tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293062122011-07-07T23:54:12.542ZA space for residents not represented in the Council ChamberCharlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-3746688423257247742007-02-10T13:06:00.000Z2007-02-10T13:06:12.419Z

I sere the Cheam and Worcester Park Area Committee will be soon considering whether to reopne the road. I hope the Committee backs the local residents on this issue. The businesses have a good new access Road in Minden Way which take traffic of residential roads.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-35069102718751257522007-02-10T13:02:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:53:39.117Z

I just want to say impressed with the proposals. They seem to strengthen scrutiny a lot and make use of it as a tool to improve services.Two quick points:1. It would be good if the Chair of Police Consultative Committee was made an "advisor" to the Sustainable Communities Committee. That would bring practice in line with Patients Forums contributing to the Health Committee.2. Will the Tories now

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-57538377821557728442007-02-10T12:49:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:47:33.843Z

Just a quick comment on the Sutton Arena planning application.I think it is good to improve the amount of park sapce, but this must not be done in such as way that a piece of open space becomes a formal car park.The current "temporary" approach works well and if that is expanded and partly relocated, then would be sensible.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-38511666771368007712007-02-10T12:45:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:45:12.217Z

I noticed the recent petition about this community centre.I hope this is resolved so the hall can continue. In recent years we have seen Government funding and Council investment create a number of new community facilities across the borough.It would be a shame if this was now reversed and we saw facilities close.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-54941280475881588182007-02-10T12:39:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:38:28.680Z

Whilst I was not happy with us losing some section 106 money, I do not believe we should hold up spending the money we have, so I am pleased to see that investment is going into improving the shopping environment at Rosehill. The sooner the better in my view.In addition the proposal to narrow the Halesowen steps is also sensible. I know it is far too difficult to close such paths, so improvment

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-58194258989133748392007-02-10T12:35:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:35:23.487Z

I am grateful to Lord Tope for keeping me bried on this issue having raised a few points at Police Consultative Committee about it.I am not against the transfer of responsibility and see some advantages. However my point is that it should not have been done through the Council budget process and seen as a saving.As I undertsand it the new arrangment may be for two years, so the next issue is one

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-35565463386774908282007-02-10T12:32:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:31:57.373Z

Representations were made this week to Strategy Committee over the Council budget.Despite the usual hype about massive cuts, there were only 4 representations.This is a long way from the days when we had massive real cuts with much larger lobbies.My gues is that the Council Tax increase will be slighly lower this year as I cannot see the Lib Dems wishing to create too much political space for the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-84412625168519065582007-02-10T12:29:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:28:59.675Z

I am pleased that Sutton Council and Sutton Housing Partnership have come to a sensible agreement over the transfer of some bits of land from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Revenue Fund as this is the most appropriate place to fund their present use.Labour Councillors raised this issue for many years and I am pleased to see this issue is mostly resolved.Well done!

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-42176749159340540492007-02-10T12:27:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:27:23.298Z

The brad approach to this and the consultaion seems to have been covered well. However the devil will be in the detail and how a reasonable approach is applied to the funding of individual day centres. No doubt I will be commenting further on this.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1313773954844677782007-02-10T12:23:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:21:25.131Z

I am pleased to see this contract was retendered. It is a testament to good scrutiny and Councillor Tim Crowley deserves praise for persevering on this issue.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-39181055642951126042007-02-10T12:12:00.000Z2007-02-10T12:12:28.789Z

The resent press coverage of Orchard Hill has been very interesting.The criticism of this last long-stay learning disabled insitution was inevitable as it has been slowly run down over a number of years.The people who must feel besieged are the elderly parents of some of the learning disabled people living there. They acted in good faith by placing their children there, when there was no

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1170014090690233652007-01-28T19:50:00.000Z2007-01-28T19:54:50.690Z

Press coverage seems to indicate, that people in new houses on the old Queen Mary's are opposed to Stanley Park being sited there. No doubt they are not aware that a lot of people opposed their houses being built!As always this illustrates that on any large sites with phased development, that there should be clear planning polcies making clear what will happen in the other phases. Then people

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1170013720549175222007-01-28T19:46:00.000Z2007-01-28T19:48:40.566Z

This is being held as a joint forum on the BHCH proposals.On acute, there may not being much too report until the London Review is announced.As for Local Care Hospitals, whatever the masterplan says these are all developing separately in different areas. This is much more sensible than the previous top-down proposals.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1169933560375974622007-01-27T21:28:00.000Z2007-01-27T21:32:40.420Z

I was unable to attend this because I was away. However Paul Scully motion seemed to have many postive points about it.His reference to Grammar school playing a pivotal role is of course absolutely right. In many households in Purley and Epsom the effort to get in a local Grammar school that may just happen to reside in Sutton is really important.Of course for 85% of Sutton children go to a local

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168469019727538082007-01-10T22:36:00.000Z2007-01-10T22:43:39.730Z

