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 snow and cold aren’t going to stop lollipop lady Janet Wooden, pictured here, from turning up for duty this morning at the busy crossing across Blackstock Road at the junction of Rivesdale Road and Conewood Street on the way to both St John’s and St Joan of Arc Primary Schools.  Janet isn’t alone: Council gritters were out yesterday evening and early this morning making sure main roads throughout Highbury and the rest of Islington remain ice free.  Once the main roads have been done priority is given to gritting roads around hospitals, ambulance stations and at least one access from the main road network to all communities.  All schools throughout Highbury were open this morning, although five schools elsewhere in the borough are closed because of the bad weather.

The Council also topped up the yellow salt bins on street corners around the borough last night. Residents are welcome to help themselves to salt and grit from these bins to keep the pathways around their own homes ice free.  There are dozens of these bins around the streets of Highbury - you can find them from the Interactive maps link on the Council’s website by clicking here and then clicking on ‘Winter Gritting’ on the right hand side of the screen and ticking the box marked ‘Salt Bins’.

You can also find the latest information about how the weather is affecting Islington and what the council is doing to help from Islington Council’s website by clicking here.

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 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.”

As a result of action by Highbury East Liberal Democrat Councillors the Council has undertaken a Stop and Advise Campaign targeting anti-social cycling in Highbury. At the same time as improving the crossing as part of a safer routes to school project at St John’s Highbury Vale

Road safety concerns had been raised about the zebra crossing near St John’s Highbury Vale primary school. Cyclists were reported to be cycling over the crossing before the children and the School Crossing Patrol Officer were safely on the pavement. An initial stop and advise session with local police, was scheduled where errant cyclists were given advice on safe cycling. This was followed up a week later with an enforcement session where cyclists were fined £30 for cycling through the zebra crossing. The large majority of cyclists waited at the crossing, however four fines were issued.

The campaign also saw major improvements to the zebra crossing and roads in front of the school, including additional fencing at the crossing, extended pavements and the introduction of a speed table at the junction of Conewood Street and Highbury Park, were the school is based.

Cllr Terry Stacy, who is pictured with local lollypop lady Janet Wooden, said “Local parents have told us that these improvements are great and going to and throw from school is a lot safer. Janet, the local lolly pop lady, should be congratulated for being such a great advocate for improving safety at this crossing”

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

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.“

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

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!