The week started with a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 20th anniversary of the 7th July 2005 terrorist attacks on our City. During the service, as the names of the victims were read out, 52,000 petals were released into the cathedral in remembrance.
The same day, I also had full council meeting at Bromley Council, where I voted in favour of the council adding its support to the creation of a Disability Champion for London. I have voted to support his on three occasions at City Hall and believe that this post is vital to ensuring we make London as accessible as possible to everyone.
I was one of five Councillors who had requested a statement from the Kate Lymer, Bromley’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families, on the closure of Bishop Challoner School in Beckenham. In June the school announced it would be closing in July due to the financial impact of the Labour Government introducing VAT on private school fees and the rise in National Insurance. The closure now means pupils are having to change schools in the run up to the GCSE’s and finding new placements for local children with Special Educational Needs. This closure is a result of an ill-thought out policy which is not hurting the extremely wealthy, but parents of children with S.E.N and parents who have made sacrifices to pay the school fees. The policy is nothing more than attack on aspiration which now means many local state schools will now exceed the 30-pupil class size.
At the City Hall Transport Committee, we were questioning officers from Transport for London on tackling fare evasion. I questioned them on what happens to network rail stations if they are devolved to TfL. For example, Hayes station is currently third priority on the Southeastern network for ticket barriers (something me and my Council ward colleagues Alexa Michael and Josh Coldspring-White are campaigning for). If the Mid-Kent/ Hayes lines is devolved to TfL then I’d like to know if what the impact on this priority will be. The officers at the committee were not able to give an answer but promised to write to me with the information.
I also attended the Opportunity Bromley summer reception. Opportunity Bromley is the new inward investment service at the council, seeking to bring new businesses and jobs to the borough. It was fascinating talking to the various businesses we have around Bromley and learning more about what they do, and why they love being part of the borough.
I also attended the Mayor of Bromley’s Annual Reception for Volunteers. As a Bromley Councillor I had nominated a local volunteer for recognition, Alison Regester from the Friends of Coney Hall Park. Alison has led the work to transform Coney Hall Recreation Ground, raising tens of thousand of pounds for refurbishments, new equipment, table tennis areas and the new learn to ride bike area. My ward colleague, Alexa Michael also nominated Dennis Moor. Dennis was Chair of the Coney Hall Village Association for many years before he retired in May.
Towards the end of the week was Mayor’s Question Time (MQT). Each party group on the Assembly is allocated a set amount of time which is calculated against the number of seats held. The parties then divide this time amongst their members. I was able to use my time to cover topics with the Mayor:
- Strengthening neighbourhood policing in Mottingham and Chislehurst: I was recently part of the successful campaign to save the Coldharbour Police Base on William Barefoot Drive on the Greenwich part of Mottingham. I wanted this base saved so that it can opened up for the Bromley teams in Mottingham and Chislehurst to use. The Mayor has promised to investigate this and get back to me.
- Tackling Car Theft across Bexley and Bromley: Car theft in Outer London is a growing concern. In March the RAC published the top ten towns for car theft in the UK: 8 of the towns listed were in London, 7 were in Outer London. I asked the Mayor what action he was taking to address this. The Mayor acknowledged the issue but did not have any specific action which was being taken. Don’t forget to take my survey to tell me of any experience you’ve had with car theft: https://letstalk.conservatives.com/EEFEEAE8-2A36-F011-A3C0-00505693FFD8#!/?addressId=3808834&postcode=br2%200ju.
- Protecting Our Green Belt: The Mayor is claiming only 13% of London’s Green Belt is parks or accessible land. Experts told the Environment Committee in June that it was at least 30%. I asked the Mayor to correct the record, he refused.
- Improving Our Rivers Health: I asked the Mayor if he supported my call for the £122.7 million that Thames Water have had to pay as a fine should be given to local councils across London to invest in improving the health of local rivers and water bodies.
