Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats

London Lib Dems: 'Mayor's cycling vision lacks the investment to match'

The Mayor has just announced his cycling vision for London. There are some positive improvements to be welcomed including segregated bike lanes, a network of borough quietways and existing cycle superhighway improvements.

However, the £913 million promised for cycling over the next decade, only matches the budget provided for cycling in 2010. This despite a 155 per cent increase in people cycling. Bayswater campaigner, Anthony Williams, says, "Many residents in Bayswater are put off cycling in Westminster due to not feeling safe on our roads. Our Tory council does not even have a cycling strategy yet. Extra investment in cycle safety as well as introducing some 20mph zones would encourage more people to cycle".

'PROMISE MADE: PROMISE KEPT'

Following the Bayswater Focus Team's recent Fairer Tax Campaign we are delighted the Lib Dems have delivered their flagship election promise to cut taxes for ordinary workers a year early. Local workers will be paying £600 less in income tax than they were in 2010 from this April. This will now rise to £700 next April.

TORY PLAN TO SLASH BAYSWATER POLICING

Tory Mayor, Boris Johnson has produced a 'Draft Police and Crime Plan 2013-2017'. The plans will slash the Safer Neighbourhood Team to just one dedicated police constable and one dedicated PCSO. There are also plans to close police stations including Harrow Road and St John's Wood.

I live in Chiltern Street, five minutes' walk from Marylebone High Street. My job is to train students and diplomats from Britain and other countries.

URGENT THREAT TO CORK STREET ART GALLERIES

For almost 90 years, Cork Street in Mayfair has been one of the most famous streets for art galleries in London, and possibly the world. Cork Street is known and loved not only in Britain but internationally, and provides a major draw to London and the UK throughout the course of a year. A large part of Cork Street is in danger of being turned into non-art retail spaces as a result of a planning application being pursued by a company called Native Land. The Save Cork Street Campaign, representing all of the galleries on Cork Street, was formed in August 2012 in response to these planned developments.

The Budget setting Council Meeting ended predictably. The Conservative used their majority to push through their Budget proposals. The meeting was lack lustre and it felt at times as if we were simply going through the motions. As usual we, The Liberal Democrats proposed an alternative budget. I know it had no chance of being supported by the Conservatives. I do not think that is really point rather it is an opportunity to tell our residents that despite financial constraints it is possible to propose initiatives that really help local people and still freeze Council Tax.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.

In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.

Cllr Jack Cohen, leader of Barnet's Liberal Democrats, accused the ruling Conservatives of "financial mismanagement on a massive scale" when proposing the Liberal Democrats' alternative budget at last night's Council meeting.

The Liberal Democrat Budget proposes a freeze on Council Tax. Cllr Cohen said "our Budget is a clear commitment to do things better"

Barnet Council recently published their annual customer satisfaction survey. Apparently residents are more satisfied than ever with the way the Council is performing. I am not sure who the Council have been talking to, certainly not to Childs Hill Residents if my email in box is anything to go by.

A resident recently contacted me to remind me to remind the Council that they had served an enforcement notice on the owner of a neighbouring house over two years ago for a flagrant breach of planning. It was pointed out to me that nothing appeared to have happened and in his words "a little more vigour from the Council to enforce the planning law would improve our morale around here"