Islington Lib Dems have launched a survey to get residents’ views about what the priorities for Islington should be.

With local elections this May it is time for residents to decide who they want to run the council - the Lib Dems who have a record of success in making Islington better or Labour, whose shameful record includes:

• plans to cut the Whittington Hospital
• voting against Lib Dem plans to put more police on our streets
• and the Iraq war

The Lib Dem have launched 4 pledges. We want you to tell us which of our pledges are most important to you or add your own. You can do this on-line here.
1. We will cut crime

Everyone has the right to live in a safe, clean environment. That’s why local Lib Dems are pledging to cut crime. We will provide more late-night policing on top of regular police patrols provided by the Mayor of London. We will crack down on late licences for bars and clubs. Tougher action will be taken against those who do not clear up after their dogs. Vote now.

2. A better start for our young people
Local Lib Dems on the Council have worked hard to help deliver the best ever school exam results in Islington.
We pledge to build on this success and get better exam results this year too. We also pledge to give local young people more housing points. We will deliver more apprenticeships for our young people to ensure they get the best start in life. Vote now.

3. A greener Islington
Combating climate change and global warming is the single biggest challenge we face. Local Lib Dems are pledging to make Islington greener. One of the ways we will do this is through more local energy generation. This will lower people’s energy bills and create new green, local jobs. Vote now.

4. We will lower taxes
Gordon Brown’s recession means that everyone’s had to tighten their belts. Local Lib Dems believe that money is better off in your pocket rather than in council coffers. Labour councillors voted to raise council tax this year. We’re pledging to keep your council tax among the lowest 10 councils in all of London. Vote now.

5. Or add your own - we want your views too. You can do that by clicking here.

Click here to tell us your priorities for Islington

As your local councillors its important we know what you think, so as well as telling you what’s going on in Highbury, we would like you to tell us what you want changed or what could be done better. So here you will find our Highbury East Residents Survey.

This survey is just one way of communicating with your ward councillors. By filling it in you will help us make Highbury East a better place and help set us some priorities to improve things for you.

To fill it in just CLICK HERE

You voted for more trees - now tell us where to put them

You voted overwhelmingly in our on-line poll for more trees in Highbury East. Now you decide where you would like to see new trees in your patch. Tell us your locations by email: Laura, Terry and John by clicking here or in the form below. You can also tell us where you want to see new bins!

You can complete the locations you want to see by clicking here and completing the locations here

As you know, every year each councillor in Islington is allocated £6,666 to spend on projects in their ward. Here in Highbury East we pool ours, making a £20,000 fund to maximise the benefit to our neighbourhood and the local community.

So far we have supported a wide range of projects across the area, which have included:

New bike stands installed across the neighbourhood and secure bike parking at Taverner Sq & Peckett Sq

We have provided equipment for youth and OAP clubs in Highbury, including a new bingo machine for the Highbury Roundhouse OAP club and new sports equipment for the Roundhouse Youth Club. The Sotheby Mews Day Centre also benefited from new equipment.

But we need to to help us decide what to spend it on this year. Suggestions are listed below, but we are up for any idea you may have - so vote by using the poll to the left of this story or emailing by clicking here :

A number of streets and roads across Highbury have a new look as a result of the work of your local Liberal Democrat councillors. Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent have joined Baalbec Road, Liberia Road, Fergus Road, Gallia Road, Corsica Street, Calabria Road, Framfield Road and the east end of Ronalds Road, which have all been resurfaced and had their pavements renewed.

Liberal Democrat councillor John Gilbert said “We used the introduction of a 20mph zone in the area to lobby for these works to be done, and am delighted we were successful in securing the money to do it. Over £16 million is being spent by the Lib Dem Council in tackling the decades of Labour underinvestment in Islington’s roads.”

He was joined by fellow Highbury East Councillor Laura Willoughby who said “We are also pleased to report back that as aresult of our lobbying, the paving on Ronalds Road and Arvon Road adjoining the former Murphy’s Site,(now Robinswood Close), has been replaced. With Murphy’s paying for it, it’s great news for residents.”

Works to the pavements on Baalbec Rd will start on August 18th.  This may mean it may be necessary to introduce some parking suspensions on

. However, these will be kept to a minimum and the council have said they will ensure that signs are put up well in advance to give residents as much notice as possible of any restrictions.

Noise and disruption will be kept to a minimum and as such the work will be carried out between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday and if necessary, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

If there are any problems do let us know and we can take them up for you.

Islington Council has won an award from Transport for London for the Transport Team/Partnership of the Year.  The award recognises the groundbreaking partnership between the Council and  Streetcar - the pay-as-you-go car club scheme. lt has the most number of cars in the country due to the Lib Dem council developing a pro-active relationship with the scheme - setting aside residents bays across the borough for the cars and 2 vans!

There are 7 cars in Highbury East alone - two at Highbury Fields, and others parked at Baalbec Road, Highbury New Park North and South, Highbury Grove and Riversdale Road as well as may others within easy reach.  

Cllr Laura Willoughby who uses the scheme said “It is worth joining, there is always a car available not far from my home and it is great for shopping and picking up my Lib Dem leaflets!”

Laura did an interview about the car club for the Guardian - you can see the article by clicking here. You can join the car club for free by clicking here .  And do say Laura recommended the club to you - thay way both you and Laura will get some free hours of driving!