Wimbledon Stadium

My submission to the Mayor of London's consultation:

Dear Sir,

I am writing as Wandsworth Borough Councillor for Earlsfield on behalf of my residents who have expressed concern over the planned development of the Stadium.  My ward abuts the area proposed for development and I believe will experience a greater impact as a result of the project than any part of Merton.

The prime concern surrounds transport.  I don't believe the traffic modelling that was carried out for the application was at all adequate.  Whilst it acknowledged that the surrounding roads already struggle to cope with often high volumes of traffic it did not accept that the development itself would add to the traffic burden.  In all the assumptions used only the most optimistic scenario was considered.  For example on match days it was assumed that no fans would drive to the venue and that in any case matches would not take place at peak traffic times.  This was predicated on the fact that no parking provision is proposed for fans and the assumption that surrounding areas would amend parking restrictions as a deterrent.  As such no mitigating provisions were deemed necessary.

In addition despite the assumption that all 20,000 fans would walk or take public transport to the stadium they again took the optimistic assumption that peak times would not be affected and fans would disperse widely and thereby avoid overcrowding at certain stations, roads or bus stops.  Regular users of Earlsfield Station, the closest overland station to the site, are surprised by that given the fact that peak times already causes severe overcrowding at the station.  Again as a result of optimistic assumptions no mitigation is proposed.

Locals are also aware of the flooding problems at the site and are surprised by the downgrading of the risk.  There are some design features to help deal with this but as a downgraded risk it may not be sufficient for the worst case scenario.

Finally local services.  Local schools, GP services and the local hospital will come under increased pressure after the development, most of which falls in my ward or nearby in my Borough.  Again the best case data was used to demonstrate these were not an issue and nothing is offered to help deal with it.  My residents are understandably not reassured.

As a result of the great impact this development may have on residents across the Borough boundary from Merton it was strongly felt that the Mayor of London should have the final decision in the interests of both Boroughs and London as a whole.  The previous Mayor agreed with this position and "called the plans in".  The new Mayor should take responsibility as he promised to during his election campaign so that the fears expressed above can be fairly dealt with.

I want to see the site developed and for it to enhance an otherwise shabby part of Merton.  However, the plan on offer is not one that my residents deserve.  They are not against AFC Wimbledon making a new home near to the old home of Wimbledon FC, but they do not want emotion to lead to acceptance of a new stadium at any cost.

I hope the Mayor takes this responsibility seriously so that a better plan can be drawn up for this area.

Regards

Cllr Charles A Lescott

Earlsfield Ward

Brexit - Wandsworth Council Debate

Last week the Council debated the impact of the vote to leave the EU on the Borough.  It was very interesting but a lot of contributions strayed from what we have powers over in our capacity as councillors.  In my speech I tried to bring it back to what we do.  Here is the full transcript which I deviated from only slightly on the night:

I find it a little strange coming to this place to make a speech about political events way beyond its remit.  The temptation would be to expound grandly on matters of liberty, sovereignty, foreign policy and economics but our job is to serve our residents on local issues and that is what we should continue to do.Nevertheless, Brexit will have far reaching effects for Wandsworth and the rest of the country.  Most of these are best handled by Central Government and our colleagues in the House of Commons.  We welcome the smooth transfer of power that took place last week with Prime Minister May providing the unity, strength, stability and continuity that this country needs during its Brexit negotiations.  It is gratifying that two of Wandsworth’s MPs are members of that Government.   I know that our new MP for Tooting will want to hold that Government to account as part of a strong opposition…as soon as that emerges. 

Of course there are effects that may impact the Council and concern our residents.  Pessimists say the economy could suffer.  Any downturn will increase reliance on our services and could affect the resources we have available to provide them.  Residents should be reassured that the policy of this Council will continue to be to provide efficient services, manage our budget tightly and keep Council Tax low.  We understand the impact Council Tax bills can have on personal finances. 

The economy will inevitably affect the demand for housing of all tenures and the level of homelessness across the country.  Wandsworth Council will continue to work hard to attract investment in new, redeveloped and improved housing within the Borough for a mix of tenures and social needs.  We cannot solve national housing problems within our heavily built-up area but we shall continue our efforts to meet the housing needs of our residents. 

