• May 2010 Election %s: C 40.6; LD 51.2; L 8.2; G 0; I 0. LD hold.

• JANET LANGHORNE has lived in Hampton for 26 years. She is married with two adult sons who have been through state and independent schools within Hampton. She has recently retired from St Mary's University College where she was the College Practice Nurse for 5 years; before that she worked for 10 years in local GP surgeries as a Practice Nurse after many years of general nursing. Health issues within the community are one of her priorities

She has been involved in raising a petition to find a solution for the lorry and traffic problems in Oldfield Road which led to feasibility study being carried out; work on this is still ongoing. Janet enjoys singing in a local choir, researching her family tree, collecting Carlton Ware, walking and swimming; she is also enjoying being a new grandparent! She has seen many changes in Hampton over the years and is determined to see that our community remains a pleasant place in which to live, work and play.

• GARETH ROBERTS is proud to live in Hampton. He writes "I first encountered Hampton back in 1994 when, fresh out of University, I took a position at a market research company operating in New Court, Station Road. I decided there and then that when I was ready to raise a family it would be in Hampton. 11 years later my wife, my 3 month old daughter and I moved into High Street just a couple of doors down from The Jolly Coopers. In addition to bringing my family to Hampton, I also bought my company and since 2005 we have occupied offices in Constable's Boathouse overlooking the Thames."

"Hampton is one of those special places that, despite being just a few miles from Central London, still retains a 'Village' feel. Residents tell me that they don't want to elect somebody that they never see from one year to the next, they want somebody that they will see out and about on a daily basis, whether it's in the bakery, the post office orin the village pubs. Hampton residents quite rightly demand accountability from their elected representatives and unless you live IN Hampton you can't hope to be truly representative OF Hampton. To my knowledge we are the ONLY party that is fielding three Hampton residents to contest the three Hampton seats. I'm proud of the fact that only the Lib Dems have understood that, as far as Hampton is concerned, being local matters."

"I'm proud of the achievements of our local Lib Dem team since they were elected in 2006. The new playground on Hampton Green; the new short stay parking spaces on Station Road, installed at the request of small tradesmen to help improve customer access to their business; speed cameras installed on Thames Street to help improve road safety in this part of the ward; The new, safer crossing near the Swimming Pool; excellent primary provision in our infants and junior schools; the success in attracting a world class sponsor to help develop Hampton Community College into Hampton Academy, which will hopefully provide a new, first class school in this part of the borough. All of these demonstrate a party that is in touch with the community it serves."

"I want to build on that success and sense of community. Already I am active in various aspects of village life including being Vice Chair of Governors at Hampton Infants and being a member of the Beveree Stadium Consultative Group which acts as a liaison between the local football club and residents. In recent years I have regularly attended the Area Consultation Meetings and local police Safer Neighbourhood Team meetings."

"I have been involved with various community initiatives and recently spoke out with, and in support of, local residents to oppose the late license application submitted by Punch Taverns. Hampton residents were successful in holding the applicants to a 12.30 am closing time as opposed to the 3 am closing time as originally requested. If elected I would seek to continue representing the needs of ALL Hampton residents."

Gareth Roberts is 39; he is married to Petra and has three daughters,Lucy, Evie and Madeleine.

• HAMPTON Lib Dems have once again called on local Conservatives to stop playing politics with the education of our children. Since it was first suggested that the academy should be sponsored by Swedish education company Kunskapsskolan the Conservatives have been relentless in their attacks. The consultation process has shown that parents and pupils favour the change to academy status under the joint sponsorship of Richmond Council and Kunskapsskolan.

The staff and governors of Hampton Community College favour the change to academy status under the joint sponsorship of Richmond Council and Kunskapsskolan. The Principal Designate of Hampton Academy and current Principal of HCC, Doctor Sue Demont, favours the change to academy status under the joint sponsorship of Richmond Council and Kunskapsskolan. People whom we have been speaking to on the doorstep favour the change to academy status under the joint sponsorship of Richmond Council and Kunskapsskolan.

The Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Michael Gove MP, favours the personalised form of education which will form the basis of the academy education the joint sponsorship of Richmond Council and Kunskapsskolan. He even used a video of his visit to Kunskapsskolan schools in Sweden at the Conservative's party conference. In fact the ONLY people who, as a body, continue to snipe and complain about the academy plans are Hampton and Hampton North Conservatives.

Hampton Lib Dem campaigner, Gareth Roberts, said "I was astonished to read in a recent Conservative publication the same tired scaremongering which has been the hallmark of the Tory position on academies for the last few years; it really is time for them to realize that their relentlessly negative campaign is not working. This year, the first since it was announced that Kunskapsskolan would be the joint sponsor of Hampton Academy, we have seen a 10% increase in the number of parents and students placing HCC/Hampton Academy as their first choice of school. This is terrific news and proof that people are choosing the positive vision being put forward by the Lib Dems and rejecting the negative posturing of the Conservatives."

Cllr Malcolm Eady, the cabinet member for Children's services added "Cllr Samuel is now trying to infer unwarranted secrecy about the appointment process of the Academy's Principal Designate, Dr Sue Demont. He was given the criteria by which the candidate would be measured, was told that there was a joint panel of of DCSF, Kunskapsskolan and the local authority and who was on the panel. Dr Sue Demont was interviewed as the sole candidate, in recognition of the improvements that she had made to the performance and public perception of the school. The school will be run by the Learning Skills Trust, which is a charity and not a profit making company. My hope is that now we have sorted out most of the details about the Academy, we can take it out of the local political battle and let it develop into a fine local school."

• CLEANING up the river: Hampton's Lib Dem team took to the water this week to get to grips with the problem of rubbish that accumulates near Bell Hill Quay. Over recent months areas of the Thames near Hampton have become clogged with assorted rubbish which has floated down from further upstream.

Cllr Suzette Nicholson said, "This problem was bought to our attention by a local resident and we were delighted to be able to help. We looked into tackling the problem through official channels but soon realized that it was going to be quicker and easier to roll our sleeves up and clear it ourselves" In the course of an afternoon's work volunteers were able to clear enough bottles, carrier bags, bread liners, beer cans, black bin liners, old shoes and various clothing items to fill 10 large black bin liners. They even fished out a builder's helmet.

Fellow volunteer Janet Langhorne said "This has been an incredibly useful exercise. The river is such a vital part of our local community that we really do need to spare the time to look after it more". Janet's comments were echoed by another volunteer, Gareth Roberts who said "We're hope to make this a regular event. Hampton is a real gem of a village and if we look after it properly then hopefully it will stay that way for years to come".

• [From Comments Spring 2010]: AFTER a lengthy and full consultation process Hampton Community College has finally been proposed for Academy Status with the internationally respected educational body Kunskapsskolan being named as joint sponsor. Kunskapsskolan, the sponsor, is Sweden's largest secondary education provider. It operates 30 secondary schools in Sweden, educating over 9,000 students from the age of 12 to 18 years old. The Kunskapsskolan model works- in Sweden, students in Kunskapsskolan schools results are above the national average.

Carol Stratton, local Lib Dem Councillor and governor of HCC, said: "Under the headship of Dr Demont, Hampton Community College has made massive strides and her continued presence as Principal along with the huge additional funding and exciting, new teaching methods will ensure that Hampton Academy becomes a great secondary school. I understand the concerns that some residents have expressed, but I think HCC is about to enter a new golden era. "

Hampton campaigner, Gareth Roberts added. "As a parent of three young children and a governor of a HCC feeder primary, I have first hand experience of the excellence of the primary schools that we have in Hampton. We have the best Primary schools in the country in the borough and I know many parents want to send their children to a Secondary school of the same standard. I am convinced Hampton Academy will become the standard bearer for secondary education, not just in Hampton but across the borough". For info on the new sponsor see: http://www.kunskapsskolan.co.uk

• TACKLING Anti-Social Behaviour in Hampton: Your local Lib Dem team has been working closely with the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team, Richmond Housing Partnership and local residents' groups to address the problem of anti-social behaviour in the area close to Hampton Station. Oldfield Road resident and local Hampton campaigner, Janet Langhorne, commented: "Many people have been speaking to me about this issue and I'm pleased to say that recently the problem appears to have died down, but we must not rest there. I've been in talks with our local Liberal Democrat councillors and MP, Vince Cable, about pushing for a proper playground or skateboard area so that there is something for young people to do with their spare time."

Cllr Suzette Nicholson added, "We do appreciate that some of this problem stems from boredom, that's why we've always been keen to support the excellent work of the Hampton Youth Project at Tangley Park which offers a range of activities for 11-19 year olds locally. For more details, either call the project on 020 8288 0864 or look at the website: http://www.richmond.gov.uk/ home/education_and_learning/youth_support/youth_hampton.html

• SAVE Kingston Hospital: Senior NHS staff have revealed that there are proposals to close Accident and Emergency services and Maternity services at Kingston Hospital. Neighbouring Lib Dem MPs have been told this information by 5 senior NHS staff, including four chief executives and one senior clinician. You can now read the SW London Strategic Plan which was due to be published in December, but was pulled at the last moment at : http://www.savekingstonhopsital.org.uk. You can also sign the petition online at the same website address.

