Firstly, apologies for not posting this sooner.   We had an asbsolute marathon election count on Friday, and I’ve been away since then, so this is my first chance to post.

Thank you to the thousands of people across Lewisham and Greenwich who went out and voted Liberal Democrat last Thursday.    You can read the results here.   You’ll notice I’m not your new assembly member ;)     Congratulations to Labour’s Len Duvall, who was re-elected, and thanks to him, Andy and Sue for a good campaign.

Although the London results weren’t great for the LibDems, one bright spot was the election of Caroline Pidgeon to the London Assembly to join  two of our existing assembly members, Mike Tuffrey and Dee Doocey.   Caroline’s a councillor in neighbouring Southwark, and I think her campaign skills and knowledge of south-east London are just what we need.  

As for me, I’ve had a quick trip to Berlin with my (long suffering!) partner and am now back at work - in the day job and here in Lee Green.   

Finally, I’d like to thank all the Lib Dem volunteers who put a huge amount of work into this campaign - delivering leaflets, knocking on doors and doing all the things that make elections happen.   They’re a great bunch.

Well, I would say that, wouldn’t I?   But seriously, I really would appreciate your support in the London Assembly elections.   I’m standing for our local consituency - Greenwich & Lewisham, but it’s also important to give Brian Paddick your first preference vote in the Mayoral election and make sure Liberal Democrats are elected to the London Assembly on the ‘top-up’ list.

This is how things work:

On the PINK ballot paper, you’ll be invited to vote for Mayor.   Please use your first preference vote for Brian Paddick.   You also have a second preference vote, which you can use however you’d like.

On the YELLOW ballot paper, please vote for me to represent Greenwich & Lewisham on the London Assembly.   This vote is about who you think will do the best job representing our local area on the Assembly.

On the PEACH ballot paper, every vote really does count - this will determine how many seats each party gets on the Assembly.   Last time, the Liberal Democrats didn’t win any of the consituencies (though we came close in a couple) so people using this vote ensured we still had a strong Lib Dem voice on the Assembly - let’s keep it that way.

The polling stations in Lee Green are in the usual places (see below), and are open 7am until 10pm.   You don’t need your polling card to vote.   If you’re in any doubt about whether you’re registered or where you vote, give electoral services a call on 8314  6086.  If you applied for a postal vote and haven’t returned it yet, you can hand it in at a polling station or at the Town Hall.

Finally, thanks to all those people in Lee Green who’ve taken the time to call or email me to wish me good luck - your support is really appreciated.

Polling Stations in Lee Green

· Lochaber Hall, Manor Lane Terrace

· St. Winifred’s Infants School (entrance on Manor Lane)

· Lee Green United Reformed Church, 111-113 Burnt Ash Road

· St Winifred’s Junior School, Newstead Road

· The Church of the Good Shepherd, Handen Road

· Portakabin on the approach to Hither Green Railway Station, SE13

This has been a public service announcement!

Carers Lewisham will be holding an advice and information day for carers in the Lee area tomorrow between 10.30am and 2.30pm at the Lee Health Centre on Handen Road.

There will be information on how to get a break from caring, how to take care of your own health, how to get help for you and the person you’re caring for, and also advice on financial benefits.

There will also be massage and relaxation sessions - a light lunch will be provided.

For more information, contact Ulalee at Carers Lewisham on 8699 8686

Carers Lewisham run a range of advice and support services for carers and their relatives and friends.  See http://www.carerslewisham.org.uk/

We’ve heard from SouthEastern that the footpath at Lee Station from the Sidcup-bound platform down to Burnt Ash Road is to be resurfaced tomorrow between 9am and 4pm.

This is great news, as it’s been in quite a state for some time, and was raised by several people in our Lee Station rail user’s survey earlier this year.

The recycling banks between the railway bridges on Manor Lane have been of concern to your councillors for some time.  They are frequently overflowing with waste - much of it non-recyclable fly-tipping.

The banks are emptied twice a week, and your councillors have received assurances that:

• Parking will now longer be allowed on the pavement in front of the banks as this blocks access when the banks are emptied (the white on-pavement parking lines have now been removed)
• Council staff have been instructed to lock the banks after emptying to prevent large items being dumped in the banks
• The Council is developing a more robust locking mechanism for these banks to prevent them from being broken open
• A member of Council staff will be visiting local businesses to encourage them to subscribe to the commercial recycling scheme
• If the actions proposed aren’t successful, officers will gather evidence with a view to launching prosecutions.