LISTER ON PUTNEY

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

The council's 'excellent' rating in the first-ever nationwide league table of town hall services would have been even higher if ministers had added a rating based on the level of council tax charged.

Although our funds are being squeezed by shifts in Government funding to
northern cities our residents still enjoy the country's lowest council tax.

So while the verdict delivered this week by the Audit Commission - the public spending watchdog - was welcome it still fails to tell the true story of Wandsworth's achievement.

It's always a nightmare getting behind the complex formulae used by inspectors to arrive at their decisions. But the simple fact is that no council can score highly unless its education and social services departments are in tip-top shape.

That's why the news that Wandsworth is now officially 'excellent' is so important to local people.

Congratulations too to pupils and staff at our Putney schools who continue to dominate the borough's own league tables. Eleven year-olds sitting their key stage 2 tests at Our Lady of
Victories scored 100 per cent in all three subjects. It is the fifth time in the last six years that the school has recorded a perfect score.

Hotham School were hard on their heels in third place with All Saints at Putney Common just a point or two behind. Brandlehow and St Mary's also featured strongly at the top end of the
table.

Finally the news that the council has had to step in to maintain services on Roehampton's Alton estate will have come as a relief to many residents.

In recent months there had been growing concerns from local people about the services provided by the independent company responsible for managing the 3,500-home estate. The council's auditors will now want to get to the bottom of how the organisation got itself into such serious financial trouble.

For the housing department the immediate priority is to get on with the job of making sure estate cleaning and repair standards are brought back to the level enjoyed by residents in other parts of the borough.

Edward Lister

elister@wandsworth.gov.uk

28th November 2002

A week of great achievements as both the Council and many of Putney's schools exceed in their individual grading systems. Whilst the failure of a resident management organisation (RMO) gives the Council concern.......Cllr Lister's Diary

Cllr Lister is not cheered by the Queens Speech nor the Chanmcellor's pre-budget statement..........Cllr Lister's Diary

Cllr Lister's Diary declares war on fly posters, and draws our attention to Connexions investment in Roehampton.

anti-third runway meeting bonfires and planning alert system.........Cllr Lister's Diary

Busy October 2002..........Cllr Lister's Diary .

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