LISTER ON PUTNEY

Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.

Looking forward to a busy October

Last week's welcome news that street crime in the borough had at last
shown a fall was undermined sadly by a corresponding increase in
burglaries.

Wandsworth was included in the safer streets initiative which takes
police away from other duties to focus on muggings.

The result was a 13 per cent reduction in street robberies. At the same
time burglaries went up by 11 per cent.

Police commander Martin Jauch, who must have the toughest job in the borough, has already said that if he loses the officers now targeting street crime it will be difficult to maintain any improvement.

All this makes it all the more vital that the council, police and local people continue to work together supporting local crime prevention initiatives.

A council-led anti-burglary scheme in West Putney for example which had the full support of local police brought about a 60 per cent fall in break-ins.

Although the Home Office funding for the original campaign has come to an end local residents can still get help from the council's various burglary prevention schemes - including free lockfitting for the elderly - by calling 020 8871 0803.

Both the Putney Society and the Wandsworth Society will be joined by local amenity groups from across south and west London at the council's conference next month (October 3) on the threat of a third runway at Heathrow.

The council's hard line on night flights and further expansion is well documented. Our job now is get fellow councils in other parts of London equally motivated so that we can build a coalition against this latest threat to our environment.

It looks like being a busy first week in October - on the Tuesday (October 1) the council is holding a public meeting for people in Roehampton concerned about extra traffic on their roads if the Royal Parks Agency goes ahead with its plan to close Robin Hood Gate.

This takes place in the Portrait Room at Froebel College in Roehampton Lane - start time 7.30 pm.

Finally I've had an inconclusive reply from South West Trains to the issue raised by so many visitors to putneysw15.com - the prospects for an interchange between Putney and East Putney stations.

The managing director tells me they have the money for 'interchange improvements' but appears to rule out using this to create a direct pedestrian link. More on this later!

elister@wandsworth.gov.uk

20th September 2002

Redevlopment of Roehampton Rec, the completion of Ashlone Wharf plus taking up the baton for a link between the Rail station & East Putney Tube........Cllr Lister's Diary .

Local impact of government housing policy, crime and news on Richmond Park...... Cllr Lister's Diary .

New Surgeries - a new ways to meet your councillor plus the Leader expresses his concerns over the news of gun crimes in Putney ..... Cllr Lister's Diary

Jubilee celebrations, the 3 star service offered by Social Services and name change for Lavatory Gardens ...Cllr Lister's Diary.

The state of the NHS in Putney and the fight against night flights ....Cllr Lister's Diary

Pedestrian saftey - especially around schools and Neighbourhood watch .... Cllr Lister's diary

CAR TAX DODGERS DRYBURGH RD DEVELOPMENT ROBIN HOOD GATE AND NIGHT FLIGHTS..............Cllr Lister's diary

Church cheer, wharf worries and Richmond Park relief - Cllr Lister's diary.

Cllr Lister speaks against the Dryburgh Rd plans, the threat of clsing Pen Ponds to traffic and litter.

The Postal Service, Richmond Park and Council Tax changes are all on Cllr Lister agenda.

Cllr Lister comments on the current planning furore, pigeon mess, cctv and policing.

Cllr Lister writes on Pensioners Freedom Passes, good news re Hotham School, development progress at Ashlone Wharf and aircraft noise from Heathrow Airport.

Recent visit to the Leisure Centre was less than enjoyable - see forum.

Cllr Lister writes on the new school for the area, housing development and Heathrow.

Cllr Lister writes on developments at the Putney School of Art & Design, The Leisure Centre and the excellent league results for local schools.

Tony Colman MP for Putney speaks about current local issues