Our Prospective Councillors (image)

From left to right: David Gardner, Ambreen Hisbani and Harpinder Singh

New Community Hub Swings into Barnfield

I was up early this morning to see the new Barnfield Hub being swung into place, after the old centre was destroyed by Arson.  All led by Barnfield Residents.  Opening on 22nd Feb @ noon.

David L Gardner

@David_Llew

david.l.gardner@hotmail.co.uk

020 8856 7488 (h) 07788 414182 (m)

Shared Ownership Scheme - David Gardner

On my way up Bloomfield Road to our Eglinton Road listening canvass on Saturday morning, I spotted up towards Plumstead Common Road, this brand new block of yellow brick flats advertised as shared ownership on the market from £42000 for a 25% stake. 

Under this scheme, you can own between 25-75% depending on your circumstances, and pay the rest in rent.  It is one way (introduced by the last Labour Government) to bridge the gap if you don't have the savings or earnings for a mortgage on a flat or house but cannot find a decent rental property. 

At least you get something back for your investment when you decide to sell and move elsewhere.  It was brought home to me talking to some Woolwich Common residents who were privately renting just how extortionate rents can now be for private tenants in Woolwich - often £1000 per month for a 1 bed and £1200+ for a two bed.  Sometimes, these are leasehold properties bought from the council at some stage under Right to Buy.  So someone can be renting from the council paying £100 a week with a secure tenancy while next-door in a private flat, their neighbour will be forking out £225 per week with repairs neglected and the danger of being given notice at any time.  While there are many good private landlords who adopt the highest standards on safety, security and repair - there are many absent, draconian landlords who do everything by cash or through shady middle-men (or women).  

For many, it is a constant drift from one sub-standard property to another trying to keep head above water.  This is why I strongly support a landlord registration scheme like that pioneered in Newham http://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Landlord-accreditation-scheme.aspx so tenants know in advance their landlady/lord will meet decent standards.  Life can be a struggle enough with the cost of living crisis without constant battles with rogue landlords, so let's make it easier to rent, part-buy and buy outright in Woolwich.

David L Gardner

@David_Llew

david.l.gardner@hotmail.co.uk

020 8856 7488 (h) 07788 414182 (m)

Meet our councillor candidates - David Gardner

David Gardner is a community champion and former councillor living just next to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Professionally, he has a senior role in a large accountancy firm where he has championed the London Living Wage and works in Canary Wharf.

As a councillor from 2002-6, David spearheaded the campaign to ensure we had a Woolwich Crossrail station that will now transform job, leisure and travel opportunities for Woolwich residents. He also successfully campaigned for the total transformation of the old crime-ridden Master Gunners estate as the new mixed Woolwich Green.

David is Chair of the Charlton Society, coordinator of the Charlton Rail Users' Group and a Governor of both a primary and secondary school. He has been Chair of John Roan School, leading the rebuilding programme.

He is married with three student daughters and enjoys running, travel and reading. He is passionate about making a difference.

Walpole - David Gardner

What a wonder is Walpole.  From a distance, Walpole Place looks like many other post-war council-built blocks of flats.  But, look beyond first impressions and you soon discover it is a little oasis in the heart of Woolwich - and shows what tenants, leaseholders and communities coming together can do.  Your local Labour team were out meeting the people of Walpole a week last Saturday and of course, it has its challenges and many people are struggling to find a job, and those in work to make ends meet.  But what Walpole has is community - and pride.  Back in the 1990s, the pioneering Labour council led by Len Duvall, established Walpole as an Estate Management Board (EMB) where the council retain the ownership and carry out major repairs, but everything else is run by the tenants with a delegated budget out of the rents they pay.  And, obviously with a few twists and turns, it has gone from strength to strength.

There is great security and a concierge, people feel safe.  The entrance is welcoming, not any graffiti or litter in sight but pictures of past events and celebrations.  The front garden is tidy and colourful, easy on the eye.  Then there is an array of activities for all ages and communities, helping people earn English, or celebrate Tibetan culture the morning we were there, or gardening and much else.  This helps the finances and brings people together.  And at the back is the real discovery, a tremendous garden, play and activity area, peace wall and a wooded wilderness area - all in the centre of Woolwich where the children and families of Walpole can play and relax safely to their heart's content - all created the imagination, determination, creativity and fundraising of the Walpole residents and their EMB.  They also mange the minor repairs, caretaking (excellent) and grounds maintenance as well as security.  The benefits are significant - a sense of pride and community, tenants feeling they are in charge all meaning much lower crime, lower rent arrears, little if any vandalism, fewer people moving out and thus fewer voids and much greater neighbourliness - so important for our quality of life and sense of happiness.

So let's hear it for Walpole - and very much a model that tenants and leaseholders in other blocks and estates should look to - a tenant-led partnership with the council that delivers stronger communities

David L Gardner

Woolwich Common Labour Councillor Candidate, 

First post

This blog is intended for the candidates for councillors for the Woolwich Common branch of the Labour Party.