Wandsworth is part of London’s vibrant economy and the Council will continue to work with our new Mayor to support London’s businesses as it did with the last.  Many of our residents work in the City so the success of the financial sector is doubly important.  The new underground links with the Northern Line extension and Crossrail 2 are vital in that regard and as one project is well advanced the Council should be fighting hard for the second to bring vital benefits to our part of London. 

Wandsworth has a cultural mix which reflects the ethnic make-up of its residents.  For a long time the Borough has attracted people from all over the world and the Council does a lot of work to help assimilation.  One of the concerns outlined in this motion is the fear of a possible rise in intolerance towards residents from other countries.  It is reassuring to note that the police have reported no significant increase in reported incidents that might be related to the referendum.  Wandsworth does not have an immigration policy but whatever the basis on which the Government allows immigration after Brexit we will continue to welcome and assimilate people from all over the world. 

The Council therefore should carry on as normal.  We should continue to provide excellent services and low Council Tax for all our residents.  We should continue to deal with those day-to-day concerns from residents we meet on the doorstep and in our surgeries.  We should continue to fight for the improvements that our residents demand. 

But we should do more than this.  Brexit doesn’t simply present risks to Wandsworth that need managing.  Brexit presents a great many opportunities and the reason I support this motion is that it accepts the result and looks forward to the future success the country can enjoy outside the EU. 

It is true that more Wandsworth residents voted to Remain than voted to Leave so where does that leave us?  We should remember that Wandsworth is a part of the UK and not a metropolitan region of the continent.  Wandsworth cannot separate from the rest of the UK.  There is no campaign for Wanxit! 

We should not continue the arguments of the referendum campaign and let them affect what we do as a Council.  The referendum is over and we have a strong Government focussing on getting the best deal for the country which we should support.  The campaign to Remain should not now be used to create division or fear in our residents.    

We should be proud that this country has been able to settle an important constitutional matter peacefully and democratically when so many countries around the world are suffering violent upheaval.  

Our new Prime Minister in her first speech in Downing Street spoke of her commitment to Unionism.  I believe we should also serve Wandsworth with the same commitment.  We must strive to be united within Wandsworth and with the rest of the UK and remain open to the rest of the world.

See a video of my speech here.

Garratt Park Children's Centre

I have spoken to many concerned parents in Earlsfield about the Children's Centre and the service provided on the Henry Prince Estate.  Wandsworth Council recently finished a consultation on the way forward for these as well as Balham Nursery School.  Having contacted the Cabinet Member for Children's Services I am pleased that there is no intention to stop the stay & play at either centre, including the sessions at the Henry Prince, just some of the extra services that have occasionally used the centres.  Garratt Park has always been an outreach centre offering stay & play with occasional visits from other professionals.  These services for those families that need extra support are better offered in the main Children Centres.  This would be at Smallwood School for Earlsfield residents. 

The main change is that stay & play will now be available for a nominal charge rather than free.  I understand that those who can afford to pay a minimal fee per session are happy to do so for the provision to continue.  In addition Wandsworth Council will look into offering a free resident pass to those families who need it, including those living on the Henry Prince estate, and charging a minimal fee per session to other users. 

I understand how important the Garratt Park centre is for young families in Earlsfield as my own son went many times before starting nursery.  It is important families have access to all the services that they need as well as places to meet and engage with other new parents.  Wandsworth Council has never had any intention of closing Garratt Park or the Henry Prince provision.  However, the Council have to make savings and are looking at ways of maintaining a free service for those that need it, but charging a notional fee to those that can afford to pay and want to use the service, so that Council funds are targeted at those most in need.

Wimbledon Stadium

AFC Wimbledon took one step closer to promotion last night by reaching the League 2 play-off final.  Many locals will be delighted but for some residents of Earlsfield and Tooting the concern over the stadium development is still very real and should be an issue in the upcoming by-election.

Dan Watkins wrote a few weeks ago about the decision of the outgoing Mayor of London to call in the application here...

http://www.danwatkins.org.uk/news/boris-calls-wimbledon-greyhound-stadium-application

Dan has campaigned hard on this issue and I hope he is elected to continue his good work.  As Earlsfield councillor I will work hard with our new MP to make sure the new Mayor of London doesn't forget the interests of his former constituents when he comes to his decision.