Remember the slogan tough on Crime

Ministers have just published figures showing 3,832 prisoners have been let out of jail since June under a special early release scheme.
So much for that

It's time to fight back

With violent crime yet again in the news, the Conservative Party have launched their plans for tackling Britain's crime crisis.

A three-stage solution has been proposed: in the short term, getting more police back on the street; in the medium, reforming schools and the criminal justice system; and in the long run, strengthening families and communities.

Announcing the policies, David Cameron said, "Britain's crime crisis is just one part of the social breakdown we see around us. We can and will fight back."

The proposals recognise that preventing anti-social behaviour and violent crime is not just a job for the police and justice system; it's the responsibility of us all, as individuals, working alongside government and civil society.

Pressure mounts for EU referendum

Brown faces EU rebellion from '120 MPs'

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007 12:25

Up to a third of Labour MPs could potentially support demands for a referendum on the EU treaty.

Ian Davidson is leading a campaign to reform the treaty or put it to a public vote.

He claims at least 120 Labour MPs support his campaign for an amendment or referendum, although admits support is difficult to gauge during the parliamentary recess.

Mr Davidson told the Telegraph: "On the basis of the soundings and conversations I have had with colleagues, the support for a referendum is similar to last time round when well over 120 Labour MPs publicly or privately backed a referendum."

Gordon Brown is eager to avert a widespread rebellion on the EU, which risks portraying the Labour as being split over Europe.

However, the Telegraph claims Jack Straw is privately sympathetic to calls for a referendum.

The campaigners argue not putting the EU treaty to a vote risks undermining Mr Brown's sentiments on public trust and political reform.

David Cameron today was accusing the prime minister of arrogance in his refusal to hold a referendum.

Writing in the Sun the Tory leader said Labour's attitude to Europe was underpinned by a "shameless arrogance", arguing this was the "big cancer eating away at trust in politics".

Mr Cameron said: "Labour’s last election manifesto could not have been clearer on the EU constitution.

"It said: 'We will put it to the British people in a referendum, and campaign wholeheartedly for a Yes vote.'

"And just two months ago, Gordon Brown said: 'The manifesto is what we put to the public. We’ve got to honour that manifesto. That is an issue of trust with me and the electorate."

"Now he’s done a massive EU-turn," Mr Cameron insisted.

The government argues a referendum is not necessary because the agreed treaty is not a constitution.

David Miliband insisted the original constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters, had been replaced with a reform treaty.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme today, the foreign secretary said: "The constitutional concept has been, quote unquote, abandoned. It has been abandoned because the treaties that were going to be brought together into a single new constitution are not happening.

“I think that as parliament gets to grips with the reform treaty that comes out from December, as they look line by line, they will see first that it is good for Britain; second that it is very different from the constitution in absolute essence, and third that the red lines, the key national interest of the United Kingdom in foreign policy and other areas, have been protected.”

IF THATS THE CASE WHY NOT LET THE BRITISH VOTERS DECIDE

Nevertheless, the GMB and RMT unions are set to join the Conservatives and UKIP in calling for a referendum before the EU Treaty is set to come into force in 2009.

Hands in your pockets again

Lib Dems set out plans for carbon neutral Britain

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007 16:31

Huhne

The Liberal Democrats want to charge drivers to use motorways as part of a commitment to making Britain carbon neutral by 2050.

Tolls on motorways and charges for lorry drivers cost will be passed on to consumers, they know how to take your money, without asking.
but we are used to that in Kingston

Green Strategy 28 07 2007

Thanks to Chris Hall and his other residents
it was nice for Cllr Mark Clark Cllr Howard Jones
and myself Cllr Ken Smith to be at the Green information
evening, we would like to say thank you for all your
hard work to improve your area, for the benefit of
all the youngsters

Grange Residents Asso BBQ 26Th August 07

A BBQ by the grange Residents Association
Started at 2.00pm and due to finish at 5.pm , but
all were having such a good time we did not finish until 8.45 pm

Abolishing inheritance tax

Friday, 17 Aug 2007 09:55

Reducing regulation will encourage the UK economy to prosper, according to a report commissioned by the Conservatives.

The Economic Competitiveness Policy Group (ECPG), lead by Conservative cabinet minister John Redwood, proposed inheritance tax should be abolished as it unfairly penalises middle-income families.