As usual at this time of year we see the regular letter from Sean Brennan to the Minister for Local Government saying that Sutton is getting a "bad deal" from the local government settlement.So a borough like Sutton where people are broadly affluent with an average house value of over 300,000 is getting a bad deal. Perhaps people should think about this a bit.Perhaps Lib Dem controlled Liverpool

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168468549499228022007-01-10T22:11:00.000Z2007-01-10T22:35:49.523Z

The Commission for Social Care Report on elderly care report will tell us what we all know:1. That people are living longer2. That this is an increasing cost pressure to Council's, who are in response rationing care more through tighter eligibilty criteria.For all the press coverage, I suspect this issue will go away over the next 20 years, as the current concern will be expressed by the very

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168381990221431032007-01-09T22:26:00.000Z2007-01-09T22:34:42.323Z

Unfortunately I was unable to read all this meeting document due to something wrong witthe Council's pdf.I was able to read the paper on the planning application for the hotel on top of the UCI cinema car park in St Nicholas Way.This makes sense as it we don't allow development in places like this, we just end up putting pressure on other areas.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168381545196558722007-01-09T22:13:00.001Z2007-01-09T22:25:45.216Z

A few points:Item 6 - Social Services PerformanceI welcome the improvement in what has been the boroughs worst service. Over the last 4 years we have seen a significant improvement.Item 8 - Belsize GardensThis is a confidential item. It will be interesting to see that the management arrangements are and whether the coventant issues have been sorted out.Item 9 - Equality and Diverstiy ForumIn view

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168380166738153152007-01-09T21:59:00.000Z2007-01-09T22:02:46.740Z

Today Tony Blair and Labour's Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly announced an additional 485 million for the modernisation of around 55,000 homes during the next year. The funding - which brings the total amount allocated to councils with ALMOs for improving council homes since 2002 to 3.7bn - will enable 17 local authorities (19 ALMOs) across the country to continue their work in ensuring their

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168379814129391592007-01-09T21:52:00.000Z2007-01-09T21:56:54.130Z

The Prime Minister and Ruth Kelly today announced that resident groups on council estates in England are to be given new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and take day-to-day control of council services.New regulations laid before Parliament today will for the first time give Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) powers to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. Powers of this kind are at

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168379522041187432007-01-09T21:42:00.000Z2007-01-09T21:52:02.043Z

I do wonder why Lib Dem MP's are wasting precious debating time in Parliament on attempting to pass amendments trying to scrutinise London Mayoral appointments. Having moved a pointless amendment in Parliament, no doubt Tom Brake MP will be soon writing to Sutton Council to demand:1. Council scrutiny of the Libe Dem and Tory Groups appointment of political assistants.2. Council scrutiny of the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168378961038352572007-01-09T21:32:00.000Z2007-01-09T21:42:41.056Z

Two things to mention:1. Alan Johnson today published updated guideleines on selection. Whilst for some they don't go far enough, they nevertheless tighten existing rules and will generally benefit the 70% of Sutton children who don't go to Grammar or church schools by creating a more level playing field, with bans on first preference only, similar institution only, interviews of pupils and

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168293907819125142007-01-08T21:52:00.000Z2007-01-08T22:05:07.836Z

Today's proposal from the local Government for extra charges for residents who generate more waste and Council Tax reductions for those who don't generate as much, has a number fo flaws:1. It is hard to enforce. More people will not take rubbish home and leave it on buses in shopping areas, parks etc. We will see an increase in flytipping.2. It will be an addtional cause of neighbour disputes as

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168293120197460692007-01-08T21:33:00.000Z2007-01-09T21:32:40.766Z

I happened to meet the new Tory candidate for Sutton and Cheam tonight. Her name is Phillippa Stroud. She seemed very friendly to me. I believe she fought Birmingham Lady wood at the last General Election.She has already stimulated debate amongst local and national Tories with Iain Dale's Diary receiving a lot of comments about her views on social issues.Previous Tory candidate Richard Willis has

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168291981674873412007-01-08T21:30:00.000Z2007-01-08T21:33:01.690Z

Was at the Civic tonight at the meeting and saw Paul Scully who shoed me the new Tory Group room.What a state, compared to the Lib Dem rooms. I assume something is going to be done to improve things in the coming months.If the Tories are going to give up some of the allowances the Lib Dems are likely to offer them ( a bit silly really), they should at least get their room properly sorted.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1168192923935453112007-01-07T17:47:00.000Z2007-01-07T18:02:43.863Z

I hope Councillor Ruth Dombey is giving regular report backs to the Sutton Lib Dem Group on her role on the London Council's Grants Committee?As some of you will be aware, this Committee, with no overall majority, but chaired by the Tories, is seeking to substantially reduce its budget spending on London-wide voluntary groups, basically because the outer London boroughs claim they don't get value

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167862607863369412007-01-03T21:57:00.000Z2007-01-03T22:16:48.090Z

