Barbara Westmorland and Merlene Emerson working for you

• [January 17] A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to regenerate public sports facilities in Barnes will gather pace next week when Richmond Council' Cabinet is invited to select four firms to submit proposals for the redevelopment of Barn Elms. In September the Council announced plans to fund huge improvements to the pitches and facilities by selling a small proportion of the site to a developer of a health and fitness centre. Seven expressions of interest have been received, from which four firms are being invited to submit outline proposals for the site.

The scheme would improve pitch layouts and drainage, deliver more adult and mini football pitches and brand new changing facilities. Car parking, cricket pavilions and spectator facilities will also be upgraded while floodlighting will not be permitted in order to protect nearby wildlife. Following the relocation of the Richmond and Twickenham Athletics Club to the state-of-the-art facilities at St Mary's University College, the athletics track will be removed. A grass track will be made available to local schools during the spring and summer. The proposals follow extensive consultation with major users of the site in the Barn Elms Consultation Group. This includes sports clubs representing hundreds of users, the Barnes Community Association, The Wildlife and Wetland Trust, ward councillors and members of the public.

Cllr Stephen Knight, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources on Richmond Council, said: "This exciting and much-needed project will bring huge benefits to the public sports facilities in the north of the borough. It will also deliver a first-class health and fitness centre. The proposals have been drawn up after more than two years of public consultation, involving all the main users of the site. Seven organisations expressed an interest and, subject to Cabinet approval, we will ask four of them to develop this into outline proposals for the site. We are conscious that the proposed removal of the athletics track is not universally popular but we intend to replace it with new pitches as demand for them far outweighs usage of the track. Selling a limited part of the site will ensure costs of the redevelopment are kept to a minimum while bringing maximum benefits for site users and the community."

• January 2008: £2m ENVIRONMENTAL improvements planned for five areas of the borough: Richmond Council's Cabinet is being recommended to approve spending of £2 million on the schemes over the next three years at its meeting on January 14. Shopping parades and other public spaces have been identified as the priorities for the five areas: CASTELNAU; Mortlake; Ham; the Hampton Nurserylands; and Heathfield. These have been identified in the Community Plan as being the borough's five areas of relative deprivation.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "The proposed spending is intended to upgrade the physical environment in these parts of the borough and improve the quality of life of local residents. Tired shopping areas will be revitalised and the general street scene improved. The schemes range from upgrading street furniture and lighting to tree planting and new paving. They will have a significant impact."

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Stephen Knight, commented: "They represent further investment in local shopping parades and provide the opportunity to improve safety and access for disabled people. As with all Council projects of this kind, sustainability is vital. And these schemes will promote greener modes of travel by improving and increasing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. There will be thorough public consultation to ensure that the views of all sections of the community are taken into account."

• From COMMENTS July 2007: Lib Dems invest in local services : After one year the Liberal Democrats are investing millions of pounds in key services for local people. Money from Council Tax reserves is being invested in improving secondary schools, the environment and facilities for young people. Despite already being the lowest spending council in London, the Liberal Democrats have managed to make additional savings of over £4.5m to keep Council Tax down and pay for key service improvements. The increase in Council Tax was only 0.3% above inflation compared to the Tories who in 2003 increased total Council Tax by 15.6% (12.7% above inflation).

Here are some of the things which are being invested in: The introduction of improved recycling services from November 2007 including doorstep cardboard and plastics collections (£750,000). Extra youth services. An extra £250,000 per year. A new sustainability team to reduce the Council's energy use (£100,000). £0.5m on youth club refurbishment. The Lib Dems have also found extra money to meet the growing need for care services for older people and those with learning difficulties (£900,000), the needs of children in care (£400,000) and with special educational needs (£300,000).

The surplus reserves built up by the Conservatives will be invested over the next four years on: £20 million on our secondary school buildings, over and above the £24m already planned for Teddington School. £3.5m on setting up the new recycling service. A new £1 million fund to help tackle climate change A new £1 million fund for new youth facilities. A new £400,000 economic development fund to help local businesses and high streets. In the run up to the local elections last year, the Liberal Democrats promised to invest money in local services. The Liberal Democrats have kept their promises.

• MP demands council tax fair deal: Ministers have sparked anger amongst local residents by cutting Richmond and Kingston's grant from central government, forcing up council tax and threatening local services. Richmond Park MP has hit back with a new campaign for a fair Council Tax deal for Richmond Park constituency, launching it with a debate in the House of Commons in February. Speaking in Parliament Square to a rally of local residents who travelled to Westminster to back the campaign, Susan Kramer said "Richmond is already the worst funded borough in London. This latest cut is an insult to tax payers. Richmond is one of the best value for money boroughs in the country but because of government cuts it has been forced to increase Council Tax." For 2007/2008 Richmond received £126.08 funding per head of the population compared to £499.75 for the average London borough. While Richmond received just £24 m neighbouring Hounslow and Fulham received £110.06 m and Wandsworth a staggering £136.9 m. Councillor Anna Davies said "Please sign our petition against this unfair tax at www.susankramer.org.uk". Council tax was introduced by the Conservatives and has been supported by Labour. The Lib Dems believe it is an unfair tax and should be scrapped.

