Local democracy will only be restored when Councils are given back much of the powers that central government has taken from them and when central government does not step in to subvert local decision making. The roots of this stem back to the Thatcher era  when loony left councils were rate capped. They should have been left alone so that people saw what the consequences of voting for them were. Now it so heavily controlled and sanitized that most voters don’t know or care what their local council does until it directly effects them which for most people who don’t actually have to use council services is very seldom. The current behaviour of Barnet’s Tory Cllrs is a disgrace and has rightly been condemned. Let’s hope that they get what they deserve.

At present the majority in all three roads do not want to, but Puller Road suffers more than the others as due to the one way system it is more prone to non-resident parking. A vigorous campaign led by permits4puller (see link in blogroll) thinks they should be in the CPZ. The local residents association SPACES which also covers neighbouring Alston Road has tended to be against an expanded CPZ.

In the middle of all this is Cllr Perry who lives in the area. One disadvantage for her is that she has a conflict of interest that is personal, prejudicial and potentially financial. Councillors are usually asked for their opinions ahead of any residents consultations. I would suggest that in this case Cllr Perry should ensure that she does not take sides but makes her views know privately as a resident when and if a public consultation happens.

Duncan

Of course the effect of the right wing media’s attacks on the Lib Dems has come out on the doorstep. I’ve had quite a few discussions on immigration for example. The cheering thing is that when our policy is actually explained to those people they are usually quite happy with it. On local issues people like the fact that we have kept in touch with them all year round through our Focus newsletter and many tradiional Labour voters are turning to us in the local elections.

Tonight there are hustings at St John’s Wood Street at 8pm organised by the Churches. Our parlimentary candidate Dr Stephen Barber will be there. Please come alomng and hear what he and the other candidates have to say.

Unencrypted data may well have been taken out of the office against the regulations but it was obviously too easy to do so. What needs to happen urgently is a review of office procedures and the controls that are in place on sensitive data. My experience as a school governor leads me to believe that Barnet’s schools are not sufficiently aware that they should encrypt sensitive data and that the lead from the Council has not been there in ensuring that they do.

Barnet Liberal Democrats will be putting forward an alternative Budget at the Council Meeting tomorrow (2nd March) evening

.Cllr Jack Cohen Leader of Barnet Liberal Democrats describes the Lib Dem proposals as “realistic, affordable and deliverable”

The Liberal democrat Budget contains key proposals to stimulate the local economy, cut down on financial waste and improve the local environment.

Among the proposals are

1 Freezing Council Tax

2 Cutting Members Allowances by £96,000.00

3 Saving £300, 000, 00 by getting rid of top officer posts

4 Scrapping non essential customer relations and publicity thereby saving over 200,000.00.

5 Taking over half a million pounds from spare balances to pay for improved services

6 Re introducing Neighbourhood Wardens

7 More Money for Children’s Playgrounds

8 Improving our libraries

9 Restore cuts to winter maintenance budgets

The Liberal Democrat Budget will go even further though. It is proposed to Launch a new Civic Contingency Severe Weather Fund of half a million pounds. This will be used to help vulnerable residents if there is a repeat of this year’s winter weather. It will also be available to respond to power and water supply cuts that the Borough experienced earlier in the year.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for a pilot scheme of one hour free parking to help boost our local shopping centres

The alternative budget also proposes to give Residents’ Forums their own budgets to spend on improving their local environment

There is also money set aside for adding names to our war memorials. This will ensure that we can record our gratitude to residents who gave their lives in the service of the country since the end of the Second World War

The Liberal Democrats will also be asking Officers work out  scheme whereby over 65s who pay full Council Tax will be eligible for a discount.

Cllr Cohen says that unlike the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats listen to our local residents. Cllr Cohen says “Our budget proposals echo what local people tell us they want from the Council.

Cllr Cohen accuses the Conservative Administration of hiding behind a cloak of secrecy. Describing the Conservative Budget as a “Trick or Treat Budget-all tricks and no treats” Councillor Cohen points out that the Conservatives are  trying to mask the true financial crises that faces the Borough, “ The reality is that because of blunders , incompetence and mismanagement Barnet Residents are paying a high price.” Cllr Cohen says that a Barnet resident will now pay much more in council tax than neighbouring Brent and Camden. Barnet Council Tax Payers face further cuts in services and increases in tax following the Icelandic Banks debacle. .The true cost of the Icelandic Bank fiasco could soar to 31million pounds The Conservative administration has left little room for manoeuvre but despite this we have come up with a budget that will work”