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Greenwich news and information

Candidate Profiles: David Grant, Greenwich West

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Name: David Grant (Labour)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I am retired from work, formerly as a teacher, including in Greenwich, and as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools. I have lived in Greenwich West Ward for 15 years, and represented the ward on the Council for 8 years. I have served variously as cabinet member for education and social services.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

Most people are not fabulously wealthy and therefore to improve our lives and those of our families and friends we need to work together. This is why I am a member of the Labour Party. Local councils enable us to look after our interests collectively. Many of the decisions that affect us most are made at this level, therefore if we do not vote we lose the ability to influence these decisions.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I enjoy the work: I like being able to respond to people when they need their councillor’s help, and I like discussing ideas in the Council chamber. I have some useful experience and skills and feel I can use them for the benefit of my local community.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I love Greenwich. My wife and I met here when we were young, and we both wanted to return when we had the chance. I love the Park and the wonderful buildings, the views and the river. One of the particular things I love most in Greenwich is the theatre, which needs and deserves all our support.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Peninsula ward over the next four years?

My priorities would be: i) to ensure the Olympic Games in the Park is an enjoyable experience for residents and that the Park is not damaged; ii) to make sure that new developments are done to the highest possible standard and are supported by adequate infra-structure; iii) to preserve and maintain important areas such as the covered market and Greenwich Theatre; iv) to improve the council housing stock locally; and v) to safeguard our two Sure Start children’s centres and ensure our schools improve steadily.

Candidate Profiles: Adrian Ross, Greenwich West

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Name: Adrian Ross (Green Party)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I’m 44 years years old, married (to Naomi) with a 4 month old son (Ben). I’ve lived in West Greenwich for the last 8 years, but have been coming here regularly ever since my very first trip to visit the Cutty Sark and Maritime Museum, aged 9. Originally from Wiltshire, I studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge and I work in IT.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?
Because the council are the people who look after the environment that you live in. They are responsible for the streets and amenities; for determining the mix of housing, businesses and shops; for encouraging investment, appropriate development and conservation; for traffic and parking schemes; and for providing facilities such as libraries and leisure centres. In brief, the council are responsible for practically everything that I care about when I leave my front gate.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I NEVER thought that I would get involved in politics! But concerns about the environment led me to the Green Party, and after reading their vision for the future I realised there was a better way to do things and a better way to live. Green policies put people and quality-of-life ahead of consumption and greed, and I’d like to be able to provide a better lifestyle for my family, neighbours, friends and everyone who lives or works in Greenwich.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

Wow, where do I start?! I love the Observatory, the Park and the Queen’s House (where Naomi and I were lucky enough to have our wedding reception). I also love the market and the town-centre shops, although I’m very concerned that the plans for the market might spoil these things. My favourite stretch of road is Royal Hill from the flower shop, past the Creaky Shed, butchers, cheese shop and fishmongers up to my favourite pub – the Greenwich Union with its own beer. But if I had to choose one thing, it would be the fact that I
have almost everything I need within walking distance of my house (although less traffic and pollution would make the walks nicer!).

If elected, what would be your priorities for the ward over the next four years?

I’d like to reduce traffic and pollution in the Borough by providing better local servies within walking distance, by improving public transport and by limiting the number of additional cars that will come with all of the new developments. I’d also introduce schemes such as “walking buses” to take children to school – avoiding rush-hour congestion and helping our children to stay healthy. I’d like to offer encouragement to local neighbourhood schemes by offering council grants to communities with the best ideas for how to improve their
area (as Lewisham council and the Green councillors there have done). I’d like to make sure that the council use the Olympics as an opportunity to get some long-term investment and improvement in West Greenwich to compensate for the disruption that we will have over the next 2 years. And I’d like to put the Green back into Greenwich, with schemes such as Fairtrade, smart-meter lending from libraries and local energy-saving cooperatives.

Finally, I’d like to make politics in Greenwich as cool and interesting as everything else that’s here!

Candidate Profiles: Anthony Austin, Greenwich West

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Name: Anthony Austin (Liberal Democrats)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I work part-time as a freelance editor and also as cycle instructor in south and east London boroughs, teaching children and adults safe cycling. Previously I was a correspondent for Reuters, the international news organisation, working in Switzerland, Italy (including Vatican correspondent), Thailand, and Sweden.
I recently ran the London Marathon for the third time, on this occasion to draw attention to the plight of the polar bear with proceeds to the World Wildlife Fund. On another occasion I ran for the Mayor of Greenwich’s McMillan charity.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

While canvassing for the LibDems I’ve also been handing out forms for people to register to vote, if they hadn’t already done so. When occasionally someone says “I don’t vote, all politicians are in it for themselves” or the like, I say “but don’t you think everything we do is political, and it matters that your voice is heard at the local and national level.”

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I am standing in this election for the LibDems with fresh policies to challenge 39 years of Labour control of Greenwich Council which has become dictatorial, lazy and cynical.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I love the riverside and its shipbuilding heritage. We should do much more to promote our borough, its royal status, the Thames path from Thamesmead to Deptford.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

If elected, and in consultation with my party colleagues, I would seek to give better value for council tax, investigate reversing the Labour decision to close Charlotte Turner primary school in Deptford, bring local people more into the planning process rather than imposing development on them.

Candidate Profiles: Simon Gallie, Greenwich West

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Name: Simon Gallie (Conservative)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

Simon Gallie has lived with his Partner in West Greenwich for the past 12 years and in London for 23 years. At work he leads a team of business and private banking managers based in Central London.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

In the last local election the turnout was very disappointing at less than 30% and we got another 4 years of a Labour Council who had already been in control for over 30 years. What we don’t know is what the other 70% of local residents wanted. If you care about your local area you need to vote.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

As I think parts of Greenwich are good but could be great. Are our streets as clean as they could be? Does the town centre look as good as it could? Are our public open spaces kept tidy? I don’t think we are getting value for money and want to make good great. I think I have business and commercial experience that would be useful in local government.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

The wonderful Park and World Heritage Site with many historical buildings in Greenwich West.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

In no particular order:
Ensure the Olympic Authority return the Park as they have said they will (despite a very lax and planning consent containing little detail).
Tidy and clean streets we can be proud of.
Value for money and efficiency in the upkeep of the council grass and planting areas.
Regeneration of some of the business premises and ensuring this is consistent with the World Heritage Site.
Preserving Greenwich’s Markets.
Controlling crime and anti-social behaviour without limiting residents ability to enjoy a drink in the sun.
Installing bins so people can actually “bag it and bin it” after their dogs.
Re-open Charlotte Turner School which should not have been closed.

Candidate Profiles: Matthew Pennycook, Greenwich West

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Name: Matthew Pennycook (Labour)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I live in Tarves Way on the Rubicon development where I have helped set up a thriving Residents Association and I am a Governor at James Wolfe Primary school. My background is in the third sector where I have worked on campaigns and policy with organisations such as Child Poverty Action Group as well as heading national campaigns for the Fair Pay Network – a national coalition of fourteen anti-poverty organisations committed to taking action to highlight and tackle working poverty in Britain. I am also a Greenwich organiser for Hope not Hate, the national campaign working to expose the extremism behind the British National Party, and I’ve been campaigning over the last year across the Borough to make sure we don’t see a BNP councillor elected on May 6th. In my spare time I enjoy running, reading and practicing my Chinese (mandarin) which I have studied for the past five years.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

Most of the decisions that effect people on a day-to-day basis take place at a local level so council elections are just as important as general elections. Politics affects everyone and involvement in the political process is essential to meeting the common challenges we face as a community. Democracies exist only by virtue of the engagement of their citizens. So if you value the safety of your home and family, the cleanliness of the streets around your home, or the quality of services and life in your local area then you need to vote for it and elect representatives who know and live in the ward with you and who have the experience and ability to understand your concerns and champion your interests.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

Faith in politics may be at an all time low but I still believe in the power of people working together to improve their lives. I am standing to be a councillor because I have seen both professionally and in the voluntary work I do what can be achieved if committed individuals work together toward common goals. I believe I have the energy and the skills needed to advance the interests of Greenwich West residents and to continue to build on the progress made in our area over the last few years.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I love many things about Greenwich but our Royal Park stands out as my favourite thing in Greenwich West. It is an immense privilege to live so close to such a beautiful piece of parkland which is used and valued by so many residents.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Peninsula ward over the next four years?

If elected I will work hard to build a fairer, safer and greener Greenwich West. My priorities would be:
• To safeguard our two Sure Start Children’s centres and to ensure our local schools improve faster.
• To ensure that the Olympic events in Greenwich Park are an enjoyable experience for residents and that the Park is returned in the same or better condition as it is in now.
• I believe in decent, affordable local homes so I will work hard to ensure that we build upon the work of the Decent Homes Programme locally and continue to improve our social housing stock.
• To preserve and maintain important local landmarks including Greenwich Market.

