Lister on Putney
A new academy, runways and the Council Tax.....
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There are exciting times ahead for children at Ronald Ross primary school where there is an ambitious plan to merge with the successful ADT City Technology College on West Hill.
The new 'academy' would educate young people from the day they start at nursery to the day they leave for university. Intriguingly the final year group at the primary school would move onto the college's West Hill campus. This is designed to overcome the disruption to children's education that often occurs when youngsters start at secondary school.
The scheme would also see new state of the art buildings on the Ronald Ross site for the younger children. With the new St Cecilia's Church of England school having opened in Southfields only last September it's more good news for local parents.
The quality of life we enjoy in Putney is a unique asset and one worth fighting to preserve.
Now one of the main bulwarks against worsening aircraft noise could be dismantled. At the moment planes coming in to land over Putney switch runways during the day at 3pm. This provides much needed respite for people under the flightpath.
But it has emerged from the airports white paper that ministers want to take away that lifeline so that Heathrow can accommodate thousands of new flights. Without this additional capacity the Government could be needing a third extra runway in the South East - beyond those planned already for Stansted and Heathrow.
Yet the threat to remove runway alternation was not mentioned in the consultation which led up to the white paper. That is why anti-noise campaigners HACAN and a group of concerned councils including Wandsworth, Hillingdon, Richmond, Lambeth, Spelthorne and Kensington and Chelsea have joined forces in asking a judge to look at the way people were misled.
It's the only chance left to get a fair consultation on an issue of immense long term importance for the Putney environment.
Finally as I write these notes the full meeting of the council has confirmed that next year's council tax bills for Wandsworth services will be the same as last year.
This leaves us with the lowest bills in the country and a combined Band D figure of £597 - which includes Ken Livingstone's increase. The London average is around £500 higher at £1,083. Meanwhile over in north London 24,000 residents of Harrow have signed a petition demanding their council tax is reduced from the £1,275 set by that borough's Labour leadership.
It's evidence of the concern people feel about high taxation and the increasing pressure on councils to keep their spending down.
Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.
Edward Lister
March 11, 2004
Previous
Lister Diaries
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.