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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Denise Carr: Working for Twickenham Riverside Ward
April 9, 2010 11:05 AM
• [Apr 09]: 'I WAS re-elected as a councillor for Twickenham Riverside ward in May 2006 when the Lib Dems regained control of the Council. At ward level I have successfully campaigned on behalf of local residents for safer roads and more bus stops, responsive policing, improved pavements, better care for our parks and open spaces, licensing controls and helping Twickenham town centre through the worst recession since the 1930s.
I have taken up a wide range of planning, licensing, environmental and community issues on behalf of residents and have sought to maintain a high profile for the Lib Dems by regular attendance at the ward Police Liaison Group, the Twickenham Town Centre Management Board, and local societies and residents' groups.
I am particularly pleased that we have achieved capital investment in York House/Gardens, Champions Wharf, the Embankment, the Warren Footpath, Cambridge Gardens and Richmond Bridge; and that we now have two extra bus stops and a new pedestrian refuge in Richmond Road.
As a Council, we have not hoarded Council tax, but have invested in youth services, schools, libraries, parks, recycling, affordable housing, services for older people, the voluntary sector, town centres and transport infrastructure - benefiting residents of all ages across the borough. We work closely with the police to maintain our position as the safest London borough, and we promote accountability to local people in setting police priorities and through the Community and Police Partnership.
The most difficult and controversial local issue has been the future of the old pool site on Twickenham Riverside. In 2006 we inherited from the Tories a substantially derelict site (80 % boarded up; a derelict toilet block; and a temporary playground/café). Following extensive public consultation, we selected Countryside to build a scheme including a wonderful River Centre, public open space, a new children's playground and renewed Embankment - funded by selling off 26 % of the site for housing. But we have decided not to sign the contract until after the local elections on 6 May.
I believe that now, more than ever, Twickenham needs this important site to be brought back into public use and contribute positively to the life and vitality of the town; that the River Centre scheme is the best, and indeed the only, prospect of achieving this in the foreseeable future; and that it is essential, given the reduced government funding that local councils will be receiving over the coming decade and the capital pressures for schools, transport and affordable housing, that the development pays for itself, without placing any additional burdens on council tax payers.
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