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I'm a councillor in the London Borough of Wandsworth; this blog mainly covers that, sometimes general politics and policy and occasionally anything else that takes my fancy.
Author Archives: James
Poo and dumps
The two big issues that came out of the Shaftesbury Let’s Talk were dog fouling and fly-tipping. Poos and dumps. These were unsurprising, several had written to us before to raise the issues and they are running problems. I often report fly-tips and have raised the issue of dog fouling repeatedly. But these are problems
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Half-price parking in Tooting
For a long time it felt like my job on the council was explaining the council’s parking policy to business. I should add that my job on the council has never involved any responsibility for parking whatsoever (long may that continue) but it is inevitable when talking to businesses that they will raise the impact
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The Big London Energy Switch
Energy switching seems to have become something of a local government vogue recently. Perhaps because there is not as much cash around any more and local authorities and councillors have to look at less traditional ways of supporting residents. In February I sat on the judging panel for the LGIU‘s Cllr Awards and (aside from
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Shaftesbury’s big issues
Having posted about the behaviour of the crowd at the Shaftesbury Let’s Talk event I have remained silent on the issues raised, in part because there were some I wanted to cover in a bit more detail, in part because – despite being there – I had formed the opinion it would be a harder task that
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Benevolent mob rule in Battersea
Last night was the Shaftesbury Ward Let’s Talk event. I’ll confess surprise at the turnout, especially as it was not the most clement of evenings, and should perhaps review my previous scepticism to this type of meeting because of the way the meeting self-managed. I will save most of the topics raised for another post
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Posted in Shaftesbury
Tagged let's talk, Nightingale Square, wisdom of crowds, wisdom of the crowd
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Let’s Talk
The Shaftesbury ward ‘Let’s Talk’ event takes place a week today, Thursday, 21 March from 7.30pm at Shaftesbury Park school. The meetings are an opportunity for residents to come and tell local councillors and council officers what is important to them. There’s no need to register so you can just come along. Having advertised it
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Posted in Shaftesbury
Tagged communication, engagement, let's talk, Shaftesbury Park
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150 years of Clapham Junction in Battersea
I attended the small event held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Clapham Junction yesterday. It is remarkable to think about the impact it has had on the millions of people who have worked, lived by, used and travelled through the station in those 150 years. Indeed, it defies comprehension. Having to say a few
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Anyone know where Clapham Hill is? Or…
Anyone know where Clapham Hill is? Or alternatively where I might find a clueless marketing department?
Posted in Twitter pics
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Guerrilla gardening in Comyn Road,…
Guerrilla gardening in Comyn Road, Battersea. First time I’ve seen a tree base planted like this. Wonder who did it.
Posted in Twitter pics
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Have your say on policing
The Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime (MOPAC) are holding a series of public meetings on next year’s police and crime plans. Similar meetings used to be held in Wandsworth (I did a few of them myself, and if you were so inclined you can watch a series of three videos of my presentation from
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