LISTER ON PUTNEY

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

Still no news from Strasbourg on the outcome of the UK Government's bid to overturn last October's ruling that night flights violated human rights. The original case had been brought by eight west London residents who were sick of the noise from early morning arrivals at Heathrow.

The council helped to raise £100,000 towards the legal costs for this vital challenge. But as we await the result from the European Court disturbing evidence has emerged that the Department for Transport has deliberately understated the level of noise from these flights.

According to the ministry's own figures - which they have sat on for four years - the planes coming in over our heads to Heathrow are up to 75 per cent noisier than the Government has ever admitted.

Yet still they claim that the noise climate is getting better. Let's hope the Court rules in our favour so that we can bring pressure on the government to ban night flights once and for all.

How much longer I wonder will Putney Hospital be allowed to stand derelict?

You would have thought the NHS needed every penny it could get these days yet the security costs alone of keeping the hospital boarded up must be a huge drain on resources. People in Putney and Roehampton have suffered enough with the loss of the old Queen Mary's. But to have to watch a second hospital rotting away is adding insult to injury.

Like a number of local people I was concerned to see the false acacias come down in Wandsworth Park. Now I notice that Leaders Gardens has lost one of its splendid horse chestnut trees in the centre of the park - although there are no plans to remove any others.

All the trees were diseased and in the interests of safety action had to be taken. I have now asked the council's arboriculturists to put up simple notices in the parks explaining the safety reasons for removing the trees.

Finally I had an enjoyable trip last week to see the finishing touches being put to the new St Cecilia's secondary school which the council is building in Sutherland Grove, Southfields. The school's £12.4 million costs have been met by the council and the department for education.

It is the first Anglican secondary in the borough - and one of only 17 in London - and will meet a real demand from parents whose children have attended local Church of England primaries.

The school opens its doors for the first time in September. Headteacher Jeffrey Risbridger and his team cannot wait for the start of term - and maybe for once the students will be sharing the same sense of excitement!

Edward Lister

elister@wandsworth.gov.uk

6th June 2003

Cllr Lister pledges low taxes following re-election 30.05.2003

Councillor walkabouts, artists in Putney & awaiting the decision on night flights ........Cllr Lister's Diary.

recycling, relaunching Ashlone Wharf, extra cash for schools and closure of sub post offices ....Cllr Lister's Diary.

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