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

Many thanks to all the residents of Highbury East who took part in our recent tree survey.  As a result Terry, Laura and John will be plantning new trees in 27 locations around the ward this winter, including the following roads:  Aberdeen Road, Arvon Road, Balfour Road, Canning Road, Highbury Grange, Horsell Road, Kelross Road, Stradbroke Road and Witherington Road.  In adddition the council will be replacing trees that have died or bcome diseased in the following roads this winter: Arvon Road, Canning Road, Green Lanes, Horsell Road, Ronalds Road and Green Lanes

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 :

As a result of complaints by local residents and Liberal Democrat Councillors, the Council is preparing to take tough action against a backpackers’ hostel in Highbury whose rowdy residents have caused sleepless nights for neighbours.

Up to 16 people have been renting out rooms in Canning House – a family home in Canning Road, N5. Nearby residents have complained about broken sleep because of late-night revelry and littering and rubbish overspilling bins in the front garden. They presented a petition to the council outlining their concerns.

The owner of the property applied to Islington Council for retrospective planning permission to change the use of the building.

But the application was rejected by the council because of late-night noise and disturbance and the loss of residential housing, meaning the property can no longer be used as a hostel.

Highbury East Liberal Democrat Councillor John Gilbert, said: “We’ve listened to what residents told us and taken action to sort out this unacceptable situation.”

Dear Jules

Re:  Post Offices

You will be aware of the widespread public opposition to the post office closure programme being promoted by the Labour Government.

Islington Council has campaigned strongly against post office closures.  Although we have won the campaign to keep open

post office, other post offices are about to close – including one in

which is in your borough but is used by Islington residents.

I am aware that the Labour Group in Islington has intimated that you wish to step in to save the post office.  I would be very pleased to meet to discuss any plans which you may have to preserve post office services in the area and to see if there is anything that we in Islington can do to help.

Councillor

James Kempton

cc Cllr Lucy Watt, Cllr

After positive feedback about measures to reduce abuse of Riversdale Road and surrounding streets by lorries, the Council has undertaken a second consultation about the location of restrictions like those on Theberton Street.

Residents told the Council and local Councillors that, whilst they supported the principle of the restrictions, they were not happy about the suggested location and its effect on Mountgrove Road.

As a result, a new location has been indentified and has been consulted on. The new location is on Riversdale Road, closer to its junction with Green Lanes, which will keep lorries out of Riversdale Road, Mountgrove Road, and surrounding streets. Local Councillor John Gilbert said, “This is a good example of the Council listening to residents and taking their views on board.”

Four post offices across Islington are facing the threat of closure as a result of action by the Labour Government and Royal Mail. One of those facing the “chop” is at 147 Blackstock Road.

Highbury East Cllr Laura Willoughby has joined Liberal Democrat GLA Candidate Cllr Meral Ece, who are pictured outside the post office below. Meral and Laura have launched a petition to keep the post office open, and are urging local residents to support their campaign.

Meral, who lives close to the post office under threat and who uses it on a regular basis, said, “Post offices like the one on Blackstock Road are a life line to communities like ours that live along Blackstock Road and across Highbury.”      

Highbury Councillor Laura Willoughby added, “Yet another Islington post office bites the dust. Labour and the Royal Mail just don’t care about us.” You can sign the petition by clicking here