• HAMPTON Lib Dems successfully spoke out on residents' behalf at a recent planning meeting regarding the controversial 'Towering Houseboats' on Taggs Island. Cllr Suzette Nicholson, who was approached by local residents to speak out for them, at the planning appeal, said, "What was disappointing was that a local Conservative spoke in favour of retaining these boats. It would appear that they are out of step with the majority view of residents who want to see these beautiful river views protected and not spoiled by over-development."

• NEW PAVEMENT FOR STATION ROAD: Hampton Lib Dem councillors have warmly welcomed the completion of the stretch of pavement at the junction of Station Road and Percy Road. Residents may recall that the original pavement rather inexplicably stopped short of the corner of the junction adjacent to the level crossing; the new pavement will ensure that pedestrians have a greater sense of safety when turning right from Station Road and crossing the level crossing.

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Suzette NICHOLSON, said "It has been four years since we first requested that this issue was addressed and I am very pleased to see it finally come to fruition. The reason why it took so long was that the land was owned by Network Rail and the process by which ownership of the land transferred from Network Rail to the local authority was a drawn out one." Cllr Nicholson went on to add "I'm convinced that this will make this corner safer for pedestrians in general and pensioners and parents with buggies in particular, indeed I have already received phone calls and e-mails from residents saying what an improvement this has made to the area"

Cllr Carol STRATTON added "We are always keen to hear from residents if they feel there is an issue such as this that needs addressing. If we can help we certainly will."

• COMMUNITY toilet scheme: One of the popular initiatives started by the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council has been the Community Toilet Scheme. 90 toilets in pubs, cafés, and offices around the borough are now open to the public. The Council pays the venue £600 a year to allow unrestricted access to the toilets. This is very much cheaper, and offers many more toilets, than the traditional public toilets, which are very expensive to maintain. Just look for the Community Toilet sign outside.

• 33 places in the HAMPTONS and TEDDINGTON have joined the scheme: Adelaide; Bell Hill Wharf; Bell Inn; Bloated Mallard; Blubeckers; Caffe Mimmo; Cardinal Wolsey; Carlisle Park Bowl Pavilion; Coffee Mill; Greenwood Centre; Hampton Hill Library; Hampton Open Air Pool; Jolly Coopers; King's Field Pavilion; King's Head; L'Amandine; Lion; Nearest Cafe; Old Goat; Railway Hotel; Railway Bell; RedLion; Scarpetta; Swan Hampton Wick; Teddington Arms; Teddington Cemetery; Teddington Library; Teddington Pool and Fitness Centre; Tide End Cottage; White Hart Hotel; White House Community Centre; Wimpy; and the Windmill [Hampton Hill].

• The Borough's 90 Community Toilets

• From Comments Summer 2009: • YELLOW Lines One of the most regular comments we hear when we're out and about in Hampton is about parking and yellow lines. Contrary to what you might read and hear we're no fans of yellow lines but in certain locations within Hampton they are necessary in order to improve safety and traffic flow. We have been working closely with local residents to ensure that where parking restrictions are required to improve safety they are introduced as quickly as possible. One example is at the junction with Station Road and High Street where a tragic fatality occurred. We have also been listening to the views of local residents to ensure that where yellow lines are either inappropriate or unnecessary they are removed.

• Another regular complaint is about the 'SPY CAR'. Again this is a problem that we have been addressing with our colleagues at York House. While we appreciate that there is the need to ensure that parking restrictions are enforced we fully appreciate that some drivers, particularly those displaying Blue Badges are unfairly and wrongly targeted by the 'Spy Car'. We have asked that more foot patrols are restored to Hampton and that the activities of the car are scaled back as far as possible. If you feel you have been wrongly targeted contact your local Lib Dem Team.

• ACADEMY Consultation: The process has now ended. It has been very successful. Over the last few months parents have fed in their views on topics such as post 16 education, curriculum, and subject specialisms for the schools, and as a result the original proposals have been modified. Cllr Eady, the Cabinet member for Children's Services said "I am extremely excited by the new vision for the school. The support for the new Academy has been very strong, from the staff, the governors and very many parents. This has been because they have seen the great opportunities this programme will bring to the school. If the proposal is approved at the Council's Cabinet meeting on the 23rd of November, the new school will open in September 2010. £18m will be available for new and refurbished buildings at the school

• We are very pleased that HATHEROP PARK has been awarded a 'Green Flag' Award this year. This Award acknowledges high standards of park facilities and maintenance. The Council works with the 'Friends of Hatherop Park' a group formed in December 2003 to discuss ideas and keep improving the park for local residents. There are plans for a new pavilion to be constructed. Work has been delayed because of unsuitable ground conditions but will begin again as soon as these are sorted out. The new pavilion will include a public toilet and a refreshment kiosk as well as new changing facilities

• AN awkward turn: At the end of the summer Suzette Nicholson and residents became concerned about the overhanging greenery on the bridge across the railway in Tudor Road. It covered most of the pathway at one point and obstructed easy access. Network Rail, when asked, cut this back but unfortunately they have left the rubbish behind.

• TOO much greenery: Councillors have recently heard that the small piece of rough ground near the level crossing could soon be a pavement. The council is waiting for Network Rail to give permission for the work to be done We're delighted that this issue, which has been a long standing matter of concern to residents and councillors, will soon be rectified.

• LINDEN Hall, social centre for older people, remains closed for extensive works to the building and interior refurbishment, which is taking longer than we first anticipated. Your local councillors fully support Linden Hall as a much needed place for older people to meet, have lunch and participate in activities and we look forward to re-opening in the New Year.

• ON the Watch: Your councillors report any wrongly dumped rubbish they see. A particularly bad spot is Oldfield Road next to the Thames Water land. The Council number to contact if you see any is 08456 122 660or you can complete an online report form or email envprotection@richmond.gov.uk.

• Crossing in Hampton High Street: Responding to residents' concerns about safety on this busy street, your councillors have supported the improvement to the crossing from Manor Gardens to Hampton swimming pool. It has been upgraded to a raised toucan crossing, which should reduce traffic speed and provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.

From Comments Summer 2009: • PARKING around Hampton Station - Is Re-Zoning the answer? Commuters parking in streets surrounding the station has long been an issue that has annoyed Hampton residents. Commuters travelling in from Sunbury and beyond have traditionally received the blame for this as Hampton is a cheaper option, being located at the end of Zone 6. Carol Stratton and Suzette Nicholson, your local Lib Dem Councillors, decided to do a survey in the morning peak travel time to gain a snap shot of train travellers' behaviour and to see whether there were real grounds to suggest that Zone 6 should be extended to stations beyond Hampton.

The survey took place over four days, from 6.30 am to 9 am. The results of the survey, first of all, were impressive with the overwhelming majority of commuters walking to the station. Approximately 300 commuters were interviewed each day and though there were a substantial number of people who drove to the station and parked in the surrounding roads, there was no real evidence to suggest that we were looking at a massive influx of Sunbury commuters. What was surprising was that a significant number of drivers came from Hampton and Hampton North some traveling relatively short distances.

• WE need to encourage all Hampton commuters to walk, cycle or catch the bus rather then park the car near the station and we will be looking at how this can be achieved, either through talks with the bus companies to improve the service in the morning or by encouraging more cycling. Local campaigner, Gareth Roberts, having seen rail users struggle to park their bikes during the survey period, is campaigning for more cycle stands at the front of the station to make this easier. We have also asked South-West Trains local manager to meet us at the site and discuss our concerns including whether there could be parking for a few cars using the small grass site near the crossing. Whatever happens we will keep you fully informed of our progress and if you have any suggestions we'd be really pleased to hear from you.

• AS a result of Cllr Carol Stratton's persistent efforts on behalf of older people in Hampton, council funding has been made available to refurbish Linden Hall. Your Liberal Democrat Council is making sure that this Social Day Centre for the Over 60s is fit for purpose, with a programme of repairs, roof insulation, external decoration and a new central heating system. At the same time, the trustees of Linden Hall have raised money for internal decoration. While the work is being done the centre will be closed for a few months in the summer but members will not be left without a service. At a meeting in Linden Hall on May 7th members were informed that membership of Linden Hall includes membership of Elleray Hall in Teddington and they are kindly invited to use Elleray Hall while the work goes ahead.

