Council Leader Talks Of The Challenges & Opportunities For Wandsworth In 2012

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Cllr Ravi Govindia talked of "tough choices" in his New Year's message

"I would like to begin by saying what a great pleasure and honour it is to write my first New Year message as Leader of Wandsworth Council.

Looking back at last year, we all know that times have been tough and will continue to be tough in 2012. We are doing our best to make savings in ways that the vast majority of people will not notice, but we are not out of the woods yet.

Despite the economic doom and gloom there are many positive things happening that we can all be proud of. Many of our train stations have been upgraded, we have a new cycle superhighway, we are planning for Boris bikes to come to Wandsworth and we are working hard to bring the Northern Line to Nine Elms which would be a catalyst for thousands of new jobs and homes.

Despite the difficult economic times, I am determined to make 2012 the year of choice and opportunity. Take our schools for example. We are lucky to have some of the best schools in the country, but soon parents will have even more choice as to where their children go. There are proposals for not one, not two but possibly three new Free Schools in the borough. These new schools will help ease the demand for school places while creating even more choice for parents.

Increased choice will drive up standards even further and that can only be good for everyone.

I firmly believe that freedom and choice should be available to all. Whether it is supporting people to get on the property ladder, helping parents choose a school, or even simply helping people get around the borough and beyond, Wandsworth is a council that will do everything we can to support you.

Yes, keeping council tax bills low and the streets amongst the cleanest in London , will always be important to us. But giving people a leJanuary 6, 2012ortunities is the thing that really drives this council.
 

On behalf of everyone at Wandsworth Council, I would like to wish everybody a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year."

 

Cllr Ravi Govindia

January 4, 2012