Candidate Profiles: Ian Gerrard, Greenwich West

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Name: Ian Gerrard (Liberal Democrats)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I’ve lived in the Greenwich area for just over 20 years, after finishing University and taking a job as a History teacher in a local state secondary school. I’m a keen fan of Northwich Victoria (which I know might not be too popular with local Charlton fans!) and I enjoy the odd game of golf, drinking with friends, reading and going to the cinema when I can fit it in. I’m also a member of a local drama group.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

It matters that people vote in every election and sometimes council elections can be overlooked. They shouldn’t be, though, because they affect so many aspects of our everyday lives; the schools our children go to, how clean and how safe our local streets are and the planning decisions that impact on how our area will develop in the future.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I’m standing to be a councillor because it’s an important role and I want to play my part in making Greenwich a better place for all local people. I was a councillor for four years and enjoyed listening to the concerns of people and doing my best to help them. Being a councillor is the opportunity to give something back to the local community and to stand up for what you believe in.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

There’s so many things to like about Greenwich; the view right across London from the top of the park, pottering around in the market, having a drink in one of the many great pubs, the beautiful buildings that you stumble across round almost every corner. It’s a great area and I’d be proud to represent it, were I to be elected.

If elected, what would be your priorities for Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

Listening to the concerns of local people would be right at the top of my list of priorities as well as working hard to protect the best parts of Greenwich and helping to improve those things that fall short of what we’d all like to see. Other than that, I’d want to see improvements to local schools so that everyone has access to the very best opportunities – we deserve nothing less.

Candidate Profiles: Maureen O’Mara, Greenwich West

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Name: Maureen O’Mara (Labour)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

Lived in the borough for thirty years and have worked in both the public and private sector. Have lived in Greenwich West ward for nearly seventeen years.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

It matters that people vote in all elections -local and national. Politics is about the house or flat that you live in, it is about how clean your street is, it is about whether you can get a job or not, it is about the quality of your children’s education and it is about the quality of care that your or you family and friends get from the NHS. Everyone cares about these things – we just group them together under the heading of “politics”. If you choose not to vote then you are letting other people make decisions about your life.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I have been a Labour councillor for Greenwich West for nearly twelve years and believe I have been able to get things done for local people and across the borough as a whole and want to keep doing that.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

There are many things that I love about West Greenwich – its strong sense of community for one and I also love its history. I am very proud that we are host to one of London’s four World Heritage sites which attracts now over seven million visitors a year.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

My priorities for the next four years would be to make sure that the needs of all our communities are met. We have just started to build council housing again in the borough – the first London borough to do so for some time. We need to make sure that we have the infrastructure to support our new developments and we need constantly to ensure that we maintain our improvements in the public realm – cleaner streets and cleaner estates. Clearly the 2012 Olympics will present real challenges for us and we need to make sure we are ready for those.

Candidate Profiles: Mary Harris, Greenwich West

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Name: Mary Harris (Conservative)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

I have worked in education for the past few years. I am involved in particular in English and literacy education. I think that everyone has the right to a good education to help them do well in the workplace. I enjoy living in South East London and in Greenwich in particular.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

It matters because Council election results have a direct impact on peoples’ daily lives in the area in which they live.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I want to play an active part in ensuring that communities and individuals alike have a ‘voice’, that is, that they are represented fully on the Council. There is always room for improvement in local services and it is important to look for practical, pragmatic solutions to meet the needs of diverse communities in Greenwich West, from youth organisations and schools to community and residents’ groups.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

I like that Greenwich West is so diverse in terms of people and places. There are many historic traditional buildings situated ‘cheek by jowl’ with modern locales. Every generation seems to have something definitive and positive to add to Greenwich West’s character. People seem to be willing to speak up and say what they think, too

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

As I work in education I think a priority would be promoting improvements in terms of education provision as, at the moment, many results are nowhere near good enough. For example, results are very uneven in terms of A*-C attainment at GCSE. Another priority would be to ensure adequate representation of residents’ concerns in terms of housing provision and street cleanliness.

Candidate Profiles: Robin Stott, Greenwich West

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Name: Robin Stott (Green Party)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

Im 67 years old, have lived in the Ashburnham triangle for 35 years and am active in the local Ashburnham Triangle Association.. I worked as a consultant physician in Lewsiham hospital until my retiremnt 5 years ago. Throughout my medical carreer, I have been active in the anti nuclear movement ( as Chairman of the the International Cttee of the International Physicians in the 1990’s against Nuclear war and as chairman of the local CND branch in the early 80;s ). And with the charity Medact, of which I was chairman for 8 years, I have worked to promote social , environmental and economic justice as a basis for global good health. I was for 6 years a member of The London Sustainable Development Commission, and now co-chair the Climate and Health Council, which seeks to engage health professionals in tackling climate change.
I am married with two grown up children, am a keen cyclist, tennis player and party goer.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

The council have a major responsibility for local affairs, and should be responsive to local opinion.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

Because I believe that the fair shares green perspective needs to be represented as forcefully as possible at all levels of government.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

The Ashburnham triangle , where I live, is full of sparky and friendly people, and nearly every time I walk or bicycle around the triangle , I meet people I know. Its great to have the shops and cafes in Royal Hill, and Somerfields within walking/bicycling distance. The park is a jewel, particularly in the early morning, and with Greenwich theatre and Cinema gives me immense pleasure. And then there is the Thames, and the cammeraderie of the Ashburnham Arms.

