Serge Lourie introduces our manifesto for the next four years (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Serge Lourie introduces our manifesto for the next four years

April 5, 2010 11:53 AM

lourie • Council Leader, Serge Lourie, writes: 'WE are proud of our achievements over the past four years and present our vision for the next four.

• KEEPING OUR PROMISES

In the 2006 election we made eight key pledges:

1. "Make the local environment safe. We will target local crime hot spots. We will reduce the causes and the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour."

We have worked through the community safety partnership and have made Richmond upon Thames the safest borough in London. We were the first borough in London to set up Police Liaison Groups in every ward. We have cut crime by a quarter since 2006.

2. "Put the environment at the heart of decision making. A real green agenda. We will make this the 'greenest' London borough. We will reduce the threat of climate change, cut carbon emissions, minimise waste and promote energy efficiency."

We are now regarded as one of the greenest boroughs in the country and have won a number of awards for our CO2 related car parking charges, which are beginning to persuade people to move from gas guzzlers to more economic cars. Our entire vehicle fleet now runs on locally sourced biodiesel. We have introduced Car Clubs, which have been well received with membership exceeding all predictions and generating increased demand for car club bays. We have photovoltaics on the civic offices. Terrace Gardens won the London in Bloom accolade as the best park in London, and we have the highest satisfaction level nationally with our parks. We have also refurbished Twickenham Embankment, and improved the riverside in line with the Thames Landscape Strategy.

3. "Introduce doorstep recycling of cardboard and plastic. It is inexcusable that we still don't have an adequate recycling service."

We have introduced doorstep recycling of cardboard and plastic bottles. Our level of recycling at 43 % is one of the highest in London.

4. "Improve secondary schools. Working with teachers and governors, we will give schools the support needed to have the best schools in London."

Results in our secondary schools have improved dramatically over the past three years. We are rebuilding Teddington at a cost of £36m and, with educational partners of high quality, are converting Hampton Community College, and Shene and Whitton Schools into Academies, so that these improvements can be accelerated. These changes come with the overwhelming approval of local parents, staff and governors of the schools. It also attracts new government investment of around £60m.

5. "Investing in youth. We will increase youth service funding to the London average. Our young people must have more options to develop skills, take part in sports and enjoy a range of other activities."

Spending on youth is now at the median for London. We have allocated £1m of capital for youth provision and have engaged young people in deciding how this money should be spent. Since 2007 we have increased the annual youth service budget by £250,000, which has helped to triple our engagement with young people.

6. "Promote the health and wellbeing of all. Provide a better range of support for Social Services and voluntary groups as well as more affordable local housing to enable more people to achieve their potential."

We have been at the forefront of personal budgets for adults and older people, maintaining services for those on moderate needs; increasing choice and independence in care services; and championing safeguarding and dignity in care. Investment of more than £10m per annum in the voluntary sector and £40m capital investment in housing, including extra care housing for older people, has helped to tackle health inequalities and social exclusion.

7. "Not hoard your Council Tax. We will be honest about taxation and not keep £54 millions of your money. We will provide efficient local government."

We are one of the lowest spenders per head in the country. In the past four years, inflation has been 12% and council tax has increased by 12%. Under the previous Tory administration, inflation was 12% and Council tax rose by 30%. We have invested £36.6m of revenue reserves in services over the past three years.

8. "A greater local voice. We will listen to local people and carry out genuine consultation on services and proposals affecting local communities. We will develop local decision making."

We have consulted on many issues such as schools, Heathrow expansion, and adult social services. We have set up an all party working group to ensure better engagement of the local community by extending Area Consultation Meetings.

• OUR VISION FOR RICHMOND UPON THAMES

During the next four years, we will continue to provide excellent services as economically as possible. We appreciate that public finances are very difficult and we intend to secure £15m of economies to ensure that Council tax is kept to the minimum possible consistent with ensuring that the borough remains a wonderful place to live for all residents.

We will aim high for young people: increase the number of places in our excellent primary schools; provide 3 new academies; drive up results in our secondary schools; and increase the facilities available to young people.

We are the safest borough in London and we will build on that by: making town centres even safer; improving relations between young adults and the police; increase our investment in our areas of relative disadvantage; and improve road safety by introducing residential 20 m.p.h. limits.

The Audit Commission rates this Council amongst the lowest cost, and highest performing, in the Country. In the 2009 Place Survey, 75% of residents agree that local public services are working successfully to make the Borough safer, cleaner and greener. We will make sure that there is continual improvement in services whilst costs are reduced.

We will work with residents in the recession by supporting affected business through the Council's new Economic Development Officer; support small shops and businesses; assist young people onto the employment ladder; encourage tourism, cultural activities and inward investment to being money and jobs into the borough.

We are the greenest borough in London and we will improve even more by: doubling the number of our Parks with green flag status; reducing waste; increase recycling rates; improve street cleaning; reduce CO2 emissions and develop the borough's green transport strategy.

We want to provide the best services, with advice and support for all by promoting the health and well being of all our residents; integrating health and social care to avoid duplication; ensuring that services are easy to access and delivering value for money.

In the Government's place survey, 92 % of people said they liked living in the borough. (The highest in the Country after the City of London) We hope that this figure will be increased over the next four years

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: