Jane Mather & Philip Morris: working hard for East Sheen

• From COMMENTS July 2007: Lib Dems invest in local services : After one year the Liberal Democrats are investing millions of pounds in key services for local people. Money from Council Tax reserves is being invested in improving secondary schools, the environment and facilities for young people. Despite already being the lowest spending council in London, the Liberal Democrats have managed to make additional savings of over £4.5m to keep Council Tax down and pay for key service improvements. The increase in Council Tax was only 0.3% above inflation compared to the Tories who in 2003 increased total Council Tax by 15.6% (12.7% above inflation).

Here are some of the things which are being invested in: The introduction of improved recycling services from November 2007 including doorstep cardboard and plastics collections (£750,000). Extra youth services. An extra £250,000 per year. A new sustainability team to reduce the Council's energy use (£100,000). £0.5m on youth club refurbishment. The Lib Dems have also found extra money to meet the growing need for care services for older people and those with learning difficulties (£900,000), the needs of children in care (£400,000) and with special educational needs (£300,000).

The surplus reserves built up by the Conservatives will be invested over the next four years on: £20 million on our secondary school buildings, over and above the £24m already planned for Teddington School. £3.5m on setting up the new recycling service. A new £1 million fund to help tackle climate change A new £1 million fund for new youth facilities. A new £400,000 economic development fund to help local businesses and high streets. In the run up to the local elections last year, the Liberal Democrats promised to invest money in local services. The Liberal Democrats have kept their promises.

• MP demands council tax fair deal: Ministers have sparked anger amongst local residents by cutting Richmond and Kingston's grant from central government, forcing up council tax and threatening local services. Richmond Park MP has hit back with a new campaign for a fair Council Tax deal for Richmond Park constituency, launching it with a debate in the House of Commons in February. Speaking in Parliament Square to a rally of local residents who travelled to Westminster to back the campaign, Susan Kramer said "Richmond is already the worst funded borough in London. This latest cut is an insult to tax payers. Richmond is one of the best value for money boroughs in the country but because of government cuts it has been forced to increase Council Tax." For 2007/2008 Richmond received £126.08 funding per head of the population compared to £499.75 for the average London borough. While Richmond received just £24 m neighbouring Hounslow and Fulham received £110.06 m and Wandsworth a staggering £136.9 m. Councillor Anna Davies said "Please sign our petition against this unfair tax at www.susankramer.org.uk". Council tax was introduced by the Conservatives and has been supported by Labour. The Lib Dems believe it is an unfair tax and should be scrapped.

• TORIES slammed over night flight claims: The Conservatives have found themselves in hot water with anti- Heathrow campaigners after making false accusations against local MP Susan Kramer in their literature. They falsely claimed that Susan voted against lifting a night flight ban in the House of Commons. This was completely untrue. Chair of independent anti-aviation group HACAN, John Stewart, set the record straight in a letter to the local papers (See right). The consultation on Heathrow expansion has been delayed yet again until September. To receive updates and to say "No 2More planes" register at www.susankramer.org.uk

'Both the Richmond MP Susan Kramer, and Vincent Cable, the Twickenham MP, have been accused of voting against a cap on night flights. Not only is this accusation false, but both MPs have been staunch and consistent campaigners against further expansion of Heathrow for many years. HACAN, a non-p arty political organisation, does not get involved in party politics, but is saddened that these accusations have been made. One of the features of the last few years has been the unity that has developed amongst all the political parties in West London, all supporting a ban on night flights, the retention of runway alternation and opposing proposals for a third runway. We need to retain that unity if we are to succeed. Accusations like these do nothing to help our cause. John Stewart Chair HACAN'

• Richmond tops 'value for money' lists: Lib Dem Richmond Council is among the best in the country for providing value for money services for local residents says the latest Audit Commission Report. The January 2007 findings also state that overall satisfaction with the Council is improving under the Lib Dems.

• Recycling improvements: Doorstep plastic bottle and cardboard recycling is being introduced in November. The Lib Dems are also currently trialing recycling for small businesses and shops. More than 100 businesses have already signed up to weekly collections of cardboard, paper and mixed glass. Approximately 12% of waste produced nationally comes from commerce compared to 9% for domestic households.

Three Conservative Councillors were elected in the East Sheen Ward iat the May 2006 election. However your local Liberal Democrat Comments team are eager to hear from you if you have issue or concern that you would like raised.

Nicholas Edward True Conservative Party Candidate 2181 Elected

Virginia Louise Morris Conservative Party Candidate 2126 Elected

Nicola Meredith Urquhart Conservative Party Candidate 2096 Elected

Jane Penelope Mather Liberal Democrat 994

Philip Arthur Crowley Morris Liberal Democrat 973

Jonathan David Smalldon Liberal Democrat 938

Sylvia Wills Green Party 570

Anthony Stephen Channell The Labour Party Candidate 212