• TORIES slammed over night flight claims: The Conservatives have found themselves in hot water with anti- Heathrow campaigners after making false accusations against local MP Susan Kramer in their literature. They falsely claimed that Susan voted against lifting a night flight ban in the House of Commons. This was completely untrue. Chair of independent anti-aviation group HACAN, John Stewart, set the record straight in a letter to the local papers (See right). The consultation on Heathrow expansion has been delayed yet again until September. To receive updates and to say "No 2More planes" register at www.susankramer.org.uk

'Both the Richmond MP Susan Kramer, and Vincent Cable, the Twickenham MP, have been accused of voting against a cap on night flights. Not only is this accusation false, but both MPs have been staunch and consistent campaigners against further expansion of Heathrow for many years. HACAN, a non-p arty political organisation, does not get involved in party politics, but is saddened that these accusations have been made. One of the features of the last few years has been the unity that has developed amongst all the political parties in West London, all supporting a ban on night flights, the retention of runway alternation and opposing proposals for a third runway. We need to retain that unity if we are to succeed. Accusations like these do nothing to help our cause. John Stewart Chair HACAN'

• Richmond tops 'value for money' lists: Lib Dem Richmond Council is among the best in the country for providing value for money services for local residents says the latest Audit Commission Report. The January 2007 findings also state that overall satisfaction with the Council is improving under the Lib Dems.

• Recycling improvements: Doorstep plastic bottle and cardboard recycling is being introduced in November. The Lib Dems are also currently trialing recycling for small businesses and shops. More than 100 businesses have already signed up to weekly collections of cardboard, paper and mixed glass. Approximately 12% of waste produced nationally comes from commerce compared to 9% for domestic households.

• CHILDREN'S CENTRE PLANNED FOR BARNES: Following the Liberal Democrat Group meeting on Monday 14th May 2007 the administration are pleased to announce that they are determined to find a way of funding a new build Children's Centre to serve the Castelnau Estate in North Barnes. The proposals for the Children's Centre to be built on the site of Lowther Primary School have not received government funding, despite agreeing the plans. The planned centre should offer a hub for a variety of child, family and community services including: Child minder drop-ins; Health Visitor clinics; Midwifery clinics; Family learning; Parent support groups; Adult learning; Child and family counselling; Connexions advice surgeries; Jobcentre Plus surgeries; and Child and adolescent mental health support.

Cllr Malcolm Eady [cabinet member for Education] said: "I have met with the headteacher, parents, community representatives and the Member of Parliament. All have shown a great desire and commitment to a Children's Centre on this site. We are delighted that the Council, along with our partners in Lowther School, the Primary Care Trust, Richmond Housing Partnership and the Voluntary Sector are determined to work to make this a reality. This centre will make a real and long lasting difference to our residents in this area. When it became clear the Department for Education and Skills were not going to fund the Children's Centre that Castelnau needs we decided it was important that we act. It will support our drive to ensure excellent services are available locally to children, young people and families. Proposals are being developed and I hope to bring a report to the next Cabinet"

Barbara Westmorland has lived in Barnes for most of her life. She is a former teacher, casting director and voice coach. She represented Barnes as a Councillor for 12 years and was Mayor in 2000. She is particularly concerned with community safety and sits on the local police liaison group, the borough's two police and community safety groups, chairs the Domestic Violence Forum and is a member of the Mayor of London's domestic violence committee. She is a committee member of Barnes Community Association, Castelnau Community Centre and Youth Club, and a trustee of the OSO arts centre. She has campaigned for the protection of the environment, on local shops, buses and police issues and continues to fight for the people of Barnes.

Merlene Emerson: Tel: 020 8741 4106; E-mail: merle@markemerson.net. I first came to London in 1979 from Singapore as a law student, meeting my husband at Cambridge University whilst pursuing my Master of Laws there. We moved to Barnes in 1999 with our 3 children. Formerly a city solicitor, I retrained in 1990 as a commercial mediator and presently juggle family life with work in the community. I volunteer for CALM mediation services, am an active fundraiser and speaker for Save the Children and also teach Yoga. I hope to be a bridge between all who feel disconnected from local government (both the young and old) and be able to bring diversity and a different perspective to your Council. Issues such as security, education, health and the environment are too important to take for granted. We must also not neglect our local businesses, most of which add to the charm of living in Barnes.

. . working for you, the whole year round!

Election, May 2006: Electorate 6645 Seats 3 Ballot Papers 3578 % Poll 53.85

Christine Coralie Percival Conservative Party Candidate 1891 Elected

Paul Charles Hodgins Conservative Party Candidate 1847 Elected

Benedict Anthony Stanberry Conservative Party Candidate 1749 Elected