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

Following lobbying by Highbury East councillors John Gilbert, Terry Stacy and Laura Willoughby, Islington Council is about to launch a consultation on a facelift for the square at Highbury Barn and the surrounding streets.  The proposals include a new layout for the square with more trees shrubs and flowers, better cycle parking, new paving, better lighting and a new loading bay for deliveries to the shops.  Narrow sections of pavement will be widened and the pedestrian crossings over Highbury Park and over Hamilton Park will be improved

Local LibDem councillors Terry, Laura and John supported Highbury Barn’s  event marking the world’s first Plastic Bag Free Day on the 12th September 2009.   The purpose of the day was to encourage shoppers everywhere to ditch plastic bags for good, and to take reusable bags with them instead. 

Shoppers at Highbury Barn enjoyed live music from the Highbury Soul Band, a Plastic Bag Monster (pictured here with Terry - the monster is the one on the left), stalls selling alternatives to plastic bags made by local craftspeople.  The local councillors arranged for more of the popular free Highbury Barn reusable cloth bags to be given to shoppers.

The event was organised by the Plastic Bag Free Highbury Barn Group who are local residents working to raise awareness about the problems associated with single use plastic bags and to encourage people shopping at the Barn to say no to plastic! Plastic bag Free Day is supported by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS)

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

Frank Godfrey on being short-listed in the Smooth Radio London ”Love London” awards.  Please vote on-line for Godfreys in the Best Local Shops category by clicking here and scrolling through the different categories.  You don’t have to vote in every category (Godfreys are on the 3rd screen) but if you do decide to take a look at the other categories, Union Chapel is also shortlisted for the Best Music Venue category on the last screen.

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 :

This years Christmas Light switch on was a great community event. Thanks to all of you who came along.

We managed to dodge the end of the Arsenal game and had a celebration of carols and lights.

We would like to thank Nick Hornby, author and local residents for switching them on and the St Joan of Arc Church Choir for fantastic carol singing.

The event, was supported by the Council and local traders .

Cllr Terry Stacy said “The sense of community at the barn grows stronger every year and we are pleased that the Christmas lights have proved to be so popular. They really do make our small local shopping parade feel like Christmas.”

We all know that good lighting in our streets and open spaces is important in fighting crime and making us feel safe.

Already the street lighting in many roads around Highbury Fields has been improved. Now it is the time to improve the lighting on Highbury Fields itself. 37 new lampposts have been installed at key locations across the Fields including the area outside Highbury pool on Highbury Crescent, on Queen’s Path between Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, and on the walkway between Highbury Terrace and Church Path. These are of the traditional style in keeping with the area.

Cllr. Terry Stacy, pictured right, said, “Residents told us what they wanted to see improved on the fields, and we listened and delivered. Along with many streets in the area, lighting on the Fields is to be improved.”

Over 50 new bike racks have been installed across Highbury as a result of your Liberal Democrat Councillors. Using money from their Area Committee allocation, Terry, Laura and John put forward sites for new bike racks in our area. These include additional bike racks outside Central Library on Fieldway Crescent, around Highbury & Islington Station, on Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, along Highbury Park, at Highbury Barn and at the Blackstock Road/Riversdale Road junction. Cllr. John Gilbert, who is a keen cyclist himself, said,“These cycle racks will make a big differene to local cyclists. If anyone has any further suggestions for cycle rack locations, let us know.“

Cllr Terry Stacy has welcomed the news that Highbury Barn and Blackstock Road are to get new hanging baskets this summer. 

Along with Holloway Road, Upper Street and Seven Sisters Road the baskets will be go up from the 27th May with installation completed by the 14th June.  

Cllr Stacy said: “This is great news.  Every year we are working with traders and spending more to make the barn an attractive place to shop and spend time.  The baskets will make a big difference and finally we may feel summer is coming!”