Ashley ward eFOCUS - March 2009
Dear Resident
This eFOCUS is sent to those who have expressed an interest in what is happening in and around Ashley ward. If you want additional information on any topic, then please let me know or follow the web link where available!
Please excuse a bit of politics, but 9 weeks today I am up for re-election. Thursday 4th June. Ashley Ward is stated by the Green Party as their number one target in Bristol and they came within 110 votes of winning here last time. I take their threat very seriously. I have served the people of Ashley for almost 4 years now and am just beginning to understand what is possible!
I hope to be part of a Liberal Democrat majority on Bristol City Council on June 5th, but clearly that will not happen if I lose! Labour and Conservative together are still the majority on the Council and they do not seem to share our vision of a progressive, healthy, green and sustainable city.
Labour walked away from running the City 5 weeks ago. They left a mess. No planning for school places. Recycling progress stalled. A closed, secretive and introspective Cycling Demonstration City project. Incinerator plans that people don't want. Care Home & Home Care problems. Budget gaps. Airport expansion plans. Slow decision making, etc, etc.
We are already starting to turn things around with ambitious recycling plans, improved street cleaning, openness in all matters, steps to scrap the PFI incinerator plans, sorting Cycling City, pushing for resolution on Westmoreland House, agreed new primary school for Brunel site, investigating old Fairfield site, improving and investing in community transport, releasing hidden reports on Chocolate Factory consultation and on Cycle Expressway feasibility, etc, etc.
If you share my concerns for Bristol and our future I would ask that you see if you or your family can help in some way in the next 9 weeks. Whether it is delivering leaflets, stuffing envelopes, giving money to support the campaign (Lib Dems don't seem to get large business or trade union donations!), doorstep or phone canvassing or sitting and taking
numbers at the polling stations on election day - any help would be much appreciated.
You could also sign these petitions:
http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/view/stokescroftbillboards - we now have agreement that the billboard on corner of City Road and Stokes Croft will go as part of the improvement plans. Let me know if you want a copy "Stokes Croft Corner Sites Process" document.
http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/view/railnotrunway - apologies, I got this link wrong in last eFocus. Say No! to a third runway at Heathrow and support rail electrification instead
Enough of politics, there is still a lot else happening in and around Ashley Ward....
(1) "Ask The Agencies" - The next "drop in" problem solving meeting is on Thursday 21st May 2009 6pm - 7:30pm at St Pauls Learning Centre on Grosvenor Road, St Pauls. Open to all residents, organisations and businesses in Ashley ward. Details at http://www.stpaulsunlimited.org.uk
(2) Ashley PACT (Partners and Community Together) meeting: Monday 6th April 2009 4.30 pm - full meeting, 6.00 pm - Just 'drop in' and talk to the Police or other professionals at St Pauls Family and Learning Centre, Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, Bristol. All members of the public are welcome to attend (or drop me an email!) and influence priorities. The
latest beat manager report for St Werburghs and Montpelier is published http://bit.ly/j7aX5 - good progress!
(3) Pavement parking continues to be addressed to ensure safety and access.
(4) Friends of St Andrews Park FoSAP AGM last night - good discussion on recent littering and anti-social behaviour problems with Chris Hammond (Parks) and local beat officers. Could I add my thanks for all the hard work of the FoSAP over the last two years. So much achieved in so little time! Also thanks to Chris Hammond who is leaving his current role in
Parks that he has held for nearly 8 years.
(5) St Andrews Park problems - I sent an email on 23rd March 2009 to local residents on park problems (let me know if you would like a copy). Many dozens of thoughtful replies which I have not yet had time to respond to. Most were pleased to see how well the park is used, but are looking for respect and consideration of other users and neighbours
(6) Area Green Space Plan for Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill. You are invited to take part in a process to help draft this plan. The first of a series of meetings has been arranged for 7-00pm Wednesday April 8th at the St Pauls Family and Learning Centre. Likely dates for future meetings are 14th April and 20th April. See www.bristol.gov.uk/parkstrategy for further information.
(7) St Agnes Park and St Pauls Adventure Playground final public consultation - Wednesday 8th April - 1pm to 6pm in St Agnes Park (Bouncy Castle and Face Painting 1pm to 5pm)
(8) Brunswick Cemetery between Wilder Street and Brunswick Square is being improved. Let me know if you would like to see the draft plans or visit - Monday 6th April - 11:30am to 4:30pm at Surrey Lodge (Unitarian Chapel), off Brunswick Square.
(9) Transition Montpelier up and running - helped support a successful spring clean up of Montpelier last month. Well done all who helped. Lots of good ideas for improving things and council officers who are keen to make it happen.
(10) Local Bristol Street Artists are celebrated in an exhibition at Royal West of England Academy. http://www.crimesofpassion.info/ open daily til 2nd May. Worth a visit!
(11) Kitchen waste collections started at last from City Road
(12) Rubbish tip on St Andrews Road - progress since Evening Post and Gary Hopkins got involved. Thanks to you both and reporter Suzanne!
I am sure I have missed out things :-( I am very keen that my new role as Executive Member for Transport and Sustainability should not adversely effect links with this wonderful ward. Please remind me if I don't reply in a timely fashion!
If you have particular topics of interest, then let me know, as Shirley Brown and I also send out infrequent emails on specific topics to those expressing an interest.
Finally, we would welcome feedback on this eFOCUS. We are happy to help residents, local businesses and voluntary agencies where we can, to pursue issues to make Ashley better. Please let me know if you do not want to receive emails from us.
Best wishes
Jon
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Jon Rogers
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Ashley
20 Windsor Road
St Andrews
Bristol BS6 5BP
0117 914 2558
Jon.rogers@bristol.gov.uk
Past issues : http://www.bristol-libdems.org.uk/ashley
Published, printed and promoted by Jon Rogers,
Ashley Ward Lib Dems, 20 Windsor Road, St Andrews Bristol