LISTER ON PUTNEY

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

The sun shone brightly last Sunday for the Wandsworth Youth River Club's open day held at the newly refurbished boathouse at Ashlone Warf.

I was delighted to be there with the Mayor to celebrate the completion of the £400,000 refit which was paid for by the council. The club offers some terrific opportunities for young people and will I am sure make the most of their sparkling new accommodation.

It's been heartening to see the enthusiasm of people throughout the orough for the new orange sack recycling service. In Putney the amount of household waste doubled in the first week of the scheme.

But we can still do more. Every property with an individual doorstep collection has received it own supply of sacks - so it would be great to see everyone putting out at least one sack full of paper, card, tins, glass and plastic bottles for the weekly collection.

Putney schools have had a fearsome task in recent weeks drawing up their budgets for the year ahead. In some cases job losses will be unavoidable. The problem has arisen because government funding this year has simply not been enough to cover rises in staffing costs, which include higher national insurance and pension costs, of around 10 per cent.

In Wandsworth for example the council only got a rock bottom increase of 3.5 per cent in its overall grant to cover all its services. It's a similar story in other parts of the capital. That's why the council tax has had to go up for so many people.

We are looking closely with our lawyers at the way some of the 'extra' money for schools has been dished out this year. Neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham we know were given an additional handout by the schools minister - but Wandsworth was left out. We want to know why.

Finally how many of our local shopping parades would survive if they lost their post office or pharmacy?

There's already a battle on to save the sub post office at 30 Upper Richmond Road - but now ministers are said to be considering plans which would allow supermarkets to run bigger pharmacy departments.

If you are elderly or find it difficult to get around you will know just how much you value having a post office or pharmacy on your doorstep.

Edward Lister

elister@wandsworth.gov.uk

17th April 2003

Modes of transport such as the new bus route and flight paths are all in .....Cllr Lister's Diary

"committed to keeping our bills as low as is sensibly possible"....Cllr Lister's Diary

There's not a council in the country that looks after its residents' money as carefully as Wandsworth........Cllr Lister's Diary

New school, new homes and a new-look park in 2003 ......Cllr Lister's New Year Message

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 Chancellor'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 .

Redevelopment 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 safety - 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 closing 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