If elected, what would be your priorities for the ward over the next four years?

My life long aim is to create local communities in which resources are shared in a more equal way, building a sense of trust and security which makes for joyfull living. Having all those things which make life worthwhile local and accessible means encouraging local shops, enabling more people to work locally so that commutes can be on foot or bicycle, encouraging local entrepreneurs, and encouraging people to meet and discuss issues in an open and non judgemental way. In the long term, this means devolving funds and responsibility from central govt to a more local level –In the short term, much can be achieved by the council devolving a proportion of the budget to the local level, for citizens assemblies to oversee.

In such assemblies I will argue for schools within walking/bicycling distance, and the safe paths to reach them, for a 20 MPH speed limit on our roads, for the council to actively support the Transition town movement, and innovative ways to provide local care for elderly people.

Candidate Profiles: Lucy Mortimer, Greenwich West

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Name: Lucy Mortimer (Liberal Democrat)
Ward: Greenwich West

Please can you tell Greenwich.co.uk readers a little about yourself.

My name is Lucy Mortimer, I am 32 and have lived in the Borough for about 7 years, first in East Greenwich, then Shooters Hill, then West Greenwich. I work in renewable energy and carbon finance in developing countries, particularly South and East Asia, although originally I trained to be an architect. I’m currently doing up a derelict house in West Greenwich with local architect Roger Sedgely, whos practice is on Roan street. Between us, we’ve ensured its being fitted with some “green” technologies, including solar panels a water collection facility which feeds water back to the washing machine! Most importantly its highly insulated to prevent the power we generate and the heat we use escaping, which is something the council should really be considering with all houses if we’re ever to reduce our carbon footprint – simple measures like this really work well. I’m also involved in mentoring kids under the Children’s Society programme for vulnerable 11 and 12 year olds in the local area.

Why does it matter that people vote in council elections?

I think if people want local services that work for them, communal spaces that cater to their tastes, local amenities that reflect their needs and local council policies that reflect their beliefs and values, the only way to do that is to take an interest in who represents them best at the local level on the council. If you don’t take the time to vote, the council is just that bit less likely to reflect your own needs and desires.

Why are you standing to be a councillor?

I love living in Greenwich, but the things that drew me to live here – the Park, the artisan & vintage Markets in the centre of town, the diversity of the population – are being slowly eroded. The idea that the Market could be under threat again, now that the planning application to develop it into a hotel has gone to appeal, is really distressing, especially as the plan disregards the views of pretty much all of the local community who want it to remain largely as it is. The town centre is fast becoming run down, with empty boarded up shops, and those that remain don’t cater to the needs to the public but mainly to tourist. So, rather than just watching from the sidelines, I decided to get wholeheartedly involved! I believe if you really feel strongly about things like this, you should do what you can to fix it, so thats why I decided to stand for local election.

What do you like most about the area you wish to represent?

My favourite place in Greenwich is the University. I walk through it at 7 each morning on my way to work, and again on my way home. Often in the evenings you’ll hear the most amazing music floating out across the courtyards as students at orchestra or band practice rehearse, which is really uplifting after a long day!

If elected, what would be your priorities for the Greenwich West ward over the next four years?

Priorities for me would be the things my fellow candidates Anthony, Ian and I have collectively been outlining in our weekly focus’:

1. Education education education! So many people we’ve canvassed have talked to us about the difficulties they face in schooling their children, forcing them to send them outside of the borough, pay for private schools, or move away. We should be helping families to educate their children well, and improving schools, not closing them like we’ve seen at Charlotte Turner.

2. Making Greenwich town centre work for the community; At present, the centre is full of empty shops, and few sell goods that cater to local people, who are forced to shop out of town for fresh food – for example, why are there so few greengrocers and butchers, and basic provision stores? And where there could be numerous cafe’s to at least cater to the tourists that pass by, we have closed stores. We should be encouraging people to spend their money locally, by supporting local business through regeneration and innovation, instead of allowing shops to remain closed, which degrades the local area and does nothing for people who live there.

3. Saving Greenwich market from development; I am totally against the development of the market, plans for which have already been turned down but have been resubmitted at appeal in much the same form. We don’t need another 100+ room hotel, we need a market that is substantially the same as it is now, which draws in visitors and locals alike, and I think the community needs to have its voice and its wishes heard .

4. Listening to the community, so that services are improved where it matters, problems are addressed, and the voice of the many are heard rather than just the vocal minority.