It’s been a while since I’ve posted for which I can only apologise.   I’ve had a really busy January both with Council and Lib Dem-related activities, and a busy time at work.

Earlier this month,  two of my Lib Dem colleagues have moved on to pastures new.    My former flatmate Councillor Simon Carter’s work has moved to Holland, which means he’s had to stand down from the Council.  And Councillor Mark Morris has accepted a new job with the Greater London Authority, which prevents him from continuing as an elected councillor.   I’ll miss both these colleagues, but I’m pleased that Blackheath Councillor Chris Maines has taken over as the Lib Dem Group Leader, and that we’ve got two excellent candidates in the form of Duwayne Brooks and Jenni Clutten standing in Downham Ward to replace Simon and Mark.

Full Council last week was a less than edifying process – Andrew Milton has summed it up better than I could.    However, our new group leader asked what the Council is doing to deal with the three empty Woolworths sites we now have in the borough (in the Lewisham Centre, in Downham and our own in Lee Green).    The Deputy Mayor advises that staff in the Town Centre Management Team will be making contact with the owners to find out their plans for the sites.  I’m pleased to see the Council recognised that these are anchor sites in each of the shopping centres.   Some residents from Leybridge Court have asked me to write to Wilkinsons to see if they’d be interested in the Leegate unit, which I’ll do.  If anyone has any ideas of any other retailers who’d be good, let me know and I’ll drop them a line – it’s worth a try.