Hackney Liberal Democrats
London Assembly
Lib Dems on the London Assembly
WHAT IS THE LONDON ASSEMBLY?
Elected by the people of London, the Assembly consists of 25 members. There are five Liberal Democrat members: Dee Doocey, Geoff Pope, Sally Hamwee, Graham Tope and Mike Tuffrey.
The current Assembly was elected in June 2004; the next elections will take place in 2008, when former Hackney Councillor, Meral Ece will be the Liberal Democrat candidate for the North East constituency, of which Hackney forms part.
AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
Keeping a check on the Mayor
The members examine the Mayor's activities, questioning him about his decisions and scrutinising his policies.
Reviewing the Mayor's strategies for London
The Mayor is obliged to produce strategies on transport, buildings and land use, economic development and regeneration, culture and the environment.
A consultation draft strategy is produced for the Assembly to scrutinise, and to which members can suggest changes.
Currently, members are investigating issues such as:
The Mayor's budget covers the core GLA and the four major functional bodies in the GLA family: the Metropolitan Police Authority, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the London Development Agency and Transport for London.
After members scrutinise the budget, the Assembly has powers to amend it subject to a two-thirds majority decision.
www.gla.libdems.org.ukLatest news from London Lib Dems
New confidential records scandal opens as Council fails again to secure files
Haringey Liberal Democrats have questioned the lessons learnt from Haringey Council's full investigation into abandoned confidential files. It has been revealed that more confidential records, which had been requested by Lib Dems to be removed, still remained in a Crouch End housing estate. Last year, Cllr Lyn Weber requested that the files dumped in a community room in the Colwick Estate were immediately cleared and personal records secured however, after an estate visit this week, the files were still present. Liberal Democrats have criticised the Council for once again failing to secure residents' personal files and have demanded a review of the independent investigation.
Liberal Democrats say no to Labour's local 'cash for honours' scheme
Haringey Liberal Democrats have reacted with incredulity at Labour councillor Sheila Peacock's suggestion to raise money for the mayor's charity by selling the honour of the Freedom of the Borough for £100. At last night's Council Annual General Meeting when nominating Labour's mayoral candidate, Cllr Peacock said in return "for £100 and tea with the Mayor" residents could be given the honour.
Sarah Teather Backs 226 Bus Campaign
Brent's Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has backed the local campaign to restore the 226 Bus to it's normal route along Anson Road.
Post Office closures create 'flood' of pouch box applications
The streets of Alexandra ward in Haringey will soon be blighted by ugly grey boxes if the Council gives the green light to a raft of applications to install Royal Mail pouch boxes. Pouch boxes, used to store mail for onward delivery, will likely now be used more frequently after many local Post Offices are faced with closure. Residents and Liberal Democrat councillor Wayne Hoban expressed their concerns with Haringey Council and Royal Mail after five such planning applications were submitted to the Council in one week.
Further 'Savage' Cuts in Adult Education Foreseen
Government cuts in funding will mean "dramatic" falls in local adult education numbers this year as support is withdrawn for all students and courses which do not fit the Government's priority for apprenticeships and formal skill training. Many part-time and vocational qualifications will have to close. Also lack of any indication from the Government as to how much money is available means that some colleges - but not yet Richmond - are having to issue redundancy notices to all their staff.
Big Gap in Hospital Provision
A national survey of patient satisfaction with hospitals shows that there is a big gulf in public ratings of quality between the popular and highly rated hospitals like the Royal Marsden cancer hospital and some of the less regarded district general hospitals, particularly those in London. Ealing was rated the worst of 165 hospitals surveyed; the West Middlesex was in the bottom 20%; and Kingston was just above the 20% band, but below average.
Burstow and Brake Have their Day in Court
Paul Burstow and Tom Brake had their day in court today (Monday 19th May 2008) when they visited Sutton Magistrates' Court in Shotfield, Wallington.
