Councillor Tony Belton’s Latchmere May Newsletter (# 49)
April highlights
1. Have you noticed that the Grant Road exit from Clapham Junction station has been kept open until 1 a.m. It used to be closed at any time after 10 pm but I raised the matter in January at a Passengers’ Liaison Committee with the representatives of Network Rail and they announced at the Committee on the 8th April that they have decided to keep the gate opened in future.
900 Potholes Unrepaired In Wandsworth Last Year
By Alexandra Rucki Wandsworth Guardian
One in eight potholes reported to the council were not repaired over the last 12 months. A Wandsworth Council report showed 6,561 holes were filled in, despite 7,498 being reported. A breakdown of each ward shows 63 pot holes remain untended in Graveney and 57 in Bedford. 
Southfields was riddled with the most holes, with 702 recorded within the past year. Wandsworth Council defended their repair record, pointing to harsh winters having a detrimental effect on the condition of the 200 miles of roads across the borough.
The opposition Labour party argued the council is neglecting to fulfil basic duties.
Councillor Rex Osborn, the group’s leader, said: “The state of Wandsworth’s roads is appalling – and we now know that there are almost 1000 reported potholes which have not been filled. Filling potholes is one of the council’s most basic statutory duties, a duty which it is failing to fulfil. Not only is the poor state of the roads causing damage to residents’ vehicles, but it’s also putting cyclists’ lives in danger. The council needs to buck up its act and get on top of this backlog urgently.”
To report a pothole online click here:
http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/forms/form/181/street_defects
or leave a comment on this page.
Read more here:
http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/10333880.900_potholes_unrepaired_in_Wandsworth_last_year/
‘Palatial’ New Primary School Listed By English Heritage
The Professional Centre in Franciscan Road, Tooting, which is being converted to a new primary school, has been given a Grade II listing by English Heritage. The listing was requested by local residents who were concerned about over-development in the playground area, which has been given planning permission for a four storey building for elderly residents. 
English Heritage’s report explains the rationale for listing the building:
‘Architectural interest: an unusually imposing and well-preserved example of a London board school,
exemplifying T J Bailey’s move towards more dramatic Mannerist and Baroque-influenced forms;
Historic interest: an exemplary instance of the work of the School Board for London, whose great building programme in the wake of the 1870 Education Act transformed elementary schooling in the capital and laid the foundations of London’s state education system.
The former Ensham Street School is a good example of this, its palatial north-west elevation with its enriched twin-arched centrepiece showing the Bailey manner at its most fully developed. The interiors, though for the most part utilitarian, are fairly well preserved, and the survival of large numbers of decorative fireplaces – an unusual though not unprecedented feature – adds further interest.’
Graveney Ward Councillor Andy Gibbons said: ‘This is excellent news, and a real credit to local campaigners who have worked so hard to make sure this landmark building gets the recognition it deserves’
Thameslink Contract: Government missed opportunity to save thousands of British train manufacturing jobs
Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on reports of further delays to the Thameslink rolling stock contract said:
“The Government missed an opportunity to save thousands of British train manufacturing jobs by failing to restart the Thameslink train procurement as Labour repeatedly demanded.
These further delays show there was plenty of time to get this contract right while still ensuring that the trains were delivered on time. Instead, Ministers stubbornly stuck to a process that will eventually lead to these trains being built in Germany.
Considering that Ministers have accepted they got it wrong by adopting a completely different procurement process for Crossrail trains, it is a tragedy British train manufacturing that they refused to listen sooner.”
2,005 into 10 won’t go – Wandsworth Council unprepared for impact of Government’s Bedroom Tax
By Sadiq Khan MP
Freedom of Information requests made by the Labour Party to Wandsworth Council have revealed that 2,005 families across the Borough will be hit by the Bedroom Tax which came into force on 1st April. Yet there are only ten 2 or 1 bedroom properties available if the families wanted to downsize. 
The Bedroom Tax means that tenants in social housing will have their Housing Benefit reduced by 14 per cent if they have one spare bedroom, and 25 per cent if they have two or more spare bedrooms.
But this new information proves that there are not enough smaller properties for affected families to move to, even if they are willing to do so.
It is estimated that the Bedroom Tax will cost an estimated 30,000 people across the South West of England £780 per annum.
Last month National Housing Federation figures revealed that 855 people would be affected in Tooting alone.
Sadiq Khan MP said, ”These shocking figures show that 95% of people hit by the Bedroom Tax in Wandsworth will have nowhere to move to. Instead people, many of whom are the most vulnerable in our community, will have to pay the unfair tax or be forced to move into the expensive private rented sector or in the worst cases, become homeless.
“It would be one thing if the Council or government provided enough properties for these families to consider moving into but they haven’t. 2005 does not go into 10! These families will have no choice to pay the penalty and have their Housing Benefit deducted by way of a Bedroom Tax.
“This is happening in the same week that the Government is choosing to give millionaires a huge tax cut. This is absolutely disgraceful.
“I will continue to support the people affected by this unfair tax and demand the Government drop it now.”
The Big London Energy Switch
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Big London Energy Switch
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Residents have until midnight on 8 April to register for the Big London Energy Switch to have the chance to be offered a new deal and save money on their gas and electricity bills. Backed by London Councils and 21 London boroughs, the Big London Energy Switch is utilising the collective power of consumers to help negotiate a better deal for residents. You can find out more on the Big London Energy Switch website here:
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