Lister on Putney
Regeration plans for Roehampton, investment in SEN and praise for Putney's Leisure Centre and the Brewhouse Street development.
Roehampton is getting a lot of attention at the moment as the council and its partners pool their resources into boosting services for young families in the area.
This part of Putney is one of the most disadvantaged areas in the borough. Plans are now underway to revamp the Downshire House building on Roehampton Lane so that it can become a multi-purpose children's centre.
The services will be geared for the whole family with South Thames College shifting the focus of their adult education courses to vocational studies.
Later in the year we expect the newly extended Roehampton CAB service to open in the building when it moves from its present home off Danebury Avenue. The CAB will join other new tenants like the HEART employment advice project which is aimed at Alton Estate residents.
The council's plans for a £2m refit of Chartfield school were unveiled this week.The new provision here would cater for 60 young children with a range of learning difficulties and autistic disorders.
The proposals would also benefit Paddock School in Priory Lane. This would in future be able to make much better use of its accommodation by concentrating on pupils aged 11 to 19 with severe learning difficulties, including those on the autistic spectrum
The investment is part of a borough-wide look at the way our special schools work. The aim is to ensure these are able to deal with the more complex needs while mainstream schools are better prepared to meet the growing demand for inclusion.
Finally two contrasting pieces of good news for those who enjoy Putney's social whirl. For those who are more active the council's leisure centre in Dryburgh Road has won a Time Out award as the best public leisure facility in London.
The judges said our local centre was "loved by the local community for its old fashioned charm and immaculate new facilities".
And for those who like their leisure activities a little less energetic, a trip to the new riverside square that has just opened up in the Brewhouse Street development is sure to be another winner. With a sparkling new Youngs pub with great river views and two new restaurants on their way this newly rediscovered part of Putney is certain to become a popular haunt this summer.
Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.
Edward Lister
April 8, 2004
Previous Lister Diaries
Lister Blasts MP Over Council Tax Describes Tony Colman as 'an armchair pundit'
A new academy, runways and the Council Tax ......
the future of South Thames College , its site and frozen Council Tax ....
"pay as you park", shopping trends, mock disasters & anti-social behaviour
Heathrow as "bad as it gets", Robin Hood gate & exams!
World Cup glory and South Thames College
CCTV, dealing with yobs and last orders at the Quill which is to be replaced by new housing
Barking dogs, aircraft noise, CCTV and 'twinning' Wandsworth and Islington Boroughs
Anti aircraft noise & a tribute to Mary Holben
St Cecilias, development at Whitelands site & the fate of Putney Hospital
Night flights , Putney Hospital, diseased trees & the new school
Cllr Lister pledges low taxes following re-election
Councillor walkabouts, artists in Putney & awaiting the decision on night flights
Recycling, relaunching Ashlone Wharf, extra cash for schools and closure of sub post offices
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.
Cllr Lister writes on the new school for the area, housing development and Heathrow.