For all the debate about acute services, we should not forget big changes are happening in community health services. Next week at Health Scrutiny there will be debates on the following:1. The probable closure of one Mental Health Resource Centre - probably Walligton, as a result of budget reductions and a move of services out into the community.2. A reconfiguration of the Community Mental Health

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167860850401397212007-01-03T21:35:00.000Z2007-01-03T21:47:30.426Z

A paper is coming to Community Leadership Working Party next week that reviews the Scrutiny function. This has been on the cards for a while, but gained more importance after the recent debates on the GLL contract. Many of the issues covered are ones I have raised in this Blog:My comments on it are:1. The separation of audit is long overdue. Councillor Zaidi will be kept busy!2. The new scrutiny

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167859735347381762007-01-03T21:24:00.000Z2007-01-03T21:28:55.366Z

Today's national Guardian has conducted a survey on the top 10 Green Councils:Sutton gets an honourable mention but does not get in the top 10.Here is a big opportunity for a Cameroonian "green-friendly" Tory Group to take the lead.The generally risk-adverse Lib Dems will be wary of taking on any big new ideas unless they have political consensus. They are still somewhat cautious after the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167774581840185452007-01-02T21:42:00.000Z2007-01-02T21:49:41.856Z

Just to report my regular monthly check on Councillor Access, now we are 8 months after the local elections:1. Wrythe Ward Councillors still don't have a public email address.2. Wandle Valley Ward Councillors still don't hold surgeries.Just to remind you that the simple criteria I have applied is that it would be good and reasonable if at just 1 out of the 3 Councillors in a ward had an email

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167417290789549842006-12-29T18:33:00.000Z2006-12-29T18:34:50.790Z

This is to wish all readers of the Sutton Council Observer a Successful 2007.We are now 9th on the Google Page Rankings for the words "Sutton Council" out of 43,000 mentions, so thank you for reading it.In 2007, I am aiming to improve its readability in a number of ways as well as developing it as a reference tool, without moving away from its relatively straightforward presentation.It will,

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167417156095662642006-12-29T18:31:00.000Z2006-12-29T18:32:36.096Z

With no elections this year, it will be a relatively quiet year (unless there is a snap General Election!!), except for the ramifications of the change of Labour Leadership which will feel like a change of government and may herald a burst of announcements which will impact on local government.January- Council Budget Consultation- Rent Setting - formality- Roundshaw Stock Transfer approved by

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167416710529964862006-12-29T18:11:00.000Z2006-12-29T18:25:10.566Z

The news that Lorraine Clifton is leaving is no great surprise, however I will be sad to see her go as she was always willing to answer questions on the Epsom and St Helier Trust, even if she gave answers that some people did not like.Better Health Care Closer to Home (BHCH) in its big bang of 1 CCH and 10 LCH's has been dead since the beginning of 2006. What we are now seeing is a much slower

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167415765092512082006-12-29T18:05:00.001Z2006-12-29T18:09:25.093Z

I am pleased to see the Council now support these. Labour Councillors argued for them in Carhsalton and Closkhouse Area in 2005, but when I raised the issue at Strategy Committee, Lord Tope opposed them as unecessary. They are not an infringement on civil liberties as there very strict controld over the use of them.Surely he has got over his time spent in a Czechoslovak prison cell by now!!:-)

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167415484042477362006-12-29T17:58:00.000Z2006-12-29T18:48:11.900Z

I think that Colin Hall was a bit ungracious (Sutton Guardian page 4, 28 December) to Ken Livingstone over the £4.5 million Sutton has hjust received from the GLA on top of the £5 million we got from Ken in October.I vaguely recall that quite a few more people voted for Ken than Colin. If Colin has a problem no doubt Lord Tope and his Lib Dem colleages in the London Assembly can raise their

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167415042385189612006-12-29T17:51:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:57:22.430Z

Do you remember the 1980's when lowest price privatisation was the panacea for local government.Isn't it ironic that the Local Government Association is currently blaming 5% Council Tax rises on the cost of private contractors!! See the front page of today's Times for more details.Whilst some of the cost is down to extra Risk management issues, much of the problem is that there is very little

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414661564704692006-12-29T17:50:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:51:01.566Z

The following is a useful public "note for the record" on the future of St Helier Hospital in view of this Blog's role as a local journal of record.The wording of the save St Helier Hospital petition on page 9 of the December 14 2006 Sutton Guardian says:"that St Helier Hospital is able to continue to offer the full range of services available for accident and emergency".I am pleased that local

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414577429574072006-12-29T17:48:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:49:37.430Z

Just a few quick comments on this document which is also out for public consultation at present.1. GeneralI welcome the fact the key items are up for consultation. I argued for public consultation of the capital programme many years ago and welcome this move forward.2. Citizenship and Lifeskills CentreI will comment on this elsewhere, but in principle it sounds good.3. Voluntary Sector HubThe

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414498972173532006-12-29T17:47:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:48:18.973Z

