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

The Guardian newspaper’s website now features a short film which was extratcted from ‘Views from a Pear Tree’, the DVD made by residents of Highbury Quadrant estate to tell the stories of the estate of and some of the people who live there.  Follow this link to view the film: Guardian website, but remember you read it here first!

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

Local councillors, Terry Stacy, John Gilbert and Laura Willoughby together with local LibDem activist Julie Horton were delighted to have joined in sponsoring and participating in the successful Neighbours Day celebrations on Highbury Quadrant Estate on 6 September.  The sun shone as hundreds of residents and people from neighbouring roads came out to enjoy a delicious barbecue and stalls from local organisations including the Quadrant TRA, which organised the event, the local history project and North London Wildlife Watch.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the day was the unveiling of the newly restored Neighbours statue.  The statue, the work of the Austrian sculptor, Siegfried Charoux, had deteriorated badly since it was first insalled 50 years ago but was restored this year at the instigation of the TRA and paid for, among other contributors, by the local budget controlled by Laura, Terry and John.  To celebrate its re-inauguration the sculpture had been wrapped in brown paper, which was ripped off by children from the estate with the help and encouragement of Terry (pictured here) and local TRA chair Rebecca Hodgson

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 :

Local councillors have joined residents in a bid to save a historic statute on the Highbury Quadrant Estate. The statue called ‘neighbours’ was erected 50 years ago when the Estate was built. The statue is in a poor condition and is in desperate need of repair. Laura Willoughby has supported a petition collected and signed by local residents calling for the statue to be repaired.

Cllr Laura Willoughby, said: “This statue is a much loved local landmark and residents want to see it protected. The statue has been there since the estate was built 50 years ago and it’s starting to show its age. The statue needs to be repaired urgently and the local Lib Dem councillors are committed to making sure that happens.”

Rebecca Hodgson, Chair of the TRA said: ‘Restoring The neighbours statue is an end in itself - it really does need some attention - but it also symbolizes the TRA’s aspirations to reinvigorate a sense of neighbourliness on Highbury Quadrant. We have a rich history of community activity on the estate, and real potential for a future that lives out the community spirit of those first residents - but translated into a 21st century context.’

Picture shows Laura, Rebecca and John presenting the petition at full council.

As many of you have just received your council tax bills again it is worth looking at the projects that have been agreed in this area as a result of your donations to the climate change fund.  As you will remember, along with £3m from the council, residents were able to donate their council tax discount of £20 to the fund.  The aim of the Climate Change Fund is to fund individuals and projects to improve the environment.  Residents can bid for help with projects in their own home (for more information click here. ) and community and public buildings can apply for match funding.  In Highbury the following projects have been approved:

• Highbury Pool - over £100,000 towards solar thermal energy
• New Park Day Centre - nearly £20,000 towards solar thermal energy
• The Ecology Centre had over £20,000 for a biomass boiler
• Residents in Birchmore Walk on the Highbury Quadrant Estate will get  solar thermal energy

And there are lots more projects to come.  If you run a community building or have ideas for a project do let us know.