While most people spent last night glued to Man U-Chelsea (or The Apprentice), some of us were at Lewisham Town Hall for Full Council…      One of the items up for discussion was the borough’s housing targets - in particular the split we aim for between affordable housing and what I refer to as ‘market rate’ (others might call it unaffordable)

There was pretty much unanimity between the parties* for a 50% target.  However, my concerns are about how it’s proposed to deliver 50%  - this is buried in the small print of Lewisham’s Local Area Agreement - the ‘contract’ between the partners in the borough and central government.

As recently as 30th April, the Mayor and his cabinet agreed a 35% target - based on delivering 975 homes a year in total, of which 341 would be affordable.   This was changed within the last 22 day to a total of 859 homes per year, of which 429 would be affordable.

So the 50 % target has been acheived - in part- by reducing the total number of homes to be delivered each year.   In effect, what’s proposed is increasing the number of affordable homes by 86 - to 44% of the 956 target - then lowering the overall target until that 44% becomes 50%.

Now, the housing market isn’t looking great, but I can’t believe that the demand for market rate homes has dropped by over 200 per year over the last month.   As the Housing Minister told the House of Commons Select Committee - we need more homes of all tenures - social rent, shared ownership and market rate.

To his credit, the Mayor agreed to look again at the figures - and I hope he’ll revise them before the Local Area Agreement is signed off with government.   A 50% target sounds good - but as with a lot of stuff, the devil’s in the detail.

*The Grove Park Tories aren’t in favour of any targets, but stressed this didn’t mean they were against affordable housing - something to do with Boris having decided for them - I actually think Boris decided it was up to them, but I’m not party to the inner workings of the Tory Party.  Thankfully.

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!

Cllr Mark Morris is leader of the Lib Dem group on Lewisham Council, a good friend, and all-round top bloke.   As evidence of this, for the second year running (excuse the pun) Mark is running the London Marathon for charity.    Those of you who read The Mercury might still be recovering from the recent photo of Mark in his running gear…

However, it’s all in a good cause, and Mark’s running to raise funds for the Mayor’s  charity, the Lavender Trust.     If you’d like to join me in sponsoring Mark, you can do so online at http://www.justgiving.com/markmorris1

I should also point out that as well as running for Mayor, Brian Paddick is also running the marathon - he’s dividing his sponsorship three ways - find out more here.

I’m really pleased that Nick Clegg  is the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.    He personifies for me what liberalism should be all about.   He’s optimistic, ambitious and positive.    Listening to his acceptance speech reminded me a bit of how optimistic I felt when Charles Kennedy was leader of the party - and it struck me that I haven’t felt like that for the last 18 months at least.

I’d urge you to have a read or watch his acceptance speech.   If you feel as positive about it as I do, you might like to think about joining the party!