Some inital comments on this document, which is out for consultation and will be approved in February.1. GeneralIn general it is a good document, with most items previously discussed by the Council, so there are few surprises. In some places it is a little repetitive, so it could be reduced in length. The document's analysis about change factors is spot on. It will be interesting to see how

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414407377761802006-12-29T17:46:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:46:47.376Z

I understand there are plans to develop Centre 21 Youth Centre at the junction of Sutton Common Road and Sutton By-pass as a Citizenship and Lifeskills Centre.This sounds a really good idea to bring together the work the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT), Fire Service and the Youth Service in a closer partnership.Since we established the Police SNT teams it has been my view that they and the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414330227568152006-12-29T17:45:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:45:30.226Z

The review of the Parks Police in the light of the new SNT teams is reasonable.What is not reasonable is putting an assumed saving in the budget process, which prejudges the review process.I am sure the Police Consultative Committee will want an explanation of the review process.This is also an opportunity for the Tory Group to request a proper scrutiny on the current service.This makes sense as

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414281132628792006-12-29T17:44:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:44:41.133Z

Interesting to note that the Lib Dems want to cut the Centre for Environemental Initiatives (CEI) budget from £27,000 to £5,000 a year.In the past the Labour Group would have opposed this, so it will be interesting to see whether this budget proposal is enacted this time.In many ways the CEI is more of a national body these days which happens to be based in Sutton.It was originally set up in 1987

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167414217868274042006-12-29T17:41:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:43:37.870Z

Below is a brief analysis of the Council Budget. For a full commentary on every single budget item go to my Policy4Sutton website: http://policy4sutton.blogspot.com/Some initial points:1. Despite all the hype, the level of grant, whilst tight, was in line with expectations. Sutton is a quarter of a billion pound local authority and has seen its budget increase from £134 million in 1997 to over a

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413996414480392006-12-29T17:39:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:40:17.586Z

I will in the next month start costing Tory budget proposals. In the absence of any Tory budget, we currently have to assume that they will raise again the Council's media department even though the Lib Dems are likely to cut costs here.The other area is allowances and the Lib Dems are again likely to propose cutting costs.However I suspect the Lib Dems will announce that they are sacrifising

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413901995362882006-12-29T17:37:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:38:21.996Z

Sutton Council tenants on Roundshaw on a 60% turnout voted by 59%-41% to transfer to Roundshaw Homes.Whilst the result was expected:1. The percentages were much closer than expected.2. Leaseholders voted 56%-44% against transferring, even though this doe not impact legally on the overall result.As a resullt of this we probably have now seen a win-win situation emerge:1. Roundshaw residents get

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413799540004882006-12-29T17:35:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:36:39.543Z

Health Scrutiny looked at this earlier in the month. A few quick points:1. We are likely to see less beds than are currently at Malvern Ward at Sutton Hospital and at Franklin House. Instead of 34 Continuing Care beds and 6 Respite beds there will be 24 Continuing Care beds including 6 Respite beds.2. The options have been reduced from 5 to 3, effectively proposing the closure of Malvern Ward:

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413709910643102006-12-29T17:34:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:35:09.910Z

The Sutton Post says that local Sutton and Epsom MP's will be meeting in the new year to discuss health campaign tactics.It is good to hear of this new-found local unity, but it may not last if a much reduced Sutton General CCH option is raised in the Royal Marsden Doctor's London Hospitals review in February.Then I see the Epsom MP and some elements on Sutton Council supporting that option

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413624151532182006-12-29T17:32:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:33:44.153Z

The Sutton Post recently reported on a number of problems at Bedzed relating to energy production and waste disposal that mean it is not yet a zero-carbon facility. Also not all residents are taking part in al its schemes.Below are a few other issues also affecting it.1. It was very expensive to build for Peabody Homes, which led to controversy in the housing press.2. Some of the entrances do

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413549876203572006-12-29T17:31:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:32:29.876Z

The cost of the Sutton Arena fence is being reviewed by a working party. Conservative Councillors have welcomed this review.If the work can be done cheaper, then that is fine, but we do need improved security at the facility after the recent fire.I hope that is the eventual outcome of this debate.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413487513270162006-12-29T17:30:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:31:27.513Z

I did not comment on December's Development Control Committee in advance, but I should note two items for the record:1. Good to see the Sutton Cemetery Mortuary is becoming a Museum Store. Hopefully this will lead to the Heritage Centre moving to free admission sometime in 2007/08. This would bring Sutton in line with the rest of London after 20 years.2. The new fence for the St Helier open space

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413433599286922006-12-29T17:29:00.001Z2006-12-29T17:30:33.600Z

A report by the LSE's Tony Travers referred to by the national Guardian on 14 December says that museums:1. Add £1.5 billion to the UK economy.2. Are the glue that binds communities together3. Were visited by 43% of the British public in the last year.These are all good reasons why we should double attendance at our own local Heritage centre in Carshalton by scrapping admission charges and bring

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413370229880402006-12-29T17:29:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:29:30.230Z