The tax currently claims 40 per cent on inherited estates and assets in excess of £300,000. The government claims the tax only affects a small minority of people, although rising house prices have meant many more are now liable to pay.

It was originally introduced to prevent wealthy aristocratic families from handing down vast estates and sums of money. The treasury estimates the tax will generate £4 billion per year by 2008.

Questions have been raised about where this money will be found should the tax be scrapped, with Labour branding the plan as “a recipe for economic instability”.

Law and Order

Tories launch 'three-dimensional' attack on crime

Cameron on crime

The government failed on its promise to tackle the causes of crime and instead pursued a one-dimensional approach, David Cameron claimed.

The Tory leader accused the government of failing to "strengthen society" and instead focusing solely on the criminal justice system.

Mr Cameron told GMTV: "They have passed over 30 new laws, they have created over 3,000 new offences but I don't think any of us feel safer on the streets."

Mr Cameron has made repeated references to "anarchy in the UK" over recent days, with his argument reinforced by the continuing spate of youth violence.

Mr Cameron told GMTV: "What we need is a three-dimensional approach - looking at criminal justice, yes, but also looking at policing and thirdly looking at society and how to strengthen society and strengthen communities.

"It's only through that three-dimensional approach that we can get to grips with the problems on our streets and the fear in our society."

He reiterated the Conservatives' long-standing pledges to cut police paperwork, also arguing magistrates should be allowed to imprison offenders for up to a year.

At present, police spend only a fifth of their time on the beat, Mr Cameron said.

The most important thing we can do to tackle the lawlessness on the streets is free up police from targets and paperwork and make them accountable to the local community."

Mr Cameron said the tax and benefits system should be reform to encourage families to stay together, re-opening the debate on married

Brown rejects union EU vote call

Critics say the treaty is the constitution by another name

Gordon Brown has rejected calls from two trade unions for the government to hold a referendum on the new EU treaty.
it was "seriously good news" that unions were demanding a vote, "Gordon Brown must be the only man in the country who doesn't realise that we have to have a referendum on this treaty.

"Every other political leader in the EU has said that this is the constitution in all but name, and the Labour Party was elected with a manifesto to hold a referendum on that document.

"He is doing a rather splendid impression of an ostrich, surrounding himself with yes men who are trying to drown out the overwhelming calls for the British people to have their say."

No Council tax Savings ? but an increase

Wednesday, 22 Aug 2007 14:21

Shadow Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has warned households their tax bills will increase under plans to reform domestic waste collection across the UK.

Dismissing claims that a majority of people would back a new pay-as-you-throw system of collecting rubbish from homes, Mr Pickles said:

"Under the government's plans for bin taxes there will be no reduction in council tax. The overall burden of taxation will rise so householders will pay more."

The government claimed the introduction of variable waste charges would be cost-neutral, and would only go ahead if councils were able to provide effective recycling schemes as well.

But Mr Pickles warned there would be no reduction in council tax and the scheme would increase illegal dumping and backyard burning.

He said the question used in the IPSOS poll was loaded and distrustful.

The poll asked 1,028 people: “Would you support or oppose your council operating a system whereby you pay a reduced council tax rate, and then get charged directly for the amount of household rubbish you produce, so that the more you recycle the less you would pay?”.

The results showed 64 per cent of people would go along with a pay-as-you-throw scheme which did in fact reduce the amount of council tax they were liable for.

“The government's half-baked plans wouldn't add up to a green measure - they are simply another stealth tax."

Mr Pickles pointed to research published last month by the communities and local government committee on refuse collection, which argued “revenue-neutral” did not mean cost-neutral.

He said any scheme introduced would require substantial administration and enforcement costs, which in practice could lead to householders paying more.

The earlier report also questioned what
would they do about none payers?

A&E Latest

Local A&Es ‘essential’, says report chairman

Tuesday, 21 Aug 2007 14:52

The chairman of today’s report has insisted more local A&Es are necessary to resolve the current difficulties.

The research, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, found patients with severe breathing problems had a 20 percent chance of dying if forced to travel more than 12 miles in an ambulance to receive treatment .

The Conservatives claim the government’s intended reconfiguration of the NHS over the next ten years could see A&Es replaced by “polyclinics”, forcing critically ill patients to travel even farther to reach emergency care.

