Merlene and local Liberal Democrats quiz Council Leader Steven Greenhalgh at the townhall event (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats <info@hflibdems.org.uk>

Merlene and local Liberal Democrats quiz Council Leader Steven Greenhalgh at the townhall event

November 11, 2009 12:00 PM
Originally published by Merlene Emerson - Your First Choice for London

The Council's Quiz The Leaders event on 10 November was attended by nearly 200 people attracted by the opportunity to question Council Leader Stephen Greenhalgh, and a panel of service providers, chaired by local resident John Humphrys. The other panel members included the representatives from the police, fire services, Health, TfL and H&F Homes.

Merlene Emerson (the Lib Dem's Parliamentary spokesperson for Hammersmith) asked the Council leader to justify their core strategy not to increase the number of social rented property within the borough for the next 15 years. This despite the fact that there are thousands on its waiting lists coupled with real fears expressed by residents in a number of estates that their estates have been ear-marked for demolition.

Chair of local Hammersmith & Fulham Lib Dems Henrietta raised a question on planning and asked what lessons had been learnt from the controversial decision to allow the redevelopment of Goldhawk Industrial estate. Cllr Greenhalgh admitted that there were lessons to be learnt, though he was unable to say how they would affect future planning applications, including the Stowe Road Depot scheme. Asked by the Brackenbury Residents Association whether the Council would consider appointing a Design Champion, he seemed under the illusion that the borough already had one.

A range of other subjects were raised by residents including Council tax cuts and how these might affect services, the dominance of H&F News and its effect on other local papers as well as the ever perennial discussions relating to cyclists versus pedestrians rights on the road.