In the run-up to Christmas, I went shopping in Woodcote Green Nurseries in Carshalton South and Clockhouse ward.Whilst it is clearly a garden centre, nevertheless one could see elsewhere that with an expanding range of outdoor leisure products we could see souped up garden centres being a way to create out of town shopping centres by stealth.This may be a future planning policy issue.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413309879295422006-12-29T17:26:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:28:29.963Z

I am pleased to see that residents in Gander Green Lane have written in to the letters page to the Guardian to say that they are pleased with the Kimpton estate access road, now called Kimpton Park Way.This could have been an A217/A24 Link Road, generating more traffic, however after an 8 year campaign led by Councillor John Morgan, the Link Road was rejected by a Government Inspectors and the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413146325658472006-12-29T17:25:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:25:46.326Z

Its outrageous how local residents could criticise Peter Geiringer in the letters page of the Sutton Guardian for his choice of biscuits.Councillor Geirnger is a stout man of some importance and deserves to have the finest biscuits and an appropriate allowance to enable him to carry out his representative duties!

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413072022582752006-12-29T17:24:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:24:32.026Z

The proposed loss of 2000 Post Offices, poses the question what is the balance between the state and market in determining the level of a service.I know I use the Post Office much less in the 7 years I have had internet access.We know that many younger people use the service less. At the same time many elderly people still want to use the service.This strikes me as an opportunity to practice

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1167413018981820652006-12-29T17:22:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:23:38.996Z

Interesting to to see that Councillor Pickles in a recent Sutton Guardian letter wants to substantially cut the comunications department in Sutton Council and get rid of Sutton Scene magazine.Perhaps he should talk to Tory colleagues in Surrey, Merton and Croydon, all who have continued large communications departments and have successful Council magazines!

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165953102143726652006-12-12T19:50:00.000Z2006-12-12T19:52:11.996Z

The recent Alberti and Boyle reports on "Super hospitals" are part of of an ongoing debate about large hospitals versus smaller acute hospitals (ie those with between 150,000-300,000 - such as the old Epsom Care Trust). A few points to remember in this debate.1. The current Epsom and St Helier Trust catchment area of 500,000 is in line with Royal College guidance. I always thought it was best to

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165952997862097222006-12-12T19:49:00.000Z2006-12-12T19:49:57.863Z

The Barker Review on Planning Policy has a number of impacts on Sutton:1. Our local Green Belt, though small could come under increased pressure. Most of it is either smallholding or golf courses, so may become an area seen as lucrative.2. An Independent Planning Commisuison for big projects is unlikely to affect Sutton and seems to make sense to progress the very small number of very large

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165952949933894672006-12-12T19:48:00.000Z2006-12-12T19:49:09.936Z

The Pre-Budget Report had the following impacts on Sutton:1. Climate Changea) The zero stamp duty for new green houses is likely to have little impact as Sutton's planned 325 new properties a year is rather low.b) Increased fuel dutues is likely to impact on high car ownership/high school rum Sutton more than most London boroughs.c) It is hard to tell whether the cost of short-haul flights will

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165881325924024572006-12-11T23:51:00.000Z2006-12-12T19:48:03.626Z

If you read page two of todays (11 December) Evening Standard you will see that a certain Professor Sir Ara Darzi, with big connections to the Royal Marsden is being asked to lead the London Hospitals review.Surely he has a significant interest over the future of St Helier Hospital in view of the current support for the Royal Marsden for a shift of services to the Sutton General site.Perhaps

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165881088108482662006-12-11T23:50:00.000Z2006-12-11T23:51:28.110Z

I wasn't able to go the meeting tonight due to two other events on. I hope to have a report on it soon.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165881001702716162006-12-11T23:46:00.000Z2006-12-11T23:50:01.716Z

Just to note thanks to those of you that read this Blog, that if you now type the words "Sutton Council" into Google, this Blog appears on page 1 in 9th position out of 43,000 web page references to the word.Thank you. Speaking to a few people recently I know the Blog is read at regional level by those who want to know what is going on in Sutton.Once again thank you!

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165342963529603952006-12-05T18:18:00.000Z2006-12-05T18:26:07.260Z

Just to report that as of today:1. Wandle Valley Councillors do not hold a surgery2. None of the Wrythe Ward Councillors have a public email address.It was complacency like this that cost the Tories their majority in 1986!! In the Wandle they could latch on to Tom Brake's 2 surgeries in the ward and the Wrythe Councillors could easily publish an email address that forwards to the MP or a

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165341020479121662006-12-05T17:26:00.000Z2006-12-05T18:07:22.286Z

On Friday the Chief Executive sent a letter to staff telling them of a 5 million potential cut in budget in a quarter of a billion pound Council. In other words the Council would be seeking 2% efficiencies for next year.Of course this will be hyped up to "crisis" caused for the benefit of the local press over the next two months. Then in February lo and behold we will be told it wasn't quite so

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165339444330197172006-12-05T17:09:00.000Z2006-12-05T17:24:04.400Z

