email protected]

Yes, I can help!

www.davidedgerton.mycouncillor.org.uk/

Max Calò 8690 4242 [email protected] James Jennings 07957 421919 [email protected] www.thiswaytolewisham.blogspot.com Cllr Andrew Milton 8698 5119 [email protected]

FOCUS is produced, funded and delivered by volunteers. I will be voting Lib Dem I will display a Lib Dem poster at election time I can help deliver FOCUS near my home

Your details...

http://20six.co.uk/andrewmilton/

Prospective Mayor of Lewisham Chris Maines, 8297 9817 [email protected]

Prospective MP Tam Langley 07717 852191 [email protected],uk http://tamora4deptford.blogspot.com/

www.lewishamlibdems.org.uk

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