Answers from the Liberal Democrats

Northwest 6 is asking all the parties standing candidates in the local elections to answer some questions about local issues.

The Liberal Democrats are the first to send in their answers.

1. What do you believe is at stake in the 4th May elections that should motivate people to cast their vote?

The environment: the quality of our local environment and the impact of our actions on the global environment.

The ways in which the Council listens and responds to local issues: your Lib Dem councillors already keep in touch through our Spotlight newsletter and regular advice surgeries just round the corner on Mill Lane.

Parking: the resident-hostile way the controlled parking is administered – we are pledging to scrap clamping which we regard as totally disproportionate.

Crime: the effective roll out of the Safer Neighbourhood policing teams in both ward.

Education: maintaining and where possible enhancing the high standards achieved at local schools (and making sure there are enough school places for local children).

Tax: making sure that Council Tax is kept low through better financial management and cutting needless layers of Council bureaucracy.

2. What do you consider to be the most pressing issues for people who live in Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Dornfell and Glastonbury Streets?

Maintaining high standards of lighting and cleaning on the path from Broomsleigh Street to the Thameslink station.

Issues associated with the railway line – e.g. noise, rats.

Parking including issues around Beckford School and local transport.

Traffic on Mill Lane and decline in local shopping.

3. How many of the candidates standing for your party in Fortune Green and West Hampstead live in the wards they are contesting?

The West Hampstead/Fortune Green/Kilburn ward boundaries are pretty arbitrary – you only have to look at Broomsleigh Street, which is split between two wards! Or Ravenshaw Street which used to be in West Hampstead and is now in Fortune Green!

Flick Rea is the only one of us who actually lives in the ward (Fortune Green) she has represented as a councillor for 20 years; if Keith Moffitt walks out of his front door and crosses West End Lane, he’s in his ward (West Hampstead) which he has represented for 12 years. John Bryant and Duncan Greenland live in Kilburn ward but are standing in West Hampstead (part of which includes Kilburn!). Jane Schopflin, who has represented Fortune Green for 16 years, lives on the C11 route in Highgate and Russell Eagling, who until recently lived in Sumatra Road now cycles over from Hampstead.

4. What do you consider to be the single best reason for voting for your party?

We want decision-making at neighbourhood level so that local residents and ward councillors can decide local priorities on the environment and community safety. Too much has been taken away from local people - we believe that individuals should be more in control of their own lives and surroundings.