So far the main item on the Agenda is a very reasonable motion from Councillor Eric Howell on Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. Unlike some of the sensationalist stuff from the Tories in the previous Council I would certainly vote for it. If I were the Lib Dems, I wouldn't even seek to amend it but to simply support it. Alternatively, I would add an amendment at the end that set out some key

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165338269973333362006-12-05T16:55:00.000Z2006-12-05T17:04:29.973Z

I note from the minutes of this that they are looking to expand to cover Carshalton South and Clockhouse.I hope this is agreed as it would mean all paerts of the Carshalton Area Commmittee would have a local Forum. This would put it ahead of the other areas as the following parts are not covered:Cheam and Worcester Park - Cheam and South Cheam - may be a budget bid from the Tory controlled Area

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165337729471827382006-12-05T16:49:00.000Z2006-12-05T16:55:29.473Z

A few extra points:Item 7 - Rosehill Section 106Hopefully Councillors will keep up the pressure for the 22,000.Item 12 - Play FacilitiesGood to see that the Council has no u-turned on playgrounds and is starting to re-invest. How did Lib Dem Councillors ever agree to cutting back in the first place. Labour Councillors did warn them at the time.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165337347727338162006-12-05T16:41:00.000Z2006-12-05T16:49:07.730Z

Just read the agenda for this. A little surprised it is is not covering the Trust Financial Recovery Strategy considering that Surrey has called for formal consultation. This rather than a joint committee meeting is far more important.Other points on the agenda:5. Bereavement ServicesInteresting to hear Ruth Dombey's report back. This is a sad end to a service that used to be funded partly by the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165336820591514332006-12-05T16:37:00.002Z2006-12-05T16:40:20.593Z

The ballot has started and will close on 18 December. The choice 630 Roundshaw households face is as follows:A yes vote will be to join Roundshaw Homes - the joint Housing Association partnership between Metropolitan and Hyde Homes that already owns the majority of Roundshaw. They are proposing to invest £15 million pouns over the next few years on local environmental and security Improvements as

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165324532129690052006-12-05T13:09:00.000Z2006-12-05T13:15:32.130Z

The Epsom and St Helier Trust Finaical Recovery strategy is likely to lead to the following:1. Clinical Issuesa) Reduction in Beds by 141-171b) Close 6 wardsc) Closure of Theatres at Sutton Hospital and Nelsond) Reduce Elderly length of Stay2. Non Clinicala) Rationalisation of admin staffI will report further on this as specific proposals arise.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165324141954511332006-12-05T13:04:00.000Z2006-12-05T13:09:01.956Z

I was away and missed commenting on this, but the legislation proposed will affect Sutton a little:1. Local Government BillThe ability to create parishes will strengthen Area Committee Powers to head off local demand for parishes.2. GLA BillThis will create better stretgic decision making over developing housing. Mayoral planning powers will not strongly impact on Sutton, despite the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165323887673719272006-12-05T13:00:00.000Z2006-12-05T13:04:47.676Z

I was pleased to see this issue was discussed at the Northern Ward Forum.We should celebrate the changes we have made in the last12 months:1. The amount lost to Rosehill has been reduced from £50,000 to £22,000. I suspect we get this back at some stage. Thus I do not beleive we should hold up the spending of the money we do have.2. I think the plans for marketing the Rosehill area are pretty

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165323605930085592006-12-05T12:56:00.000Z2006-12-05T13:00:05.930Z

As we know the world didn't end, with the new licencing rules. We know they work.If you go to any European town at this time of year, you can sit outside in the cold and drink and enjoy the Christmas decorations. I have recently come back from Strasbourg and it was nice to do this in the winter sunshine.However, despite Sutton priding itself on its cafe society, licencing regulationd mean our

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165323401337253672006-12-05T12:53:00.000Z2006-12-05T12:56:41.340Z

You may be awre of the following:1. The government now wants 400 Academies instead of 200 and 100 of these would be in London.2. Stanley Park High, which is rebuilding may apply for extra money from the DFES to become 8 forms of entry instead of 6.Will the DFES want Stanley Park to become an Academy for the extra money. I understand the Governors do not want to go along this route, so will the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165323163265628802006-12-05T12:46:00.000Z2006-12-05T12:52:43.266Z

Having watched the Epsom and St Helier Trust Board meeting on Friday, I would now say o9ption 3 for Midwife led units at both sites (see details on the posting below) is now the favourite.I did point out to Joan Mulcaster of the Post, who was at the meeting that Epsom suffers from a maternity perspective because the borough has quite a very high abortion rate compared to the Merton and Sutton

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1165322788082650552006-12-05T12:35:00.000Z2006-12-05T17:09:37.436Z

The Epsom and St Helier Trust Board which met on Friday, is continuing the review of BHCH.The latest idea is for a smaller Critical Care Hospital. This would be smaller than the 50 patients a day proposal of the past. Based on the current turnaround plan, I would assume they are looking for 35-40 patients a day at best.I suspect the London NHS, which will take the decision this time, is likely to

