Caroline was recently shadowed by student Rachel Hamburger, who wanted to find out more about local government, being a councillor, and the work of Executive Members.
Liberal Democrats currently have 4,500 councillors nationally and run or lead over 80 councils.
“As our strength increases we spend over £12billion nationally each year and we need to attract a wider range of people to stand as councillors, and that includes young people” said Cllr Caroline Pidgeon.
Liberal Democrats at their Spring Conference at Harrogate on Saturday discussed measures to tackle gun crime amongst the young in South London. Following an initiative by Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Streatham Chris Nicholson, the Conference’s ‘urgent issues debate’ concerned gun crime, following the recent tragic killings in South London.
On 19 February Caroline visited a self defence class for residents on the Alberta Estate, funded by the Council’s Joint Security Initiative money. Cllr Denise Capstick joined Caroline and residents as they learnt how to keep themselves safe and practiced a little bit of self defence.
Southwark Councillors Caroline Pidgeon, Lisa Rajan and Richard Thomas took a day trip to Liverpool to visit their new 'Eco-school', The Academy of St Francis of Assisi. The school's specialism is the environment and the new building has many sustainable features including a solar atrium, rainwater harvesting and photo-voltaic cells. The school is also developing the environment throughout its curriculum.
Commenting on the decision by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to order the closure of the Maudsley Emergency Clinic, Cllr David Noakes, Liberal Democrat Chair of Southwark’s Health Scrutiny Committee said:
The new name for Southwark Children and Young People’s state-of-the-art development centre has been officially announced. The centre will be known as Sunshine House. The name, exclusively unveiled to guests at the topping out ceremony, is the result of a competition that involved children and young people as well as staff who will work in the centre.
On Wednesday 10th January Caroline visited the House of Magic in Newington ward.
Local magician Simon Drake showed Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, Cllr Jelil Ladipo and Simon Hughes MP around his magical home and heard about the work he carries out in the local community.
Simon Hughes MP and your local Liberal Democrat Councillors have stepped up their campaign against Labour’s £20 million cuts to Southwark's health services.
Lib Dems are petitioning the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, to stop unfairly penalising Southwark's Health Services - which are having to pay the price for Government mismanagement and other health trusts' overspending.
In December, Caroline was joined by Simon Hughes MP at the annual Christmas sales held at Pullens Yards in West Walworth. The historic yards are home to an artistic community from dressmakers to lute makers and artists to bookbinders. Caroline and Simon had a fantastic time meeting the many creative artists who live and work in the area, and buying presents!
Southwark Liberal Democrat Council chiefs have secured a renewed commitment from Schools Minister Lord Adonis to the early opening of the proposed Harris Boys Academy in East Dulwich if a suitable site can be found.
Southwark Liberal Democrat Council Leader Nick Stanton and Executive Member for Education Caroline Pidgeon met with Lord Adonis yesterday to discuss plans for academies in the borough.