This, according to the report, would have serious consequences for victims of heart attacks, where patients must receive immediate attention, as quickly as possible.

Professor Jon Nicholl, director of the Medical Care Research Unit at the University of Sheffield, who led the study said:

"Our data suggests that any changes that increase journey distances for all emergency patients may lead to an increase in mortality for some.

Feet for the purpose ?

Age Concern's Feet for Purpose warned older people are adversely affected by long waiting lists for foot care services in the NHS, with many being forced to pay for private care or rely on charitable help.

The charity found one in three pensioners cannot cut their own toe nails, resulting in two million older people who may require NHS services.

Age Concern warns inadequate foot care can reduce mobility and increase the risk of falls among older people. A lack of chiropody services can therefore leave older people housebound and disabled, it claims.

It has found extreme cases of elderly people attempting to cut their toenails with garden shears of kicking their feet against walls to shorten their nails.

Age Concern is campaigning for chiropody to be included in the government's targets for maximum waiting times of 18 weeks.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Foot care services are failing older people, and a postcode lottery is leaving those in some areas without any services at all.

"Age Concerns do their best to help bridge the gaps in services, but many people are left without adequate foot care. The Department of Health (DoH) must take a lead in resolving this problem."

Hospitals

We believe that the district general hospital is an absolutely key part of the National Health Service

David Cameron
Conservative leader

Question on the Rose

I have been asked how much have consultants been paid during the building of the Rose, and who were they?
I have said that I do not know the full answer but will find out and let you know when I do, and how much they have been paid.
Watch this space

Rubbish Collections

Our stated policy is that we will NOT have fortnightly rubbish collections of any kind, nor will we have chips in bins

Proposed for the Manifesto

Inheritance Tax to be Scrapped

More Private Money to build Roads

Re-phasing of traffic lights to ease James and allowing cars to turn left on red (like in the USA they are allowed to turn right on a red) when this is not allowed for safety reasons it will be well sign posted to that effect

PENSIONS
Encourage saving by allowing youngsters to dip into the fund to buy a home (that's when they need it most)

Regulations
Cap the amount of red tape that Whitehall can issue each year,
Scrap HIBs (home insurance packs)

Charity's
Remove the need for licences for small charity events like Raffles.

Energy
Back clean coal technology
Speed up nuclear plant planning process

Public sector
Scrap ID cards and save billions,
( why should l all young and old have to pay hundreds of pounds for one ? )

reduce the number of overpaid quangos

cut the number of civil servants

History By June Sampson

By June Sampson

Kingston's reputation as a rich and leafy borough has cost it dear in terms of Government funding and other much-needed support. Yet this enviable image a recurring burden to those trying to tackle local problems is based mainly on one small corner of the Royal borough: Coombe, deemed in most surveys to be one of the six most prestigious residential locations in Britain.

Tony Murray, himself a Coombe resident, has written an engrossing history of a spot that is both the jewel, and in some ways a thorn, in Kingston's crown.

His book takes the form of an illustrated tour of Coombe Wood Conservation Area, which covers 40.6 hectares at the heart of the Coombe Estate.

First he explains how the lst Duke of Cambridge, seventh son of George 111, bought the rural Coombe Estate from Earl Spencer in 1837 (the Earl also owned Wimbledon Common, which he tried to have fenced off in the 1860s!). The 2nd Duke inherited the estate from his father in 1850, and began developing it by granting ground leases.

Because the Duke's marriage to the actress Louise Fairbrother was invalid, his descendants could not succeed to the title. So when he died in 1904 the estate passed to the FitzGeorge Trustees, who administered it on behalf of his two surviving sons until it was sold in 1933.

During the 19th century most Coombe residents were aristocrats and leading society figures, living in fine mansions. The early years of the 20th century saw smaller-scale development, and it was intended to build over the Coombe Wood and Coombe Hill Golf courses.

However, the council, under an Act of 1933, used a levy on local property owners to acquire several acres to safeguard the golf courses as open space, and ensure the estate roads remained private.

This was hailed as "a landmark in town planning legislation", and without it, says Tony, the period buildings would have long since gone, and the unique character of the area lost for ever.