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164910080417343702006-11-30T18:00:00.000Z2006-11-30T18:08:00.446Z

The Epsom and St Helier Trust has compared the two current sites and has come to the conclusion that if it moves services to St Helier it only loses 626 births (mainly to Kingston I suspect) out of the current combined total of 4,400 (2,600 St Helier, 1,800 Epsom) whilst if it moves services to Epsom it will lose 2,452 deliveries. The options it proposes are as follows:Option 1 - Status Quo, but

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164909295273975302006-11-30T17:52:00.000Z2006-11-30T17:54:55.293Z

The plight of Shopmobility illustrates the problem that voluntary organisations face when they are built up on time limited funding such as the lottery.Tory Councillors should be wary of immediately criticisng a "cruel Council" for not doing more when it already funds part of the service. It could be argued that now the lottery money has run out the Council should increase its funding due to the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164821792170782302006-11-29T17:33:00.000Z2006-11-30T13:41:36.316Z

The Council Budget process is about to start. Comments can be emailed to:budget@sutton.gov.ukA few things to note:1. As usual the local papers will be be flannelled by the Council Press Office into writing up a "massive cuts" headline in December and will then report that "it wasn't quite so bad" in Febraury/March. How boring - maybe they can think up something counter-intuitive this year? Sutton

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164821162451551152006-11-29T17:16:00.000Z2006-11-30T13:27:42.046Z

Despite the Epsom and St Helier Trust Board meeting deluding themselves after £26 million cuts that they will have the money to develop colocated services at the Royal Marsden (presumably their managers keeping repeating this mantra to some of their consultants to keep them happy) in the meantime other areas of health and social care are getting on with providing new services:1. The Terms of

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164820434653873542006-11-29T17:09:00.000Z2006-11-29T17:13:54.656Z

Para 3.1 on Page 38 of the Strategy Committee agenda says the following:The Council is especially engaged in the development of local care primary hospitals in the new BHCH model and is expected to support the PCT's application for a local care hospital later this year."This is likely to be the Shotfield and Mint House sites and adjoining land in Wallington. This is a good idea and should be

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164820170685317272006-11-29T17:02:00.000Z2006-11-29T17:09:30.706Z

At the Epsom and St Helier Trust Board meeting they will report on the draft terms of reference along the following lines:"The terms of reference are still awaiting final approval by NHS London. The latest draft is in substance little different from earlier drafts but places greater emphasis on commissioner leadership and the need to take account of the broader strategic perspective within South

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164737308558422462006-11-28T17:52:00.000Z2006-11-28T18:08:29.383Z

I was pleased to hear that 2000-3000 were on the St Helier Hospital march on Saturday.This quite possibly is the largest ever March in Sutton. Certainly bigger than the Orchard Hill March in the mid 1990's and the Home Care March in 2000.I was unable to attend myself as I was at a London Labour Party Conference, which passed a London-wide motion on health issues to forward concerns to the the

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164736199732392082006-11-28T17:37:00.000Z2006-11-28T18:10:40.770Z

I have just been told that the Joint Health Scrutiny Meeting on 30 November has been cancelled. Below are a number of good reasons why this is a good thing if that is the case:1. There would be little to report as Better Health Care Closer to Home (BHCH) at an acute level has clearly been overtaken by events. The London wide review will determine acute service provision. I suspect effective

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164723303174511942006-11-28T14:09:00.000Z2006-11-28T14:15:03.176Z

Just a few points:Item 5 - PoliceThe update from the 5 Panels looks good. This is how it should be.Item 6 - 79-97 Ruskin RoadThe housing here is mainly temporary accomondation awaiting demolition. I am pleased the Committee is having a pre-planning discussion on this site.Item 11 - Middleton Circle ParkingThere are issues here, which need to be resolved now the clinic is open.Item 13 - Future of

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164722799653962242006-11-28T13:48:00.000Z2006-11-28T14:06:40.233Z

Just seen this. A few initial comments:Item 5 - Mid Year PerformanceSome slight weaknesses in Environemental Services but broadly on track.Item 6 - Supporting People InspectionA good 2 Star report with promising prospects for improvement.Item 7 - Local Area AgreementPerformance Incentives for all Partners to share seems sensible and will strengthen joint ownership of the AgreementItem 8 - Stanley

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164395817247832752006-11-24T18:45:00.000Z2006-11-24T19:22:12.180Z

Just to keep you informed I am publishing the December to March Forward Plan of Strategy Committee and Council Business with the usual commentary. Many Councillors tell me they find this info useful. I'm surprised the Tory Opposition don't use the regular item at Scrutiny Co-ord to ask for pre-decision scrutiny debates on selected items. It's not as if the info is secret.The Links on each item

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164393843515709042006-11-24T18:41:00.001Z2006-11-24T18:44:03.516Z

I note the recent concern over the future of this excellent mental health facility in Belmont Ward.The Henderson does a good job and has never been debated by Health Scrutiny Commitee. I hope the next meeting requests a report on its future from the mental health Trust.

