Monthly Archives: May 2009
What do you want? Go on, tell me…
This blog is coming up to its half-birthday. Well, sort of – there are all sorts of dates I can use, for example the blog went live on 17 December, a great time when everyone is thinking about Christmas and no-one gives a stuff about a mere councillor blog. However, before it went live I [...]
Does the Speaker’s resignation really matter?
As someone who could be called a political blogger I should have an opinion on it. Fact is, I don’t. Not much of one, anyway. But as a political blogger it is my right, if not my duty, to drag my tendentious non-opinions out for a few hundred words. And my opinion is that it [...]
More on Clapham Junction planning withdrawal
(A little) more on why Metro Shopping Fund withdrew their planning application for Clapham Junction.
Clapham Junction planning application withdrawn
I’ve just heard that the Clapham Junction planning application has been withdrawn by the developer. The application had provoked an organised opposition and last week was recommended for refusal by the council’s planning officers although there were a few stirrings of support in recent weeks. Obviously the Planning Applications Committee are not bound by the [...]
Crime briefing, 7 – 14 May
The map below details crimes reported in Wandsworth between 7 and 14 May. There’s certainly been an increase in burglary. With the better weather we’ve been experiencing it’s worth making a special effort to remember to close any doors or windows you have opened when you are leaving the room, even if only for a [...]
Tweets for week ending 2009-05-18
I’ve barely been on Twitter recently. Struggling to thinking of anything at all constructive to add to the stream, maybe I should just go… # If my job involved finding ways of procrastinating today would be the most productive day ever. 14:45 & only just turning to Twitter. # Does anyone really care that I’m [...]
Can anyone claim section 44 works?
With the blanket coverage of MPs’ expenses late last week I almost missed a BBC News story about stops under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 The article contacts a few facts and figures about how effective section 44 has really been. In London during 2008 there were more than 170,000 searches conducted Of [...]
Wandsworth Jobseekers Allowance number continue to rise
The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in Wandsworth broke through the 6,000 mark in April. The rate of increase was slower than previous months, not enough to say we’ve turned the corner, or even that we’re approaching the corner, but a smaller increase is good news nonetheless. The total claiming JSA in April [...]
Clapham Junction ‘towers’ recommended for refusal
The agenda for next week’s planning applications committee has just been published. You can read the full report on the council’s website. Many, however, will be interested in the planning departments recommendations which are that the main application be refused. The recommendation is for two reasons: Officers believe the application does not provide sufficient benefit [...]
MPs’ expenses – what can Dave teach us?
The whole expenses saga has me yearning for Dave Nellist. Nellist was a left-wing Labour MP, deselected by his party for the 1992 election for being too left-wing. One of his trademark policies was to only take the average wage of a worker in his constituency rather than the full MP’s salary. As a Conservative [...]