In his book, he leads us along Warren Road, once part of an ancient track from Richmond to Merton Abbey, and the mills in the Wandle Valley. In 1850, there was a notorious court case when the Duke of Cambridge tried to close it to the public. The verdict was that the public had a pedestrian right of way, but wheeled traffic should be restricted to residents and their invitees a rule that still applies today.

Most of George Road was laid out by the Duke of Cambridge in 1867, though the section leading from Kingston Hill is much older. It ended at the gatekeeper's lodge (now White Rose Cottage) from whence a track led across fields to Coombe Farm (now the site of Coombe Hill School). Renfrew Road and Stoke Road date from the early 20th century, and were intended as the prelude to a development programme which mostly failed to materialise.

Kingston Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of all these roads, but is entitled to recover the costs from residents. However, Tony is critical of the council's achievements, or lack of, in this connection.

He describes houses and residents in fascinating detail. The oldest building, apart from the Tudor conduit houses in George Road, is White Rose Cottage. Originally two labourers' cottages, it was made into one in the 1940s or 50s and was reputedly the home of the notorious film star Eva Bartok in the 1950s.

Hampton Spring and Bruin Wood were both built in George Road (in 1906 and 1923 respectively) by Valentine Knapp, editor of the Surrey Comet for 30 years. Penlee, in Renfrew Road, was built in 1910 as The White House, and was the home of Kenelm Lee Guinness, the legendary racing driver and inventor of the KLG sparking plug.

Corner Croft, in Stoke Road, was built in 1923. For several years after World War 11 it was the home of Lord Tedder, deputy Supreme Commander under General Eisenhower during the D-Day operations. The general himself lived at Telegraph Cottage, in Warren Road.

Television producer Graeme Muir and his actress wife Marjorie Mars lived for 30 years in Mendip Cottage. This detached house on a three-quarter-acre site fetched a mere £1,650 when it was built in 1909! In 1957 it was converted into two houses.

Fare Lodge, in Warren Road, and Pen Lodge, on Kingston Hill, were originally stables for Fairlawn, in Warren Road. This private mansion, built 1865/70, was compulsorily purchased by Surrey County Council in 1951, and is now a day centre.

High Pine was built in Warren Road in 1956, and was owned by pop musician Phil Collins. Ravenswood Court is a group of old and modern buildings grouped around the Victorian mansion, Ravenswood. Actor Joss Acland lived in the mansion for many years, and Rolling Stones guitarist, Ronnie Wood, occupied the former keeper's cottage before moving to a house on Kingston Hill.

The grandest surviving mansion to survive is Warren House. Built in 1865 for banker Hugh Hammersley, it was a favourite retreat for the cream of society, including Edward V11, Queen Mary, George V and prime minister William Gladstone.

John Galsworthy, father of the famous author, built three mansions in George Road, two of which survive, as the Rokeby and Holy Cross schools. His son gives a lyrical description of the area in his Forsyte Saga, which is largely set in Coombe.

Much of the idyllic calm has gone since then. As Tony Murray comments, "For many years the increasing volume of unauthorised traffic using the estate roads has been a problem the amount of school traffic has also greatly increased, with rush hour congestion and frequent disregard of parking courtesy. At these times the reference to a unique rural atmosphere' becomes painfully sardonic. At quiet times, however, the tranquillity of bygone days can still be enjoyed by those who care to stroll through the conservation area to savour the pages of architectural and social history."

Take his book with you while walking, and you will be sure of a thoroughly absorbing few hours.

The book costs £5.99 and is available from Kingston Museum, Borders Book Shop, Kingston, or Cannings, New Malden.

A3 rounabout roadworks

A new safety layout and lane control, including a new zebra crossing, will start to to implemented shortly , Howard Jones Mary Clark and myself look forward to this safety work being completed on time, its funded by TFL, the A3 being under their Planning and maintenance control

yellow lines

Have been told that the triangle just over the crossing at Motspur Park will soon have Double Yellow Lines, this will ensure that cars can move pass ether side, this is cross boarder consultation between Councillors, my thanks go to our colleagues in Merton.

GOOD NEWS

Service families' home approved

Sue Norton said she was amazed by the unanimous decision

Plans to turn a £1.7m house in Surrey into a "home from home" for families of injured service personnel have been approved despite residents' objections.