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164393643984641282006-11-24T18:37:00.000Z2006-11-24T18:40:43.986Z

Interesting to see that one of the objections to the installation of the 5000 litre diesel tank at Sutton Fire Station is that it might be a fire hazard!! If the fire service can't keep that site safe, what hope is there for the rest of us!!:-)

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164393432268971352006-11-24T18:31:00.000Z2006-11-24T18:37:12.270Z

I see there is a formal joint health scrutiny meeting on 30 January. I am not sure what purpose it will now have when Better Health Care Closer to Home has sensibly shifted from an acute led process to a PCT commisisoned one. As a result I can't see what the purpose there is for Surrey Councillors to head to Sutton to talk about issues that in our locality are more of a Merton and Sutton issue

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164212654629129252006-11-22T16:00:00.000Z2006-11-22T16:24:15.166Z

More commentary on Monday's Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting.In many ways the meeting was a useful training session for Councillors on Council procedure, rather than a debate on the short-term Leisure Contract, which this Blog has covered in some detail (see earlier posts).Extra-ordinary Council meetings are no doubt great fun and the acoustics of Meeting Room 1 make it much more lively, but in

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1164131778700738022006-11-21T17:53:00.000Z2006-11-21T17:56:18.723Z

I will report in more detail tomorrow about the meeting, but my initial comment is that it illustrates to me the reaons why it was wrong to abolish an all-party Strategy Committee, as we may instread see more extra-ordinary Council Meetings

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163792295404340882006-11-17T19:18:00.000Z2006-11-17T19:56:05.910Z

The Tories have called for a special Council Meeting on 25 November to debate the takeover of SCL by GLL . My previous posts go into some detail as to how this outcome was always likely to happen once we heard from GLL in late 2005 as to their relationship with SCL.John Kennedy was not at the Strategy Committee that approved the change and it is clear from his remarks in the Sutton Guardian that

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163790640537632512006-11-17T19:09:00.000Z2006-11-17T19:18:18.953Z

People may ask what will the march on 25 November achieve?It is important for a number of reasons:1. It is vital to express concern about the level of cuts. The more people who attend, the more likely we will force the Trust to be more careful with what they propose. It is vital that staff morale is not damaged by the cuts and a good turn out will strengthen the hand of Unison and other staff

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163188702074842522006-11-10T19:52:00.000Z2006-11-11T16:25:54.683Z

I have covered much of their agenda in earlier postings.Health Scrutiny was right to demand more info on what is a 10% cut in budget. The PCT has provided more on its cuts and Councillors would expect more infor on a similar level of cut by the Council. If necessary they should refer the issue to the Secretary of State.We hear a lot about NHS redundancies, but what we forget is the impact of

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163188342098905312006-11-10T19:36:00.000Z2006-11-11T16:35:47.160Z

Though it was not specifically referred to at Health Scrutiny last night, the reality of BHCH is that Patricia Hewitt's comments in Parliament on 11 October are pretty explicit as repeated below:"unfortunately the financial position in south london, in that part of the NHS, is worse than those involved believed it to be when they came up with a plan for a new hospital. It is, I am afraid, no

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163187194450938972006-11-10T19:21:00.000Z2006-11-11T16:38:48.786Z

For those NHS bureaucrats upset about the loss of their beloved Sutton Hospital CCH, I have some good news.I hear that the Royal Marsden may be selling its Kensington site and moving all services to Sutton. This will require a large amount of the exisiting Sutton Hospital site.I am personally in favour of this as long as it remains a specialist cancer hospital - which I think it probably will due

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163186443735854482006-11-10T19:09:00.000Z2006-11-11T16:30:28.156Z

In the end I was very impressed with the way the Health Scrutiny Committee handled the issue of the end of Sutton Beareavement Service, which recently lost its contact with the PCT and closes in March 2007. It looks to me that the national dirver for the change is worki being done to tackle the high levels of incapacity benefit caused by depression by significantly increasing the spending on "

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163091960877336692006-11-09T16:57:00.001Z2006-11-09T17:06:00.903Z

It is a pity this committee has such a weak agenda for what is an important area of work.I am assuming this Committee still survives as at some stage it will be revamped as a Community Safety and Community Development Committee. It might then have the powers to scrutinise the Police perhaps with some added reps from the Police Consultative Committee on it, with that body acting as a more

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29306212.post-1163007766415324302006-11-08T17:36:00.000Z2006-11-08T17:43:35.106Z

Just read the item on Section 106 agreements. Interesting to note that 50% of the £2 million section 106 expenditure on local improvement schemes will be spent in the Carshalton and Clockhouse Committee area with only 10% to be spent in the now Tory controlled Cheam and Worcester Park Area.Before Tory Councillors complain over the unfair distribution, they should remember the schemes are

Charlie Mansellnoreply@blogger.com0