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!
The new Chief Executive at Southwark Council, Annie Shepherd, carried out a walkabout in Newington to see what issues are of concern. She was joined by Councillors James Gurling and Caroline Pidgeon, who toured every street, park and estate in the ward over a Saturday morning. Key issues raised were:
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.
Cllr Nick Stanton, Liberal Democrat Leader of Southwark Council, has called on all parties involved in the plans for the new Harris Boys Academy in East Dulwich to make sure that the new school opens its doors in September 2008.
The school is scheduled to open in September 2009 on its permanent site, but was due to open on a temporary site in September 2007. However, the project board and the Government recently pulled out of the agreed site – Bredinghurst School – claiming that it was unsafe.
In a letter to Schools Minister Lord Adonis, Nick Stanton said:
Liberal Democrats want to give the average family a £1,000 income tax cut to help save the planet. By switching to green taxes instead, everyone can help switch off climate chaos.
Taxing good things less, and switching to taxing bad things like pollution instead, the more you choose to switch to greener living, the more of your Lib Dem income tax cut you will keep. It’s your choice!
Southwark’s Liberal Democrat MP and Council Leaders have received assurances from the Metropolitan Police over action to tackle gang crime in the Borough.
Your Lib Dem Councillors joined residents and Councillors from Lambeth in Kennington Park on October to mark the unveiling of the ‘standing stone’ memorial which remembers the civilians killed in the air raid shelter at Kennington Park in 1940.
“The memorial is a fitting tribute to those who died. The dedication of the Friends of Kennington Park should be recognised in ensuring this tragic event will not be forgotten” said Lib Dem Cllr Caroline Pidgeon.
Eighty primary and secondary pupils from across Southwark attended an event at the Design Museum to celebrate their work to improve the local environment.
Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, Southwark Council's executive member for education, said: "Congratulations and a big thank you to all the schools that are playing such a big part in making Southwark cleaner and greener. Their efforts over the past year have been really inspiring and demonstrate how we can all take small actions to improve our local environment, and what a difference these actions can make."
Simon Hughes MP joined Newington Lib Dem councillors at the Brandon Festival in September, organised by the Brandon tenants’ association, with help from Trevor at the library. “Despite the windy weather, it was a great day out for everyone, and we really enjoyed chatting to Brandon residents and young people about what they want to see improved in the area” said Cllr Caroline Pidgeon.
Mobile phone masts seem to be appearing all over the Borough, and that includes our part of Walworth, with two recent developments off Manor Place. Many of these phone masts have what is known as ‘permitted development rights’ and therefore do not need the same type of planning permission, as any other development, such as a new building or an extension.
The summer saw Cllr Caroline Pidgeon get married to her partner Paul. Her dress was made and designed by Linda Brooker, who works in the Pullens Yards in Caroline’s ward. Her cake came from local bakers Konditor and Cook, whilst her flowers were designed by Simon from Igloo flowers on Bermondsey Street.
“A big thank you to the many residents who sent us cards and good wishes for the future together”.