• DOING Not Saying: At a recent meeting of the Liberal Democrat group Hampton ward councillors voted in favour of a motion to freeze councillors' allowances at their 2008/2009 levels and not to accept any increase for the year 2009/2010. The motion was carried enthusiastically. The freeze will apply to all basic allowances and to all special responsibility allowances. "Given the current harsh economic climate when we are all being asked to tighten our belts it would be wholly inappropriate for councillors to accept even the smallest rise in their allowances", writes Cllr Suzette Nicholson. "We have a duty to ensure that if we are being entrusted with public money then that money is spent on maintaining and delivering services to the residents of the borough."

• AFTER being approached by local businesses, Suzette is working to make parking in Station Approach as shopper friendly as possible. She has also had short-term parking bays placed outside certain shops in Station Road allowing a turn-over of local shoppers to visit them.

• BY the light of the moon: Walkers along the Thames in Hampton will soon be able to see a new side of the Moon . . Permission has been granted by Richmond Council's planning committee for the owners of the 'Back of the Moon' houseboat moored at Taggs Island to reduce the size of their home, allowing them to avoid having to demolish it altogether.The three storey houseboat currently has a pitched roof at the north west end, leading to concerns it had become too large for the area. In February the owners were issued with an enforcement notice because the Council was concerned about the size, design and prominent position of the houseboat.

When the committee first discussed the houseboat in November last year it felt the vessel would be out of keeping with the Hampton Village Conservation Area. The owners had appealed against the enforcement notice, but at last Thursday's planning meeting said they would withdraw the appeal if permission for the changes was granted. The applicants, Ms Leyland and Ms Merrell had submitted plans to remove the majority of the third storey, to reduce the majority of the boat's height from 8.1 metres to 5.9 metres, although the central section will be 7.1 metres, in a bid to make it less overbearing and more neighbourly.

Richmond Council's planning committee agreed the application was finely balanced, but decided to grant the application. The committee told members of the public the Council's new Local Development Framework would in future give more guidance on what would and would not be acceptable development in areas like Taggs Island.

• [From COMMENTS Winter 2008-9]: CAMPAIGNING to Stop Oldfield Road Lorry expansion: Your three Hampton councillors have all made representation to the Traffic Commissioner's office asking for refusal of an application for a haulage operator's licence. A firm has applied to have 10 more lorries and a trailer on their site in Oldfield Road. Oldfield Road is primarily residential and the volume of goods vehicles using it to access Kempton Gate business park has been a problem since this industrial estate was redeveloped. Most industrial estates have separate access roads but Oldfield Road was designated as the access road under the previous Conservative council administration. Lorries from the business park often block the traffic, especially at rush hour, and damage the pavements by parking on them. An area of the roadway has also subsided as a result of the heavy traffic. Last year, Cllr Nicholson presented a residents' petition to the Council asking for an alternative access road to be built. However this was costed at £3 million and currently cannot be afforded. "The Traffic Commissioner's office is an independent body, based in Leeds, and is not answerable to the council. We hope that our representations result in rejection of this application," said Cllr Nicholson

• MEALS on Wheels: Everyone receiving the service is being contacted by social services staff and offered a frozen meal service, delivered fortnightly, or a complete assessment of their needs. Some people may need support from a home carer to prepare food or may choose to attend a day centre for their lunch and enjoy the social contact. If daily contact is needed it will be included in the support plan. Care-line and Telecare are also available for vulnerable people living alone and carers or relatives wishing to be involved in the assessment and support plans are welcomed. Customers who choose the frozen meals can heat them up in a domestic oven or a microwave. A specially designed Servotherm heater and a small freezer are supplied to those who do not have their own and the labelling on the meals is designed to help people with visual impairment. Councillor Carol Stratton, vice- chair of the overview and scrutiny committee for health, social care and housing, said "I recognise that changes in services for older people can cause anxiety but our aim is to offer more independence, more choice and less social isolation for vulnerable elderly people. The new Self Directed Support scheme is a service tailored for each individual".

• THERE is a restored and new road layout at the end of the bridge with Tudor Road. This junction with Station Road was a small area of Hampton where your Ward Councillors had asked for change. The altered road layout with new surfaces and kerb stones has made it safer for road traffic and pedestrians.

• ST ALBAN'S: Residents and Councillors are pleased to see that St. Alban's Shelter along by the riverside in Hampton has a new roof. Ward Councillors pressed the council to replace it after the old roof was stolen two years ago. The new roofing looks splendid although it is not made of lead. Also concerning the river, the Flood Defence Committee at Reading met in January and had an interesting vote. The Tory/Labour majority voted not to increase the local levy to invest in more flood defence schemes.